Entirely non-profit and volunteer-run, the Vancouver Classic Guitar Society was established 15 years ago.

Mission Statement

The purpose of The Vancouver Classic Guitar Society is to build a community among classical guitar enthusiasts, to educate and increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of classical guitar music by providing performances of an artistic nature in public places, and by providing workshops relating to classical guitar music, to encourage study of the classical guitar, to enrich the culture of classical guitar in Vancouver, and to provide opportunities for guitarists of all levels to meet and play together.

what we do

International Artist Series Concerts and Masterclasses:  Our annual five-concert International Artist Series presents outstanding classical guitarists and ensembles from Canada and around the world who perform concerts and teach masterclasses for local guitar students.  Our concerts always include pre-concert performances by up-and-coming student guitarists.

Summer Festivals:  The Okanagan Guitar Festival and the Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival are a celebration of learning and listening with renowned classical guitar faculty teaching masterclasses, workshops and performing concerts every July. 

Student Open Stages:  Twice a year, dozens of classical guitar students aged 5 to 16 are referred by their teachers to perform in our student open stages giving them an opportunity to develop their performance skills.  

Student Scholarships:   Every year we give $1000 in scholarships to guitar students.   

VCGS Guitar Ensemble:  Now in its fourth year, our adult amateur VCGS Guitar Ensemble led by a paid director-teacher meets bi-weekly throughout the fall and spring terms and culminates in a wonderful concert.

Monthly Guitar Socials:  This popular new event launched last summer gives guitarists a place to gather and play for one another in an informal setting every month, an important way to develop community and performance skills. 

Community Outreach – West End Seniors Network:   Since September 2023, we’ve partnered with the West End Seniors Network to provide free concert tickets to more than 80 seniors and presented much loved free concerts at Barclay Manor featuring university student performers.   

Special Concerts and Events:   VCGS is constantly hosting special guitar events and concerts and collaborating with other music groups to do the same.   Our website and regular newsletter are filled with opportunities to share the joy of classical guitar.