The Classical Guitar Society, Sydney, was formed as the North Shore Guitar Society in May 1991.
We held our first concert in September of that year, with the Sydney Guitar Quartet, whose members have been key to the society ever since.
The society gained our current name in 1998. We are an incorporated not for profit organisation registered in New South Wales, managed by a committee elected annually by members.
From the first meeting, the society developed key themes such as sight reading and ensemble playing, educating members, reaching out to the broader public, and supporting younger guitarists.
Our activities have reflected this. Monthly meetings have run throughout our existence, except during Covid when the society switched to online activities. Meetings have had a regular venue at Crows Nest Uniting Church hall since 1996.
We have a library, established in 1993, with an emphasis on gathering good recordings and information for the AMEB syllabus.
Our orchestra has run for thirty years with smaller "official" ensembles running at various times.
Our first Summer School took place in 1995. We moved to the current venue, Ascham School in Edgecliff, in 2001.
We have been fortunate to work with 2MBS Fine Music Sydney, presenting a monthly programme which started in May 1997 and also continues today.
An ensemble group from our first Summer School, at Willow Park Community Centre, 1995.
The society’s first video from 2005.
The camerata was an “official” ensemble formed from musicians in the orchestra. This event took place at the then Performing Arts Centre at Holtermann Street, Crows Nest.
From 2005 the Society began supporting the Guitar Event at the Sydney Eisteddfod, initially the Open category and later the 18 & Under category. Society members regularly sponsor the other categories.
Harold Gretton won the first competition we sponsored and performed at the 2006 Summer School. Today Eisteddfod winners in all categories are invited to perform at an annual concert organised by the Society.
Through the years, composers have written pieces dedicated to the Society. Two of these are Sydney, by Nuccio D'Angelo, and Delta Sydney by Elvis Suarez.
Our Orchestra and ensembles have commissioned and premiered other works by many composers from skilled Society members to internationally known composers.
The Society continued through the Covid years with a mixture of socially distanced, virtual meetings and members’ recordings forming virtual playlists. Two Summer Schools were unfortunately cancelled. At the end of this, long standing President of the society, Christoper Keane, a driving force who also administered the Summer School for many years, stood down in November 2021. Subsequently, Andrew Blanch became President, followed in turn by Janet Agostino in 2024.
Over thirty five years, we have grown into a respected institution that continues to foster ensemble playing, support emerging artists, present distinguished performers, and sustain a vibrant classical guitar culture in Sydney.