2021-08-28 The VCGS Adult Guitar Ensemble Holds First Rehearsal

VCGS had long been interested in starting an amateur ensemble for adult players and finally in the depths of the pandemic, Alec Pearson and Luis Medina did just that. Luis was the ensemble director charged with selecting the music and recruiting the participants and Alec helped with communication and logistics in finding rehearsal space. In late August of 2021, with everyone wearing masks, nine amateur guitarists gathered at KW Studios on West Hastings to start playing together. Luis was the director with help from UBC music student Daniel Cheung. The original members included Francis Lumibao, George Lewis, Stella Valerie Boser, Christian Reuten, Wasan Thamsuaidee and Vilio Celli. They played Fiesta Mediterranea, Vals de la Culebra and La Cumparsita at the ensemble’s first concert (see below).

The VCGS Guitar Ensemble has just continued to grow since that first session. They meet Sunday mornings to rehearse and performs concerts twice a year with the individual members also playing solos and duets. It’s turned out to be not only a great opportunity for amateur guitarists to get comfortable playing in public, but also a welcoming community of fellow players. Over the years, the ensemble has been directed by some of the best music teachers in Vancouver including Luis Medina, Chris Haas, John Oliver, Itamar Erez and currently by Michael Kolk. Today, the ensemble has 16 members and a waiting list of amateur guitarists who would like to join.

The ensemble has also turned out to be wonderful way for amateur players to participate in ongoing learning through VCGS. Many of the original members are still playing in the ensemble and several of our board of directors came to their positions through the ensemble.