Flamenco: Orchestra blends different levels of ability

CRISSY PASCUAL / Union-Tribune

"At first, I was really bad at reading music and bad at playing the songs," said Thomas Mellan, 12, who started playing with the group last year.

By Marcia Manna
UNION-TRIBUNE

April 6, 2007

ENCINITAS – While the youngest musicians seem barely big enough to hold a guitar, the mature players in the Encinitas Guitar Orchestra consider the instrument an old friend, its characteristic curves a familiar fit after countless hours of practice.

CRISSY PASCUAL / Union-Tribune

Sean Bentley, 13, rehearsed with the Encinitas Guitar Orchestra. The the 25-member group has met weekly since January. Director Peter Pupping likens the orchestra's sound to a giant harp.

“At first, I was really bad at reading music and bad at playing the songs,” said Thomas Mellan, a 12-year-old who started with the group last year. “Then I started practicing reading music and I started having a whole lot of fun.”

He played a solo in the Spanish flamenco piece “Farruca” at last year's concert and will solo again at this year's performance.

Since January, the 25-member group has met weekly to rehearse for this year's concert, set for April 13 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Encinitas.

The players come from all parts of the county and all walks of life. There's a lawyer and a chiropractor, a bank investor, a pilot, a prominent chef and a media consultant. Their ages range from 9 to 65. Four players are women.

Director Peter Pupping calls the group a “guitar community.” He likens the orchestra's sound to a giant harp.

The music – classical, jazz and world – is rich and striking, with sections divided up into as many as eight parts. Dynamics and sonic texture are accentuated by a few uncommon string instruments, including the baritone guitar, mandolin and tres Cubano, used in Latin music.