by Kuldeep Barve
The Background
The Pune Guitar Society (PGS) started in May this year. We realised that as guitarists we play mostly in isolation and wanted to do something to change that.
But what would a society like this aim to achieve? We spent some time just thinking about this and here is what we came up with:
- Organize classical guitar concerts, workshops and masterclasses
- Advocacy for the classical guitar
- A facilitator for guitar students and teachers
- Providing mentorship
Act as a repository of all kinds of information related to the classical guitar. - Developing a culture
- Focus of quality of musical understanding and performance.
- Encourage learning between different genres keeping focus on classical guitar.
- Maintain a reference library of books, audio etc.
- A resource for national classical guitar events
The PGS will be a member of the Indian Guitar Federation, get up to date news on guitar events across the country and spread this information to its members.
PGS since May 2015: A brief summary of activities
In the last few months, the PGS has been active in organizing concerts, masterclasses and workshops. We also introduced the idea of monthly meetings for local classical guitarists as well as improvisatory guitar players, creating a unique opportunity to perform in front of peers.
Successful initiatives since May 2015
- Concerts at public venues
- South American Guitar Music by Veet J Ohnemus at the Gyaan Adab Centre.
- We did a lecture/demonstration at The Loft
- Monthly Meetings
- There have been 2 meetings of the PGS. These meetings are an excellent opportunity to play for fellow guitarists and listen.
- Workshops and Masterclasses
- Masterclasses with the Basel Guitar Duo
- 1 full day Workshop with Veet J Ohnemus
- Facilitators
- The PGS was able to facilitate shooting of a music video for Veet J Ohnemus.
The Coming Months
The Pune Guitar Society has some very interesting initiatives lined up over the next few months!
- September 19: Expressions: A contemporary classical guitar recital
Concert at the Gyaan Adab Centre, Pune – Jayant S (Guitar) and Anoop Kumar (Narration).
This is a first of its kind event. An evening with the music of 20th century composers Brouwer and Koshkin. The music will be threaded with a narrative-expressive component featuring prose/poetic passages created by a collective of writers.
- October 23-25: Concert and Workshop by Samuel Klemke (Germany)
- December 11, 12: Concert and Masterclasses – Madhavan Somanathan (India)
- January 19 (tentative date): A dedication: Leo Brouwer and Bill Evans
Jayant S (guitar and upright bass) & Rose Eliert (piano)
The way ahead
It has been a fantastic journey so far. This forum gives interested musicians a chance to interact and learn from concert performers and enhance their musical skills and knowledge. It has gotten us in touch with budding guitar players and musicians keen to explore and learn more. The feeling of having a group of self-motivated musicians to interact is a great incentive to learn and improve.
We believe a lot can be done in terms of fostering and cultivating a culture for the classical guitar. The PGS believes that classical guitar players have to be more receptive to other genres of music as well to be.
The masterclasses and workshops have made us acutely aware of the musicianship and study which goes into becoming a musician and a classical guitar player. The Pune Guitar Society will continue to strive for serious musicianship and cultivating serious interest in the instrument going forward.
We look forward to interaction/exchange with more classical guitar communities and groups across India. We at the PGS are well on our way and will continue to focus on classical guitar related activities in Pune and elsewhere in India.