About us
Established in 1998, The Ventura County Classical Guitar Society, also known as VCCGS, is a group of guitar enthusiasts that meet once a month to share the joy of classical guitar music. In 2024 we became an official 501c3 non-profit in order to keep our society alive and our meetings free.
Our mission is to provide a comfortable and supportive environment for aspiring musicians, a venue to develop performance skills among friends. To promote the art form of the Classical Guitar from an education and performance perspective. Our members range from novice to professional players and beginning to advanced listeners. With our network of local musicians we maintain a source of information for classical guitar in and around Ventura County, California.
Our guitar society sessions are productive for classical guitarists at all skill levels. We share experiences and learn from each other. There cannot be a better place to develop skills than in the company of others who only want to see you succeed. All skill levels are welcome.
We usually meet on the last Wednesday of each month at the Pleasant Valley Park and Recreation District's Community Center, Room 7. The Center is located at 1605 Burnley Street in Camarillo, California. Music begins at 7PM with from-the-floor solos and ensembles. If we have a guest performer, their performance begins at 8PM. Our meetings are open to everyone, and admission is always free.
History
Our Society was established in 1998 when a small group of motivated classical guitar students began meeting regularly to share their passion. Through the support of volunteers, generous donations, member attendance and participation, our society has been strong for over 25 years!
The Guitar Society has grown over the years. It began with four students of Carlos Gonzales who were practicing a quartet, Gail DeWolf, Ray Sutton, Willis Cameron, and Jim McAvoy. After having such a good time at the recital and wanting to continue their weekly practice sessions, Gail and her husband Terry opened their home for weekly meetings.
Ray suggested they check out the Santa Barbara Guitar Society run by James Edwards, later run by Bruce Wood, they began to attend. When the Santa Barbara Society closed down, Ray suggested they start their own society, The Ventura County Classical Guitar Society. From the beginning Mark Carlyle was involved, playing in a quartet with Scott Hatcher, Carlos Gonzales, and others.
Every month volunteers take care of the regular chores - coffee, cookies or cake, arrange the tables and chairs, advertise our meetings, and of course, find someone willing to play for a "love offering". For years, Gail's husband Terry created our flyers and sent them to everyone on our mailing list.
Our website was started by Ray Sutton. When Ray passed away, Scott Hatcher picked it up. Later, John Webb took over and began filming and posting fabulous videos of our meetings. Vaughan Edwards contributed many excellent videos. Jesse Davis is now keeping up the website and social media. Of course, Ray, Scott, John, Jesse and Vaughan were all guitar playing members of our group!
