We fulfill our mission through the following programs:
The South Bay Guitar Society (SBGS) was founded to increase public awareness of the arts, particularly those of the classical guitar. The Society began in 1986 by luthier Lester DeVoe in San Jose and has become one of the most active guitar societies in the United States. South Bay Guitar Society has earned a reputation for excellence by presenting concerts that feature nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. The Society maintains a Teacher Network to increase access to local teachers.
In 1991 Lester Devoe moved to Maine and Daniel Roest took over as SBGS president. A concert series in downtown San Jose was started in 1994 and quickly grew in attendance and prestige. An eight member board of directors and nonprofit status was established in 1996 to transform SBGS into a non-profit 501(c)(3) arts organization partly supported by local government arts grants. President and Artistic Direct Jerry Snyder took over in 1999. After establishing offices at Park Avenue and North 2nd Street, in 2004 the Society has moved to a new office at Le Petit Trianon Theatre, a premier concert hall that has adjacent office spaces. The Society has been the recipient of public and private support for many years. The City of San Jose's Office of Cultural Affairs has recognized SBGS' artistic and organizational quality with grants and guidance, including coordinating participation in the City's Arts Development Program and the Arts Incubator Programs. The county-based Arts Council Silicon Valley. Community Foundation Silicon Valley and the California Arts Council have also provided grant support. In 2002, SBGS received an Exemplary Grant from the California Arts Council. Concert ticket sales, member dues and concert subscriptions round out support of our programs.
Our activities serve the entire community of the South Bay Area. The guitar is the world's most popular instrument, and aficionados can be found in nearly every ethnic group represented in San Jose's population. We have made connections with the Latin American, Japanese-American, Persian-American (Iranian), Turkish-American, and Greek-American communities through recent performances. Several of our concerts have earned prominent display in the center spreads of the entertainment sections of the San Jose Mercury News and Metro Newspapers. Our audiences continue to grow both in size and cultural diversity. The common artistic ground offered by the classical guitar offers an avenue of understanding and appreciation between members of all ethnic groups.
For a complete schedule of concerts, see our Concert Season. To get discounted admission or subscribe to the entire season, see Membership.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Jerry Snyder - Artistic Director and President, Tom Ingalz - Vice-President and Managing Director, Suzanne Patrick - Treasurer, Bob Orr - Secretary, Pi Sheng Chang - Director, Phil Green - Director, Rebecca Stover - Director, Tony Wong - Director and Daniel Roest - Director Emeritus.
South Bay Guitar Society, 72 North Fifth Street, Suite 18, San Jose, CA 95112, phone (408) 292-0704, e-mail sbgs@sbgs.org