Playing in an ensemble is a sonic jigsaw puzzle. Until you play with other members of the ensemble, you’re never quite sure what it sounds like. Even better, rotate and play other parts. Repeat. It’s that simple and fun!
In the New England Guitar Orchestra (formerly, the Boston Guitar Orchestra), I play Guitar 4, for that is the easiest part. The most experienced and virtuoso players are assigned Guitar 1. Once in a blue moon, I get to play Guitar 3. Sightreading the music is out of the question for me. I have also played the ukulele part, for the orchestra is plucked string – including bass guitar, steel string, electric, mandolin, and ukulele. Our conductor takes us through each piece and records our rehearsals so that we can practice on our own.
Recently, I visited the Greenwood Guitar Society whose members meet every other Friday evening in Hampton Hill in England. I was pleasantly reminded of my first visit just over two years ago. The atmostphere was laid back. The music was so accessible that I could sight read all parts. I felt competent reading and playing to my heart’s delight. I suggested that we rotate the parts, something we never get to do in Boston.
After the one-and-a-half-hour session, the guitarists drove to a nearby pub. This sort of social gathering is something I miss in Boston – pubs without loud music or any background music or television. When we were rehearsing at the New England Conservatory, it was easy to walk to nearby restaurants that stayed open past 9 PM. Sharing a meal after rehearsals was part of the rehearsal ritual.
I repeat:
rehearsing and socializing through sharing a meal or drink(s) was the ritual BEFORE the pandemic.
I asked the guitarists in the guitar society how long they’ve been meeting. What did they do during the pandemic? Did they ever rehearse for concerts?
In Boston, we get together to practice a programme for scheduled concerts. Our rehearsals are Saturday mornings from 10 AM to 1 PM with a coffee break. Scott brings fresh donuts from Rhode Island. Robert switches on the coffee machine (after he has ground the coffee earlier). Some members drive from New Hampshire. So far, we haven’t had anyone from Connecticut, Vermont or Maine. Anyone is welcome. The membership fee is $185 for five months of weekly 3-hour rehearsals and four concerts (scheduled so far) for 2025. There was no membership fee in 2024.
What if we can get together to read through music, not because we have concerts to prepare but to discover music and enjoy playing with each other? For a beginner like me, I welcome the opportunity to play other parts and discover how a piece is put together. That helps me in my own arrangements.
To explore the possibility of “Read, Rotate, and Repeat” I’ve compiled an initial set of easy guitar chamber music with new pieces by the English composer Lindsay Higgs to try out before the year end.
Details:
Saturday 28th December 2024
Doors open at 9:30 AM
Walter Baker Building, Boston, Massachusetts 02124 (near Milton T-Station)
10 AM Read through music
12 NOON end and carpool to a shared lunch in nearby Quincy
This is a free event. Please contact me for the sheet music.
