NEWS NEWS NEWS!!!!!
The North East Scotland Classical Guitar Society (NESCGS) is pleased to announce the winners of its
2007/2008 AGM Recital Competition
As part of our society's development, we have forged links with the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama (RSAMD) through our patron Allan Neave. We have introduced an opportunity for a student from the RSAMD to perform at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the spring of every year. The AGM will occur in Aberdeen in May / June 2008 (date to be finalised). The award covers all travelling and accommodation expenses plus a monetary remuneration.
The successful students were selected in a competition held at the RSAMD on December 13th , 2007 and judged by the RSAMD's 'International chair', Pavel Steidl. This year, a joint prize was awarded to Laura Husbands and Adele Neilson. The society are delighted to have 'two' winners and are looking forward to their performances at the AGM.
The society thanks Pavel, Allan and the RSAMD and congratulates Laura and Adele on their success.
Peter Stock, NESCGS Chairman
Ian Watt Success 
It was with great pleasure and pride that we watched one of our society member's, Ian Watt , strut his stuff on national TV ("Classical Star" BBC2) this week. Although Ian did not win the ultimate prize, there were many successes all around:
Ian played as well as I have heard him (despite how little playing from any participant was actually transmitted) especially under such demanding circumstances. Ian also came across as the natural, easy going , humble chap we have come to know in the society and the TV shows captured this side of him well. Ian will have done his own profile considerable good, as with all of the original 18 participants.
It was great to see the classical guitar on national TV, When was the last time you can remember seeing that? Hopefully, this wider exposure will make a generation of people aware of a style of guitar they genuinely ne ver knew existed. It could only do our instrument good and should raise interest.
The competition was based on truly talented players. There is probably an impression in society , supported by the likes of Strictly Come Dancing, that any flatfooted athlete can achieve some competence in the arts by intensive training. In Classical Star, these were hard - won talents and skills from dedicated young people.
In summary, the society would like to congratulate Ian for his successes on these many fronts. As we said at our inaugural concert in Oct 2005 where Ian played for us, we would be able to brag about knowing and hearing Ian before he was famous. But I guess none of us thought the bragging opportunities would happen quite so soon. We look forward to saying the same about some of our other younger members like Ross and Sean in the near future.
Well done Ian!!!
Peter Stock 'Society Chairman'
Thank You!!!
The society would very much like to thank the donor (who prefers to remain anonymous) of a good quality classical guitar and case for the use of the society. Thank you for this very generous gift we will try to use it well and loan the guitar (short term) to new students (of any age) in the encouragement of players new to classical style of guitar playing.
Conall McKay (NESCGS musical director) becomes proud father
...
On 20/10/07 at 10am Roisin McKay gave birth to a baby boy. He was 10 Ib 14 oz. Mother and baby are well. Very best wishes to all three from all at the society. We shall look forward to meeting our youngest new member just as soon as Conall gets him his first guitar. pictured left Conall and Baby Dara and also Roisin and Dara.
UWS Classical Guitar Society
... Bobby Geary (Members of NESCGS met him at DGF and the Big guitar weekend). In a moment of madness (his words not ours) has started a guitar society at the University of Paisley. Blog at: www.uwsclassicalguitarsociety.blogspot.com. We are very proud that he told us we were his inspiration to form a society and we look forward to forging close links with his blossoming new society in the future.
Well done Bobby, best wishes and best of luck to you and your members for the future.
Committee members Peter Stock and Les Stewart with Scott Tennant of LAGQ at the Dundee Guitar Festival.
Dundee Festival was a roaring success. Many society members were among the lucky partipants at the festival, enjoying the wonderful concerts and masterclasses on offer. The society would like to thank all involved especially Mr Neave (our patron), and the staff, tutors and performers for their support, tuition and entertainment during the festival.
Success... Nescgs member Ian Watt has claimed the title of "Ishoka Aberdeen Musician of the year".
"Picture courtesy of the Press and Journal"
Aberdeen City Council music co-ordinator said “The standard of the competition was extremely high, mind blowing in fact” The judges found it difficult to find a winner, but Ian was selected by the distinguished panel of judges, which included Professor John Wallace, Principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. In his performance Ian played pieces by Bach, Villa Lobos, Takemitsu and Albeniz
Well done Ian. (Please see up-coming concert dates and cutting on events page)
Members and visitors
It gives me great pleasure to advise you that Allan Neave has agreed to become the Patron of The NESCGS
Although patronage is a somewhat nebulous term, our fundamental desire is to forge closer links with Allan. As we are the only classical guitar society in Scotland and Allan is Scotland 's most prominent performer and exponent, we feel a closer relationship is natural and appropriate and will hopefully create benefits for both he and us. I hope you will all agree with me that this is an important next step in the growth of our fledgling society.
Keep plucking ... Peter Stock (NESCGS Chairman)
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