WCGS Member Newsletter – September 2022

Greetings members! Hope you’re all doing well.

Summer is quickly coming to a close, which is a little sad, but that means it’s CONCERT SEASON TIME!

Wilmington Classical Guitar Season 2022-23
It’s been a particularly long and windy road this year, with lots of pitfalls and a flat tire or two, but I’ve finally managed to book an outstanding season of concerts and masterclasses. And now, after a bit of effort, all the information you need to learn about the artists and purchase tickets is available on our website.

This season we’re going for broke, and have enlisted a ton of exciting artists to perform for us, including the return of Thomas Viloteau w/Alexandra Iranfar-Viloteau (October 15), Carlos Bedoya (November 19), the return of Rupert Boyd (February 25), The Davisson Duo (March 25), and the GFA Winner’s Tour Featuring Bokyung Byun (April 29), who you might remember brought the house down right before the pandemic hit. In addition we’ll have the 11th Annual WCGS Members Concert (May 27). Can’t wait!

To sweeten the deal, we’ll be holding a masterclass with each of our artists while they’re here, so all of you performers, practice up. Soon it will be your chance to perform for one of our artists in a masterclass, and a great chance for the rest of us to learn from your hard work. Thomas Viloteau’s masterclass is just around the corner, so please don’t hesitate to sign up. All are welcome, regardless of ability.

Tickets for all events are on sale in our Online Store.

Your Member Discount
New this season, the discount codes for the purchase of your discounted member tickets is integrated directly into the website, so no more sifting through newsletters or the Facebook Group looking for codes. When you arrive at the website, please LOGIN in the menu at the top right. Once you’re logged in, an “Account” tab will be appear in the main menu on the right. In addition to linking you to the Member Discounts, this tab will allow you to view/change/renew your membership status, view your donation and purchasing history, and change any of your personal information when necessary. I hope everyone finds this a useful addition to the website.

If you have any suggestions for additional improvements, no matter how trivial, please let me know! This is your community too, and we want to know how to best serve you.

WCGS Showcase Concert at Mt. Cuba Center
I want to take the opportunity to thank again everyone who played for our WCGS Showcase Concert at the Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin on August 27. Performers included Alan Ens & Matthew Lavanish, Bill Simmons, Ralph Dominica, Simon Varley, Brian Bard, and Dave Bozenhard. Everyone performed remarkably well, and created a truly special evening for which we’ll be very well remembered. I know very well how much it takes to prepare for a performance like this, and I/we truly appreciate all of the performers efforts to help further the mission of WCGS. As a result of our efforts, the Mt. Cuba Center furnished us with a sizeable donation, which will be an incredible help this season.

Thanks also to Billur and Denis Dowse, who were invaluable in making sure everything ran smoothly, and made my job so much easier.

One attendee commented “Mom and I have attended several outdoor concerts in the area over the past years. Tonight topped all of them!! The lovely garden backdrop, soft guitar, fountain, cicadas and cooler temps than in New Castle made for a lovely evening. A truly wonderful Saturday!!”

A great time was had by all. I’m looking forward to being invited back for future performances.

Upcoming Salon Sunday September 25 at 6:00 pm at PCOC
Our next salon is coming up this Sunday, September 25, at 6 pm (doors open at 5:45). Monthly salons take place in the West Room or the Sanctuary at the Church of the Covenant, 503 Duncan Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809. The church is easily accessible from 95 and has ample parking on the street and in a private parking lot. Our entrance is in the corner of the building right off the West side of the parking lot (see link).

Google directions to the Church: Presbyterian Church of the Covenant

**If you are coming to the salon, please arrive between 5:45 and 6:00. I will LOCK the door at 6:00 so it is not left open and unattended. If you arrive later than 6:00, please text Matthew at (302) 650-8797 or Billur Dowse at (215) 738-3741 and we’ll will be happy to let you in. Knocking loudly may also work.

If you are unable to attend our in-person salon, but would still like to watch, you may join us via Zoom (← click for link). We will endeavor to have a camera and mic set up for you to passively observe, but may not have the capability to interact with you, or to enable you to participate via Zoom this salon. If there is interest, we will look into making active Zoom participation possible at future meetings. Please let us know!

*NOTE: The following salon will take place on October 30. Mark your calendars!

PLEASE NOTE: OUR COVID POLICIES HAVE CHANGED. Our current policy: Masking and social distancing are encouraged. We will continue to space the seats out as room allows. As always, if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness (coughing, fever, runny-nose, short of breath, etc.), please do not come.

2022-23 Salon Schedule
August (no Salon currently scheduled – Building will be closed)
September 25
October 30
November 27
December 18
January 29
February 19
March 19
April (no Salon currently scheduled – PCGS guitar festival weekend)
May 21
June 25

July Meeting Recap
Thanks to everyone who came out for our July salon, and thanks for the wonderful playing! It was a great preview of some of the music for the Mt. Cuba event.

July performers included:

Matthew Lavanish & Alan Ens – La Rossignol and Drewries Accordes, both by anonymous Renaissance composers
Ralph Dominica – Scarboro Faire, traditional (arr, David Brandon), Minuet in G by Johann Sebastian Bach, and Lesson No.7 by Antonio Cano
Simon Varley – Brise d’Espagne by Jose Ferrer y Esteve
Carl Abramson – Mallorca by Isaac Albeniz

Check out our Facebook group for some great insight into what’s happening online with classical guitar. There are all kinds of new things popping up, from festivals, masterclasses, competitions, concerts, and lectures.

We’re at 2,450+ followers on Facebook! Make sure you’re one of them, and help us break the 2,500 mark! https://www.facebook.com/wilmingtonguitar

Best wishes, and stay safe,
Matthew Lavanish
President & Artistic Director – The Wilmington Classical Guitar Society