March Meetings

March 2nd, 2024 by bob No comments »

Zoom Meeting, Sunday, March 10 at 4:00 p.m. (eastern time).

Meeting at the Puddingstone Community Club in Randolph, Sunday March 24 at 4:00 p.m.

March Meetings
March Concerts
Web Site Update

February Meetings

February 1st, 2024 by bob No comments »

February 25 Zoom Meeting

Program

Valerie Nelson

  • Etudes Simples #1″ – Leo Brouwer
  • Solitudine – L.O. Anzaghi.

Duo Migliorare (Rick Florio and Valerie Nelson)

  • Duet in D, Op 34 #1 – Fernando Carulli

Rick Florio

  • From Segovia’s 20 Sor Etudes
  • Segovia #1 (Sor Op 6 No 3)
  • Segovia #2 (Sor Op 35 No 13)
  • Segovia #6 (Sor Op 35 No 17)
  • Segovia #9 (Sor Op 31 No 20)
  • Segovia #15 (Sor Op 35 No 16)

Robert Ey

  • Wild Mountain Thyme – Trad., arr. Scott Tennant

David Starbuck

  • Prelude from Suite No. 6 (London) – S.L. Weiss:
  • Isabel (Vals) –  F. Tarrega:

Shane McKevitt

  •  Lute Suite in E Minor, BWV 996: I. Prelude, Presto – Johann Sebastian Bach

Meeting at the Morris County Library in Whippany, February 10.

Program

Rick Florio

  • Etruscan Preludes – Reginald Smith Brindle

Duo Migliorare (Rick Florio and Valerie Nelson)

  • Duet in D Op 34 #1 – Fernando Carulli

Valerie Nelson

  • Gitanerias – Ernesto Lecuona, arr, for guitar by Leon Block
  • La Comparsa – “”
  • Olhos Pretos – Francisco José Dias.

Kevin Lutke

  • There is a Fountain – L. Mason, arr. K. Lutke
  • Prelude (Prelude & Variations) – K. Lutke

Kevin Lutke/Jeffrey Wilt Duo

  • Bach 2-Part Invention X, BWV 781 – J. S. Bach)
  • Bach 2-Part Invention XIII, BWV 784 – “”

Jeffrey Wilt

  • Evocación – Jose Luis Merlin
  • Study Op 60 # 5 – Fernando Sor
  • Prelude # 5 – Bryan Johanson

Ken Kraus

  • Mazurka-Choro #1 – Heitor  Villa-Lobos
  • Schottish-Choro #2 – “”

Robert Ey

  • Mountains and Valleys – Angela Mair

Steve Walters (playing Torres/Starbuck short scale 8-string guitar)

  • Pavana Muy Illana Taner – Diego Pisador 1509 – 1557
  • Dezilde il Cavallero Que – “”
  • Come Heavy Sleep – John Dowland 1563 – 1626
  • Queen Elizabeth’s Galliard “”

Jeff Griesemer

  • Holy Manna – William Moore, arr. Jeff Griesemer
  • Slieve Russell – Trad., arr. Jeff Griesemer

Marsha Rohe

  • Vals y Mazurka – Bartolome Calatuyud
  • Vals en Mi Menor – “”
  • A Little Waltz – Marianne Vedral

Jim Tosone

  • Hugh O’Donnell – Turlough O’Carolan (arr. G. Boger)
  • Eleanor Plunkett – “”
  • Carolan’s Welcome – “”

David Starbuck

  • Rosita (Polka) – F. Tarrega
  • Capricho Arabe – “”
February Meetings
Upcoming Concert
We Get Mail

January Meetings

December 27th, 2023 by bob No comments »
January 7 Zoom Meeting
Program

Gad Berger

  • Yellow Camel (Samba) – Alexander Vinitsky

Steve Walters

  • Come Heavy Sleep (one of his saddest) – John Dowland
  • Mrs. Winter’s Jump (one of his most joyful) “”

Shane McKevitt

  •  Prelude, Fugue and Allegro, BWV 998: I. Prelude – Johann Sebastian Bach

Valerie Nelson

  • Valse – Pascual Roch, arr. Leon Block
  • La Comparsa – Ernesto Lecuona, arr. Leon Block

Ming Chao

  • Menuet and Gigue from Cello Suite No. 1 – J.S. Bach, arr. John Duarte

Jeffrey Wilt

  • If You Were Here – Per-Olov Kindgren
  • Preludio de Adiós – Alfonso Montes
  • Romance de los Pinos – Federico Moreno Torroba

This meeting is hosted by Gad Berger. The cost of using Zoom in 2024 is covered by generous contributions from Ming Chao, Dana Hamilton, Rick Florio, Jeffrey Wilt, Jeff Griesemer. Valerie Nelson, Robert Ey, Gad Berger, Dave Starbuck, Steve Walters, Gary Lee, and Shane McKevitt.

Annual Lasagna Meeting in Hopewell, January 14
Program

Duo Migliorare (Rick Florio and Valerie Nelson)

  • Early in the Morning – Eythor Thorlaksson
  • Ponteio IV – Celso Machado
  • Le Nid et la Rose – Ferdinando Carulli

Valerie Nelson

  • Valse by Pascual Roch and La Comparsa – Ernesto Lecuona, arr. Leon Block

Rick Florio

  • Amy Soufrez from Silva de Sirenas (1547) – Enrique Valderrabáno
  • Mille Regretz – Luis de Narvaez

Robert Ey

  • Mountains and Valleys – Angela Mair

Steve Walters (playing Torres-Starbuck Guitar, 590 mm scale in A tuning)

  • Tarleton’s Resurrection – John Dowland 1563 – 1636
  • Come Heavy Sleep – “”
  • Mrs. Winter’s Jumpe – “”

Jeff Griesemer

  • Slieve Russell – Trad., arr. Jeff Griesemer

Past and future meeting details
Upcoming Concert
History, and good breaking news

December Meetings

December 2nd, 2023 by bob No comments »

December Meetings
Zoom meeting plans for 2024
A look back at NJCGS history
Concerts, events, and more!


Program, December 10 Zoom Meeting

The Hopewell Guitar Ensemble (Jeff Griesemer, Valerie Nelson, & Robert Ey

  • Coventry Carol – Trad., arr. K. Love

Valerie Nelson

  • “Seasonal Medley,” from Mark Johnstone’s Holiday Gig Book
  • S’vivon
  • In Dulci Jubilo
  • We Wish You a Merry Christmas
  • Auld Lang Syne (with Jeff Griesemer

Shane McKevitt

  • Excerpt from Prelude, Fugue, and Allegro. – J.S. Bach

This meeting was hosted by Stella Kosim. The cost of using Zoom in 2023 is covered by a generous contribution from Gad Berger, Steve Walters, and Dave Starbuck.

Program, December 17 Meeting in Montclair

Dana Hamilton

  • Carol of the Bells – Mykola Leontovych, arr. Michael Silva
  • Silent Night – Franz Gruber, arr. Stephen C. Siktberg

Irene Ey (soprano) and Robert Ey

  • All Through the Night – Trad., arr. Frederick Noad
  • The Holly and the Ivy – “”

Alex Cherfas

  • Etude No.1. – Leo Brouwer
  • Prelude from Prelude, Fugue, and Allegro in E-flat major, BWV 998 –J.S.  Bach, arr. F. Kunce
  • Etude No. 10 – Leo Brouwer
  • Lesson 23, Op. 31. – Fernando Sor

Jim Tosone

  • Yesterday – Paul McCartney, arr. Soren Madsen
  • What A Wonderful World – Bob Thiel /David Weiss, arr. Soren Madsen
  • April Come She Will – Paul Simon arr. J. Jaturi

Ken Kraus

  • Andante – Ferdinando Carulli
  • Waltz – Jose Ferrer
  • La Paloma – Sebastian de Yradier

Rick Florio

  • Simple Gifts – Trad, arr. Fred Hand
  • Lágrima – Francisco Tárrega

Thanks to Dana Hamilton for hosting.

A Note About Our History

December 2nd, 2023 by bob No comments »

Darren O’Neill contacted NJCGS recently to share some historical information about the Society that he had discovered. He also suggested that it would be very nice to have a “History of the Society” somewhere on our website. We do, in fact, have some historical coverage of Society history on the website: if you scroll down on the right-hand column on the home page (https://njguitarsociety.org/), you’ll come to a list of archived “Categories,” one of which is “History.” Some posts in other Categories, particularly “Obituaries” may also be of interest from a historical perspective.

At this point the information we have is limited and sketchy, but it might be, as Darren has suggested, developed into something that we could use in more prominent places on the website and elsewhere. If you have any information or documents that would further this objective, please share them with us. We’d love to hear any interesting stories or memories of your experiences with NJCCS that you might have. Our Society has been around for over fifty years, but we’re also interested in hearing from you about more recent times. Yesterday has a way of turning into long ago, given enough time. Below are some of Darren’s comments, images of documents he has found, note from David Starbuck, and some editorial comments:

“I was looking at a website – “Digital Guitar Archive” (digitalguitararchive.com) – when I discovered an announcement by Michael Newman of the second meeting of the Madison Classic Guitar Society.  The announcement was printed in the October 1972 edition of the British journal, “Guitar News.” Attached are images of the cover, table of contents, and the published announcement:

I was surprised to learn that the earliest incarnation of the NJ Guitar Society was known as the Madison Classic Guitar Society.

I’m assuming that the name was given because of the meeting location at Fred Dilzell’s home in Madison. Michael Newman was 15 years old at the time. Also, interesting to see that Carol Hamersma was there: she couldn’t have been more than a teenager, too. Seems like the four performers had at least 30 minutes apiece to present. And some very meaty repertoire for teenagers to perform – wow!

I know that later in the decade (around 1979) the meetings moved to the New Providence area when George Schindler and Connie LeCraw became involved. Both worked for Bell Labs, and they had colleagues who regularly attended. I’m not sure if that’s when the name of the organization changed over to NJ Guitar Society. I became involved starting in 1993 when meetings were hosted at George’s home in New Providence. By the end of the 1990s, we alternated locations between George’s home and Fred’s home in Madison.” Darren O’Neill

I met Connie LeCraw when I was living at the Westfield YMCA in late 1980. I used to practice downstairs in the main lobby late night/early morning so as to not disturb other residents. Connie was trying to get a group of people together as far back as that time. Connie was working at Bell Labs in Murray Hill. He had quite a few accomplishments in his career there and published about a dozen technical papers with the IEEE. I was able to get in touch with him in 1986 when he mentioned they (he and George) were planning meetings at George Schinder’s house in New Providence. The first meeting I attended was early in 1987. Meetings were held there for a number of years until George moved to a senior housing in Berkeley Heights. We had meetings there from around 1993-94 until he moved again after his wife passed away, to the Princeton area. Meetings were held there until Bob Ey took over and had meetings in Hopewell. There were at least two concerts at the Madison Library. I played in one. A recording was made. Maybe someone has a copy. Mine is packed away and may take some time to find it. David Starbuck

Editor’s Note: It always has been my understanding that NJCGS originated with the Bell Labs group, so I reached out to Michael Newman for comment. We hope that Michael will share more of his memories and “ancient records” in future discussions of our history, but he responded that he “did always think of Madison as its own organization.” So the transition may have been more of a merger than a name change. Michael also mentioned a Princeton Guitar Society and a Flemington Guitar Society that were active in the 60’s and ‘70s.

As Darren notes, George Schindler and Fred Dilzell were holding meetings in New Providence and Madison, respectively, in late 1990’s. Around 2000, George extended the Society to the Princeton area when he relocated to Montgomery around 2000, I assume to be closer to his daughter, Heather. Montgomery is centered around Route 206 just north of Princeton. George continued to hold meetings in his apartment on Center Drive, which is a rather unusual location: apparently, most of Center Drive was absorbed by the Montgomery Shopping Center, leaving only a couple of apartment buildings in a short residential section northeast of the shopping center. There’s no other access to the street, so we had to go through the shopping center to get to George’s meetings.

In 2005, George decided that the time had come to pass the torch, so I agreed to host the Princeton area meetings in my home in Hopewell Borough, about seven miles west of Montgomery on Route 518. George continued to play at meetings until 2013. By 2006, David Starbuck was hosting meetings in Warren (Somerset County). Meetings mostly rotated among Madison, Hopewell, and Warren until 2011, when struggles with cancer forced Fred Dilzell to discontinue.


November Meetings

November 3rd, 2023 by bob No comments »

In-Person Meeting in Randolph, 4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 12.

Zoom Meeting, 4:00 p.m. (eastern time) Sunday, November 19.

Meetings and other Events
November 12, 2023 Meeting in Randolph

Program

Robert Ey

  • Thaxted – Gustav Holst, arr. Robert Ey

Jeff Griesemer

  • Holy Manna – Attributed to William Moore, arr. Jeff Griesemer

David Starbuck

  • Last Rays of Summer – Marianne Verdal
  • Last Rays of Summer
  • Autumn Melancholy
  • A Little Waltz
  • Milonga d’Autunno

Jim Tosone

  • Bourrée I & II (Suite No. 3 for Solo Cello) – J.S. Bach (arr. F. Koonce)
  • Carolan’s Cap – Turlough O’Carolan (arr. G. Boger)

Alex Cherfas

  • 4 etudes – Leo Brower
  • Andante No. 5 – Fernando Sor
  • Etude No. 8 from 20 Etudes, Segovia – Fernando Sor

Dana Hamilton

  • Andantino #3 – Matteo Carcassi, Op. 60
  • Triste – Antonio Carlos Jobim

Marsha Rohe

  • A Traditional Fandanguillo
  • Evocacion by Jose Luis Merlin
  • Zambra – Bartolome Calatuyud

Robert Hansen

  • Pezzo Tedesco – Anonymous
  • Prelude & Allemande from Suite in D minor – Robert de Visee
  •  Lagrima – Francisco Tarrega

Rick Florio

  • Gymnopédie #1 – Erik Satie, arr. John DeChiaro
  • Verdiales – Trad.

Steve Walters (8 string Torres-Starbuck guitar)

  • 6 Short Renaissance Pieces (without pause)

by Francis Pilkington 1565 – 1638

Lord Hastings Good Moro

Curranta for Mrs. Elizabeth Murcott

by Diego Pisador 1509 – 1557

Pavane Muy Liana para Tañer

Dezilde al Cavallero Que

by John Dowland 1563 – 1626

Tarletons Resurrection

Mrs Winter’s Jump

November 19 Zoom Meeting

Program

Rick Florio

  • Verdiales – Trad./Juan Serrano

Robert Ey

  • Tarleton’s Resurrection – John Dowland, arr. Fredrick Noad

Robert Vierschilling

  • 6 miniatures vintage – Gloria Villanueva

Stella Kosim

  • Sunday Morning Overcast – Andrew York
  • Maxixe – A. Barrios

David Starbuck

  • Last Rays of Summer – Marianne Verdal
  • Autumn Melancholy
  • A Little Waltz
  • Milonga d’Autunno

Steve Walters (8 string Torres-Starbuck guitar)

  • Mrs Winter’s Jump – John Dowland 1563 – 1626
  • Come Heavy Sleep – “”

This meeting was hosted by Rick Florio. The cost of using Zoom in 2023 is covered by a generous contribution from Gad Berger, Steve Walters, and Dave Starbuck.

October Events

October 1st, 2023 by bob No comments »

Zoom meeting, 4:00 p.m. (eastern time) Sunday, October 15

Meetings and Other Events

We had an in-person meeting in Hopewell on September 10, and a Zoom meeting, hosted by Steve Walters, on September 17. At each meeting, only one person signed up to perform, but a half dozen or more showed up to listen and perhaps present an impromptu performance. A good time was had by all.

As we start a new season, NJCGS finds itself adapting to very different conditions than those prevailing before or during the Covid 19 pandemic. We’re still seeing interest in the Society and our meetings but, possibly for a variety of reasons, fewer performers are stepping up to take the stage. Also, we do not currently have the same number of people (such as Fred Dilzell) on whom we counted for many years to regularly open their homes for meetings every two or three months. We sometimes use more public venues, but that can be awkward if we’re short on performers.

We are planning an in-person meeting in Randolph (near Morristown) in November. At this point, we do not have plans for in-person meetings in October or December. That’s not to say that we plan on skipping those months, but only that no one is currently lined up to host. Please let us know if you would be willing to fill the gap for either month. We’re particularly looking for hosts in the northeast parts of the state, somewhere roughly near the eastern end of Interstates 78 or 80, which is most convenient for the greatest concentration of our members. Attendance usually is between six and twelve people, but could be more or (most likely) fewer.

September Meetings

September 1st, 2023 by bob No comments »
In-person meeting in Hopewell, 5:00 p.m., Sunday, September 10
Zoom meeting, 4:00 p.m. (eastern time) Sunday, September 17
Other past and future gatherings

Princeton University Summer Chamber Concerts presents Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo in concert

July 6th, 2023 by bob No comments »
Thursday, July 6 at 7:30 PM
Nassau Presbyterian Church61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Free admission, no ticket required Web site has details about nearby parking! https://princetonsummerchamberconcerts.org/
Featuring Premiere Performance of new composition by Cuban legend Leo Brouwer – along with numerous works by Brouwer from the duo’s new CD/Audiophile LP recording for MusicMasters Classics -plus music by Pulitzer Prize-winning (and Princeton-raised!) Paul Moravec,Brazilians Paulo Bellinati and Celso Machado, and Spanish composers Isaac Albeniz and Manuel de Falla.
Newman & Oltman in concert last week in New York City with Brazilian composer and guitarist Paulo Bellinati for Americas Society/New York Guitar Seminar at Mannes.

Danza del Molinero by Manuel de Falla (1876-1946)
 
Música Incidental Campesina by Leo Brouwer (born 1939)
  Preludio; Interludio; Danza; Final
 
From Beatlerianas by Leo Brouwer
  She’s Leaving Home; The Fool on the Hill
 
Fairy Fantasy (2022) by Leo Brouwer
Dedicated to Jeff Nissim
Commissioned by Raritan River Music
 
El Libro de los Seres Imaginarios /                   
The Book of Imaginary Beings (2018) by Leo Brouwer
  I. El Unicornio / The Unicorn
Dedicated to Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo
Commissioned by Raritan River Music
 
Through the Looking-Glass by Leo Brouwer
(After Lewis Carroll) (2021)
A Tribute to Julian Bream & the Legacy of his Duo with John Williams
Dedicated to the Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo
Commissioned by Raritan River Music and New York Guitar Festival
 
Intermission
 
Raritan Triptych (2008) by Paul Moravec (born 1957)
Dedicated to Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo
Commissioned by Raritan River Music
 
Pingue-Pongue (Maxixe) by Paulo Bellinati (born 1950)
 
from “Imagens do Nordeste” by Celso Machado (born 1955)
  Sambalanço; Xaranga do Vovô          
 
Two Spanish Romantic Pieces by Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)
  Prelude (from “Cantos de España”)
  Sevilla (Sevillanas) (from “Suite Española”) Here’s the complete program:

Summer Events

July 1st, 2023 by bob No comments »

We will take a break from our in-person meetings and The Guitar Garden in July and August. See you in September!

Rick Florio will host a Zoom meeting at 4:00 p.m. (eastern time) on Sunday, July 30.

Stella Kosim will host a Zoom meeting at 4:00 p.m. (eastern time) on Sunday, August 20.