| Greetings guitar fans, Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of this month’s amazing meeting and upcoming guitar-related events, including an intimate house concert with the Folias Duo in June. We also share the sad news about the recent passing of two local members.  The Monthly MeetingLast Thursday we had a very full meeting with 50 people in attendance and 13 performances! PROGRAM Arturo Ville’s students (4) from Grants Pass High School – The Sounds of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel, Hey Jude by Paul McCartney, Theme from 9th Symphony a la rumba by Beethoven (arr. Arturo) Judy Trautman, Steve Bismarck, Matt Dorris – The Oak Tree (trad. Russian, a tribute to Milton Bloombaum) Judy Trautman – Forever, Can you See Me (originals) John Swinnerton – Spring Air (original) Peter Bland – All of Me by Marks/Simons, Desk of Drawers (original), Exactly Like You (original) Dan Mish – Homage to Rodrigo and Albeniz (arr. Dan) Francesco Bard – Orb of Gold, Wounded Healer (originals) ~ Intermission ~ Brian Parris – South of the Border by Gene Autry, Delilah by Tom Jones Al & Debbie Brinkerhoff (Sequoia) – Nao me Toques by Zequinha de Abreu; Speak Softly, Love (from the Godfather) by Nino Rota Neil Holland – Gee Whizz, Lindley’s Lament/Lithia Reel on bouzouki (originals) Matt Dorris – Leyenda by Isaac Albéniz Grant Ruiz – Bulerías por Arriba and A minor (arr. Mark Everson), Gymnopedie 1 and 3 by Erik Satie (for Milton) Mark Turnbull – So This is History, I Am the Moon, Sew the Flags Together (originals) |
 AnnouncementsPlease note that the May 22nd concert with Pascal Valois is SOLD OUT! Reply to this message if you’d like to be on the waitlist.Tomorrow (Sunday), May 11th, renowned Celtic guitarist Tony McManus will give a mini-house concert in Ashland. Seating is limited to 30. Doors open at 6:30pm and the evening concert starts at 7:00. Cost is $20 and all proceeds go to the musician. Earlier in the day (3:30-4:30pm), McManus will also conduct a workshop on the basics of Celtic music. The price is also $20 and is limited to 10 people. To reserve a seat and/or attend the workshop, contact Walter Sydoriak at waltsyd@gmail.com or 559-827-3036. The GSSO will have a presence at the Grants Pass Porchfest on Saturday, June 14, which runs fro 11am to 3pm. The event, held on the porches of a lovely neighborhood in Grants Pass, will benefit local youth programs. If you’d like to play on a porch with other members of the guitar society, please contact either Arturo Ville or Bob Bath. As an early heads-up, classical guitarist Andrew Bergeron and flutist Carmen Maret, a.k.a., the Folias Duo will hold a house concert on June 20 at 7pm. The concert will be at the same beautiful home in Ashland where Pascal Valois will play this month. The duo’s compositions and playing are stunning, so even though this is not a guitar society event, we recommend it highly. You can make reservations and get more information by visiting their website. If you’re more comfortable with a local contact, you can email Grant Ruiz about the concert. Friday, May 16, Dan Fellman and Grant Ruiz (Canto Sol) will play at SOU’s Creativity Conference at the Stevenson Union from 5:30 to 7:30pm. (Registration is required for the conference.) On Sunday, May 18, Canto Sol will play at Paschal Winery’s happy hour from 3:30 to 5:30pm. On Friday, May 23, Grant Ruiz will play solo guitar at Liquid Lounge in Ashland from 7:00 to 9:00pm.   Membership News We are sad to announce the passing of two friends and members of the guitar society who have played at meetings in the past: Milton Bloombaum and Mark Everson. Milton Sheldon Bloombaum (June 29,1929 to April 17, 2025) Loving and beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, good friend. He was a professor of sociology (emeritus), proprietor of Key of “C” Coffee House, self-taught bagel baker, musician, fair weather pilot, veteran, sailor, founding member of the Hawaii Bicycling League, traveler, dancer, raconteur, mensch. He said he wanted to be remembered for his kindness and honesty, for the music he shared and for all the people he loved. He marveled at the aleatory element of his life and did his best to make the most of the good luck that came his way. He was sensitive and thoughtful, good humored, caring and compassionate. He loved life and reluctantly left it, peacefully, in his sleep. Rest in peace. Mark Everson (February 22, 1947 to April 15, 2025) Mark was born in Oakland, California to a large family. His parents exposed the children to a wide variety of both domestic and international music. Mark started teaching himself flamenco at 12 years of age, listening to recordings by Sabicas and other masters. Over time he also fell in love with other Latin American forms, including Mexican boleros. He lived much of his life in Texas and ended up playing just about anything with strings, including the violin and pedal steel. After losing his wife, Mark moved to Oregon to be closer to family. Mark was a Western Swing and ballad composer and an excellent arranger in all styles. Locally he collaborated with Grant Ruiz, as well as his own sister Cean D’amore and friends Julie Wright and Kendra Law. Mark passed peacefully in Medford and will be missed by all. |
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