Testimonial - by Marti J.

  I attended my first sessions and follow up classes with Bob. He taught me several basic chords and lots of fun songs. It is amazing how many songs you can play with just a few chords. Bob has a passion for guitar music and is enthusiastic about passing it on to his students in as many ways as possible. In addition I have made new friends who are playing on my same level and we can share our enjoyment. Thanks, Bob, for getting me started , and helping me check off another item on my "bucket list" - playing the guitar!! 
                                                                          
                                                                                    -- Marti J.

Testimonial - by Marty Blackburn

   I am 84 and [tried] taking guitar lessons long ago, but never got too far.  I'm taking lessons from Bob, [and] if it weren't for [him], my guitar would still be in the closet collecting dust.  I have more time now to practice every day and, with Bob's encouragement, I hope to get better.  
                                                           --- Marty Blackburn

Testimonial - by Sandi Lauzon

   I started taking Bob’s class... because the name of the class was “Absolute Beginners”; and that’s what I was.  I wanted very basic training– learning simple chords.  I accomplished that and more.  My intention has never been to play for the public but to play for myself and for or with close friends. 

   I love playing songs that I’m familiar with and singing along– still just playing basic chords and loving it.  For those that want to learn more and go further, Bob offers classes for those as well.  Thank you, Bob, for encouraging and helping me to learn...

                         --- Sandi Lauzon 

  

Testimonial - by Alpha Barger

   As a wife of one of your students I want to thank you for your willingness to take the time to teach Ronald. He really looks forward  to lessons on     Mondays. He has learned a lot and playing gives him joy. I know that he has difficulty with his hands and getting all the chords. Your kindness, patience, and encouragement keep him trying. 

   I often smile when I hear a tune that I know and see how he continues. Thank you so much for giving of your time and talents to teach.

                                                                  — Alpha Barger

Testimonial / Judy Zirt

Judy Zirt

I have thoroughly enjoyed my guitar classes. I bought my guitar on the way to my very first class, so I truly was an "absolute" beginner. 

You not only made all the classes so easy to follow but oh, so much fun as well. You told us on the first day that anyone can learn to play the guitar. Well, I'm starting to believe you! 

Thanks Bob!

Guitar / A Life Lesson

Guitar Strings are a lot like our Lives

Playing guitar is in many ways a life lesson. The strings of the guitar are connected to the instrument, but they also each have to be tuned well for the instrument to play and sound harmonically correct. If only one string is out of tune, then it affects the sound of the whole instrument. 

So it is with our lives. If one area of our life is out of step or tune with the rest, it affects the whole. I'm studying a seven-part series now on having our lives transformed, and it integrates the physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, as well as relational, financial & vocational.

This is so true. If we neglect our bodies, our minds and emotions suffer as well. If we do not open our minds to learn, we feel empty and unfulfilled. If we harbor bad feelings of resentment or hatred in our hearts, our whole life is affected in a negative way. 

This life is definitely a system of parts, connected together and functioning as a whole. That's the way that God made us, and that's the way we have to approach our lives.

Guitar Life Group

   High Rock first had a Guitar Group back in the early stages of the church, around 2005. Back then, the church was a sole entity, located near Dan Nicholas Park on Bringle Ferry Road.  It was led by Barry Dyson, and attended by Wayne Eller, both of whom have also served with me more recently in a new Guitar Group at the Salisbury-West campus. We have had about 25-30 people come to the class at different times.  

Guitar Life Group : John Montgomery, Joe Brandt, Bob Wingate, Ethan Hedrick, and Jimmy Smith.

   Right now, we have a core group of about a dozen people, which includes about three beginning students, 4-6 intermediate students, and two or three teachers, including myself, Wayne, and John Montgomery.  During the fall, we were joined by High Rock pastor Tom Bartlett, who is also an accomplished musician.  Tom came in, helped us re-organize the group, and led a piano group.  We began each class as a combined group, having a devotional thought, plus a joint music training, and then we broke off into guitar and piano groups.  This method worked very well, and culminated with a Christmas Concert in December 2013.  { see picture }   We played Christmas favorites, such as Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, and Away in a Manger, as well as some personal favorites.