January 2026 Meetup and AGM
2026-01-08 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Programme

19:15Members’ showcase (Distant Lands)Solos and chamber ensembles20:10Annual General Meeting – agenda will be shared ahead of time21:00BCGS Large Ensemble rehearsal

Theme

This month’s theme is Distant Lands: Journeys in sound – from Iberia to the Andes and the Balkans
Here’s an example of some repertoire that might fit the theme:

Beginner: Marek Pasieczny – one miniature from Travels / Easy
Miniatures
Intermediate: Vincent Lindsey-Clark – a piece from Simply Latin or Simply
Spanish
Advanced Intermediate: Gary Ryan – a piece from City Scenes or Scenes for Guitar
Advanced: Ian Krouse – Variations on a Moldavian Hora

February 2026 Meetup
2026-02-12 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme

Numbers and Patterns

Groove, symmetry, polymetre, variations

Programme

19:15SHOWCASEMember Performances20:10GUEST ARTISTEmily Andrews and Francisco Correa: From Honey To Ashes album preview21:10ENSEMBLERehearsal

March 2026 Meetup
2026-03-12 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme

Faces and Places

Musical portraits. Pieces inspired by people and specific places and scenes.

Programme

19:15SHOWCASEMember PerformancesTony Mulholland — Ave Maria — Franz SchubertMartin Allsop — Shakespeare Music — Martin AllsopRobert Gough — Ancient Stones — Jeremy SouleSteve Watson — Julia Florida — Agustín Barrios MangoréTony Eastwood — Small Dancing Pigs — Tony EastwoodLewis Tredinnick — Alba Nera — Roland DyensPaul Bradshaw — Recuerdos de la Alhambra — Francisco Tárrega19:45MEMBER TALKPeter Smith: Neuroscience of Practicing20:10GUEST ARTISTJohan Löfving: ‘God Save the Queen!‘Join celebrated guitarist and researcher Johan Löfving on a musical journey across Victorian London. Enjoy the dazzling and intimate sounds of Regondi, Pratten and their contemporaries on an original 19th century instrument!21:10ENSEMBLERehearsal

BCGS Concert Series 2026 - Jack Hancher
2026-03-14 19:30 - 21:30 UTC | St Paul’s Church, Coronation Road, Bristol, BS3 1AS, United Kingdom
Jack Hancher is one of the most compelling voices in today’s classical guitar scene. Described by Gramophone as possessing “youthful intensity tempered by sophisticated musical intelligence” and by Gendai Guitar Magazine as “a poet and a painter, colouring sounds out of the guitar as if his imagination and the guitar were one,” Hancher’s artistry consistently draws critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences alike.

In 2022, he won the prestigious Gold Medal at the Royal Overseas League Competition at London’s Wigmore Hall, becoming only the third guitarist ever to achieve this distinction. His 2024 debut album, The Memory Garden, released on the Deux-Elles label, was met with high praise for its clarity, focus and expressive depth, earning a place among MusicWeb International’s Best Recordings of 2024 and positive notices on BBC Record Review.

Hancher has toured extensively across Europe, appeared live on BBC Radio 3, and performs a repertoire that spans from intimate solo works to contemporary commissions.

Don’t miss his upcoming performance in Bristol hosted by the Bristol Classical Guitar Society, where his radiant technique and poetic musicality promise an unforgettable concert experience.

www.jackhancherguitar.com

Tickets

Programme

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)From BWV 1002

SarabandeDouble

BourréeDouble

Malcolm Arnold (1921–2006)Fantasy for Guitar

PreludeScherzoArietta IFughettaArietta IIMarchPostlude

Laura Snowden (b. 1993)The Memory Garden

Interval

Claude Debussy (1862–1918)La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin

Manuel de Falla (1876–1946)Homenaje pour Le Tombeau de Claude Debussy

Claude DebussyDanse Bohémienne

Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)À la Manière de Borodin

Federico Mompou (1893–1987)Canción No. 6

Isaac Albéniz (1860–1909)Capricho Catalán

Antonio José (1902–1936)Sonata for Guitar

Allegro ModeratoMinuettoPavana TristeFinale

Gonçalo Caetano
2026-04-09 08:10 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Gonçalo Maia Caetano is a classical guitarist from Pinhel, Portugal, currently completing a Master of Arts degree at the Royal Academy of Music.

He has won over ten international competitions, including the prestigious Prince’s Prize awarded by the The Worshipful Company of Musicians.

In 2020, Gonçalo joined the Phemo Quartet as a bass player. The ensemble has performed at leading venues including Vortex Jazz Club and Kings Place. Their debut album, Anti-Revelation, is scheduled for release later this year.

This concert is presented in collaboration with the International Guitar Foundation (IGF).

Programme

Silvius Leopold Weiss (1687–1750)Overture in B-flat major

Toru Takemitsu (1930–1996)All in TwilightI. —II. DarkIII. —IV. Slightly Fast

Miguel Llobet (1878–1938)Scherzo-Vals

Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885–1944)Mazurka Appassionata

Ashkan Layegh (b. 1997)For Solo Guitar 2 (IGF Commission, 2025)

Sérgio Assad (b. 1952)AquarelleI. DivertimentoII. ValseanaIII. Prelúdio e Toccatina

April 2026 Meetup
2026-04-09 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme

Hidden Treasures

Overlooked gems and modern miniatures that sing.

Programme

19:15SHOWCASEMember Performances20:10GUEST ARTISTIGF Young Artists Platform presents Gonçalo Caetano21:10ENSEMBLERehearsal

May 2026 Meetup
2026-05-14 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme

Study in Style (Etudes)

Studies that also make convincing concert pieces.

Programme

19:15SHOWCASEMember Performances19:45MEMBER TALKJohn Powell: Why 12 Frets to the Octave?20:10GUEST TALKGerald Garcia: Anatomy of an Etude21:10ENSEMBLERehearsal

June 2026 Meetup
2026-06-11 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, St Paul's, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme

Once Upon A Time

Narratives, scenes, character. Music with a plot.

Programme

19:15SHOWCASEMember Performances20:10GUEST TALKTim Button: The Musical AthleteLocal chiropractor Tim Button talks to us about the demands playing a musical instrument places on our bodies.21:10ENSEMBLEEnsemble Rehearsal

BCGS Concert Series 2026 - Aquarelle Guitar Quartet
2026-06-13 19:30 - 21:30 UTC | St Paul’s Church, Coronation Road, Bristol, BS3 1AS, United Kingdom
Buy tickets here.

Join us for an extraordinary evening with the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet, widely recognised as one of the world’s leading classical guitar ensembles. Since their formation at the Royal Northern College of Music in 1999, this award-winning quartet has captivated audiences with a unique blend of expressive artistry, rich tonal colour and seamless ensemble precision — qualities that have drawn comparisons with the finest chamber ensembles across the musical world.

Comprising outstanding musicians trained under distinguished mentors and seasoned through performance and competition success, the quartet has graced major stages including Classic FM Live at the Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields and international venues across Europe and Asia. Their imaginative and wide-ranging programmes span repertoire from Renaissance and Baroque works to contemporary compositions and original quartet arrangements that highlight the guitar’s versatility and expressive power.

Aquarelle’s acclaimed recordings on Chandos Records — praised by BBC Music Magazine, Gramophone and others — reflect their adventurous musical vision and commitment to stylistic breadth. Whether you are drawn to lyrical chamber works, vibrant world music influences, or innovative new music, this performance promises an engaging and memorable experience.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear one of the most imaginative and captivating guitar chamber ensembles performing repertoire that both honours tradition and pushes artistic boundaries.

Buy tickets at https://www.goodhub.com/go/offerings/bcgs-aquarelle-guitar-quartet-2026/purchases/create

www.aquarellegq.com

Parking

There is free parking around the church, but it can be limited. If you’re struggling to find something, Asda Bedminster is a few minutes’ walk away and allows paying for parking with JustPark (you must have a valid JustPark reservation to avoid the normal Asda time restrictions). Download the app, or use the JustPark site to pay for parking.

Corinium Players "Classical Guitar Day" with Mark Ashford
2026-06-20 10:00 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | Cirencester Baptist Church, Chesterton Lane, Cirencester, GL7 1YE, United Kingdom
Corinium Players Guitar Ensembleare hosting a Classical Guitar Day for Ages 8–18.

Featuring Mark Ashford and students from The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Technique workshopsCombined ensemblesInformation about music coursesShowcase concert

FREE EVENT!

All abilities welcome – great fun!

Register your application here:https://form.jotform.com/261472974553062

July 2026 Members' Summer Concert
2026-07-09 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Members’ Summer Concert

Solo and chamber performances and a performance by the large BCGS Ensemble for the public.

Programme

19:15EMSEMBLEPre-concert Rehearsal20:00MEMBERS’ SUMMER CONCERT

September 2026 Meetup
2026-09-10 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme

“I may be easy, but at least I’m not cheap”

Perform a piece of MAXIMUM Grade 4 difficulty to the very best of your ability

Programme

19:15SHOWCASEMember Performances20:10GUEST ARTISTIGF Young Artists Platform presents: Eva Schockmel21:10ENSEMBLERehearsal

October 2026 Meetup
2026-10-08 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Theme

Moonlit Strings

Gentle night music. Rocking, dreaming, catabile.

Programme

19:15SHOWCASEMember Performances19:45MEMBER’S SHORT CONCERTCari Aplin will give a short recital of her Grade 8 programme20:10GUEST ARTISTIGF Young Artists Platform: Artist to be announced21:10ENSEMBLERehearsal

November 2026 Meetup and Composition/Arrangement Competition
2026-11-12 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Composition Competition

Own arrangement or composition

Following the success of last year’s competition, this month we have a special composition/arrangement competition.

Judges to be announced.

From 2026, there is an Open section (accepting compositions from the general UK-based public). You may play your own composition for classical guitar / ensemble or ask a different performer to perform it.

There is still a Members-only section (active BCGS members only), judged separately.

Terms and conditions apply!

It must be your own composition or arrangement, written or finished in 2026

From 2026, AI-assisted compositions must be declared as such and accompanied with a declaration of how AI was used in the composition and your role in the creative process. Fully AI-generated compositions with no human role beyond prompting are not permitted. Compositions which are AI assisted, but which do not declare this, will be disqualified.

You must not have used this composition as an entry for any previous competition (including outside BCGS)

You consent to a video or recording of your composition going on the BCGS website

If it’s an arrangement, it should be fairly novel, rather than just slight tweaks on a common arrangement (e.g. just a different key)

For BCGS member entrants section, first prize £100, and £50 and a set of D’Addario strings as a prize for the runner-up!

For the Open section, prizes to be announced (check back soon!)

If you can’t confidently play your composition, you may ask someone else to perform it for you

The first prize winner of the previous year’s competition is excluded from winning again, but is welcome to participate again this year and receive an Honourable Mention award.

Programme

19:15COMPOSITION/ARRANGEMENT COMPETITIONPerformances and judging of the member competition entries21:10ENSEMBLEDouble Ensemble Rehearsal

BCGS Concert Series 2026 - Zoran Dukić
2026-11-14 19:30 - 21:30 UTC | St Paul’s Church, Coronation Road, Bristol, BS3 1AS, United Kingdom
Experience an unforgettable evening with Zoran Dukić, widely regarded as one of the foremost classical guitarists of his generation. Born in Zagreb and performing worldwide, Dukić’s artistry combines extraordinary technical mastery with deep musical insight, bringing programmes that span from Bach’s transcendent baroque to the rich idioms of Spanish and South American repertoire.

A consummate soloist and chamber musician, he has graced prestigious venues across five continents and is celebrated for performances that captivate audiences with clarity, expression and profound interpretive depth. His career is distinguished by an unprecedented string of international competition victories, including both of the prestigious Andrés Segovia competitions, alongside top prizes in Sor, Ponce, Falla and Tárrega contests.

In this concert, Dukić will present a compelling programme showcasing the breadth of the classical guitar tradition, revealing the instrument’s expressive depth and his own signature artistry. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness a true virtuoso who continues to shape the future of classical guitar performance.

Tickets

Aren’t available to buy yet. Check back soon!

Programme

Not available yet. Check back soon!

December 2026 Members' Winter Concert
2026-12-10 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | Unitarian Meeting Hall, Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 8PE, United Kingdom
Members’ Winter Concert

Solos, chamber ensembles and a performance by the BCGS large ensemble. Join us for mince pies and a glass of wine to welcome in the festive season and round off 2026!

Programme

19:15ENSEMBLEPre-concert rehearsal20:00MEMBERS’ WINTER CONCERT
