Chandor Gardens Foundation News

The Chandor Gardens mansion is alway enchanting when it is decorated for Christmas.This year it was decorated in a magical "Nutcracker" wonderland theme. As such the theme for the Chanor Gardens Foundation & Friends Christmas party was "Nutcracker" themed as well. 

This was an opportunity for members of the Chandor Gardens Foundation & Friends to come together, socialize, and enjoy the beautifuly decorated Chandor mansion. Attendees enjoyed heavy appetizers, refreshments, and live music provided by Cynthia Miller. 

During the evening there was a "Guess the # of Christmas balls" to win the door prize draw for a Christmas Cactus, which was won by Carole Peterson. 

Also during the evening, there was a fundraising "Raffle Board" for a chance to win an 8 place setting of Aynsley "Famille Rose" fine English bone china, plus 24 beautiful cobalt blue glasses, donated to the Foundation by Donna Williams. Congratulations to Julie Larwood for purchasing the winning square. Julie's lucky square was #88. Thank you Donna Williams for donating your beautiful china to the Foundation, and to everyone who purchased raffle squares in support of our bronze sculpture project.

Raffle winner Julie Larwood (holding china plate) with Eileen Leslie, President of Chandor Gardens Foundation Inc

   It was a wonderful evening of festive fun!

Chandor Gardens Foundation Inc. was pleased to present an intimate evening with classical guitarist Christopher McGuire, with special guest Steve Harlos on piano, performing "Bach, Brazil, and The Beatles", in the courtyard of the beautiful Chandor Gardens, Weatherford, Texas.  

American guitarist Christopher McGuire commands the many expressive qualities of the guitar with what one critic called "unselfconscious intensity." His engaging performance style invites people of all ages to feel they are taking part, not just taking a seat. Audiences and critics on five continents fulfill the prediction by Andrés Segovia that "…he will be appreciated and applauded everywhere." In his 1981 letter of recommendation, Segovia also said he is “…an artist, sensitive, with perfect technique.” 

He has studied with or performed in master classes for several of the world’s foremost guitarists including; Andrés Segovia, Oscar Ghiglia, Pepe Romero, Robert Guthrie and José Tomás.

McGuire has performed hundreds of solo concerts in the United States, Mexico, Japan, Venezuela, Germany, Spain and the Canary Islands. He has played his guitar for presidents of the United States of America and Mexico, three former governors of Texas and members of the Spanish Royal Family. He has performed more than 1500 informal performances in schools and other community venues in cities throughout North America, Spain, Venezuela and Japan. 

His direct influences are as varied as they come, ranging from private lessons with Maestro Segovia to jam sessions with Stevie Ray Vaughn. He has performed with some of the great musicians of our time, including Charlie Byrd, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Roland Dyens, Carlos Bonell, Karin Schaupp, Robert Guthrie, Van Cliburn Gold Medalist José Feghali and violinist Swang Lin.  In October of 2005 Chris shared the stage with the legendary Van Cliburn in a tribute concert for Fort Worth philanthropist Roz Rosenthal.

He is currently Artistic Director of the Fort Worth Classic Guitar Society (FWCGS) and the Allegro Guitar Society of Dallas (AGSD).

Song selections performed during the concert by Christopher & Steve:

Duo:

Girl From Ipanema                Antonio Carlos (Tom) Jobim

One Note Samba                   Antonio Carlos (Tom) Jobim

Chris solo: 

Sound of Bells                       João (Pernambuco) Teixeira Guimarães    

Chôros No. 1                          Heitor Villa-Lobos

Preludes #1                            Heitor Villa-Lobos  

Prelude in G major                Johann Sebastian Bach   (from 1st Cello Suite)

Steve’s solos:

Invention (?)                           Johann Sebastian Bach  

(???)                                         Steven Harlos (solo)

Duo:

Concerto in D major              Antonio Vivaldi  

         *** INTERMISSION ****

Chris solo: 

Romance                                Trad.

Tío Pepe                                  Christopher McGuire 

Duos Jazz/Pop:

Yesterday/& I Love Her         Paul McCartney 

Norwegian Wood                   John Lennon

Here Comes the Sun             George Harrison  

Chris Solo:

Chasing Cars                         Snow Patrol (Gary Lightbody)

Duos:

Autumn Leaves                    Joseph Kosma

Take 5                                    Paul Desmond 

Is That Your Foot                 Christopher McGuire

#9                                           Christopher McGuire 

Black Cat                               Christopher McGuire 

Oh! Susanna                         Stephen Foster (arr. James Taylor and C. McGuire)

Doors opened at 6:30 P.M.
Show started at 7:00 P.M.
Note: There was a 20 minute intermission 1/2 way through the show

Water and light snacks were available for purchase at this event.

Tickets were $30