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.

 

 

 FOLK MUSIC EVENING Saturday 17th September 2011

*please click image above to access a larger photograpy

   “THE LABOURER,S YEAR” by TINKERS BAG FOLK GROUP

An evening of fun using traditional music and dance.

Tinker's Bag are a group of friends that have performed at many venues and music festivals.

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the Tinker's Bag concert in the Choir Hall

photo: TINKERS BAG FOLK GROUP

The Tinker's Bag Folk concert at the Choir Hall on September 17th was a very successful and entertaining evening. It was well attended and enjoyed by all. The evening had a “Rustic” theme with the floral table decorations followed by a picnic during the interval .

Many thanks to all who attended and to those who helped with the organisation of the evening. Proceeds of £200.00 (after expenditure )were donated to fund Dan Black's ongoing Medical expenses.

Peter and Pam Dormer

ABOUT TINKERS BAG Tinkers Bag are a group of friends that have played music and sung together since 1997, In that the group has written and played 6 full length shows and performed at concerts and clubs throughout the county and at Festivals and clubs well beyond Wiltshire’s borders.

Their shows have been “A Labourer's Year” , “A Seasonal Feast”, “A Wiltshire Wedding”, “Through a Wiltshire Vale” and “A Drop of Nelsons Blood” , “Songs of Old Wiltshire” and this, their latest for 2009, “Sing The Year Round”

Between them, the group plays a vast array of instruments including, Melodeons, Concertinas, bouzouki, Mandola, Mandolin, Guitar, Whistles, flute, recorder, Appalachian Dulcimer, Drums and cymbals, kazoos, triangle, shaky egg and many others. (though not all at the same time!!)

In early 2007 the group changed to their current line up. Bob & Gill Berry, Nigel & Christine Owen, Mick Hiscock and Richard Rees will perform as Tinkers Bag with others joining them on special occasions and as the need arises.

 

   MUSIC APPRECIATION AUGUST MEETING

We had a very enjoyable afternoon with a lovely selection of music chosen by Sandra Orme. They included, God Only Knows by the Beach Boys,The Flower Duet by Katherine Jenkins & Kiri Te Kanawa Moonlight Sonata, Air on a G String, You”ll Never Walk Alone by Muriel Dickinson, Sweet Caroline  by Neil Diamond,  Edelweiss ( Mandolin Classic) For All We Know by The Carpenters, Cecilia by Simon and Garfunkel, All I Have To Do Is Dream by Everly Bros

Many thanks Sandra for sharing with us  your “Musical Favourites” A selection of music which made very enjoyable listening.

The chosen topic for the CDS this month was music  titles composer titles or singer/musician titles both  starting with  the same letter. We heard Anchors Aweigh, music by  George Gershwin, Jennifer Juniper Tatiana Troyanos, Doris Day, Sunny Skies ,Java Jive,Charlotte Church, and Shakin Stevens

Our next meeting will be on Thursday September 22nd and the topic CD choice is Music with the word “And” in the title or musicians name eg Simon and Garfunkel ,Moonlight and Roses.

Peter Dormer (Assistant Convenor)

 

 

MUSIC APPRECIATION JUNE 2011 MEETING

We had a very interesting meeting this month with a lovely selection of music chosen by Rosemary Brown

Here is some of the music that Rosemary selected. Pilgrim's Chorus, Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, Triumphal March from Aida, Radetzky March and many more with music from Bryn Terfel, Andrea
Bocelli, Il Divo,  Faryl Smith, Hayley Westenra and Vittorio Grigolo.

Rosemary added interest to her selection by asking a question with each piece of music. Thank you Rosemary for a very interesting and
enjoyable variety of music.

The chosen topic for the CDS were Music with two four letter words in the title.  We had an abundance of CDS and were only able to play a few, some of the titles were Love Songs, Mona Lisa, Swan Lake, King Kong, Heat Wave, Baga Baga?? Born Free and Star Dust.

The next Music Appreciation meeting will be on Thursday 28th July and the chosen CD topic for this month is Music with one word in the title or the performer is known only by one name.

The one word title and one performer name must begin with a vowel.
(This should be an easy challenge eg “Who won the Eurovision Song contest in April 1974?”)

Peter Dormer (Assistant Convenor)

 

MUSIC APPRECIATION MAY 2011 MEETING

We had a very interesting programme of music at the meeting our thanks go to Jan Potter for giving a presentation with a lovely selection of Classical Music which had been used in the making of films.

Some of the films we heard music from were The Elephant Man ,Room with a View,Trading Places, Babe ,7 Year Itch, Out of Africa, Death in Venice Brief Encounter and The Sting.

The Chosen CD topic for the afternoon was “Cakes and Biscuits” Music played included NICE work if you can get it, Honey Bun, Whisper of Angels, Marshmallow Girl, Snow Ball, Hot Cross Buns, and many more. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.

The next Music Appreciation meeting will be held on Thursday June 23rd and the chosen CD topic will be “Music with only Two words in the title” (Now here comes the tricky bit ) Each word must only contain 4 letters.

Happy Hunting. Pam Dormer.

 

MUSIC APPRECIATION APRIL MEETING 2011

A CELEBRATION OF ENGLISH MUSIC

Our meeting was well attended and many members got into the swing of things with red/white/blue hats and flags which were waved during the playing of Land of Hope and Glory Music played included a track from “The Highgrove
Suite”, Cornish Rhapsody, Scarborough Fair, Nimrod, Jerusalem, Flanagan and Allen playing Underneath the Arches and much more which also included monologues from Pam Ayres.

During the interval tea was served with sandwiches and cream scones very kindly baked for us by Jan Potter It was an afternoon enjoyed by all.

Peter Dormer (assistant Convenor)

 

MUSIC APPRECIATION MARCH MEETING 2011

CELEBRATION OF THE MUSIC OF WALES

Our March meeting was well attended with some visitors, our topic for the meeting was to celebrate the music of Wales.

The afternoon began with a lively rendition of Sosban Fach by Clwb Cymru and there was a lovely selection of music including The Usk Youth Brass Band, David Lloyd, Eli Jenkins Prayer, Faryl Smith, Myfanwy, Fron Male Voice Choir, Land of my Fathers sung by Paul Robeson, Rhydian, Bryn Terfel, Max Boyce and much more.

During the interval we had refreshments of Welsh cakes for which we would like to thank Adele Harris and a Welsh fruit loaf baked in Crumlin Newport.

Our thanks also to Adrian Dallow for providing the lovely daffodils that decorated the tables. Many thanks to everyone who brought CDS to play it was a lovely afternoon enjoyed by all.

Peter Dormer (Assistant Convenor)

 

 

Music Appreciation visit back stage at the Welsh Millennium Centre

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of the visit to
the Welsh Millennium Centre.

photo: Millennium Centre

‘Both Sides of the Curtain’

28 members of the Music Appreciation Group went to Cardiff on 24th February to tour the Wales Millennium Centre. The Centre was opened in 2004, by The Queen.

We started outside (thankfully it wasn’t raining), where we were told about the design & architecture of the building, and some of its special features: - the frontage is clad in Welsh stainless steel (from Pontypool), specially treated to resist the effects of the weather; the two side buildings clad in Welsh slate (5 different colours), to resemble the strata of the earth found in Wales; the designs on the glass panels portraying the many sea/landscapes around Wales.

Inside, our guide pointed out the many different facilities and performing areas, told us about the ‘Resident Organisations’ that are based at the Centre including Welsh National Opera, National Dance Centre of Wales, Touch Trust. The most recent development (opened 2009) is the Hoddinott Hall, home of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales,where many of the broadcasts and performances on BBC Wales are recorded.

Then onto the main theatre (seating for up to 1800), named after Donald Gordon a South African who donated £10m. Our guide told us about the special design and acoustic features, explaining how the seating could be removed to make the space around the stage more flexible.

We then went ‘stage side’ - seeing some of the other performance/rehearsal areas including the Weston Studio Theatre; Scenery street (a very apt description) - where scenery etc is stored and moved during a performance; the loading bays-for up to 8 articulated lorries essential as some productions can have 10+ trucks of equipment etc. Entering by the Stage Door, we then walked down a maze of corridors, visited one of the dressing rooms and heard more about how things are done to ensure the smooth running of a performance.

The tour gave us a real insight into this amazing arts facility, and personally, when I next go to the Centre, I will have a much better understanding and appreciation of what goes on ‘both sides of the curtain.

Thanks to Pam & Peter Dormer for organizing a very interesting trip.

Pam Simpson



MUSIC APPRECIATION JANUARY MEETING 2011

For the January meeting we had our annual party, the meeting was well attended with some visitors.   Group members brought a favourite piece of music that they enjoyed listening to.

There was a varied selection of music including Trumpet Voluntary, Katie Melua, Pachabel Canon ,Clayton Farlow, Nat King Cole and many more.

The afternoon was very enjoyable and I can say  “A Good Time Was Had By All”.

Peter Dormer (Assistant Convenor)

 

MUSIC APPRECIATION OCTOBER MEETING 2010

The October meeting was very well attended. The meeting began with a selection of music from singers and choirs who found fame on TV shows such as Britain's Got Talent X Factor and Last Choir Standing .

We listened to music from G4, Jonathan Ansell, Paul Potts, Faryl Smith, Ysgol Glanaethwy School choir, Rhydian, Only Men Aloud and this year's current
X Factor contestant Mary Byrne .

The chosen CD topic for the afternoon was “Named Geographical Features” There was a mixture of Classical and light hearted music including Appalachian
Mountain Suite, Fingal's Cave, High Sierra, Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, The Moldau , and Volga Boatman and many more.

We had a lovely selection ofmusic Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting and who brought CDs for this topic.

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND AVERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

Peter Dormer (Assistant Convenor)

 

MUSIC APPRECIATION  SEPTEMBER  2010
“FOREVER VIENNA”

Our September meeting was the showing of the DVD “Forever Vienna” and I would like to express the group's appreciation to Laurie Tarr who came to our aid  for the loan of the projector  while the U3A projector was unavailable and to Dennis Appleton who arranged this.

The “Forever Vienna” DVD was of  Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss orchestra  “Live at the Royal Albert Hall” It is a programme of  music  ranging  from Classical  to the more light hearted .

Audience participation is encouraged such as whistling to the tune of  “Tea for two”
to Waltzing  in the aisles to the music of “the Blue Danube” and dancing to the Glenn Miller melodies Stars and Stripes, Zorba's Dance etc .

The programme ended with a Band of  Scottish Bagpipes playing “Auld Lang Syne” followed by Brazilian party music .

To complete the Viennese theme the afternoon ended with tea and Viennese Whirls

The afternoon was enjoyed by all with many of the group members wanting to know the details of the DVD to purchase it for themselves

Peter Dormer  (Assistant Convenor)

 

 

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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