| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Leader: | |
| When: | Fortnightly on Thursday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm |
| Venue: | SPJC - St. Philip & St. James Church |
| 2025/26 meetings | |||||
| Sep 11, 25 | Oct 9, 23 | Nov 6, 20 | Dec 4, 18 | Jan 8, 22 | Feb 5, 19 |
| Mar 5, 19 | Apr 16, 30 | May 14, 28 | Jun 11, 25 | Jul | Aug |
In this group there is no attempt to approach music in a historic or thematic sequence. The programmes reflect each presenter’s tastes, knowledge and experience. During a year our members will listen to music as diverse as a composition by Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) to ‘Liverpool Oratorio’ by Paul McCartney, Janacek to classics in jazz, Percy Grainger to Prokofiev, and excerpts from the Great American Songbook to name but a few.
"The trouble with music appreciation in general is that people are taught to have too much respect for music, they should be taught to love it instead" - Igor Stravinsky
Music Appreciation: Does what it says on the tin!
It’s the start of another U3A year, so – if you’re like me- you’ll be scanning the pages of our programme booklet and pondering which group(s) to (re)join and which you might try out. If you have alternate Thursday afternoons free in your monthly calendar, then do consider coming to try Music Appreciation (MAG) in SS Philip & James Church from 2-4pm. The facilities are excellent, the sound and video systems of very high quality and access is very easy. Now to describe what we do. For two hours, including a tea / coffee break, members can leave the concerns and preoccupations of the world, and simply listen to a selection of music. Most of it tends to be classical, but this term we have sessions on Cole Porter and popular musicals booked in.
More years ago than I freely admit, I did my first presentation and nervously awaited ‘feedback’. It was not long in coming. A long-standing member, always to be found in the front row, was quick to approach me.
‘John, I have to say you’ve disappointed me’ was his opening remark. I tried to smile politely.
He went on.
‘I can always count on there being at least one piece of music I heartily dislike each session. Not today. I enjoyed every piece you played’.
I suppose that was the start of the journey which led to me being Group Leader. His point is a good one: our presenters select music to fit a theme, interest or category, and not all of it is universally admired. Nevertheless, it is a privilege to open your mind (ears?) to the unfamiliar and every now and then find new favourites. You’ll be very welcome to join us, perhaps at a taster session at first?
John Gawthorpe
