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GUITAR NOTES
Volume XXV, Number 2 Winter, 2010
2009-10 Guitar Concert Season
Welcome to the second half of our Presented in Memory of in honor of Galileo Galilei--whose
2009-2010 Guitar Concert Season, father and brother were profes-
featuring more of the world’s finest
Kathleen Jane Evans Ash
sional lute players!
performers, this time with both lute
and guitar ensembles, plus soloist
Douglas Niedt. We have been called
Guitar Duo Melis
the “the best musical value” in February 27, 2010
town, and we hope you’ll join us for
these fabulous performances! Susana Prieto, from Santander,
Spain, and Alexis Muzurakis
The Venere Lute Quartet from Athens, Greece, made their
(Picture on outer panel) debut as the Guitar Duo Melis in
Presented with 1999 at the International Guitar
The Seven Gables Inn Festival of Volos, Greece. Since
then, they have won numerous
One of only a few professional lute
prizes in international competi-
ensembles, The Venere Lute
tions: in 1999, First Prize at the
Quartet is named after the Italian
International Guitar Duo Compe-
Renaissance luthier Vendelio
tition of Frechen (Germany); in
Venere, who (like Stradivarius) was Guitar Duo Melis
2000, they won the prestigious
regarded among the finest luthiers February 27, 2010
Guitar Duo Competition of
of his age. Quartet members Presented with Montelimar (France), as well as
Douglas Freundlich, Chris The Hellenic Spirit Foundation the XXI International Guitar Duo
Morrongiello, Gail Gillispie, and
Competition Mauro Giuliani
Philip Rukavina are busy lute pro-
(Italy). In 2001 they won the
fessionals in four of America's lead-
Duo/Ensemble prize at the
ing early music centers (Boston,
Chamber Music Competition of
New York, Chicago, and
Leipzig (Germany), and were win-
Minneapolis) who share a deep
ners at the International Guitar
commitment to ensemble playing,
Duo Competition of Paris
scholarship, and education. The
(France). In 2003 they recorded
Quartet performs Renaissance and
their first CD after winning the
Baroque masterworks, appearing
record-ing prize, Citta di Verona,
throughout the United States and
at the International Chamber
Europe. Some appearances include
Music Competition of Gaetano
the Lute Society of America, the
Zinetti (Italy). Their St. Louis
Seattle Early Music Guild, La
debut program includes music by
Guitarra California, the Amherst
Enrique Granados, Alberto
Early Music Festival, the Douglas Niedt Ginastera, & Mario Castelnuovo-
Cambridge Society for Early March 27, 2009 Tedesco--and a promised selection
Music, and the Fodella Foundation
Presented with of music from Greece. Don’t miss
Series in Milan, Italy. Their St.
Buckingham Asset Management this St. Louis debut performance!
Louis program will include music
 Douglas Niedt
March 27, 2010
A St. Louis native, Douglas Niedt
began his study of the guitar at the age
of seven with his father, an amateur
guitarist. He gained instant fame at age
seventeen upon winning the Chet
Atkins International Guitar Competi-
tion in which three hundred guitarists
were entered from around the world.
His unique programming includes
music of American popular composers
such as Duke Ellington, Richard
Rodgers, George Gershwin, and Dave
Brubeck. Mr. Niedt is Head of the gui-
tar program of the Conserv-atory of
Music and Dance, U.M.K.C.
Tickets for all concerts are available on
our website at guitarstlouis.net, or by
calling the Society at 314 567-5566.
Kudos from the Post-Dispatch
Sarah Bryan Miller, in a review of our
performance by Spanish guitarist
Ignacio Rodes, called it a “thoroughly
enjoyable evening,” in a performance
“all about the music.” She also noted
that “a largely new board of directors
has risen to the challenge” of helping
to build on the successful foundation
that Kathy Ash played with her “quiet-
ly competent presence.”
Recognition from the National
Endowment for the Arts
The Guitar Society has just been
awarded a prestigious “Challenge
America” grant of $5,000 to support
two morning educational performances
by the Venere Lute Quartet on Friday,
January 22, for St. Louis city public
school children; and $5,000 for an
additional pair of performances during
2010-11. This season the Georgia
Guitar Quartet received standing ova-
tions from the students, and glowing
reviews from their teachers for perfor-
mances on October 9, 2009. To see
more about these important opportuni-
ties for our students, please visit our
website at guitarstlouis.net.
Note from President William Ash
We have indeed been undergoing a trans-
formation this year, and we’ve set some
new directions that we hope will be of
interest to all of us who care about sus-
taining and expanding the impact of the
classical guitar here in our community. I
would like to publicly thank all the mem-
bers of our Board who have been so sup-
portive of me and of this organization:
Michael O’N. Barron, Vice-President
Ann Barron, Treasurer
Vicki K. Carlson, Secretary
Mary Alice Dultz
Stanley Dultz
Clifford A. Eise
Joseph H. Hempen
Hasmukh Patel
Ann Reis Quigley
Gaylerd Quigley
Lois Vander Waerdt
Membership Gatherings
We began our season with a wonderful
Gathering of Members on September
13, when young local performers Adam
Gabbert, Ben Minden-Birkenmaier, and
Jeff Bowen performed for us. Please go
to our website to see pictures!
Calling All Performers!
Our next Gathering will be Sunday,
January 10, in the upstairs Ballroom at
the Sheldon Memorial, 3648 Washington
Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108 2:00-5:00
pm. It will feature ensemble perfor-
mances by young guitarists from the
Childbloom guitar program and the
Webster University Guitar Ensemble. At
the end of the program will be a guitar
orchestra opportunity open to all member
guitarists. Parts--easy to medium levels--
will be sent upon request at registration.
Admission is free to Members, and just
$10 for guests of members. Hors d’oeu-
vres and drink--both wine and non-alco-
holic--will be provided, so reservations
are required by January 3, 2010. To join
and/or rsvp please call Membership
Chair Ann Barron at 314 229-8686, or e-
mail her at: mobarron@charter.net.
Holiday Giving
Give the Gift of Music!
St. Louis Classical Guitar Society
Gift Certificate
Redeemable for one ticket or CD
No expiration date
We now have gift certificates priced at
$18, good for any concert admission or
artist CD. All profits from these sales will
go towards the KJEA Memorial Fund:
coffee mugs, $8 each; Tote bag, $6 each;
Keychains: $2 each. T-Shirts: $12 men
and womens’ long sleeve; $10 men and
womens’ short sleeve; $8 youth.
(Members get $2 off on T-Shirts.)
Pictured are the coffee mugs. For pictures
of all our items, please visit our website
at guitarstlouis.net. To purchase, please
call Ann Barron at 314 229-8686, or e-
mail her at: mobarron@charter.net.
KJEA Memorial Fund
As of press time, we have raised $7,230
for “Kathy’s Fund.” Our goal of $10,000
for the Fund by December 31, 2009, is
within reach!
Contributions towards the Fund in any
amount are welcome. The Fund will be
used to secure financial stability for the
Society, and also allow us to take advan-
tage of extraordinary opportunities to fur-
ther guitar instruction in the schools.
Please consider an end-of-year contribu-
tion to honor Kathy’s legacy and interest
in helping young people experience the
joy of instrumental music making. All
contributors of $100 or more before Dec.
31 will be listed as Charter Members.
Donations may be made directly on our
website, or by check to: SLCGS, POB
11425, St. Louis, MO 63105.
the KJEA Fund as we go to Press. We
thank all our Donors so much for honor-
Guitar Duo Melis conducts a master
Order Form
class on Sunday, February 28, 1:00-

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ing Kathy in this way! Concert tickets may be ordered on
3:00 pm at Washington University’s our website, guitarstlouis.net, by
Music Department, 560 Trinity Avenue mailing in this form, or charge by
LEADERS CHALLENGE in University City. Emphasis will be phone at (314) 567-5566. All con-
$500+ on guitar ensembles. Admission $5,
certs held at the Ethical Society and
William B. Ash free to members of the Guitar Society.
seats are reserved. Thank you!
Seth Barbanell & Sally Petito, MD Douglas Niedt conducts a guitar master
Michael and Ann Barron class on Sunday, March 28, 1:00-3:00 Membership: $15 single, $25 cou-
Stan and Mary Alice Dultz pm, again at Washington University’s ples & Families, $10 FT students:
Lynn Heidinger-Brown Music Department, 560 Trinity Avenue
Dr. & Mrs. Arturo C. Montes
=$______
in University City, Admission $5, free
Jeff and Amy Tyner to members of the Guitar Society.
Venere Lute Quartet, January 23,
VISIONARIES $250+ These classes are not just for guitarists; 8:00 pm. $24; $22 members,
Carla Gordon everyone is welcome to join us to listen students, 62+.
James Goodman and learn as outstanding local students
play for the masters! Quantity:_______ @ $_____= $_______
Ernest G. & Pauline B. Jaworski
Lois Vander Waerdt Guitar Duo Melis, February 27,
8:00 pm. $20; $18 members,
SUSTAINERS $100+
students, 62+.
Anonymous
Ralph Barber Quantity ________@ $_____= $_______
Eugene and Margaret Beatty Many Thanks to:
Dr. and Mrs. Martin Bell WHITAKER FOUNDATION Douglas Niedt, March 27, 8:00 pm.
The Regional Arts Commission
Jennifer & Jon Bork $20; $18 mbrs., students, 62+.
The Missouri Arts Council
Jeff Bowen The Arts and Education Council
John R. Bowen The Seven Gables Inn Quantity ________@ $_____= $_______
Vicki K. Carlson The D’Addario Foundation
Henry and Sylvia Chen Music Folk, Inc. Contribution to the
Lois Cooper Buckingham Asset Management KJEA Memorial Fund: = $_____
Cindy Galbraith Curley Hispanic Arts Council
Clifford A. Eise Belas-Artes Multi-Cultural Center
Joseph H. Hempen The Mid-America Arts Alliance Grand Total: $________
The National Endowment for the Arts
Rodney Kerner
Thomas Kuehling
WHITAKER Thank You!
Charles and Carolyn Landry
Foundation
Dale and Toni Larsen
Brian Mills Guitar Notes is published by the St. Louis
Classical Guitar Society, P. O. Box 11425, St.
Douglas A. Niedt Louis, MO 63105. To be added to our mailing
William and Katherine Park list, please call us at (314) 567-5566 or write to
Hasmukh Patel us at info@guitarstlouis.net.
James E. Tabor
Ann Reis Quigley Name_________________________________________________________
Gaylerd Quigley
Camilla Zimmerman Address_______________________________________________________
CONTRIBUTORS 2009
City, State, Zip_________________________________________________
$20+
Edmond Abrahamian Home phone__________________Paid by _____check_____VISA_____MC
John Blanchard
Ruth Field Card #___________________________________________expires________
Jane Gold
Lucy and William Hannegan Please mail to: The St. Louis Classical Guitar Society, P. O. Box 11425, St. Louis, MO
Curtis McDermott 63105, order online at guitarstlouis.net, or call us at (314) 567-5566. Thank you!
 The Saint Louis Non-Profit Org.
CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY U.S. Postage
P. O. Box 11425, St. Louis, MO 63105 PAID
Phone: (314) 567-5566 St. Louis, MO
www.guitarstlouis.net Permit No. 4325

Address Correction Requested

Venere Lute Quartet St. Louis

January 23, 2010 GUITAR NOTES