Meet Gregory Newton | President, American Guitar Society

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gregory Newton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gregory, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Without a doubt, it is the members of the American Guitar Society over the last century who are responsible for its success; and chiefly, those members who have graciously and unselfishly given of their valuable time to serve as officers and board members. As we all know, it is crucial for any nonprofit organization to have this kind of commitment. Of course the AGS always need more hands and can always use more help, but we are blessed to have a core of people devoted to the society and its mission. We are also thankful to Los Angeles Valley College and the Department of Music for their partnership with us, and for providing us a home since 2007.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The American Guitar Society is truly special in two ways. Founded in Los Angeles in 1923, it was the first guitar society in the United States, pre-dating the New York Society of the Classic Guitar by several years. It is also, believe it or not, the oldest living guitar society on the planet. Many guitar societies around the nation and the world have come and gone over the last century, but the AGS has survived and thrived. We may be small, but we are mighty! It was never an easy road, but the devotion of its members saw it through and continues to do so. The biggest challenge, which is not unique by any stretch, is the financial. The AGS has only rarely seen the benefit of corporate funding. Rather, it survives via membership dues and donations., and it is thus an ongoing struggle to keep the bills paid. Ergo, any donors out there who would like to help as we embark upon our second century, please do contact us – would we love to hear from you and work with you!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Not that I’m biased or anything =), but I would take my friend to the monthly member concert of the American Guitar Society for a fine concert, followed by a nice reception with plenty of delicious goodies. Our monthly member concerts are usually the first Saturday of the month, 7:30pm, in Room 104 of the Music Building at Los Angeles Valley College. The concert is free, and so is the parking! If my friend were to be visiting this September, I would absolutely take them to our centennial celebration. It will be Sunday, September 24, 2023, 11:00am – 3:30pm at the Woodland Hills Country Club. A sit-down buffet lunch will be served. Our lifetime achievement award will be presented to the renowned American guitarist Alice Artzt, who is one of the guitar’s most important pioneers. The price levels are very reasonable, and we welcome one and all to join us. Info on the AGS website: agsvc.org

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
On behalf of the American Guitar Society, I would like to dedicate this shoutout to the memory of our founder, Vahdah Olcott Bickford. She was the Grand Lady of the classical guitar in the first half of the 20th century, and bears much of the credit for the classical guitar’s development in the United States. Incidentally, Vahdah was my first teacher and, as far as anyone knows, I was her last student. At the time, I was 12 and she was 87! Vahdah founded the American Guitar Society in 1923, and energetically guided the society through many decades until her passing in 1980.

Website: agsvc.org or americanguitarsociety.org

Instagram: instagram.com/americanguitarsociety

Facebook: facebook.com/American-Guitar-Society-142740239104490

Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCsy4NVnN86MLU5sNnAWmZGA