We enjoyed a very full evening of excellent music and camaraderie at the beautiful Paschal Winery in Talent on Tuesday, March 6. There were many loving tributes made to our dear president, Sam Cooper, who passed from this world on Monday, March 5, the day before the meeting.

As a reminder, Wenjun Qi, the SOU guitar instructor, has invited us to an OCA (Oregon Center for the Arts) guitar concert TODAY at 3:00pm in the SOU music recital hall. It will include classical, jazz, and pop guitar repertoire with various instruments.

PROGRAM

Joe Thompson – Mysteries of the Universe/I’m an Old Cowhand by Joseph Thompson, a tribute composed in Sam’s honor that day

Rob Rhodes – Frog Galliard by John Dowland

Bob Bath – Choros by Heitor Villa-Lobos

Bill Graham – Danny Boy, words by Frederic Weatherly (1913), a favorite of Sam’s and one that he would sing

John Swinnerton – Paschal by John Swinnerton, in commemoration of our sweet home, Paschal Winery, which Sam loved

Brian Parris – Someday Soon by Ian Tyson

Grant Ruiz – Tango to Evora by Loreena McKennitt, words by Sam Cooper and Grant Ruiz

Steve Berman – A medley of Polonaises from the 1700s played on nyckelharpa, an instrument Sam played among many others.

Arturo Ville – Cuando Se Va un Amigo (When a Friend is Gone) by Alberto Cortés. (Arturo also played a video message from Laurel and Milton Bloombaum expressing their condolences.)

~ INTERMISSION ~

Classical guitarist James Bishop-Edwards and violist Kimberley Fitch treated us to a mesmerizing set of 21st century duets:

Tryptich by Jason Heald, music director of Umpqua Community College in Roseburg

Three pieces from “Big Sur Suite” by James Bishop-Edwards

Sonate by Erik Marchelie, contemporary French composer

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Grant Ruiz will play with jazz guitarist Dan Fellman on Sunday, March 11 at RoxyAnny Winery in Medford with Dan,1-4pm; solo guitar on Thursday, March 15 at Kindred Spirits in Talent, 6:30-8:30pm; Thursday, March 22at Millennium Music in Portland with Flamenco Pacifico at 7pm; Friday, March 23 at the Majestic Theater in Corvallis with Flamenco Pacifico at 7:30pm; and Saturday, March 24 at the Hawthorne Theater Lounge in Portland with Flamenco Pacifico at 8:30pm. The shows with Flamenco Pacifico will include powerhouse dancer Melissa Cruz from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Grant’s flamenco guitar teacher Pedro Cortés (3rd generation Spanish gypsy guitarist) will perform on Sunday, March 18 at 8pm at the Analog Café in Portland. He will perform with Seattle dancer Savannah Fuentes, whom the society has sponsored in concert in the past.

Matt Dorris will play solo classical guitar at Belle Fiore Winery on Saturday, March 31 from 6-8pm.

GFA Youth Competition winner Travis Johnson will be our featured artist at the April meeting.

The Britt Festival has opened up enrollment for their Guitar Weekend June 22-24. Seven instructors will teach seven styles for two hours each over three days. The fee also includes admission to guitar concerts that weekend. More information at brittfest.org/gw.

Treasurer Rob Rhodes reminded everyone to pay their dues, $20 for the calendar year, and they can be paid any time of year. Dues help support our ongoing expenses (state and federal fees, venue insurance, and website hosting) plus additional efforts like bringing guitarists to the area for concerts. Even though it’s voluntary, we ask that everybody who attends our meetings pays dues.

Respectfully submitted,