Winnipeg Classical Guitar Society struggles to replace lost funding

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Grammy-winning guitarist Andrew York will perform here in April. (SUPPLIED PHOTO)

You can't open a newspaper, visit a news website or turn on the radio or TV without being exposed to depressing news about the world economy. It seems that everywhere, countries, organizations and individuals are faltering under the pressure of financial strain.

It affects us in a variety of ways, some more evident on a daily basis than others and it has many of us clutching our purse-strings just a little more tightly.

This is likely the reason why a small but well-established and respected musical organization in Winnipeg is struggling to stay afloat. The Winnipeg Classical Guitar Society, founded in the 1960s, has been forced to postpone its season launch due to lack of funding.

The WCGS's mission is a simple one: they are dedicated to promoting the classical guitar in Winnipeg. Ours is a rich classical guitar city, with as many as 3,000 students and professionals players. The WCGS holds eight to 10 concerts per year, bringing in international, Canadian and local guitar masters such as Roland Dyens, the Paris guitar duo, Remi Boucher and Daniel Bolshoy. They also provide master classes and outreach programming.

Many of these artists tour Winnipeg schools performing and coaching aspiring young musicians. The WCGS provides four annual guitar scholarships to the Winnipeg Music Festival. The overall result of their work is an increase in well-trained guitarists in Manitoba. Guitar teachers at the University of Manitoba, Canadian Mennonite University and Brandon University have busy student rosters.

"There are now about 12 auditions per year at the U of M school of music," said WCGS president and guitarist Skender Sefa. "They only have room to take two to four students."

He knows first-hand the value of master classes to a student. "I used to have to travel to master classes and it was expensive," said Sefa. "I thought it would be great to offer them right here in Winnipeg. It's good experience for students to play as much as they can. You get different points of view, not just one interpretation of a work. It's important to be open-minded with music."

Sefa has been the president of the WCGS for four years. He revealed that there was a period of time when the society's activity waned. "It experienced a reincarnation in 1983," he said.

The organization now boasts a keen eight-member board of directors that is still growing, but funding will be its biggest challenge.

"The Winnipeg Foundation informed us we could no longer ask for funding for our series since they only fund a series/project for a limited number of times and we have reached our limit," explained Sefa. Their application to the Manitoba Arts Council, another longtime supporter was not approved this season.

Sefa added that Long & McQuade and Quest Musique are regular in-kind sponsors, but that doesn't pay the bills. Ticket revenue and memberships don't cover the cost of bringing in big-name artists, hall rental, advertising and other expenses.

Their operating budget is small -- just $20,000 a year. "The international artists pay their own travel," Sefa explained. "They enjoy networking, doing master classes and meeting students. They will go to three or four schools while they're here, for a modest fee. They will do it for whatever the school can afford. It's more about relationships."

The average cost of a concert is $2,500. This covers venue rental, artist's accommodation, performance fee, master class and food -- not a lot if you have backing; insurmountable if you don't. Nevertheless, the WCGS doesn't plan to raise their ticket prices, which range from $5 for students with a membership to $20 for adults without. Memberships run from $15-$35.

This plucky group isn't giving up. They've planned a mini-season. It will co-host a recital by Swedish guitarist Johannes Möller, winner at the 2010 Guitar Foundation of America International Competition. The concert is Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the U of M's Eva Clare Hall. Admission is free.

Following this are two fundraising concerts at the Planetarium Auditorium: Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. featuring a host of Winnipeg guitarists, while Brandon musicians take to the stage on March 14. On April 14, the WCGS will present Grammy Award-winning American guitarist Andrew York. For information on society activities, visit www.winnipegclassicalguitarsociety.com, email wcgs@live.ca or phone 667-5250.

gwenda.nemerofsky@shaw.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 3, 2011 D8