Monthly Meeting Recap and News for October 2024

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Greetings guitar fans,

Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of our last meeting and upcoming guitar events coming up in the coming months, including the Alan Mearns concert on November 8.
 

The Monthly Meeting

There were around 50 people in attendance Thursday sharing a beautiful evening of guitar and authentic tango music.

PROGRAM

John Swinnerton – Nostalgia (original)

Rick McGrath (pictured) – Big Country (Bella Fleck), A Watermelon (Leo Kotke)

Mark Turnbull – I Remember John Lennon, Suddenly (originals)

Brian Parris – Travelers (Tim O’Brian and Alessandro Massa), Angel (Jimmy Hendrix)

Francesco Bard (pictured) – Can She Excuse My Wrongs (John Dowland), Wilt Thou Unkind Thus Reave (John Dowland), Inwards & Sideways Overture (original)

Randall Walker – Empty Chairs (Don McClean)

Grant Ruiz – Soleares modernos (Flamenco), Luna de Plata (El Parrita)

~ Intermission ~

Lautaro Tissera Favaloro, – Our featured artist, Argentine guitarist Lautaro Tissera Favaloro, played a set of traditional and contemporary tango music, including Primavera Porteño by Astor Piazzolla, Volver by Carlos Gardel, his own compositions, and a duo version of Milongueo del Ayer by Abel Fleury with Grant.
 

Outreach Corner

Lautaro Tissera made several visits to our community on behalf of the guitar society. The first was the morning of Wednesday, October 9 at Grants Pass High School for Arturo Ville’s guitar class, while a Spanish language class also sat in. That afternoon he played at the Ashland Senior Center (pictured).

The next day, before playing for the guitar society meeting, he played for the OLLI course “Guitar Styles Throughout the World” organized by Grant. Dan Fellman and Dayton Mason gave a presentation on September 26 about Gypsy jazz, and Grant presented Flamenco on October 3. Matt Dorris presented Classical guitar at the last OLLI class of the course on October 17.

Guitarist Alan Mearns will play a concert for GSSO on Friday, November 8 (see details below). During the days before, he will also be playing at outreach events that are co-sponsored by the guitar society and Britt Education.

Announcements

The guitar society will present the extraordinary classical guitarist Alan Mearns at the SOU Recital Hall in Ashland on Friday, November 8 at 7pm. René Izquierdo, who played for us last November, says of Alan’s playing, “If you think you have heard Bach on the guitar, think again!” Some of you may be familiar with Rick Beato, who has a very popular YouTube music channel. He hailed Alan as a musical genius. For more information, tickets, and a special greeting from Alan, go to our Home Page, guitarsocietyso.org. When you click on the link to get tickets, it will take you to Evenbrite, where you’ll see more videos of Alan’s guitar skills. Please tell your friends. Alan’s playing is jaw dropping!

Grant Ruiz and Dan Fellman will play on First Friday, November 1 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Shepherd’s Dream in downtown Ashland. They have completed a new CD entitled “Canto Sol” which should be available by then. Come on down and get your copy!

The guitar society has a new Resource page on the website! There you will find information on guitar performers, teachers, and luthiers/repair technicians. If you or someone you know would like to be listed on it, please visit the Resource page and hit the “Request to be listed” button. You’ll be prompted to become a GSSO member in case you already aren’t.
 

Membership news

As a heads-up, we will have an upcoming vote on the guitar society bylaws at the December monthly meeting. Please be on the lookout for a special e-mail arriving in November describing the proposed changes so you can be prepared to vote. All attending, paid members will be eligible to participate in the vote.

We’ll also have elections for the Board of Directors at the December meeting. If you’re interested in serving on the Board to help determine the future of the guitar society, please reply to this message. FYI, guitar society members are always welcome to attend our monthly Board meetings to get an idea of what we’re working on and planning

Guitars for sale

Former guitar society Board member Bruce Smith is selling his 1963 Manuel Velazquez “El Clasico” guitar. The guitar is 650mm scale with Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a cedar neck, and a spruce soundboard. The sound is deep and rich. The asking price is $2,000. Please contact Bruce Smith at brucedouglasmith@gmail.com or (541) 261-6240‬.

Monthly Meeting Recap and News for June 2024

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Greetings guitar fans,

Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of our last meeting, the Guitar Society’s latest events, and announcements and upcoming guitar events coming this month, including tonight!

The Monthly Meeting

Last Thursday we had a sweet evening of music and camaraderie, as well as performances by folks who played at our meeting for the first time.

Program

KGTR Guitar Ensemble (Judy Trautman, Kristi Schoenbachler, Francie Buckley, Peter Jespersen) – All in a Garden Green (anonymous, arranged by Andrew Forest), Pavane Vous Qui Voulez by Claude Gervaise

Randall Walker – Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelberg, Crazy as a Loon by John Prine

John Swinnerton – Paschal Boogie (original); Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by J.S. Bach (arranged by John)

Neil Holland – Paschal Boogie, Martinique (originals)

Peter Bland – Wichita Lineman by Jimmy Webb, See What 60 Brings (original)

Francesco Palmer – 1913, Father’s Day (originals), Fragile by Sting

~ Intermission ~

Brian Parris – New Kid in Town by J.D. Souther and the Eagles, Lone Star by Norah Jones

Matt Dorris – La Catedral by Agustín Barrios

Grant Ruiz – Brazilian Dance by Jorge Morel, Sons de Carrilhões by João Pernambuco

Grant Ruiz and Dan Fellman – Manhã de Carnaval by Luis Bonfá, Claire de Lune by Joseph Cosma, Ritmo Suave by Grant

Outreach corner

On June 7, a number of GSSO members performed for an appreciative gathering of guests at Rogue Retreat, a local organization that helps the homeless restore their lives Grant Ruiz and Dan Fellman played toe-tapping music from around the word.

Announcements

Brian Parris will perform at the Oxenfrē Public House Public House in Brookings on Tuesday, June 18 starting at 8pm, and at the Chetco Brewing Company in Brookings the next night, June 19, at 5pm.

Grant Ruiz and Dan Fellman will play guitar duets at Tap & Vine at 559 at the Medford Center on Wednesday, June 26 at 5pm. They will also play at the Lithia Artisans Market on Friday, July 5 at 2pm.

Corvallis-based classical guitarist extraordinaire Cameron O’Connor will be our featured artist for our next monthly meeting on July 11. Cameron is an active performer and currently serves on the faculty of Oregon State University. He will play during the second half of the meeting. We’ll tailor the performances by local guitarists to give them as much time as possible to play.

The Folias Duo had an extraordinary house concert on May 22 in Ashland. The setting and acoustics were splendid, and the duo called it the best house concert of their tour. (They also rated the Ashland Food Co-op as their favorite store on tour!) Although this was not a GSSO-sponsored event, our members may be interested in signing up for the email list of this sweet venue. The owner, Cory Ross, asked that folks email her at 32paint@gmail.com with the subject line “House concerts”, and she will add you.

Please consider becoming a member of the guitar society! Annual dues are $25 for individuals and $40 for a family membership (2 or more people) and help pay for logistical costs. They are good for the calendar year, January through December. Performers, teachers, luthiers, and repair people will have the added benefit of being included in the upcoming Resource page of our website, plus the Society will help announce your services

Monthly Meeting Recap and News for May 2024

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Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of our last meeting, the Dragos Ilie concert and outreach events, and lots of announcements and upcoming guitar events coming this month, including tonight!

The Monthly Meeting

Last Thursday was a lovely evening. We kept the doors open to let the warm, Spring breezes waft through the tasting room. We thank Paschal Winery for their continued hospitality and support, providing us with a beautiful home.

Program

John Swinnerton – Phoenix Rising (original)

Steve Bismark – Oscar’s Dream by Maria Linneman, Curaçao Vagabundo by Caetano Veloso

Richard McGrath – The Glory of Love by Billy Hill, Johanna’s Journey (original)

Neil Holland – Warm West Texas Wind, Bouzouki Laments (originals)

Francesco Palmer – Mother Nature Son by Paul McCartney, Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce, What a Wonderful World by George Wiess & Bob Thiele

~ Intermission ~

Brian Parris – Across the Universe by John Lennon 1968, Dark Eyed Cajun Woman by Tom Johnston

Mark Turnbull – The Spring in My Step, Branches, Roots and Vines (originals)

Grant Ruiz – Gnossienne No. 1 by Erik Satie

Dan Fellman & Grant – Nocturne by Dan, Leaving/Cuando Yo Muera by Dan (words by Pablo Neruda), Hotel California (Gipsy Kings version) by The Eagles

 Dragos Ilie visit a big success!

What a week for GSSO! Dragos Ilie arrived on Monday, April 29 and performed at four outreach events and then held a virtuosic, intimate concert for us at Grizzly Peak Winery on May 2. He had told Grant that he normally doesn’t give encores, but he treated us to one, a stunning version of Dizzy Gillespie’s A Night in Tunisia arranged by Roland Dyens.

We were so sad to see him go, but here are some pictures from our week. We wish Dragos the best of luck at the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) competition the week of June 17 and in all of his future endeavors.
 

Announcements


The Folias Duo (classical guitarist Andrew Bergeron and flutist Carmen Maret) will perform an intimate house concert in Ashland on Wednesday, May 22 at 7pm as part of their Dragonfly Tour. Please reply to this message if you’re interested. The message will go to Grant, who can provide more information, including the location. You can also write directly to Grant at grantruiz@ashlandhome.net.

Grant and Dan Fellman will play guitar duets on at the Paschal wine club pick-up party on Saturday, June 1 from 1 to 3pm. They will also play at the Lithia Artisans Market in Ashland on Sunday, June 9 from 1 to 3pm and at Liquid Lounge in Ashland on Wednesday, June 12 from 6 to 8pm.

On June 8 at 4pm, Chamber Music Concerts presents Such Stuff as Dreams are Made On: An Afternoon of Shakespeare and Guitar Featuring Anthony Heald & David Leisner. You can get more information here.

The guitar society received a sweet thank you card from Rupert Boyd of Boyd Meets Girl, who concertized for us back in March. Rupert writes, “Dear Jennifer, Grant, and everyone at the Guitar Society of Southern Oregon. Writing to thank you all so much for warmly welcoming us to Southern Oregon. We really enjoyed our time there, and performing for the society! With all best wishes, Rupert and Laura.”

For those of you who missed the Beijing Duo livestream concert presented by the Omni Foundation on April 6, you can find the full concert here.

Please consider becoming a member of the guitar society! If you attend or play at our meetings frequently, we would especially appreciate your support. Your membership helps pay for our ongoing logistical costs. Annual dues are $25 for individuals and $40 for a family membership (2 or more people). They are good for the calendar year, January through December.