How it all started ...
The Dorset Guitar Society (formerly known as the Dorset Guitar & Lute Circle) was formed in October 1984 by a number of Dorset guitarists to promote the music of their instrument via solo and ensemble performances, master classes, workshops and concerts given by the guitar society and visiting artists.
Over the years we have hosted classical guitar recitals and master classes by some of the most renowned players in the world, including The Katona Twins, David Russell, Simon Dinnigan, John Mills, Neil Smith, The New Pro Arte Guitar Trio, Vincent Lindsay Clark and Xuefei Yang. We have also participated in workshops and talks by Jose Romanillos, Ian Gammie, Steven Gordon, Gilbert Biberian, Cornelius Bruinsma and Gerald Garcia.
In 1994 the society formed its own guitar orchestra-the 'Dorset Guitar Ochestra' (DGO) and since then has premiered Stephen Kenyon's Concerto for Guitar Soloist and Guitar Orchestra and Grant Bocking's Spanish Suite for Guitar Orchestra. The DGO is now an integral part of what the Society is about and most of our members are also players in the orchestra. Sitting alongside the aims of the society, the DGO provides players the opportunity to improve their sight reading and to enjoy playing classical guitar in a large ensemble setting. The DGO also helps Dorset Guitar Society to meet its broader constitutional aims of taking classical guitar to a wider audience by allowing us to perform concerts integrated with a range of solos and small ensemble items.
Over the past few years, the society has performed around three concerts per year for good causes such as Oakhaven Hospice, WaterAid, Friends of Hurst Castle and to support local churches in their fundraising efforts. We have also been a featured group at the Purbeck Guitar Festival for the last two years.
The society also meets annually with neighbouring groups the West Sussex Guitar Club and Southampton Classical Guitar Society for a playing day where we play together in a combined ensemble and also have opportunity to perform to each other.
Since its inception, the DGO has been conducted by Stephen Kenyon, Grant Bocking and Steve Marsh. It is currently conducted by Jim Kirk and Peter Nuttall.