Newsletter - January 2003

Happy New Year

Articles

A Stunningly Successful
Seasonal Session

Well done everyone! Brilliant entertainment and wonderful food for which we were spoilt for choice - and last but not least we were treated to a stunning recital by our delightful young guest Sam Chapman.

Maurice's pop session got the afternoon underway. Unfortunately I was unable to be there for this but I understand that it was very popular and a huge success. I have it on the best of authority that the pop session created a happy atmosphere and great enthusiasm was shown by all our members. The control in the James Bond Theme was a tribute to Maurice's excellent instructions. Ann (and I expect many others) was surprised that she could play funk rock! The audience was most impressed with the result; they thought it must have been rehearsed!

DGS members followed this with an array of talent.

Flute teacher Jayne Grinstead joined Ann on flutes and Chris Gillson on guitar for a very fine performance of London Trio No. 1 by Joseph Haydn. An excellent combination of instruments, that I hope we get another chance to hear. A special thank you to Jayne for coming along and playing for us.

Well done Rosemary for making the rickety old piano come alive with two lovely pieces - Mazurka op. 33 no. 1 by Chopin and Vesti la Giubba by Ruggero Leoncavallo.

Rosemary was then joined by Joy for a guitar duet by Villa Lobos titled Waltz Chôros.

Richard as we have never seen him before on his banjo played Fun on the Wabash by Parke-Hunter.

Then followed a break for food and drink before we welcomed our special guest. A few more members that couldn't make it earlier arrived especially for this and all in all we had a very good turn out.

Sam Chapman started his recital with three beautifully played pieces by Edward Collard, (a contemporary of John Dowland) Go from my window, Pavan and Galliard. Sam enthusiastically told us that he had just discovered these pieces and possibly they would not be familiar to us. Definitely a composer to look out for.

Next came Preludio and Fuga by J.S. Bach from lute suites BWV 997. This was played with such delicacy and beauty that left many sitting spell bound, relaxing with their eyes closed.

A change of mood followed with Sonatina by Sir Lennox Berkeley. Finally Prelude nos. 1 & 4 by Villa Lobos.

Sam's enthusiasm along with his warm and natural personality helped to make this a thoroughly enjoyable recital and a perfect close to our evening. Such a pity that time ran out before an encore.

Quote of the Month

Bach almost persuades me to be a Christian.

Roger Fry (1866 - 1934)

Quoted in Virginia Woolf's, 'Roger Fry, a Biography' (1940)

New Member

A warm welcome to Andrew Khan from Christchurch.

Fiona Harrison Concert & Workshop

If you haven't already booked for Fiona's workshop and would like to take part it is not too late but do hurry. There are still three places left for the masterclass. You don't have to be an advanced player to take part in this, as long as your piece is well prepared it doesn't matter what level you are - In fact it is a good thing to have players of all levels. The more variety we get the more people will benefit from the general advice given on technique, etc. and also the more specific advice in regard to a particular piece. Please help with the publicity by putting up as many posters as you can and telling all your friends.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will take place on 19th January at 2 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. in the small hall.

Meal Out at the Yew Tree
Wimborne Minster

A meal out at the Yew Tree Restaurant has been planned by Rosemary for Saturday January 25th. Some of you will remember that we went there once before in January 1999. It is the perfect place to eat on a wintry evening with it’s log fire and home cooking. The restaurant is owned by Rosemary’s son’s brother-in-law Nigel, who also does the cooking. They have put together a special set priced menu for us at £14.95. Obviously drinks will be extra. There is a choice of dishes (See menu below).

If you would like to come please let me know straight away and what first two courses you would like as I need to let them know and send them a deposit by 20th.

Menu

Homemade Tomato & Basil Soup
Yew Tree chicken liver pate flavoured with sherry & green peppercorns
Cheese dipped garlic bread
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Pork topped with cheese & mushroom crust
Poached chicken breast in an apple & cider sauce
Beef & Guinness pie topped with puff pastry
Aubergine Gratin
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Creamy lemon crunch on a ginger biscuit base
Rich chocolate dessert
Selection of real dairy ice-creams
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Luxury coffee & after-dinner mint

Southbourne Literary Society

The Southbourne Literary Society has invited us to play at their meeting on Wednesday 17th September. We played for them once before in September 2001. Many of their members had not heard the classical guitar played before and were delighted by the sound. We would play for approx 45 minutes from 8.45 p.m. There will be a guest speaker from 7.30 p.m. which we are welcome to come and listen to. Last time some of us attended a very interesting talk on the life of Fanny Burney.

Any one interested please let me know on Sunday so that I can confirm the booking. There is a limited space for twelve people.

Neil Smith
22nd & 23rd November

Another important date for your diary

Neil Smith will be giving a concert at Pelhams on Saturday 22nd November. He will also be running a workshop on Chords and Scales’ on Sunday 23rd November. This is a very popular course which Neil has run many times including at West Dean. A word or two about the workshop from Neil.

Players who previously had vague or even no knowledge of these basic skills have found much to gain from these events and have found that the course can enhance reading skills, ensemble work, song-accompaniments, examination-playing and a host of other essential guitar style-techniques. By the end of the day, players who did not possess chord-naming skills or analysis and perhaps devalued scales will have a whole new approach and positive regime to these subjects. On one of the courses, the feedback forms from every single participant stated that this course was exactly what they had expected and more: all students gave the course ten out of ten except one who put down eleven. Neil Smith

Congratulations

To Richard Thompson on passing his grade 8 with merit!

HAGO Charity Concert

We have had a very nice thank you from Derek Hasted of the Havant Area Guitar Orchestra for advertising their charity concert in our newsletter. The concert which took place on 12th December raised a total sum of £854.04 from an audience of over 135.

The money went towards a Cancer Lab for QA Hospital Portsmouth and for the MRI Scanner for St Richard's Hospital. Those of you who couldn't attend but would like to hear a short sound clip of the concert will find one on the front page of www.hago.org.uk.

Future Meetings

Concert Diary

Friday 7th February - Concert 7.30 p.m.
The Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts
Guitar Mania
A unique feast of flamenco, traditional folk, blues, classical and jazz.
Juan Martin John Renbourne, Clive Carroll, Tony McManus, The Edinburgh Guitar Quartet
Tel: 01202 685 222
£12 £10

Saturday 8th February - Concert 7.30 p.m
Sunday 9th February - Workshop 10 a.m - 5 p.m
Dorset Guitar Society
Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Rd, Kinson, Bournemouth.
Fiona Harrison
Tel: 01425 613 739
Concert only £8 (Concessions £6)
Workshop (including concert ticket) £25

Saturday 15th February - Concert 8.00 p.m
The Point, Leigh Rd, Eastleigh
Gary Ryan
Tel: Box Office 023 8065 2333
£9 (concessions £6)

21 - 23 February
Dillington House, Somerset
Weekend course with Peter Rueffer
Tel: 01460 52427

Sat 10th May
Kinson
Member's Concert

Sat 21st June
Dorchester
Fabio Zanon - Concert
Premiere of Stephen Kenyon’s Guitar Concerto no 1.

18 - 21 July
Bath Spa University College
Eden Stell Guitar Duo Course
Website: www.igf-events.com

Sat 4th October
Derby Classical Guitar Society
Derby
Workshop & Concert with John Mills

Sat 11th October
Dorset Guitar Society
Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Rd, Kinson, Bournemouth.
Workshop & Concert with John Mills

Sun 12th October
Dorchester
Concert with John Mills