Dear Friends of the Corvallis Guitar Society,
I am excited to announce that rehearsals for the Corvallis Guitar Society (CGS) Guitar Orchestra and Ensembles will begin this month. Rehearsals will take place on the 3rd and 4th Monday of each month at Gracewinds music from 7:00pm to 8:30pm (3rd Floor, rear entrance) with the goal of holding a concert in the second half of the year. If you are interested, please let me know and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. If there is anyone out there with an acoustic or contra-bass guitar and you would like to be part of the orchestra then I would be happy to hear from you! If you would like to know more or review some of the music we will be playing, please check out the website:
https://corvallisguitarsociety.org/announcing-corvallis-guitar-society-guitar-orchestra-and-ensemble/
Last month I mentioned we are continuing to expand our resources and I am delighted to announce that Michael Fridley has joined CGS as a Board member. Michael has played an active role in CGS activities since we began just over a year ago. He has entertained us with his wide guitaristic interests which expand across many styles and many centuries from 20th century steel string acoustic medleys to classical era compositions while many may be unaware that he is also an expert on renaissance and early baroque lute music. Michael was formerly on the Oregon Board of Education, has worked to support Oregon Arts, and is an enthusiastic supporter of our goals so we very much look forward to working with Michael going forward.
Our last CGS meeting on February 1st was a great success. We had a very good turnout of people who came both to play and to listen to local featured artist Adam Scramstad. Adam entertained us with a wonderful blend of his own compositions and arrangements inspired by the likes of John Fahey as well as representing early American blues and folk legends such as Son House, Doc Watson, Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Blake, and Elizabeth Cotton. Adam’s on stage persona is warm and engaging and his stories reveal his deep interest in the music he plays. Adam is something of a historian, certainly an entertainer, and most definitely an accomplished musician. I am still clucking in time with the Cardwell Hill Chickens!
The open stage session was oversubscribed and we didn’t get to hear everyone who wished to perform. I encourage anyone who did not make it onto the stage to come along to our next meeting on March 7th. We do not have a featured artist for the March meeting so we will have an extended ensemble and open stage session. So be sure to sign in and we will make sure you get the opportunity to share your music with us.
In the last two months we have revamped the website. If you haven’t visited recently you might want to check it out. Please note that the ensemble music for the upcoming March 7th Society meeting will be posted on the website one week ahead of time for those of you wishing to prepare parts.
Agenda for Monday March 7th Meeting
7:00pm – 7:05pm Welcome
7:05pm – 7:50pm Ensemble – bring your guitar and join in.
BREAK & refreshments
8:00pm – 9:00pm Open Stage – time to get on stage and play for a friendly audience.
We look forward to seeing you at the Guitar Society on March 7th, bring your guitar and share some music with us!
Jon Sharp
President, Corvallis Guitar Society