Hamilton Guitar Association: HGA at St. Peters

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

HGA at St. Peters

On December 15 2008, five members of the HGA (pictured on the left) performed at St. Peter’s palliative care. We performed to a room full of appreciative patients. Our goal was to spread some holiday cheer to those unable to venture out to take in some live music.

This was the brain-child of Mark Vanderheyden. Many thanks to him and the incredible staff at St. Peter’s for making this possible. Hopefully we can make this an annual event!

L-R: Mark Vanderheyden, Russ Burns, Alfie Smith,
Liam Trotter and Shawn Trotter

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Southern Ontario Fingerstyle Guitar Association

Some five years ago, I typed finger style guitar into a search engine because that was the type of playing I wanted to explore. Mostly because I was tired of replacing all my lost guitar picks. What I found was the SOFGA, a club dedicated to this guitar style and encourageing new people to learn by providing a non competative performance environment. They met right here in Hamilton, I knew that this was something I had to check out.

What I found was a community of people enjoying each other's music, company and friendship. And the amazing music! Cutting edge acoustic, celtic, old blues , entire bands seems to leap from guitars held by one person. No fake effects or back tape. Each meeting, one great player after the next would play. Then, one of them would take some time to show you thier style.

This is where I found my guitar teacher and mentors and some realley good friends. Though I was just a beginner, these people seemed to have a genuine desire to hear my music. This encouragement was pivital, at a time when the rest of the world just wanted me to forget the whole guitar thing .

Some five years later, when it comes to music, I still don't have it all together most of the time, but I've come a long way, mostly thanks to SOFGA.

Now , it's called the Hamilton Guitar Association but the goal and spirit are the same. That's why I'm happy to slug all the gear up the stairs at the Pheasent Plucker every other week, set up the mics and board, then, watch it all unfold.

Mark V

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

HGA at St. Peters

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