Craig Ogden at WiGS: A Classical Guitar Concert Near Epsom

If you live in Epsom or the surrounding area and enjoy live guitar music, there is a concert worth putting in your diary this autumn.

On Friday 2nd October 2026, Wimbledon Classical Guitar Society (of which I am a proud member) will welcome Craig Ogden to St Saviour’s Church in Raynes Park for an evening of classical guitar. You can find the announcement on the official WiGS event page.

I have written before about WiGS and how much I have enjoyed discovering its concerts. Having attended performances by the Vida Guitar Quartet, Ari Dakersian, Eva Schockmel and Youting Wu, I have come to appreciate the opportunity to hear such accomplished musicians close to home.

Becoming a member of the society has also helped me feel more connected to the local classical guitar scene. For me, these evenings bring together several things I value: live music, opportunities to learn and the chance to meet people who share an interest in the guitar.

Craig Ogden’s forthcoming concert is another good reason to draw attention to what WiGS offers.

Originally from Perth, Australia, Craig began learning the guitar at seven. He later studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he is now Director of Guitar. His career includes performances with major orchestras around the world, an extensive recording catalogue and collaborations with a wide range of musicians. BBC Music Magazine described him as “a worthy successor to Julian Bream”. You can read more about his background on Craig Ogden’s official website.

For local listeners, this is an opportunity to hear a guitarist with an international career in the welcoming setting of a community concert.

One of the things I particularly enjoy about WiGS is being close enough to observe the performance in detail. You can watch how a musician shapes a phrase, changes the colour of a note or allows a melody to stand out above its accompaniment.

As a guitar player and teacher, I find that experience valuable. A recording lets us listen repeatedly, but seeing someone perform gives us another perspective on how the music is made.

I also believe concerts like this have plenty to offer acoustic and electric guitar players, even if classical music is not their usual listening choice.

You might notice how small changes in the right hand affect the sound, how carefully a player controls the balance between notes, or how a slight pause gives a phrase room to breathe. These observations can prompt useful questions about your own playing: am I listening closely to my tone? Does the melody come through clearly? Am I giving the music enough variety?

There is no need to turn the whole evening into a lesson, though. Sometimes the most useful thing is simply to listen and enjoy what the instrument can do.

For younger guitar students, hearing an experienced performer can also make practising feel more connected to something beyond exercises and individual pieces. It offers a chance to hear how technique serves a complete musical performance.

Attending these concerts also supports the musicians and organisers who make local live music possible. Having opportunities like this within reach of Epsom is something I appreciate, and buying a ticket is a practical way to take part.

The concert details are:

Date: Friday 2nd October 2026
Doors open: 7pm
Performance: Approximately 7:30pm–9:30pm
General admission: £20 plus a £0.50 booking fee
Under 18s: £10 plus a £0.25 booking fee
Venue: St Saviour’s Church, Grand Drive, Raynes Park, London SW20 9DL

General admission seating is unreserved, and the organisers will have a wine and soft drinks bar. The musical programme has not been listed on the event page at the time of writing. Full details and tickets are available from WiGS.

Guitar Lessons in Epsom — Book a Free Trial Lesson

If you or your child is interested in learning the guitar, I offer classical, acoustic and electric guitar lessons in Epsom. You might want to explore classical music, learn your favourite songs on acoustic guitar or get started with electric guitar.

Get in touch to book a free trial lesson and discuss what you or your child would like to learn.