Bromley Guitar Society Blog

BGS Meeting March 21st 2026

2026-04-09T16:54:00.000+01:00

Tonight's duet and solo performances

Amelia	Notturno no. 1, op. 4 (Johann Kasper Mertz)
Tom	Romanze fromSonata in D (Christian Scheidler)

BGS Meeting February 21st 2026

2026-02-23T11:30:00.000+00:00

We had another good meeting last night. Quite hard work, especially the Brandenburg Concerto No 6.

Tonight's duet and solo performances

Jim	Phantasiain A Minor (David Kellner)
Tom	Mazurka (Tarrega)
Derek	Rock Me Mama (Peter Nuttall)
Costanza	En Mi Corazon (Eduardo Diez Lopez)

BGS Meeting January 17th 2026

2026-01-18T13:22:00.000+00:00

Our BGS meeting last night was busy. Georgie led the practice and took us through a new piece - “Brandenburg Concerto No 6”. It was hard work! The other music, “Blues Lament” & “Dorimix” went reasonably well.

Solos & Duets were:

Tom & Georgie	Frog Galliard (John Dowland)
Amelie	Contemplations (Montemayor.)
Simon	Variations on Little Wing (Hendrix) Something (George Harrison)

BGS Meeting December 13th 2025

2025-12-14T14:49:00.000+00:00

The BGS had another good session last night. We played:

Bergamasca by Respighi
Stylin’
Blues Lament by Ray Love
Zorba the Greek from the film score
Fiddlers Playing, a Ukranian Dance

In the Christmas spirit, we played The Holly and the Ivy, the American version and Chestnuts Roasting

After the coffee break, tonight's duet and solo performances:

Tom & Simon	Chorale Prelude “Von Himmel Hoch” (Pachelbel)
Costanza	Solitario (Baden Powell)

Our next meeting will be on 17th January 2026.

Best Wishes for Christmas and a Happy New Year

BGS Meeting November 15th 2025

2025-11-23T18:28:00.002+00:00

Some good rehearsal of interesting music including Ray Love’s “Blues-Lament” and a try-out of “Zorba The Greek”.

Tonight's duet and solo performances

Simon & David	Juliette (Maria Linneman)
Cornelius & Amelie	Echo for Two Lutes (Francis Pilkington)
Cornelius & David Hampton	Sonata in D (Christian Gottlieb Schiedler)
Tom	Montanas Nebulosas (Vincent Lindsay-Clark)

A good night was had by all!

BGS Meeting October 18th 2025

2025-10-20T15:09:00.002+01:00

We had a very good showing at the BGS meeting this evening and were visited by Ray Love whom many guitarists will know from Beechwood days. We were rehearsing “Blues-Lament” which was written by Ray as a tribute to Norman Vaux, the founder of the Bromley Guitar Society, as a memoriam to him after his early death in 2004. Ray took us through the piece and was happy with our rendering of the music, after his expert guidance.

We also practised “ Stylin’ “ and “A Scottish Medley”, finishing the evening with “Ghostbusters”.

After the usual coffee break (courtesy David), we listened to:

David, Emma, Simon and Tom	Sheebeg and Sheemore (from the Connemara Suite)
Georgie and Cornelius	Bolinhas de Queijo (Celso Machado)

BGS Meeting September 20th 2025

2025-09-27T09:14:00.000+01:00

We were delighted to welcome two new players who had not been with us before and they joined in with our ensemble which numbered fourteen players.

Pieces the ensemble worked on were -

Scottish Medley arr. Dan Jones
Stylin' Dave Frackenpohl
Blues-Lament Raymond Love [written in memory of Norman Vaux]

While partaking of the refreshments, provided by David, we had the opportunity to talk with the newcomers, get to know them, and tell them about the Society.

Then we were beguiled by beautiful music of three solos and two duets -

Heqing	Suite del Recuerdo (J L Merlins)
Costanza	Recuerdos (Eduardo Diaz)
Amelia	Chant Populaire Espagnol No.24 (Manuel Ponce)
Cornelius and Georgie	Motivo Barocco (Mackadol) A small section of Bach's Brandenberg Concerto

The session finished with a long look at Bergamasca by Ottorino Respighi.

Society sessions are held on the third Saturday of the month, from 6.30 p.m. to start playing at 6.45.

Our next sessions are on Saturday 18th October and Saturday 15th November. Do look in and see what we are about. We'd love to see you.

BGS Meeting August 16th 2025

2025-08-19T10:45:00.000+01:00

Tonight we were pleased to welcome a new player.

Cornelius led us through our new pieces

A Scottish Medley arr.. Dan Jones
Stylin' Dave Frackenpolhi
A Dorimix Bob Power

In the break, Kate provided drinks and biscuits.

Solos were performed by : -

Derek	Greensleeves
Tom	Parting Glass (Irish Trad)
Tom	Andean Song 2 (Jonatus Batista Neto)
Dave	Prelude No.1 (Villalobos)
Amelia	Sonata Opus 71 (Mauro Giuliani)

The evening ended with our first run through of Bergamasca by Ottorino Respighi.

Sessions are held on the third Saturday of the month, from 6.30 pm to start playing at 6.45. Our next sessions are on Saturday 20th September and Saturday 18 October. Do join us. We can get more chairs out of the cupboard, but bring your own music stand if you have one.

BGS Meeting July 19th 2025

2025-07-20T15:35:00.002+01:00

Following soon after our successful entry at the Reigate and Redhill Guitar Festival on 17 th May , the Society mounted its own concert for families and friends on 7 th June. This new venture was well received and the players were congratulated for the results of their work on the ensemble pieces as well as on the solos, duets, trios and quartets.

Now we are beginning to tackle new pieces. Cornelius is taking each piece slowly, giving us time to sight read the new music and become familiar with how the parts fit together.

Stylin’ (Dave Frackenpohl)
A Scottish Medley (arr. Dan Jones)
A Dorimix (Bob Power)
Carnavalito (arr. John Zaradin)

Break-time refreshments were provided at the hatch by David W. Thanks David.

Solos were played tonight by:

Cornelius	Waltz (Tarrega)
David H	Passacaglia (Weiss)
Marion	Lazy Afternoon (P Nuttall)

Our sessions are usually held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45.

Please do come and join us. Bring your own music stand if you have one, but we will get more chairs out of the cupboard.

Family & Friends Concert

2025-06-09T22:02:00.000+01:00

On Saturday, 7th June, we gave a Family and Friends Concert at St Marks Church. It was well-attended with generous donations afterwards received.

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First Half Programme

Full Ensemble

Three Renaissance Dances

‘Kemps Jig’ - Anon
‘When Daphne’ - Playford Dancing Master
‘Wilsons Wilde’ - Anon

‘Concerto in D for Lute (Second Movement)’ - Antonio Vivaldi

‘Palladio’ - Karl Jenkins

Quartet

‘Passacaglia’ - Handel (played by Cornelius, Georgie, James, Gene)

‘Ständchen’ - Franz Schubert (played by Tom, David, Simon, Emma)

Solo

‘Adelita’ - Francisco Tarraga (played by Ioannis)

‘Alfonsina y el Mar’ - Ramirez (played by Costanza)

Full Ensemble

‘Farewell to Stromness’ - Sir Peter Maxwell Davies

Second Half Programme

Guitar and Voice

‘Summertime’ - George Gershwin (Soprano Margaret, guitar Cornelius)

Solo

‘Clair’ - own composition (played by Eduardo)

Duet

‘Guantanamera’ - Traditional (played by Derek, Simon)

‘Agua e Vinho’ - Gismonte (played by Kate, Georgie)

Full Ensemble

‘Valse Venezuelian’ - Traditional arranged by Thierry Tisserand

‘Questa Notte’ - Ludovico Einaudi

‘Schinder’s List’ - John Williams

‘Something Stupid’ - Carson Parks

BGS Meeting May 24th 2025

2025-05-26T09:02:00.000+01:00

The ensemble’s entry for the Reigate and Redhill Guitar Festival on 17th May consisted of

Kemp’s Jig
When Daphne
Palladio.

Bromley were the only adult ensemble entry, were very well received, and won the Cup !!.

Tonight’s Society session was a busy one with us playing straight through the ensemble pieces worked on recently in readiness for the Society’s own concert. [See details below.]

For the concert’s first half, it is planned the ensemble will play:

Kemp’s Jig
When Daphne
Wilson’s Wilde
Lute Concerto in D

to be followed by a quartet from David, Simon, Tom, and Yanis, and a solo from Yanis.

The first half will end with Palladio and Farewell to Stromness.

Welcome refreshments were tonight again provided by Kate. Thank you, Kate.

For the concert’s second half, we heard Eduardo play his own composition, followed by duets played by Derek and Simon, and by Georgie and Kate.

Then the ensemble continued with pieces from the concert’s second half :

Valse Venezuelienne
Questa Notte
Schindler’s List
Something Stupid

Our sessions are usually held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45. But, please take note of the following changes in June:

On Saturday 7th June, the Society is putting on its own concert –

Concert for our Friends and Families. This will be at St Marks Church,

Westmoreland Road, South Bromley, starting at 7.30 p.m.

The concert is free and there are no tickets.

Because of our concert, there will be no regular session in June.

Our next Society meeting will be on Saturday July 19 th .

BGS Meeting April 26th 2025

2025-04-28T12:46:00.000+01:00

Tonight’s session was packed with guitar music of many kinds. Sixteen members played ensemble pieces worked on recently -

Kemp’s Jig
When Daphne
Wilson’s Wilde
Lute Concerto in D
Farewell to Stromness

Three duets and a quartet took over the music-making: -

Catherine and Cornelius	Danse Espanole No 11 Zambra (E Granados)
Georgie and Kate	Agua e Vinho (E Gismonti, arr. Ray Burley)
Derek and Simon	Guantanamera (Joseito Fernandez)
Catherine, Cornelius, Georgie, Jim	Passacaglia (G F Handel)

In the break, welcome refreshments were provided by Kate, before we listened to another quartet and two solos: -

David, Emma, Simon, Tom	Serenade (Franz Schubert)
Yanis	Adelita (F Tarrega)
Costanza	Alfonsena y el mar (Ariel Ramirez)

But the evening could not end before the ensemble had shown what they could do with more ensemble pieces learnt in recent months

Valse Venezuelienne arranged by Thierry Tisserand.,
Questa Notte Ludovico Einaudi
Schindler’s List John Williams
Something Stupid Carson Parks, arranged by Cornelius

Some of the pieces which have been rehearsed will form the ensemble’s entry for the Reigate and Redhill Guitar Festival on 17th May.

Our sessions are usually held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45.

But, please take note of these changes –

There is no meeting in Bromley on Saturday 17th May as we will be taking part in the Reigate and Redhill Music Festival.

Our next session at St Marks Church, Bromley, will be on Saturday 24th May, followed by a concert for friends and families on Saturday 7th June.

BGS Meeting March 15th 2025

2025-03-18T12:21:00.000+00:00

Tonight, eleven players met to play:

Valse venezuelienne (arr. Thierry Tisserand)
Queste Notte (Ludovico Einaudi)
Schindler’s List (John Williams)

In the break, refreshments were kindly provided by Kate, before we listened to :-

David, Emma, Simon and Tom	Serenade (Franz Schubert)
Catherine and Cornelius	Danza Espanola No.11 Zambra (Enrico Granados)

The evening finished with the ensemble playing

Something Stupid (Carson Parks, arranged by Cornelius)
Kemp’s Jig and When Daphne Two Renaissance Dances (arr. Cornelius)

Our sessions are usually held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45.

But, please take note – our next two sessions will be on Saturday 26th April and Saturday 24th May.

BGS Meeting February 15th 2025

2025-02-16T17:10:00.000+00:00

The fourteen players who gathered together tonight started off playing the three Renaissance Dances arranged by Cornelius:

Wilson’s Wilde
When Daphne
Kemp’s Jig

Somewhat hesitantly we started on Farewell to Stromness by Peter Maxwell Davis in an arrangement by Cornelius, until we recalled playing it last year at the Reigate Festival.

After the break when refreshments were provided by Kate, and we’d had plenty of chatter, we listened to:

David, Emma, Simon and Tom	Serenade (Franz Schubert)
Cornelius, Georgie and Jim	Passacaglia (G.F. Handel)

Lastly the whole ensemble played the second movement of Lute Concerto in D by Vivaldi., followed by Karl Jenkins’ Palladio, to finish off the evening.

Our sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45.

Our third session of 2025 will be on Saturday 15th March. So pick up your guitar and come along and join us – we are here for you.

BGS Meeting January 18th 2025

2025-01-19T09:46:00.000+00:00

Thirteen players assembled this evening to make a start on pieces from which our entries for the Reigate Festival on Friday, 16th May will be chosen.

Jim led us through three Renaissance Dances:

Wilson’s Wilde
When Daphne
Kemp’s Jig

This was followed with Glenn Miller’s In the Mood. This piece proved quite a challenge – it was split into seven parts, had changes in and out of swing rhythm, and sections containing varying numbers of rest bars – keep counting !

In the break, refreshments were kindly provided by Kate.

There were no solo performances this evening because we held the Society’s AGM which was ably chaired by David.

With the AGM concluded, the ensemble was then led by Georgie through three pieces by Karl Jenkins

Adiemus
Cantilena
Palladio

Our sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45.

Our second session of 2025 will be on Saturday 15 th February. So pick up your guitar and come along and join us – we are here for you.

BGS Meeting December 21st 2024

2024-12-24T11:08:00.000+00:00

Tonight the ensemble of eleven players enjoyed a medley of Christmassy Music

In Dulci Jubilo
Carol of the Bells
Christmas Pastorale

In the break, tea and coffee and mince pies were dispensed by Kate for us while we chatted.

Then, refreshed, we settled down to listen to : -

Costanza	Alfonsina y el ma (A Ramirez)
Derek and Simon	Guatanamara, (trad. Cuban)
Kate and Cornelius	Agua e Vinho (Egberto Gismonti)
Georgie and David	Canto Antigo (trad. Brazil)
Tom	Three Carols

The ensemble played more carols –

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire [The Christmas Song]
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Good King Wenceslas.

Good night everybody, happy Christmas, see you in 2025 – a new year begins.

Our sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45.

The first session of the New Year will be on Saturday 18th January. Why not make a New Year’s resolution to pick up your guitar and come along and join us – we are here for you.

BGS Meeting November 16th 2024

2024-11-20T16:41:00.000+00:00

The evening started with nine members of the Society having a first play-through of Leonard Bernstein’s ‘I Feel Pretty’ from West Side Story, and another look at Somethin’ Stupid by Carson Parks.

Then we worked on Adiemus by Karl Jenkins, arranged and led by Georgie Rogers.

We played Cantilena also by Karl Jenkins but arranged by Ray Burley.

More time was spent on Palladio, also by Karl Jenkins.

In the interval David offered out refreshments which included some Christmas treats ahead of the season!

During our sessions, players are invited to play a solo if they should wish. Tonight we were entertained with the following:

Tom and Cornelius	Gnossienne Nos.1 and 2 (Erik Satie)
Simon	Albatros (Peter Green)
Georgie	Omaggio a Szymanowski (Leo Brouwer)

In the time remaining, we worked on Palladio again,

Our sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45.

Our next session is on Saturday 21st December, just ahead of Christmas so the focus will be on Christmas music. The first session of the New Year will be on Saturday 18th January. Why not make a New Year’s Resolution to pick up your guitar and come along and join us – we are here for you.

BGS Meeting October 19th 2024

2024-10-20T15:40:00.000+01:00

We had a session last night, well-attended by about 12 members. Duets/Solos were:

Tom and Cornelius	Gnossienne No 1 (Erik Satie)
Derek	Spanish Vals
Tom	Aria (David Kellner) Villanos (Gaspar Sanz)

Refreshments courtesy of Kate.

The next meeting will be on Saturday, 16th November.

BGS Meeting September 21st 2024

2024-09-22T11:55:00.001+01:00

As the hall was unavailable tonight, the ensemble met in the church. Eleven of us experienced the very different accoustic.

Our first pieces were Somethin’ Stupid by Carson Parks followed by Adiemus by Karl Jenkins. More time was spent on Palladio, also by Karl Jenkins, with Cornelius trying out separate parts as solos.

As we had no access to the kitchen tonight, we brought our own refreshments to eat and drink during the break while we chatted. We remarked how guitars and voices sounded so different in the church’s large space.

Players who would like to offer a solo during our sessions are invited to do so.

Tonight we were entertained with performances from

Marion and Cornelius	Melody (Ferdinando Sor)
Jim	Barcarolle (Vincent Lindsey Clark) Le Paon (Patrick Brun)
Costanza	Nocturne (Slavko Fumic)

In the time remaining, we played through Palladio again, and then Questa Notte by Ludovico Einaudi.

Our sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45.

Our next session is on Saturday 19th October

Do drop in and join us for an evening. We would love to see you.

BGS Meeting August 17th 2024

2024-08-21T22:40:00.000+01:00

Tonight our ensemble of ten players warmed up with a first look at Somethin’ Stupid by Carson Parks before working on Palladio by Karl Jenkins, arr. Gary Spolding. Also by Karl Jenkins was Adiemus, the next piece we worked on, music which was unknown to some members, but was familiar to Classic FM listeners.

Thanks to Kate for serving refreshments during the break.

Players who would like to offer a solo during our sessions are invited to do so.

Tonight we were entertained with solos from

Tom	Senhorinha (Guinga) Chasse (Napoleon Coste)
Simon	Cavatina (Stanley Myers)
Cornelius	Danza Brasiliera (Morel)
Marion	Romanza (Johann Kasper Mertz)
Jim	Prelude in E minor (Weiss)
Costanza	Julia Florida (Agustin Barrios)

In the time remaining, we played -

Dance of the Gliding Maidens by Alexander Borodin.

Questa notte by Ludovico Einaudi.

Our sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45.

Our next session is on Saturday 21 st September

Why not drop in and join us for an evening. We would love to see you.

BGS Meeting July 20th 2024

2024-07-21T23:00:00.001+01:00

The Bromley Ensemble were invited to play some pieces during a concert by the East Surrey Choral Society on Saturday 29 th June. The ensemble were so pleased to participate and our playing was well received.

Tonight - we started sight-reading some new repertoire –

- Dance of the Gliding Maidens by Alexander Borodin.

- Palladio by Karl Jenkins, arr. Gary Spolding. This piece presented players with changes in rhythm, and fast fingering on some parts.

Thank you David for dispensing refreshments during the break.

Anyone who wishes to play a solo during our sessions is invited to do so. Tonight we heard solos by

Marion	French Dance [Tourdion] (Pierre Attaignant) The Firth of Lorn (Gary Ryan)
David	Chasse (Napoleon Coste)
Cornelius	Tatiana (Antonio Lauro)

To finish the evening, we played Questa notte by Ludovico Einaudi in an extended version of what we played in the recent concert.

Our sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45.

Our next sessions are on Saturday 17 th August and then Saturday 21 st September

Do drop in and join us for an evening.

East Surrey Choral Society Summer Concert

2024-07-21T23:00:00.000+01:00

We joined the East Surrey Choral Society at their Summer Concert in Woldingham Village Hall on 29th June. Their musical director, Gill Hope, invited us to play a selection of our pieces in the two halves of the concert and then accompany the singers in their three final songs which were very much 60’s music, “In The Summertime”, “Sunny Afternoon” and “Mr Blue Sky”. Our pieces were:

First Half

Planxty Irwin
Valse Venezuelan
Farewell to Stromness

Second Half

Questa Notte
Vivaldi Lute Concerto (2)
Theme from Schindler’s List

The event was thoroughly enjoyable and I think was well-received by the audience. The singers were superb.

BGS Meeting June 15th 2024

2024-06-21T15:15:00.001+01:00

The Ensemble have been invited to play during a concert by the East Surrey Choral Society. As the concert is on Saturday 29 th June, tonight was our last meeting during which to practice the six pieces we will play.

Planxty Irwin Turlogh O’Carolan

Valse venezuelienne trad. arr Thierry Tisserand

Farewell to Stromness Peter Maxwell Davis, arr. Cornelius Bruinsma

Questa note Ludovico Einaudi

Schindler’s List John Williams

Lute Concerto in D Antonio Vivaldi

Practicing all this music took up the whole evening, so there were no solos, but of course we could not forgo the refreshments dispensed ably by David during a break.

Our sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45.

Our next sessions is on Saturday July 20 th when Cornelius will present us with new music to experience and enjoy. Do come and join in with us!

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Advance notice of Federation of Guitar Societies Day –

Sunday 30 June 2024 at Cuffley Hall, Maynard Place, Cuffley, EM6 4JA.

Hosted by Enfield Classical Guitar Society.

Fee from members attending - £20 FGS members or £25 non-members.

BGS Meeting 20th April 2024

2024-04-21T16:37:00.001+01:00

Practice continued on two of the pieces we are working on towards our entry at Reigate Festival in mid May.

Farewell to Stromness Peter Maxwell Davis, arr. Cornelius Bruinsma.
Valse Venezuelienne trad. arr Thierry Tisserand

In the break, we chatted over refreshments provided by David. There were no solo performances this evening.

After the break the ensemble returned to Questa Notte,by Ludovico Einaudi. The wide dynamic range needed strong playing in between gentle quiet passages. Woe betide any player not observing the one bar “silenzio” in all parts.

An arrangement of Antonio Vivaldi’s Lute Concerto in D is another piece we are studying, and which requires strict adherence to the beat. The evening ended with sight reading an arrangement of Schindler’s List by John Williams which some of us played in 2022. All these three pieces are being worked on towards our part in a concert later in the summer.

Sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month, from 6.30 pm, to start playing at 6.45.

Our next sessions are on Saturdays May 11th and June 15th. Do come and join in with us!

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Advance notice of Federation of Guitar Societies Day –

Sunday 30 June 2024 at Cuffley Hall, Maynard Place, Cuffley, EM6 4JA.

Hosted by Enfield Classical Guitar Society.

Fee from members attending - £20 FGS members or £25 non-members.

BGS Meeting 16th March 2024

2024-03-18T10:55:00.003+00:00

Cornelius led the ensemble in three of the pieces we are working on towards our entry at the Reigate Festival in mid May.

Farewell to Stromness by Peter Maxwell Davis, arr. Cornelius Bruinsma.
Valse Vénézuélienne, trad. arr. Thierry Tisserand
Questa Notte by Ludovico Einaudi.

In the break, we had plenty of time for chatter over refreshments, kindly dispensed by Kate.

Tonight’s solos were played by -

Jim	Merrily Kissed the Quaker (Irish jig)
Eduardo	Nevere, Waltz in homage to Antonio Lauro (E Gonzales) Cantilena (E Gonzales)
Tom and Cornelius	An Orkney Tune (Peter Maxwell Davis) Valse Poetico No.1 (E Granados)
Georgia	Kinkachoo (Peter Houghton)
Cornelius	A Short Train Ride (Jasper Smith)

To round off the evening, the ensemble returned to Questa Notte, paying particular attention to the wide dynamic range, and including one bar “silenzio” in all parts.

Our 2024 sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month . Do join in !

Advance notice of Federation of Guitar Societies Day –

Sunday 30th June 2024 at Cuffley Hall, Maynard Place, Cuffley, EM6 4JA.

Hosted by Enfield Classical Guitar Society.

Fee for members attending - £20 FGS members or £25 non-members.