Baltimore Classical Guitar Society

About this Organization

A History of The Baltimore Classical Guitar Society Well-known in the classical guitar world as a society that presents great artists each concert season, The Baltimore Classical Guitar Society is actually a multi-faceted organization.  Its most public face is the annual concert series that features top guitarists, and its many other activities vary its mode of fulfilling its mission of “fostering the awareness and appreciation of the classical guitar.”  Through its several incarnations, the BCGS has aimed to present the finest performers at the same time that it has never lost sight of its diverse general audience or its supporters among amateur and student guitarists.  Since November 30, 1987, the date of the Articles of Association that mark its official founding, the BCGS has evolved into a professionally run organization which has managed to remain true to its home-grown roots. Like many other guitar societies, the BCGS began as a small group of amateur players who would get together once a month in each other’s homes. Members would play for each other and give talks and demonstrations. Early concerts presented by the young BCGS showed a progression building on experience and goodwill from local performs. From 1990-1994, Mike Kirkpatrick, then president, oversaw a number of practices and activities that laid the foundation for the society that exists today. Open recitals began and master classes were sponsored by the society. The society was granted non-profit status and also began receiving city and state grant support. The concert series became a subscription series. From 1994 to 1999, through the presidencies of Jim Fortier and Mike Oliver, the society’s reputation grew. The organization presented nationally and internationally known guitarists. The presidency of Dave Hepple (1999-2003) was marked by some rocky times but also by huge successes and some new developments that continue to enrich Baltimore’s guitar community. Despite the uneven financial situation during much of David Hepple's administration, the society sustained its respected presence on the music scene, continuing to feature fine artists and even establishing a new organization within the BCGS: A personal satisfaction for David Hepple was the presentation of world-renowned Manuel Barrueco in the society’s concert series, thus beginning a relationship that eventually resulted in Manuel’s becoming the BCGS artistic advisor in 2003. A Place at the Top Asgerdur Sigurdardottir was elected president in 2003, bringing with her many years of experience as a concert artist's manager, Grammy-nominated record producer, and numerous personal and professional connections in the guitar world. With the new administration came a determination to put the society on a firm financial footing. The measures that Asgerdur initiated to accomplish this explored new territory as well as expanded or formalized practices already in place. With her strong organizational and public relations skills, Asgerdur has solidified the position of the BCGS as one of the most important, most well-run guitar societies in the country. With Manuel Barrueco serving as artistic director, the society regularly presents the world’s greatest guitarists. Because of contributions from a growing list of BCGS members and various granting institutions, the society can operate with confidence each season.  The society has begun shifting its attention to education, in addition to its concert presentations. Numerous educational programs have been established, among them the BCGS Commission Award, whereby young and talented composers are commissioned to write pieces for the BCGS to be premiered during the concert season. BCGS' commission of "Inca Dances" by Gabriela Lena Frank won a 2009 Latin GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Contemporary Composition. In its thirty-year history, the BCGS has undergone a gradual transformation. The small group of guitar enthusiasts who shared beer and some tunes in each other’s living rooms never dreamed that what they began would eventually become one of North America's most active, most prestigious guitar organizations.