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
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. 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.
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.
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.
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:
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NJCGS Zoom Concert featuring Stella Kosim, Sunday, June 4
2023 Concert Program 3 Pieces ..………………………………………………………………………..…. Fernando Sor Opus 31 no. 13 Opus 36 no. 1 – Allemande Opus 31 no. 24 Sonata Opus 31 no 5 ………………………………………….. Wenzeslaus Thomas Matiegka Allegro Moderato Minuet & Trio Allegro Abendlied ………………………………………………………………… Joseph Kaspar Mertz Mazurka Joan Baez Suite Opus 144 ………………………………………………………… John Duarte Fantasia Where Have All the Flowers Gone House of the Rising Sun Serenade for Guitar & Percussion ………………………………………………… Lou Harrison Round Air Sonata 3 Indonesian Folk Songs ………………………………………………………. arr: Iwan Tanzil O Ina Ni Keke Bubuy Bulan Kicir Kicir @2023 Stella Stephanie Kosim
NJCGS Annual Picnic in Hopewell Boro, Sunday, June 11
Duo Migliorare Crab Canon – J.S. Bach Inventions 1 & 4 – “” Valerie Nelson Gavottes 1 & 2 – J.S. Bach, arr. Sophocles Papas. Rick Florio Siguiriyas – Trad. Robert Ey Wild Mountain Thyme – Trad., arr. Scott Tennant Helen Shi-Yuen Recuerdos de la Alhambra – Francisco Tárrega. Jeff Griesemer Wayfaring Stranger – Trad., arr. Jeff Griesemer Rock Hopper Jig – Jeff Griesemer
Kean University Guitarfest, Saturday, June 17
Guitar Foundation of America Convention in New York City, June 19 to 24
Minuet I & II from Cello Suite No. 1 – J.
S. Bach, arr. John Duarte
Helen Shi-Yuen
Etude Op. 35, No. 22 – Fernando Sor
Shane McKevitt
Los Caujaritos – Ignàcio Figueredo
David Starbuck
Tamborcito – Tito Cotos
This meeting was hosted by Steve Walters. The cost of using Zoom in 2023 is covered by a generous contribution from Gad Berger, Steve Walters, and Dave Starbuck.
May 20 In-Person Meeting at the Lindeblad School of Music Program
Dyuti Venkatakrishna
Menuet BWV Anhang 114 – Bach
Agitato – Mauro
Giuliani
Spanish Romance – Anonymous,
arr. Robert Hamilton
Allegretto Grazioso – Mauro Giuliani
Derin Sayhan Pilge
Etude No. 7 – Matteo
Carcassi
Robert Ey
Tarleton’s Resurrection – John Dowland
Gioconda R. Simmonds Zanetti
Malagueña – arr. Daniel Fortea
Jim Tosone
Old Friends/Bookends – Paul Simon, arr. J.
Tosone
Morgan Magan – Turlough O’Carolan, arr. T.
O’Farrell
Ken Kraus
Les balancelles (The Swings) – Roland Dyens
Valseana – Sergio Assad
Alex Valencia
Una Limosnita por el
Amor de Dios – Agustín Barrios
Tabhair dom do Lámh (Give Me Your Hand) –
“Rory Dall O’Cahan,” arr. Glenn Weiser
Ming
Chao
Preludio & Choro (from Serie Americana) –
Hector Ayala
Marsha
Rohe
Zambra – Bartolome Calatuyud
Gad
Berger
Manhã de Carnaval – Luiz Bonfa, arr. Noriyasu
Takeuchi
Milonga – Jorge Cardoso
Jeff
Griesemer
If I Fell – Lennon/McCartney; Arr: Richard
Dreuding
What a Friend We Have in Jesus – Music by
Charles C. Converse, Lyrics by Joseph M. Scriven, arr. Jeff Griesemer
Rick
Florio
Sevillanas – Trad.
Taranta
– “”
Bolero á Marcos – V. Amigo
March 26 Zoom Meeting Program
Ming Chao
Romance (from St. Petersburg Etchings) – Yuri Smirnov
Steve Walters
Lord Hastings Good Morrow – Francis Pilkington
(1565 – 1638)
Curranta – “”
Shane McKevitt
Mazurka Chôro – Heitor Villa-Lobos
Cádiz (Canción) – Isaac Albéniz
This meeting was hosted by Rick Florio. The cost of using Zoom in 2023 is covered by a generous contribution from Steve Walters, Dave Starbuck, and Gad Berger.
This meeting was hosted by Stella Kosim. The cost of using Zoom in 2023 is covered by a generous contribution from Steve Walters, Dave Starbuck, and Gad Berger.
February 26 Meeting in West Orange Program
Jim
Tosone
The Bonnie, Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond –
Murray Neil, arr. David Russell
Streets
of London – Ralph McTell, arr. Soren Madsen
Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton arr. Soren
Madsen
Robert
Ey
Tabhair dom do Lámh (Give Me Your Hand) – “Rory
Dall O’Cahan,” arr. Glenn Weiser
Jeffrey
Wilt
Prelude # 5 (from 24 Preludes) – Bryan Johanson
Maria
Veronica – Per-Olov Kindgren
Julia Florida – Agustin Barrios Mangore
Ken
Krauss
Marieta – Francisco Tárrega
Allemande
from Suite for Lute BWV 996 – J.S. Bach
Andante from Lesson 24, Book 4 – Julio
Sagreras:
Marsha
Rohe
French Lullaby – D. Brandon
Lagrima
– F. Tarrega
Maria Luisa – J. Sagreras
Ming
Chao
Preludio and Choro (from Serie Americana) – Hector
Ayala
The New Jersey Classical Guitar Society is an informal association of guitar enthusiasts who gather together once a month to play for one another. Meeting locations alternate between member's homes in Hopewell Borough and Madison.
