FGS Meetings
FGS 2008 Annual Conference - Sunday 15th June 2008
This year as well as a short meeting, we had the first gathering of FGS Member Societies, which was hosted by the Dorset Guitar Society at Kinson, Bournemouth. Members of three other guitar societies attended with four from Greenwood, nine from Enfield and one from Southampton.
A full day packed with lots of fun, food and excellent music by Richard Carlton, Antonio Vivaldi and Alan Gully. We would like to thank Stephen Kenyon for conducting the 29 strong guitar orchestra and Alan Gully for contributing and taking us through his own piece of music called Summer Solstice.
A video was made of the orchestra playing Alan Gully's Summer Solistice and it is intended to put this up on YouTube. A few of the photos taken on the day can be seen here.
Enfield have offered to host next year's event and we hope that there will be many more to come.
FGS 2006 Annual Conference
The 2006 Federation of Guitar Societies annual conference was held on Wednesday 14 June at Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park, Richmond upon Thames, Surrey.
Thanks to all the Societies that attended the Conference.
After the meeting a brief practice session (lead by patron Peter Nuttall) and then a short, excellent performance by The FGS Orchestra was, I thought, the highlight of the afternoon. (Music speaks louder than words!)
The Greenwood Guitar Society were celebrating their 10 Year Anniversary. Amanda Cook played an enchanting recital, one piece of which was played in the presence of the composer (Lovelady).
The day was a huge success with wonderful weather and a stunning setting over looking the County of Surrey. The wonderful buffet was organised once again by Russell Morris (many thanks).
Martin Shaw - Greenwood Guitar Society
FGS 2004 Annual Conference
The 2004 Federation of Guitar Societies annual conference was held on Wednesday 16 June at Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park, Richmond upon Thames, Surrey.
Thanks to all the Societies that attended the Conference.
After the meeting a brief practice session (lead by patron Peter Nuttall) and then a short, excellent performance by The FGS Orchestra was, I thought, the highlight of the afternoon. (Music speaks louder than words!)
The Greenwood Guitar Society were celebrating their 10 Year Anniversary. Amanda Cook played an enchanting recital, one piece of which was played in the presence of the composer (Lovelady).
The day was a huge success with wonderful weather and a stunning setting over looking the County of Surrey. The wonderful buffet was organised once again by Russell Morris (many thanks).
Martin Shaw - Greenwood Guitar Society
Inaugural Meeting, 23 June 2003
A Lutyens house with its own skittle alley, a Gertrude Jekyll garden, trays loaded with food, a beautiful summer's day, and then an evening recital by Amanda Cook. All this might offer too many diversions to allow much serious discussion about the future of guitar societies. However, on the threateningly inauspicious date of Friday 13 June 2003, delegates from seven guitar societies and from the Lute Society met at Goddards on Leith Hill to explore the benefits of closer alliance.
All present were supportive of the formation of a federation of guitar societies. Each society operates in its own distinct way, placing emphasis on different activities. That distinctiveness must not be abandoned. However, there is a vast area of common ground, common problems, and much scope for shared solutions. Although our focus was primarily on the classical guitar, a federation should also recognise closely related instruments such as the lute, mandolin and flamenco guitar.
We felt that societies could, together, more effectively raise the profile of the guitar, and in particular stimulate interest amongst younger people. Various means were discussed including: arranging UK tours, particularly for new of overseas artists; offering events for schools; promoting competitions; promoting each others events; and helping to establish new societies in districts lacking representation. The need is for a network enabling societies to offer mutual support - in the interest of promoting the classical guitar and related instruments, and providing a source of help and advice to enthusiasts.
