About
The Connecticut Guitar Society was founded in 1985 to promote the performance and appreciation of the classical guitar. The society presents three Concert Series, master classes, outreach programs, recording projects, referral services, and an internet website hosting guitar resources — a variety of programs offered by no other arts organization in the region. As one of the largest classical guitar societies in the country, members and affiliates are drawn from all over New England and beyond. Membership is open to all including professional, student, and amateur guitarists, as well as people who simply enjoy the guitar’s music. Over the years, invited artists have represented the most esteemed classical, jazz and acoustic guitarists performing in their time, it is well known among guitar enthusiasts throughout the northeast region of the United States, and it is recognized by the guitar world as a model guitar society. Our mission fosters the growth and appreciation of the classical guitar as we serve the educational and cultural needs of professional, student and amateur guitarists, as well as the community at large. Established by two guitarists, founding president Judith Handler and founding executive director Penny Phillips, the Society was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1986 as a 501 (3)c non-profit corporation.
The Connecticut Guitar Society is funded in part by the Connecticut Office of the Arts, the Greater Hartford Arts Council, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, J. Walter Bissell Foundation, Maximillian E. & Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, William and Alice Mortensen Foundation, Ovation Guitar, the Edward C. & Ann T. Roberts Foundation, Wilson Arms and the D’Addario Foundation. Charitable donations to the CGS are welcome. For membership or concert sponsorship information, contact the CGS Office at (860) 249-1132.
The Connecticut Guitar Society is an acknowledged Connecticut treasure.
Named “Critics Choice” and “Best Bets” by leading publications including the New York Times, Connecticut Magazine, the Hartford Courant, and Advocate Newspapers.
Since 1985 CGS has brought together the world’s leading musicians and appreciative Hartford area audiences in intimate settings serving the general public and classical guitarists by providing a forum for listening, learning, performing and teaching. Our concerts are known for quality and variety, bringing virtuoso performances by acknowledged masters and rising stars playing every musical style and taste from Bach to Blues – from Flamenco to Jazz –- earning us an international reputation for excellence. Established in Hartford in 1985 to promote the growth and appreciation of the guitar, we are now the largest and best-known not-for-profit organization of its kind in the country. Membership is open to all: professionals, composers, students, teachers and appreciators. We are dedicated to presenting all styles of guitar music to the public and to providing opportunities for our membership to learn, share and grow. Ours is a most welcoming musical and cultural environment that is open to all and promotes personal expression and support. The Society’s educational and community outreach programs are open to guitarists and to non-musicians alike, and our concerts, workshops, master classes and guitar ensembles are models of congenial activity for musical groups throughout the country. The Society operates a referral data bank for event and concert-level performers and composers, students seeking instruction, and a variety of networking services. We are grateful for the support of New England-wide membership, an enthusiastic audience base, and particularly for the outstanding private citizens and foundations that support our programs year after year, making our continued growth and long term viability possible.
Concerts
The society presents public concerts featuring world-renowned musicians and promising local artists. We bring to southern New England many of the world’s best known and most outstanding internationally acclaimed musicians. Our dedication to present the guitar that exhibit the beauty of the instrument is reflected by our presentations in intimate settings.
Not all concerts are classical in format. Some concerts feature jazz, folk, Latin and other acoustic finger-style artists.
Each year, the society brings a select number of the world’s finest guitarists to Connecticut’s most intimate stages. Among the Society’s most luminary classical guest artists are John Williams, Christopher Parkening, Pepe Romero, Manuel Barrueco, Sharon Isbin, Oscar Ghiglia, Badi Assad, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Eduardo Fernandez, Elliot Fisk, and Kasahito Yamashita, to name a few. Our concerts have also featured jazz and acoustic legends such as Al DiMeola, Herb Ellis, Jim Hall, Kenny Burrell, Larry Coryell, Preston Reed, Bucky Pizzarelli, and many others.
Outreach, Education and Participation
The society offers personal services to connect anyone seeking music instruction, concert level performers, or live music for planned events with professional guitar teachers and performers. It also presents Master Classes and workshops for players at all levels, frequently in collaboration with local educational institutions. The Society maintainsa web site where members may advertise classical guitars and accessories. The Society hosts a Guitar Orchestra where members of all playing skills gain performance experience. The Society has produced CD recordings performed by its professional members.
Membership
Today, the Society boasts hundreds of members and over 2,000 concert attendees from Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Known as one of the largest most active organizations of its kind, Connecticut’s guitar society receives support from individuals, businesses, granting institutions and government agencies both locally and nationally. Membership is not exclusive to musicians, but is open to anyone with an appreciation for the guitar and fine music. You do not have to be a guitar player to be a member!
