Wimbledon classical Guitar Society
WiGS is a dedicated group of classical guitar enthusiasts based in South West London. We come together regularly to provide a supportive environment where members can perform and refine their skills. Whether you are preparing for exams or simply seeking to improve your performance abilities, our group offers an encouraging space to grow.
We are currently welcoming new members. If you have a passion for classical guitar and would like to join us, please get in touch. We would be delighted to have you attend our meetings as an observer before making a commitment.
Our upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
Saturday 12th October: a visit to the workshop of local luthier Nick Branwell
Wednesday 23rd October and then Wednesday 20th November, at members' homes; and
Tuesday 10th December at the Lantern Arts Centre in Raynes Park.
Concerts
Each year, between February and May, the WiGS RCM concert series features performances by Master's and final-year Bachelor's students from the Royal College of Music, serving as a prelude to their graduation recitals in the summer. The series will resume in February 2025.
WiGS also hosts around three professional concerts each year. Our upcoming concerts are:
Laura Snowden on Saturday 19th October - tickets are available now and are going well - we may be heading for a full house
Eden Stell Guitar Duo on Saturday 30th November - tickets are available now - this concert which will feature release of the duo's new cd
The Londinium Consort on Friday 24th January - winners of this year's New Elizabethan Award, the Consort will prepare for their Wigmore Hall concert the following week by appearing at what we are tempted to rename WiGSmore Hall (aka St Saviour's Church SW20)
Our concerts are held at St. Saviour's Church in Raynes Park, London SW20. For detailed information on each performance, please use the links above or visit the events page on the church's website. If you prefer to receive updates directly, please contact us.
St. Saviour's Church is conveniently located just a 7-minute walk from Raynes Park railway station and a 2-minute walk from the 163 bus stops on Grand Drive. Additionally, free parking is available on the surrounding streets.
Past professional concerts
Cerulean Trio on Saturday 29th June 2024 - highlights
Dorian Demeny (guitar) and Ugnė Liepa Žuklytė (violin) on 20th January 2024
Vida Guitar Quartet on 9th December 2023
Eden Stell Guitar Duo on 6th October 2018
Past WiGS RCM concerts
2024 season
The 2024 series featured performances by Mark Dangerfield, Zoe Barnett and Arie Dakesian on May 3rd, following Oliver Manning and Sacha Bistany on March 1st.
2022-2023
In 2023, Joe Orme, Sacha Bistany, and Arie Dakesian performed on April 28th, after the season had started in late 2022 with Yuting Wu, Arie Dakesian, Mark Dangerfield and Zoe Barnett taking the stage on December 2nd.
2019-2020
Our first series was cut short (by you know what) after performances by Erika Clevejarn and Zoe Barnett on February 28th, and Haydn Bateman and Nika Pinter (flute), and Dorian Demeny on January 31st and, in our inaugural concert, Simon Pearce and Will Glenn on December 6th 2019.
Supported Projects
play 2 Armenia (Guitar Festival, Armenia) - The Play2 festival offers young guitarists a unique, fully funded opportunity to participate in workshops, ensemble sessions, and professional concerts in Armenia each July.
Nick Branwell (Luthier, Southfields) - With a preference for hand tools and freehand techniques, Nick crafts his guitars in his South London workshop, located above the studio of his sculptor wife, Almuth Tebbenhoff. Nick honed his craft through courses with skilled mentors such as Nick Pyle, Pete Howlett, Mike Hobbs, Richard Osborne, and Pablo Requena, adopting their diverse methods into his own work.
Contact us
Whether you are interested in joining us, would like to hear about upcoming concerts, or have any query about WiGS, please contact us by emailing markatwigs@gmail.com or contacting us via Instagram. We look forward to hearing from you!
