Recap of the JCGS Music Meeting December 3, 2019

We had about 20 attendees for a cozy, very pleasant meeting. A new Board of Directors was elected. See below under ANNOUNCEMENTS.

PROGRAM

Joe Thompson – Prelude and Fugue No. 1 (original composition)
Rick McGrath – Running The River Kern (original composition), Silent Night by Franz Xaver Gruber (1818)
Steve Bismarck – El Noi de la Mare (trad.) arr. Miguel Llobet
Bill Graham – Tango of Roses by Schreier and Bottero, Indian Christmas Carol by Jesuit priests
Brian Parris – Sea Of Heartbreak by Hal David
Mark Everson –  Rumbalero by Juan Serrano
Mark Everson and Grant Ruiz – Fandangos de Huelva (trad. flamenco)
Grant Ruiz – Vavien by Oscar Herrero, Alegrías (trad. flamenco)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A new Board of Directors was elected unanimously, and the officers were selected: Matt Dorris (president), Jennifer Babineaux (treasurer), Grant Ruiz (secretary), Steve Bismarck (webmaster), and John Swinnerton. The term is two years.

Joe Thompson asked if the guitar society was changing its name, dropping the “classical” qualification. There is no plan to do so, although several years ago Sharon Swinyard consulted with the Board at the time, who were interested in re-branding the society to be the Southern Oregon Guitar Society. This never stuck, although the scope of the music and instrumentation presented at the monthly meetings has certainly broadened.

Along those lines, Jennifer Babineaux presented the idea of a classical guitar salon, an ongoing event that would occur periodically, e.g., every 8 weeks, at different peoples’ homes. The attendees would focus on classical guitar music, with emphasis on giving beginning players an opportunity to practice in front of an even smaller, more intimate group than at the JCGS monthly meetings. This can be seen as a “feeder group” to the larger society. The new Board of Directors will discuss the development of this. There have already been several precedents, since a number of student and professional ensembles and gatherings have emerged from the society in its 18 year history.

Dan Fellman and Grant Ruiz will play guitar duets at Gallerie Karon in Ashland’s Railroad District this First Friday from 5-8pm, at the Lithia Artisans Holiday Market at the Medford Armory on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 2-4pm, at Paschal Winery from 3-5pm (this date just added by our beloved Aga, so PLEASE COME!), and at Belle Fiore Winery on Sunday, Dec. 22 from 5-8pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Grant Ruiz
Flamenco and classical guitarist
Secretary, JCGS
flamencopacifico.com
duoflamenco.com
541-261-3811