Remembering PCGS

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If you live in the triad and you listen to guitar music, play or perform on the guitar, compose music or write about guitarists and their music, or you make guitars,…if you sit in practice rooms or basement rooms spending hours solfeging and careening through Bach and Carcassi or  Jazz and Bluegrass licks, or maybe you stand and watch student’s little fingers grow into adults from hours of your tutelage,….if you’ve done any one of these things you’re probably part of a family called the Piedmont Classic Guitar Society.

 Take a few minutes to reflect on some of its history and the folks that have been active in its many offerings here in the Piedmont.  From hotdog picnics at Miller Park to receptions at Wake Forest University and Salem College, from concerts with the Romeros,  Manuel Barrueco, LAGQ, Charlie Byrd and Chet Atkins to the local talent of  Richard Matteson, Mike Cross, Murial Anderson and the legendary Doc Watson, the PCGS has celebrated the guitar with the North Carolina  Piedmont community and the world for over 26 years.  Beginning with a handful of people from Greensboro and Winston gathering to share music in the late 70’s, by 1980 the PCGS was officially founded as a non-profit organization.  These 13 ‘original colonists,’ pictured right, with Maurice Fox as first President, dedicated themselves to increasing the understanding and enjoyment of classic guitar and similar instruments in the Triad. Through supporting research/educational efforts, encouraging the development of innovative curricula in private studios and institutions, encouraging new compositions, arrangements, and publications of ensemble music involving the guitar, and supporting scholarly research into the guitar’s history and literature, PCGS started with a broad vision for growth.  Over the years the society’s numbers swelled to the ranks of over 130 members.  What does this family have to show now for its 26 years?  All that its founders envisioned and more.  We’re still thriving and growing today in our institutions, studios, laboratories and stages.  We’ve had ups and downs, some of us left town, some have dealt with illness, some are still ill yet going on in amazing strength, and some have passed away leaving us beautiful memories of nights of sweet music.  There’s no doubt we’re all richer in appreciation and understanding of the guitar after all these years.  And we continue to learn, create, and revel in its diverse sonorities.  But how did we arrive at the present?

Early to late 1980’s

 It’s not easy forming a society, by any roll of the dice.  But there’s something about this Blue Ridge air, this access to beach sand and ancient mountain streams which acts like a magnet to those of deep appreciation and reverence for life.   It takes inquisitive, searching minds to delve into the depths of this world, and we happen to have some of those minds right here in the Triad in our guitarists and educators.  Society members have had the good fortune to study and learn from them at fine music schools, studios, and on many front porches throughout our region of North Carolina.  Americans take their music seriously, be it classical or folk.  Merlefest brings together Doc Watson and many icons of American Folk music once a year to a festival that draws thousands.  PCGS past President Richard Matteson, who, like his grandfather, contributed to the research and preservation of our mountain music, was instrumental in bringing Doc and his family to the PCGS stages back in the 1990s.  We applaud Richard for his work in perpetuating and honoring this music.  You’ll read more later in this history on Richard’s work for the society.

 Somewhat less known to the broader public are the Classical guitarists.  If you haven’t heard of Aaron Shearer, then you don’t know a very wise and gentle soul with unceasing creative energy, who many around the globe call the Dean of Classic Guitar Teachers.  Shearer, and some of his students from the North Carolina School of the Arts, many pictured in the original PCGS photo above, have infused and inspired the PCGS with their immense talent and understanding of the instrument.  Many of us in the triad’s Classic guitar world and far beyond have felt the influence of Shearer and the legacy of teachers and performers he created, from Manuel Barrueco, Ricardo Cobo, David Tanenbaum and David Starobin, Thomas Kikta, Ed Stephen, Tom Poore, Andrew Zohn (Director of the upcoming Guitar Foundation of America Convention in GA), to area educator/performers Gerald Klickstein, , Kami Rowan, Alan Hirsh, Paul Grove, Bill Kostler, Jason Rogers, Patrick Lui, and Sam Taylor.  Aaron’s affect on the Classic guitar community here in the triad is profound indeed, and we are proud to have this world figure of guitar as our community’s father.  Behind all large families is a mother, and in this case, the PCGS could not have functioned without Aaron’s dear wife Lorraine Shearer.  Another founder, though not pictured, PCGS Secretary and Reception/Membership Chairperson for many years, Lorraine brought her endless enthusiasm to every concert and brought us together as family, cooking and caring for artists in her home and gathering volunteers to host receptions at concerts.

 If you’re a classic guitarist, then you surely know the name Patricia Dixon, head of guitar at Wake Forest University and another founding member along with her husband, Larry Dixon.  Pat was instrumental in bringing the 2nd American Classical Guitar Congress to Winston-Salem in 1989.  The event was hosted and sponsored by Wake Forest University and has been hailed as one of the most important events in the life of American Guitar Music.  The Congress, with David Tanenbaum as President and Pat Dixon as Director, featured artists Manuel Barrueco, Sharon Isbin, and David Tanenbaum playing with the W-S Symphony conducted by Peter Perret on the evening of day one.  Following this were four days of world renowned guitarists and pedagogues playing and discoursing in concerts, discussions and symposiums.  The Congress brought commissions of new music and chamber music played by artists such as the Newman Oltman Duo, Julien Gray and Ronald Pearl, the Falla Trio, with many soloist from around America.  Classical to Modern composers were featured: Mozart, Bach, Ponce, Segovia, Debussy, and de Falla, Brouwer, Leisner, Dan Locklair and Alan Hirsh, both here in Winston-Salem, Thelonius Monk, Dave Brubeck, George Gershwin and Henry Brant.  As a special tribute, the Congress honored the lifetime achievements of pedagogues Aaron Shearer and Jesus Sylva.  Sylva initiated the North Carolina School of the Arts Guitar program in 1965 at the request of Andres Segovia, while Dr.Aaron Shearer (honored as a Doctor of Music at Duquesne University in 1992) began the American Conservatory Guitar Program in Washington D.C., the program at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD, and then later moved to Winston-Salem, teaching at NCSA with Larry Almeida until Shearer retired in 1995.  The NCSA program is currently guided by the talents of Gerald Klickstein and Joseph Pecararo, both of whom add greatly to the life of the guitar in the triad and far beyond in the manner of their predecessors.  NCSA has co-sponsored with the society many fine artists such as Ricardo Iznaola and  Pepe Romero.  Among these educators are numerous others in our area such as Kami Rowan, the PCGS’s current President, long time member and contributing performer, who currently directs guitar studies at Guilford College.  Also in our area are Mark Mazzatenta of UNCG’s guitar program, Richard Matteson formerly of Pearson’s Music and Salem College, Alan Hirsh, composer and director of Music at Bishop McGuiness Catholic High School, Patrick Lui music director at Weaver Academy in Greensboro, Bill Kossler who along with Ken Wilson has run the Suzuki guitar program for children in the triad, Sam Taylor at Salem College, as well as many others in local studios and privately.

 While such dedicated teachers have developed our understanding of the instrument and informed our repertoire and performing choices, PCGS volunteers have been busy conducting the affairs of the society including programming, financing, membership, library meetings, publicity, receptions, etc.  Paul Muncy, pictured above as a founding member, deserves a medal for serving as treasurer for over 20 years.  His endless efforts and always jolly spirits ensured the smooth running of the ship through steady and stormy waters. We hope he gained more from the enjoyment of the instrument than from the strain of the work.  Pitching in was his wife Connie Muncy.  Together the Muncys opened their home, lovely back porch, and living room to board members and guitar meetings.    Always by Muncy’s side was Joan Durana, also pictured as a PCGS founder, who helped in many ways through the years, from designing the society’s insignia and some of the program covers and posters, to showing up at the box office with her happy face next to Muncy’s as they handled tickets and greeted folks.  Many others were there too, Jackie Hash who has since taken over Muncy’s job as Treasurer, Fred McKinney on publicity,

Late 1980’s to early 1990’s

 Behind the scenes, and often the first on stage to welcome the audience, was the very familiar face of Richard Matteson, the society’s President for 17 years.  Richard is well known in the field of Blue Grass, and is an accomplished performer, teacher, researcher and writer.  Surely the PCGS would not have endured year after year without Matteson assuming the role and carrying the burden as president.  Lorraine Shearer described Richard’s energy with an appropriate word: sustainability!  He is currently Program Director for the society, working with area teachers and society members to continue crafting events. As mentioned earlier, Richard bridged gaps between the various worlds of guitar music and brought Doc Watson and many fine Bluegrass and Jazz guitarists to the stages of the Triad for years.  When asked to reflect on the society’s history, Richard mentioned with pride the accomplishments of the Concert Series and the inclusion of Folk instruments.  The first series, in 1987-88 included such artists as Scott Tennant, Cinnelli Duo, Larry Almeida, David Tanenbaum, Dennis Koster, Christopher Harlan, Stephen Robinson, and Helmut Jasbar.  The 2^nd Honorary Concert Series of 1992-93 acknowledged with lifetime achievement awards such guitar greats of the day as Jazz guitarist Chet Atkins, Publisher Mel Bay, North Carolina’s own Doc Watson, Celedonio Romero, father of the talented Romero brothers, and Pedagogues Aaron Shearer and Frederick Noad. With one concert a month, this series proved to be yet another exciting time for Triad guitar lovers, bringing in such performers, both local and national, as Chet Atkins with Paul Yandell, Murial Anderson, Richard Matteson, Eric Perotti, Doc Watson, Charlie Byrd, the Washingtion Guitar Quintet, Greg Hyslop, Bill Kanengiser, Jeffrey Brown, Randy Pile, Alexander Dunn, Ricardo Cobo, David Starobin, Edward Stephenson, Paul Grove, and Cedarwind.  As always, the cities of Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Kernersville and Highpoint and surrounding towns and counties supplied beautiful venues such as Shirley Recital Hall, Brendle Recital Hall,  Reynold’s Auditorium, Reynolda House, Guilford College, Greensboro College, and various church sanctuaries in Kernersville, Lexington, Salsbury, and in surrounding towns.

 Many volunteers helped with these concerts from publicizing to receiving guests and artists and running the shows.  The cookies and punch kept flowing.  Rhonda Matteson, Richard’s wife, not only supported her husband but worked for the society as well, putting countless hours on newsletters and programs, and baking cakes in the shape of guitars.  There were still others baking and making punch: Lorraine Shearer  who often planned receptions over lunch with Elizabeth Anderson, Azalea Arias, Lois Handy, Debbie Rigby, Sally Hirsh and Jackie Hash.  All this was done to keep up with the demands of an expanding society and concert series (and maybe just to get together with friends for lunch!).  Notable were Christmas parties at Maurice and Donna Fox’s home and at Carol Royal’s Wachovia Bed and Breakfast, the elegant receptions for fine artists at the home of James Fox, and dinners at many fine restaurants with touring artists. To keep up with the entire goings on, Lorraine Shearer clipped newspapers and took pictures, providing much of the information in this write-up of the society.  We are most grateful.  She and Elizabeth Anderson’s husband, Wayne Anderson, saved many of the clippings and publicity, while Paul Muncy, Maurice and Donna Fox, Richard Matteson, and Pat Dixon supplied pictures, posters, and many facts from the years.  Lorraine pointed out there is one of us with a lifetime membership to the PCGS: Sam Moss, owner of Sam Moss Guitars.

Mid-1990’s

 Finally we’ve come to the mid 90’s up to the present.  As the community gained from education, exposure to fine artists and music, and expansion through including various artistic trends and styles, society members sought performance outlets for expression.  The society has a tradition of offering performance opportunities to its members through Guitar Teacher’s Concerts in Greensboro and Winston-Salem, Library Meetings, and Play-Ins.  In the last decade, it saw the beginnings of the PGO, Piedmont Guitar Orchestra, as a new expressive vehicle.  Conceived and directed by Dr. Alan Hirsh, the orchestra has provided a weekly gathering place for area guitarists, students, and teachers to commune, and it has given them an opportunity to perform ensemble arrangements not readily available elsewhere due to the talents of composer/arranger Hirsh.  Rehearsals began in Pinedale Christian Church with twenty or so classic guitarists and migrated through the years to Wake Forest School of Music, and added new voices to the orchestra: Requinto and Contra Bass, as well as guest soloists on other instruments.  Guitarist at many levels have participated as instrumental parts include beginning to advanced players.  The PGO has performed at various venues throughout Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and the surrounding counties for winter, spring, and summer concerts and at churches, nursing homes and other institutions, with one memorable concert organized by Meg Anderson at Broughton Hospital where she was a music therapist.  Members also enjoyed many after concert gatherings in the homes of John and Janice Keyes, Victoria Friendly and Tim Mabe, and Alan and Sally Hirsh.  As always, these were pot lucks with everyone pitching in, including family members, just as we did for the organizational efforts of our orchestra and concerts.  Mike Ingram brought us up to date on the computer and PCGS web site, Jordan Wooten created and printed posters, John Keyes provided many of us with guitars from his home workshop, and many others helped in numerous ways.  Not to be over looked were the members who traveled from Greensboro for many years, Marnie Ross, Sue Lerner, and Mark Smith, as well as long-standing members and former members Maurice Fox, Mark Davidson, Victoria Friendly, Meg Anderson, Roque Arias, Chris Spiedel, Sharon Kuhn, Sally Hirsh, Mack Matheson, Susan Wheeler, Christine Hurley, Max Carrick, Gail Stewart, Mark Wolfson, Jackie Hash, John Keyes, Beth Harkness, Joan brown, Carlo Casini, Chuck Stone, and Ray, Ayvert.  Additionally, many area teachers have joined the PGO during concert times.  Our newest members to the orchestra include young guitarists Jeremy Kuhn, Joey Hirsh, Julio Pandi, and Adam Wolfson.  It’s exciting to see the enthusiasm spreading through the generations!

 The Society continues to provide performance opportunities for soloists and other ensembles through its library meetings, and it will be holding its second Guitar Teacher’s Concert this fall in Winston-Salem, as well as a Community Guitar Celebration Day at Jackson’s Music.  Another exciting addition has been the recent Bookstore Events at Barnes and Nobles, Boarders Books and Music and Greensboro coffee house, Java K’s, initiated by Roque Arias, current Publicity Director for the society.  I imagine our present Secretary, Marie Van Vuuren, has a hard time keeping up with all that goes on with PCGS these days!  Fortunately, Marie and her husband Stephen are talented with the computer and keep us well informed and up to date.  Another great volunteer putting in countless hours!

 So many talented people, giving people, artistic, hard working, guitar loving.  And yet there are many names we have left out.  This is but a beginning, and we hope that those who’ve been involved in the PCGS will take the time to communicate any information that can be added or deleted if not accurate, be it dates, times, places, names, and stories, so that we can continue to recount the memories including the ones we are making now.  Many thanks to the Jon Kuhn family for the stunning venue for the August 25^th PCGS Jumpstart Concert featuring Italian Guitarist/Composer extraordinaire, Pino Forastieri, with premiering the Winston-Salem Guitar Septet: Colin Allured, Jason Mullen, Luke Payne, Eric Perotti, Jesse Robinson, and Jason Rogers, and Alan Hirsh.  One of the first concerts featuring both Classical and New Age styles, we were fortunate to hear Forastieri’s newest works and the Winston-Salem premier of Hirsh’s “Celebration,” written for the US Guitar/Mexico Orchestra of the 2001 GFA.  

We are looking forward to many other exciting events: check out the PCGS web site (www.piedmontclassicguitarsociety.org) for upcoming concerts in the new year including a special day of guitar events Saturday, January 13, featuring guitarist/composer Billy McLaughlin, a presentation of the music of Michael Hedges with John Stopes, and performances by McLaughlin with string orchestra and the Winston-Salem Guitar Septet.   The web site will also list the many events occurring at surrounding Colleges, Universities, and other area stages of the Triad.  Happy music making, and again, thanks PCGS for a wonderful 26 years!

Sally Hirsh

Volunteer Historian