Music Appreciation Group Logo

The Music Appreciation Group meet at
the Town Council Day Centre, Sandy Lane, Caldicot

Every 4th Thursday of the month at 2.00pm.

MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP 23rd SEPTEMBER  2010 (CHANGE OF VENUE)

THE SEPTEMBER MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE SCOUT HALL SANDY LANE AT 2.00PM

FOR THIS MONTH ONLY !

THERE WILL BE A SHOWING OF THE DVD "FOREVER VIENNA"

OCTOBER MEETING WILL BE BACK AT COUNCIL DAY CENTRE

 

MUSICAL APPRECIATION AUGUST 2010 

The August meeting was well attended and we also had visitors

The meeting began with “A Musical Journey through the 1950’s” and there was a selection of music that was popular for each year in the 1950’s with a reminder of some newsworthy events for the particular year.

The music throughout the decade varied and included  Classical music  “Crown Imperial” for 1953 to Film musicals “Some Enchanted Evening” from South Pacific  in 1958  and much more.

The chosen CD topic was “Music that asks a Question” in the title There were many choices of music brought for this category including Kathleen Ferrier singing “What Is Life”   “Who Will Buy My Sweet Red Roses” from the musical “Oliver” and “Are You Sure You Want To Be Famous” from musical “Bombay Dreams” and much more concluding with “Will Ye No Come Back Again.

Thank you to all group members for attending the meeting and bringing a lovely selection of music to the group.

For this month only The September meeting will take place in The Scout Hall Sandy Lane at 2.00pm on Thursday 23rd  when the DVD of “Forever Vienna” will be shown

Peter Dormer (Assistant Convenor)

 

 

MUSICAL APPRECIATION JULY 2010

We had a very well attended meeting considering that it is a holiday time and many of our members were away . We also had four visitors

The afternoon began with a “Musical Mystery Tour”

A variety of music from Classical, Musicals etc  was played with connections to a particular country and members guessed which country was represented by the music. The countries were France, Italy, Poland, Russia, India, USA, Peru, and Greece. 

The chosen CD topic “Physical Activity”  was continued from the previous month . A variety of music was played including, Lambeth Walk, I could have danced all night, Coppelia Ballet, Wedding March, Michael row the boat ashore, Brand New Roller Skates,  and much more.

It was a very enjoyable afternoon

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 26th August 2010 and the chosen CD topic is “Music that asks a question in the title”. eg  How much is that doggy in the window? Who is Sylvia ,etc etc

Peter Dormer (Assistant convenor)

 

 

AMERICAN MUSEUM  June 26th 2010

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the visit to
the American Museum.



Photographs were taken by Peter Dormer

On Saturday morning we woke up to a lovely sunny day; there could not be a better start to the day for an outing to the American Museum at Claverton Manor just outside Bath. I have been many times to Claverton Manor but I look forward to each visit knowing that it will be an enjoyable experience

On arrival at the Museum about midday we were welcomed by one of the museum staff, we were advised about what was going on that day and that the ladies choir from Concord Massachusetts USA who were on tour in the UK would be entertaining us at 2.00pm on the terrace.

I noticed the 19th century Conestoga wagon was now positioned outside the Museum door. This was because the coach house was being renovated; it added a lot of interest on arrival.

We then went our separate ways, a group of us stayed together and we had lunch. After lunch we had a walk around the museum. The Period display rooms and furniture collections including Shaker Furniture, Quilts and Textiles and Folk Art etc take you on a journey through the different cultures of America from the early settlers to the 20th century. 

After the tour of the Museum it was time to go to the terrace which overlooks the stunning views of the Avon Valley, the ladies choir was introduced by its musical director Jane Ring Frank.

The programme chosen for the afternoon was by female American composers and poets. There were no familiar songs but what was performed sounded really lovely. Where poetry had been set to music Jane spoke the words before they sang, the programme ended with the poem by Khalil Gibran

“On Children” This had been set to music by one of the choir members. After they had finished performing the choir members mingled with our coach party and other visitors at the museum. They told us that they had visited Tintern the day before and had given an impromptu performance at Tintern Abbey, they were returning home to Boston the day after our visit. 

We then went to the Exhibition Hall to see the “Classic American Quilts” exhibition, the quilts were stunning. These quilts were additional to the ones that are permanently housed in the Museum.

We had a look at the Herb Shop and saw the Tussie Mussies that had been made. Tussie Mussies are small posies of flowers made up of a rose bud small flowers and fragrant herbs which ladies took to church to eliminate unpleasant odours.

It was time to start our journey back home there was so much more to be seen, the Mount Vernon Gardens, the Arboretum, etc but that will be next time now.

It was a visit enjoyed by everyone and some have already shown an interest in returning next year for the Museum’s Fifty years celebrations.

May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who joined us on this visit. Without your support this outing would not have been possible. 

Many thanks, Pam Dormer

Website link: www.americanmuseum.org

 

MUSIC APPRECIATION   JUNE  2010 MEETING

We had a really well attended meeting this month in spite of  Wimbledon and Football World Cup There were 26 members and I visitor present .

“My Musical Memory Lane” was the title of  Pam Simpson’s account of  musical nostalgic memories and favourite choices of  music.

Pam’s choices started with recollections  from her school days  “The Grand March” from Aida which she recalled being played for the procession of “The Carnival Queen”  She had studied music for her O levels and the works of Verdi and Wagner in particular  so she chose “ Chorus of the Hebrew slaves” from  Nabucco and “ The Ride of The Valkyries 

Pam also chose some recollections  from her travels abroad  in Australia and Antarctica “Uluru” and Vangelis “ Theme from Antarctica”

Among some of her other musical choices were  The Pearl Fishers  Blue Danube Waltz, Movie Themes and Everly Brothers “All I have to do is Dream”

We would like to thank Pam very much  for putting the programme together It was such a lovely selection of music of both classical and Easy listening and  was enjoyed by everyone .

The CD topic of the month was “Physical Activity”

The  first choice was Zorba’s Dance A very popular choice . A new (U3A) version of Zorba’s Dance was created. We  sat in our seats with our arms about each others shoulders and swayed from side to side with the music .Zorba would have been very proud  of us. It was great fun 

Some other choices for the topic included a mixture of  Classical and Modern music  The Skaters Waltz, Ticket to Ride ,Sabre Dance, Climb every mountain, These Boots were made for Walking,

The final choice for the afternoon was “You’ll Never Walk Alone”

We all  sat in our seats and waved our arms from side to side singing

It was a lovely afternoon with many thanks to Pam and all members the group  

 At the next meeting on July 22nd  there will be a “Musical Mystery Tour” and the topic for the CD we shall continue with the theme of Physical Activity

 Peter Dormer (Assistant Convenor)

 

MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP   MAY 2010 MEETING

We had a very  interesting group meeting this month. There were 31 members  and 2 visitors present . We give thanks to Adrian Dallow  who gave a very interesting account of “ My Kind of Music” and recalled many nostalgic memories relating to each piece of music . Adrian’s choice of music varied from musicians Acker Bilk ,Duke Ellington, Glen Miller and many more to classical favourites such as  Greig’s piano concerto,  Pirates of Penzance and ending with Vaughan Williams “A Lark Ascending” It was a lovely selection of music .

The chosen CD topic for the month was Nobility Titles .Some of the selections included The Hall of the Mountain King, Lady in Red ,Arrival of the Queen of Sheba ,Did you not hear my Lady, and many more besides.

At the next  meeting on June 24th  Pam Simpson will be taking us down “Memory Lane”  with her selection of music and the CD topic of the  month will be “Physical  Activities” (swimming ,walking climbing etc)

Peter Dormer (Assistant Convenor)

 

MUSIC APPRECIATION - APRIL 2010 MEETING

For our April meeting we held what is becoming another annual event. 

A  Celebration of English Music and over thirty members were present, there was a varied selection of music and monologues.

A wide selection of CDs were brought in by members including Music by Elgar Gilbert and Sullivan Vera Lynn, The Spinners and Monologues by Bernard Miles and much more concluding with “Jerusalem”

During the interval we enjoyed afternoon tea of sandwiches and Scones with Strawberry Jam for which we would like to thank Jan Potter who kindly baked them.

 The afternoon was enjoyed by all present.

 At our next meeting on Thursday May 27th Adrian Dallow will be sharing his “Musical Memories” with us and the topic of the month for CDS will be Noble Titles (E.g. Lord King Prince etc)

 Peter Dormer

 

  MUSIC APPRECIATION - March 2010 

For our March meeting we held what is becoming an annual event. 

A  Celebration of The Music of Wales. The tables were decorated  daffodils and with over thirty members present we listened to music of Welsh singers, orchestras, choirs composers etc.

A wide selection of CDs were brought in by members including Bryn Tyrfel,  Aled Jones,  Shirley Bassey,  Max Boyce,  The Band of the Welsh Guards, Welsh Male voice choirs  Rhydian,  and much more.                               

 During the interval we enjoyed refreshments with Welsh Cakes and Bara Brith for which we would like to thank Val Merrett who kindly baked them.

 The afternoon was enjoyed by all present

 On our next meeting on April 22nd we will be celebrating English Music so please bring a CD of any music with an English Connection

 Peter Dormer

 

The Music Appreciation group visit to
Mini Music Festival at The American Museum, Bath - June 2009

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the visit to
Mini Music Festival at The American Museum

photo slideshow of the visit to Mini Music Festival at The American Museum

Photographs taken by Peter Dormer, Rosemary Brown,
Adrian and Glenice Dallow


The American Museum in Bath held a mini music festival in June

The event, which runs alongside the city’s International Banjo Festival, is a two day celebration of traditional American music.

The programme is made up of workshops, performances and demonstrations, with activities including a banjo master class, a singing workshop, Appalachian dancing, and performances by Stompin’ Dave Allen and Leon Hunt’s We Banjo 3.

This is the first music festival staged by the museum, but there are already plans for more should it prove to be a success.

The American Museum in Britain takes you on a journey through the history of America, from its early settlers to the 20th century. With its remarkable collection of folk and decorative arts, the museum shows the diverse and complex nature of American culture.

The only museum of Americana outside the United States, the museum was founded to bring American history and cultures to the people of Britain and Europe.

The museum’s collection of furniture, paintings, quilts, silver and glass is presented in a series of period rooms within the historic Claverton Manor.

Our textile and map collections are also on show in the Textile Room and Map Room.

In the basement is the new permanent American Heritage Exhibition, which tells the stories of the Founding Fathers, Native Americans and the Civil War, through a series of interactive galleries that bring the development of America and American culture to life with bright and tactile exhibits - great for kids of all ages!

Each year a special temporary exhibition is on display in our Exhibition Gallery, in 2009 this will be American Beauty: Art from Craft in 19th Century America.

Throughout the season there is a range of exciting events planned, including traditional American music concerts, Kids’ activities and Living History Events.

The museum is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, with spectacular views over the valley of the River Avon. The grounds total some 120 acres, of which forty are open to visitors.

Website link: www.americanmuseum.org

 

U3A MUSIC GROUPS WIKI WEBSITE

Hello Folks

I thought you might be interested in the new Wiki website for U3A Music groups I think it is a handsome looking website ((95% Tom Holloway's (U3A Signpost) work and 5% mine)) and should help spread the words U3A and Music and may encourage people to venture into the fascinating world of the internet.

It can be accessed in the UK simply by entering U3A Musicgroups in Google, then follow through Books, Films etc or click on the link below.

 

Archive Music Appreciation Group webpage

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