The Music Appreciation Group meet at
the Town Council Day Centre, Sandy Lane, Caldicot
every 4th Thursday of the month at 2.00pm.
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.
website link: http://u3amusicgroups.pbwiki.com/
Summer Serenade a Stunning Success
Pianist, Iain Farrington delighted his audience with a programme entitled Summer Serenade in Grayhill Hall, Caldicot Comprehensive School on Sunday, 30 July. He demonstrated wonderful talent on the U3A's Blüthner grand piano which was previously owned by Dr Oscar Puls having been sent to the UK from Germany by his mother in 1924 and is now 110 years old.
Dr Puls was in the audience and said afterwards that he had never heard the piano played with such power before, a great treat for him and for us all. A vote of thanks was given by U3A Chairman, Glenice Dallow.
The recital was arranged by Gerry Nicholas of Caldicot U3A Two Bridges Music ably assisted by other members of the U3A Music Appreciation group.
*please click the photographs above to access a large image
SWANEE RIVER COMES TO CALDICOT
On Saturday 1st April, vocalist Tony Jacobs and his piano accompanist, Jim Barry, enraptured the local audience in Caldicot Choir Hall which was full for this event.
Photo: The artist at the piano is Jim Barry and the artist standing is Tony Jacobs
*please click the photograph above to access a slide show of SWANEE RIVER COMES TO CALDICOT
at the Choir Hall.The audience quickly warmed to Tony’s superb singing voice with songs covering the years from Al Jolson to Frank Sinatra, and his casual style, with wit and humour kept everyone entertained. In addition to singing, Tony played trumpet, told jokes, and engaged in repartee with his audience. He also talked about his ten years as vocalist with the Sid Lawrence Band.
As well as accompanying Tony, Jim Barry demonstrated his virtuosity on the piano with jazz interpretations of many popular songs and pieces of music.
Shortly before the interval, Tony asked for requests from the audience and by the end of the interval, these two excellent entertainers had combined the requests into a medley of both songs and solo piano pieces. Everyone present was most impressed and enthusiastic about the event and expressed a desire for another visit from them in the future.
The evening was arranged by Two Bridges Music, the Caldicot U3A Music Appreciation Group, and the evening was declared a ‘resounding success’ by the Group’s Convenor, Mr Gerry Nicholas. A vote of thanks was given by Mrs Anna Nicholas, before a very happily nostalgic audience returned to their homes.
Welsh Brass Consort, entitled Strike up the Band.
Played, Classical, Jazz, Themes from Movies and Broadway music.
*please click the photograph above to access a slide show of the Welsh Brass Consort performing at the Choir Hall.
Here are a few photo's of the Welsh Brass Consort which presented 'Strike up the band' at the Choir Hall on the 20th November
Welsh Brass Consort Members
Martin McHale - Trumpet, Dean Wright - Trumpet,
Donald Clist on French Horn, Sean' Oneil - Tuba & Roger Cutts - Trombone.
On Sunday November 20th Two Bridges Music, The Caldicot and District University of the Third Age Musical Appreciation Group were proud to present a concert of Brass Band Music in the Choir Hall, Caldicot.
The Welsh Brass Consort presented us with "Strike up the Band". This group work in association with the Arts Council of Wales 'Night out scheme' bringing various forms of entertainment to the rural communities in all parts of Wales.
This well known brass ensemble have travelled world wide in their own right and have played with major British orchestras.
Collectively each soloist have been involved with and performed with, the orchestra of the Welsh National Opera.
The programme was wide and varied, classical works included Bach and Mozart. In part two we were treated to a selection of music from the shows. We enjoyed Gershwin, Gilbert and Sullivan and a wonderful music hall suite by Joseph Horowitz.
This concert was the final of four musical events presented by Two Bridges Music for 2005. The variation of themes brought pleasure to members and guests of Caldicot and District U3A.
Dianne Payne
Caldicot goes Classical
*Please click the above photograph to enter the gala recital photo album
On Saturday October the 1st. at Grayhill school Caldicot, the Caldicot & District U3A were proud to present to an audience of enthusiasts a concert of such quality it left us all speechless.
Mezzo Soprano Guang Yang the 1997 winner of the prestigious Cardiff Singer of the World Competition was accompanied by Ingrid Surgenor who is one of Britain’s most successful pianists and who is Internationally renowned for her work as an accompanist including 20 years for the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition.
Guang and Ingrid performed to guests, members of the public and the ‘Two Bridges Music’ group who are allied to Caldicot and District U3A.
These Internationally famous artists performed with such talent, warmth and grace it was a privilege to be in the audience.Those gathered there included many who had kindly sponsored and encouraged this ground-breaking venture; from the response after the concert each and everyone felt they had shared a wonderful experience.
The programme included work by Bizet, Samuel Barber, Saint Saëns, Mahler, Rossini, and Mascagni; Guang Yang also introduced us to a selection of traditional Chinese folk songs.
All in all a wonderful evening to be remembered and our thanks go to Gerry Nicholas, his Music Appreciation group and helpers. It is to be hoped that this will prove to be the first of many such ventures.
Dianne Payne
You can find more information about Mezzo Soprano Guang Yang and Ingrid Surgenor on our Archive Page
10th Anniversary Pageant 2005
Guitar Recital by Gareth Rees-Roberts
As part of their tenth anniversary celebrations Caldicot and District U3A were proud to present an evening of evocative guitar music in the Choir Hall on Sunday June 19th 2005.
Invited by the U3A's Music Appreciation Group, the guest artist was Gareth Rees Roberts. This superb musician studied at the Royal Academy of Music where he was awarded the "Julian Bream Prize". Since when he has travelled widely both in Britain and abroad bringing his musical talent to a host of venues as well as performing for the BBC Radio 3.
please click the photograph below to access a slide show of the Guitar Recital by Gareth Rees-Roberts*
His masterly art of the guitar and his understandings of the music and origin of the instrument over the centuries gave us a programme both varied and enchanting. In his chosen programme Gareth gave us music from both Spain and South America. Each piece seemed ageless but spanned the centuries from mid 17th to the late 20th century. The rhythm's of tango's, samba's and milonga's juxtaposed with traditional Spanish Airs and the wonderful Recuerdos De La Aihambra by Francisco Tarrega gave both breadth and depth to the well rounded programme.
The midsummer heat we experienced on Sunday surely vied with 'Southern Spain and this entranced the experience for the audience. They, in turn, clearly showed their appreciation of the knowledge and talent of this most delightful and expressive musician.
The evening was, in part, in Association with Barclays Bank as an approved community project and we hope will be the first of many such ventures. Further concerts are planned for the Summer and Autumn and starting on a high note on Sunday evening, Caldicot and District residents will be assured of some inspiring music and performances.
"International Pianist plays at Greyhill Hall, Caldicot School"
On Saturday morning May 14th the Caldicot and District branch of U3A (University of the Third Age) "unveiled" their recently acquired Grand Piano and were delighted to welcome the international renowned - piano accompanist Ingrid Surgenor, who had agreed to visit and play a selection of music to the assembled audience.
This hour of informal chat and music was both a celebration and an introduction to members of their beautiful 100 year old instrument.
please click the photograph below to access a slide show of the International Pianist plays
at Greyhill Hall*
photo: Gerry Nicholas thanks Ingrid Surgenor
Through the support and generosity of the Severnside Area Committee of Monmouthshire County Council, the Caldicot Branch of U3A were able to purchase and arrange the restoration of the lovely kindly offered to them by of their own members.
The Music Appreciation Group of the U3A are planning a series of live music concerts to be performed by professional musicians and the piano will he the centrepiece and key to the events. They plan to reflect the tastes and styles of music represented both in their large group of members and also the inhabitants of Caldicot and District
As an added bonus, students of Caldicot School studying music will be able to use the piano for their pianoforte examinations
Later in the Autumn the U3A look forward to the return of Miss Surgenor to accompany a renowned singer. To raise funds for this, some exciting events are planned for the Summer. The first is a recital on the Spanish guitar and U3A are fortunate enough to have secured Gareth Rees-Roberts to perform. On Sunday the 19th June the Choir Hull at Caldicot will be the venue for this magical summer event Music, a glass of wine and pleasant surroundings all for £6.00 a ticket
© Caldicot and District U3A mmviii
