As the director of the Victoria Conservatory of Music Guitar Orchestra, I would like to invite interested guitarists to join our ensemble. Made up of around 15 community guitarists of a variety of levels (basic sight reading needed), VCMGO members have found that the experience of playing in a group increases important musicianship skills such as rhythm, sight reading and active listening that are often neglected in a solo setting. In addition, the VCMGO gives guitar enthusiasts a chance to explore exciting repertoire through weekly rehearsals and seasonal performances. Past programs have included classical composers such as Bach, Mozart and Ravel as well as a heavy dose of other styles such as latin, folk, and jazz. Our eclectic repertoire has also led to collaborations with talented guest instrumentalists (clarinet, oboe, saxophone and voice).

Our rehearsals take place every Saturday at 10:30 – 11:30 at the VCM in rm 302. Our first rehearsal on Sept. 17 is open to any interested players.

For more information please email me at  michaelgdias@gmail.com or call me at 250-595-1554.

Sincerely,
Michael Dias

Adrian Verdejo is moving to Vancouver so make sure to come see this last concert of the year with him. Adrian has been a very active teacher and performer in Victoria over the past few years and I’d like to wish him all the best of luck in Vancouver! It’s a great program of new music for electric guitar.

Upcoming Events 2011:

July 15th:  Adrian Verdejo – New Music for Electric Guitar

July 16th: Alberto Ubach – Christ Church Cathedral

July 22 & 23rd: Jacob Cordover – Merlin’s Sun Theatre

Hello guitar-enthusiasts!

This a brief group email inviting you (and your students) to the Victoria Conservatory of Music Guitar Orchestra.

The VCM Guitar Orchestra is an established ensemble of 10-15 guitarists led by myself, Michael Dias. Through and weekly rehearsals (Saturdays at 10:30-11:30) and individual practice, we are able to present a wide variety of music (from Bach to bossa nova) to the community twice a year. Potential members should have basic music reading skills (parts are tailored to individual abilities) and, most importantly, an enthusiasm for making music of many styles.

Information about this course (cost etc.) can be found on the VCM website @ http://vcm.bc.ca/userimages/File/Community%20School%20Calendar%202010/VCM_Orchestras&Choirs.pdf

The first rehearsal is open to all interested individuals: Saturday, Sept. 18th @ 10:30 – 11:30 in rm 302 at the VCM (Quadra and Pandora).

Our theme for this fall is “Orchestra and Guests!” in which we will be accompanying guest instrumentalists (oboe, sax, etc.) in addition to guitar orchestra repertoire. Please email me at michaelgdias@gmail.com if you have questions or would like more details.

Sincerely,

Michael Dias, MMus
VCM Guitar Orchestra Director

DATE/TIME: February 11th, 2010, 8:00pm
VENUE: Alix Goolden Hall – Victoria Conservatory of Music 907 Pandora Ave.

Tickets at the door: $10 General / 5 Students & Seniors
www.guitarvictoria.com
Info: admin@guitarvictoria.com

A showcase of Victoria’s Professional Talent. Proceeds go toward Guitar Victoria and to guitar programs in need such as the Victoria Conservatory Summer Guitar Academy.

We need your support so spread the word and come see a great concert!

Free tickets to students age 15 and under, pick them up at the Victoria Conservatory Front Desk (900 Johnson Street, M-F 9:00-5:00pm. There’s still 20 left so pick them up fast!

Join our Facebook event!

Join our event and invite your friends…it makes you just plain awesome!

Performers include:

• Victoria Guitar Trio performing latin influenced trio music by Patrick Roux
• Continuum Consort, soprano Elizabeth MacIsaac, flutist Emily Nagelbach, and guitarist Douglas Hensley Songs of Mystery and Night by David Loeb
• Carli & Julie Kennedy , performing original songs from their recent recording!
  
• VCM Guitar Orchestra, directed by Michael Dias
  
• Quelus Duo, performing the first movement of Hetu’s Double Guitar Concerto with string quartet: the string trio is Satori Strings: Cathryn Kennedy, Zachary Taylor and Elizabeth Jane Fields and to form the quartet we have special guest Philip Manning.
• Duo Verdejo, performing works for Viola and Guitar (Megan Verdejo, viola)
  
• Alexander Dunn, performing Beatles arrangements and in music by John Oliver in guitar quartet
  
• Douglas Hensley, performing with the spectacular Continuum Consort
• Michael Dias, performing in nearly everything! What a guy! Victoria Trio, Quelus
  
• Bradford Werner, your host for the night, Quelus Duo, Victoria Trio
  
• Adrian Verdejo, joins Megan Verdejo to showcase guitar-viola works, Victoria Trio
  

Intermission will feature draw prizes for: Free guitar lessons from the performers, CDs, books, and more!

Featuring works by Canadian composer Jacques Hetu, Spanish composers Turina and Torroba, Italian composer Regondi, Cuban composer Brouwer, and Argentinian composer Piazzolla!

1st place: Janet Grohovac (Victoria)
2nd place: Peter Powell (Calgary)
3rd place: Brett Gunther (Calgary)
4th place: Bradford Werner (Victoria)

A secondary round of applause to Murray Visscher as three of the above guitarists have either studied with Murray over the years or are in current studies with him now. The Victoria guitarist’s have also studied with Alexander Dunn at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and the University of Victoria.

Other Victoria representations saw Micheal Dias, the 2008 Winner, give a wonderful concert of Ponce and Hetu as well as a performance by the Victoria Guitar Trio with Michael, Adrian Verdejo, and Bradford Werner.

Congratulations Janet!