"Guitars in the Round" September, 16, 2011

On Friday, September 16, I had the good fortune to travel from my home in Albion just fifteen minutes to Brockport State College to see three of the best guitarists the Rochester area has to offer. Petar Kodzas, Kinloch Nelson and Bob Sneider enthralled a welcoming audience of nearly 150 people at their “Guitars in the Round” guitar evening. They had first played together on June 3 this year at the Harmony House in Webster for the Rochester Guitar Club.

Caption

Kinloch, Petar & Bob

As I looked at the program to see the musical agenda for the evening I was surprised to see the words; “This evening’s program will be announced from the stage.” Petar Kodzas, a classical musician, started off the program with a Beautiful Bach Prelude. Then, Bob Sneider, a jazz artist, played the smooth sounds of Jobim’s “O Grande Amor,” followed by Kinloch Nelson, a finger style player, doing a wonderful piece called “Secret Love.” As each artist took a turn playing, it would spark the next player to tell a story about how the previous song reminded them of something from their childhood or inspired them to play the next song on the spot.

Towards the end of the show, Kinloch surprised the audience with a Bach piece played on a harp guitar made by Kathy Wingart of California. I was able to see the guitar up close after the show and I thought to myself that each person has special abilities in life. Some people play guitars. Some people build guitars. Each is an art form in itself, and I guess the lesson is to do what you love to do in life.

It was inspirational to me to see three people, from different childhoods, backgrounds and musical styles come together in harmony at the end to compliment each other in a trio format. You could certainly see the joy on each of their faces as they did what they love to do, and the audience on that evening was blessed because of it. If you get a chance to see “Guitars in the Round,” I would highly recommend attending any of their future concerts. It would certainly be worth the drive!

~Jim Doyle
Photo: Phil St. George

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