Monthly Meeting Recap and News for November 2024
Greetings guitar fans,
Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of our last meeting and upcoming guitar-related events, including Dan Fellman and Grant Ruiz’s CD release party and concert on Friday, November 22.
The Monthly Meeting
There were over 40 people in attendance last Thursday sharing an intimate evening of guitar.
PROGRAM
Don and Pamela DeHart – Fire and Rain (James Taylor), Blackbird (Beatles), Here Comes the Sun (Beatles)
John Swinnerton – Introspection (original), Jesu Joy of Mans Desiring (J.S. Bach, arranged by John)
Francesco Bard – Flow my Tears (John Dowland), Sideways (original)
Brian Parris – The End of the Innocence (Bruce Hornsby), Marie (Randy Neuman), Before the Next Teardrop Falls (Baldemar Juerta)
~ Intermission ~
Mark Turnbull – I Need A Miracle, Now Is The Hour, Stay Close to the River (originals)
Grant Ruiz – Autumn Leaves (Kosma/Mercer, arranged by Grant)
Dan Fellman and Grant Ruiz – The Seeker (Dan), Corcovado (A.C. Jobim)
Outreach Corner
Irish virtuoso guitarist Alan Mearns visited several guitar classes taught by Mark Hampton at South Medford High School, courtesy of the GSSO and Britt Arts and Music Festival. The visits were on Wednesday and Thursday, November 6 and 7. Alan borrowed a vintage Fender Stratocaster from GSSO Board member Peter Jespersen and showed off his flashy rock “chops.” Aside from being a world-class classical guitarist, Alan is also an extraordinary singer/songwriter and rock musician.
Then of course Alan went on to perform a stunning classical guitar concert at the SOU Recital Hall on November 8. If you’d like to hear more music from this multi-talented musician, please check out his YouTube channel: youtube.com/@AlanMearns-YesTheRaven. His music is also available on Spotify and other online music streaming services.
Announcements
Dan Fellman and Grant Ruiz are excited to announce the release of their first album:
Canto Sol (Sun Song) with over a dozen original songs we’ve played for years!
To celebrate, they are having a CD release party and concert on Friday, November 22 at 6pm at Paschal Winery in Talent. Admission, which includes a CD, is $20 per person or $30 per couple. We will meet and socialize with food and drink for the first hour, and then Dan and Grant will perform pieces from the album along with other favorites. As an added bonus, the artwork of Grant’s wife, Mary La, will be on exhibit at Paschal as well. There are only a few seats left, so please email Grant ASAP to reserve your spot. Please remember to say how many people will be in your party.
Membership news
For the first time in a long time, we are embarking on a fundraising campaign to support our expanding mission! Please look out for a special email about this by the end of the week. Since the GSSO is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, all donations are tax deductible.
We will have an upcoming vote to change the guitar society bylaws at the December monthly meeting. All paid members will receive a additional email describing the proposed changes so they can be prepared to vote at the meeting.
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 or contact a Board member. FYI, Peter Jespersen is the only incumbent Board member up for re-election. Jennifer Babineaux, Kristi Schoenbachler, and Grant Ruiz are in the middle of their 2-year terms.
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.
