Market Harborough & District U3A

Exploring Music

Group Leader: Angela Newport

These two music groups meet monthly for two hours to listen to recorded music. 

The Friday Evening Group (formed in 2002) meets in my home from 7.30 - 9.30pm. The Tuesday Morning Group (formed in 2003) meets at Bath Street Evangelical Church from 10am - 12 noon. 
There are approximately 50 members in total and there are vacancies in both groups at the moment
 

So why was the group formed and what kind of music do we enjoy?

Many U3As use the term "Music Appreciation" but I felt this title might suggest that members should already have some knowledge of classical music and be able to participate and discuss in some depth the chosen music. The idea was not to attract just members who had a love of classical music but to appeal to those who would welcome the opportunity to learn, listen and appreciate the great treasure trove of music which exists, if you know where and how to discover it. Hence EXPLORING MUSIC, which we do in a very informal way.            The whole idea is to introduce a planned learning programme which is interesting, lively and fun.

Since 2002 we have explored and discovered some wonderful music, much of it unfamiliar to most members. There is always room for the familiar pieces which, when you really listen, offer a whole new experience, but the most exciting part for me (and many of the members) is discovering something new!  Each month, we have a new programme, usually with a theme, and this is accompanied by notes of interest about the music (nothing too technical) and anecdotes about the composers etc. Because the programmes are themed you get a few surprises - a bit of jazz or some film music will pop up from time to time! You are not expected to say anything but comments are welcomed and I try to answer any questions and queries - if not immediately, then by the following month. We occasionally have Request Programmes where members are invited to bring along their favourite CD or request a certain piece of music.

The groups offer a very sociable, friendly and relaxed two hours of enjoyable entertainment with a break for coffee/tea and biscuits and a little time to chat. Dates of the meetings can be obtained from me and are always published in the Newsletter.

The fact that the groups have been in existence for several years, should not put new members off as each month brings a new programme and a new experience.

We have also enjoyed two music holidays. In 2006, 28 members and friends went to Prague and in 2007, a party of 34 went to Tuscany, Italy, for the Puccini Festival and a performance of Madame Butterfly at the open-air Festival Theatre at Torre del Lago, with visits to Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Montecatini and Pisa.