![\"HMCGS](\"http:\/\/geraldgarcia.com.c51.previewmysite.eu\/WPress\/wp-content\/uploads\/3EF516F7-E73A-440B-9E95-793AA4F09A21-300x225.jpeg\")
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The HK Classical Guitar Society ca.1981 – Mr.Ho is second from the left in the front row. Also present are Pepe Yeung, Simon Cheong Hing Liu, Edgar Chu, Stephen Kai Leung Chau, Ricky, Wilson, Summer Chan,Ng Ho Yi, Mr.Wong, Ngai Kai Tai <\/i> Thanks to Bunny Leung for the photo<\/p>\n
Hong Kong 1979-85<\/strong>– a group of enthusiastic amateur guitarists which met in a small shop in the Jordan area of Kowloon showed up at my first recital in my home town. They seemed well organised, and were hungry for any information and music that was out there. \u00a0It appeared that the shop belonged to a Mr.Ho, who allowed local teachers to use it and have their regular meetings. This was the Hong Kong Classical Guitar Society.<\/p>\n They were very kind and also friendly towards each other and towards visitors, so I made a point of keeping in contact on my regular visits and annual concerts. I discovered that there was also a connection with China – the society\u2019s newsletter was sent regularly to contacts and teachers in disparate provinces.<\/p>\n The big name in China was Professor Chen Zhi, who had a reputation for producing wonderful players, but the growing number of classical guitarists\u00a0in China wanted information – sheet music, recordings, videos…<\/p>\n The HK Classical Guitar Society grew into the HKGIA (Hong Kong Guitar Information Alliance) which involved the burgeoning number of \u00a0guitar teachers in Hong Kong, expanding the reach of the society to include all types of guitar interest – flamenco, baroque, nail players and no-nail players.<\/p>\n It was in this group that I first became aware of Kenneth Kwan, a student of the erudite Richard Szeto. It was also this group which made the links with Professor Chen Zhi that enabled John Williams and me to visit Hong Kong and China in 1995.<\/p>\n Prior to this visit\u00a0Professor Chen Zhi organised The First China Artistic Guitar Festival at Zhuhai, China in 1987. None of us realised then what an explosion of classical guitar activity in China would result from John Williams\u2019 and my visit in 1995 which was promoted by the British Council.<\/p>\n Most of today\u2019s\u00a0guitar professors in Chinese conservatoires\u00a0were present at the concerts and masterclasses which John Williams and I gave. I like to think that it\u00a0all started in that small shop in Jordan, with a group of likeminded enthusiasts back in the early 80s. It should come as no surprise that we have kept in touch even though we have gone our separate ways.
\nIt was\u00a0a very important event and has had a\u00a0big influence on\u00a0the development of the classical guitar in China.
\nBefore this event Professor Chen Zhi had visited the HK Classical Guitar Society (and Mr. Ho) to invite local players to perform in the Festival.\u00a0
\nSome HK players performed in the China Artistic Guitar Festival 1987.<\/p>\n![\"HK](\"http:\/\/geraldgarcia.com.c51.previewmysite.eu\/WPress\/wp-content\/uploads\/DF93F1AD-6595-4B03-A5E8-436578500F4C-225x300.jpeg\")
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\nProfessor Chen Zhi has been instrumental in bringing his students to the west, and some of his ex students (and their students in turn) are now bright stars in the universe of the guitar.<\/p>\n
\nIn a world where thinly disguised self promotion seems to be the norm, it is refreshing to come across true enthusiasts who modestly make things happen which have far reaching implications.
\nHere is a meeting in a Hong Kong in a coffee shop – a meeting of old friends who hadn\u2019t met up for almost forty years and still don\u2019t know how to stop being enthusiastic!<\/p>\n