| 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 August 2026 meeting - we have now moved on to the letter V
Jo - I've chosen an unusual piece by a relatively modern composer. It's something I heard some time ago, without knowing who had written it. I was really haunted by this piece, and it took me ages to find out who the composer was. It was also fascinating to compare what I'd made of it then, with what I only heard later that the composer had intended. How would you feel if I did a little experiment, and didn't divulge to anyone what the piece was, or who the composer was, until you'd all heard it? I'd love to hear what other people made of it if they didn't know it, and if they came up with a similar reaction to mine. I think you find it interesting.
Veronica I have chosen Vivaldi’s Concerto in D minor for my letter V. I have chosen the 3rd Movement, Summer led by Joshua Bell. I will also have a surprise for you a discovery by my friend Irene P!
Mine is the National Anthem of Venice. It’s also Vivaldi but I have chosen it because of the Venice connection and not the composer. Is this acceptable ?
Valerie - I have chosen Smetana’a tone poem Ma Vlast. From that I have chosen the second poem Vitava
Ruth - I have chosen Chariots of Fire by Vangelis
Peter May I pick V for Viola and link it to a mini out-of-focus Elgar
Mike My choice for the next meeting is Victor Alcantara Trio with a piece from their interpretation of Stabat Mater, this piece is called Far Ut Ardeat
Anita My choice Vladimir Horowitz.
Dot Dot has chosen Maria Callas singing Vissi d'Arte from Puccini's Tosca.
Happy listening
Ruth 🕊️