House Concerts

This past February on the Sunday following the Super Bowl my wife and I hosted a house concert. The performer was classical guitarist Brad DeRoche. Brad is a friend and we’ve had many conversations about the future of classical guitar and we’ve often theorized about the importance of small intimate events like this one.

We were both pleased that this event was a huge success. My wife said that one of the guests commented that it was “an elegant way to spend a Sunday afternoon”. There were a dozen guests who were treated to an hour of beautiful guitar music. Up close and personal, as it were. The music was followed by light refreshments and conversation. Everyone had the opportunity to spend a few moments with the artist. They had all been informed that donations would be solicited to pay Brad and, in addition, he has/had a CD for sale.

One of the guests was inspired by the event and hosted his own house concert a few months later. The artist was a different classical guitarist and there were many more guests invited. A little wine and cheese on the patio afterward completed a wonderful Saturday evening.

I had attended a couple of house concerts in the past, but these post-pandemic events seem to take on a new importance. I interviewed composer/guitarist Anthony Glise for my podcast recently and mentioned this. Anthony lives in northern France and he said that this is becoming a big thing in Europe. And a few of my European counterparts have been posting pictures on social media of the various venues they are now performing in. The ubiquitous churches, of course, but also garden recitals and house concerts.

We tend to think of live music as being a loud and exuberant event. And it most certainly can be that. Whether it’s “stadium” size concerts or clubs. And classical music gets a bad rap as being stuffy and stodgy. But music in someone’s home played to a handful of appreciative people is very different. It touches you in ways very different than the raucous places. And guitar music exemplifies that. Even when it’s loud it really isn’t very loud. When it’s soft it whispers gently. A world unto itself that is visited too seldom by many who’s soul would benefit.

After one such event a college student of mine summed it up. “I’ve attended concerts my entire life”, she said. “My parents took me to stadium concerts, symphonies, the ballet, and opera. We attended jazz and folk festivals too. But this is the first time I’ve sat in a small room and watched a lone guitarist (who didn’t sing) create an entire universe and suck me into it.”

I hope to host another some day and I hope you’ll consider hosting one too. I hope to attend several more in the future and I hope you attend a few also. You know……if we each host one then we can give new meaning to the phrase, “I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours.”