| Status: | Active, not currently accepting new members |
| Coordinator: | |
| When: | Monthly on Friday mornings 10:00 AM Second Friday |
| Venue: | Members House |
Music Appreciation normally meets on the morning of the second Friday of every month in the homes of group members. The size of the group is limited by how many people can fit in someone's lounge. At the moment we are at that limit however if you are interested in music and would like to form a second group Ruth is willing to help get this established.
We are using the alphabet to inspire our monthly musical selections however this is not always the case; a member may offer to lead a session because of a special interest, anniversary or seasonal connection such as Christmas music at Christmas. All musical genres are included which offers members the opportunity to listen to music that might be 'outside of their comfort zone.'
Prior to the meeting musical choices are made by each member, our primary source now being YouTube, and links are shared with all members before the next gathering; this gives everyone an opportunity to listen to the music in their own time.. During the meeting members are expected to introduce and talk about their choice for a few minutes before we have a general chat about the piece and air our thoughts, positive or otherwise! Don't worry that people won't like your choice, it is rare that everyone likes a particular piece and it is good to be challenged from time to time. The whole idea is to be exposed to new music that you might not have come across before and so widen your tastes.
For our September 2025 meeting we tried a different approach where we listened to a whole album instead of a random selection of songs/tunes and then discussed it after. The album chosen was one that was released over 50 years ago and has gone on to become one of the best selling of all time, namely Dark Side of the Moon, the 7th album by Pink Floyd.
You can hear it here
These are our choices for the June 2026 meeting - we have now moved on to the letter U
Valerie I have sent you two clips relating to Jay Unger. One is him and his wife, Molly Mason, playing The Ashokan Farewell. The other is a clip from the Ken Burns American Civil War series where The Ashokan Farewell is played in the background to the reading of the Sullivan Balou letter. Very moving
Lyn - Enjoy the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall. It goes on a bit but it helps me understand the joy of music
Peter My choice for the letter ‘U’ is Japanese pianist and conductor Mitsuko Uchida playing a little bit of Mozart
Anita - Marco Uccellini
Veronica My choice for the Letter U is Schubert's Symphony no. 8 in B minor the “Unfinished”. Conducted by Claudio Abbado Ferrara 1989.. Not sure which orchestra. Enjoy it all or 2nd movement is good (15.40 Adagio) Too many interruptions for ads though!
Mike My choice for next month is U Plavu Zoru by Pink Martini, this clip is from a live recording which is slightly longer than the version I have on CD.
I have opted for Stan Tracey's Jazz Suite inspired by Under Milk Wood. Stan Tracey Quartet pla
Dot has chosen Ubi Cartas by Paul Me\lor sung by the Barnsley Youth Choir
Jo
Here's my choice: Marco Uccellini, 'Bergamasque.' This particular performance was my favourite.
Happy listening
Ruth 🕊️