March Meeting 2012

Our usual program of ensembles and solos was put aside for this evening. We were treated to a performance from the Widmore Guitar  Ensemble.

Led by their conductor, Paul Brown, the ensemble performed a variety of popular and traditional guitar pieces from all around the world. These pieces included:
Trip to the Andes
Guantanamera (A traditional folk song from Cuba . It literally translates as "woman from Guantánamo") is perhaps the best known Cuban song and that country's most noted patriotic song.
Something Stupid That old classy Frank and Nancy Sinatra number arranged by Cornelius Bruinsma.
Italian Suite- consisting of two old 'chestnuts' ( or should we say 'olives') such as Santa Lucia, Come Back to Sorrento and a lovely arrangement of the theme from Romeo and Juliet ( A Time for us).
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach) took us to Germany. Then we leaped across to Russia with a performance of the Waltz by Shostakovich (arranged by our favourite FGS ensemble leader and well known 'Cossack', Cornelius Bruinsma!!)
Then we bypassed the United Kingdom with a stop over in Ireland for a medley of Irish pieces. (Nothing from the UK!! One wonders what UKIP might say about that??)

Paul and his team gave a great performance and it was  appreciated by all members of the BGS.

After a coffee break, Rob Sellery gave a fantastic performance of Brouwers Sonata. It was a pity that we  hadn't our sound pixies on hand to record it because it was superbly played. Then we took some time to hone our ensemble pieces for the FGS day. The Trio Minuet (under Rob's guidance) was coming together nicely. The Joporo too is improving slowly. We were reminded by our ensemble leader, John Mann to pay more attention to the 'rhythm as it tended to run away' (and who can blame it??) from our enthusiastic endeavours!! John and Rob, showed their usual  patience and composure under pressure!

As a break, Denis organised a performance of a Van Der Stank  ensemble piece which looked simple to play but had a few interesting and subtle quirks thrown in. Van Der Stank is known to have a great sense of humour and he likes to place a few musical 'banana skins' to keep us on our toes!!

It was a great evening and special thanks should go to Paul and the Widmore Ensemble, Rob Sellery and John Mann for their leadership of the BGS 'Band of Pirates'. Special thanks to Denis for chairing the session with his usual humour and to Trevor Pike for keeping us refreshed on the tea and bikkie front!

See you all at the April Meeting.