The Recorder Group

Leader:  Joan Gibson - recorder@ashbyu3a.co.uk -

The recorder group, meet twice a month, to make music in a relaxed, fun way. I would hope that we would be able to cater for a wide range of experience and skill. We usually meet each month on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 10am, but occasionally it varies. Check here for up to date information.

April

On 2nd April 14 of us welcomed our guest conductor, Patrick Heatherly, who is the musical director at Lichfield u3a recorder group. A few years ago we benefited from two visits by Nick Epton, who also directs recorder groups around the country. Patrick brought some music with him to get us started; a couple of rounds, which were good fun, and a straightforward warm-up. We sat in a different layout, a semicircle, so that we and Patrick could face one another. (We usually sit in a circle.)

We also played some of our own music, including the Telemann tasters, with which we were familiar. He was able to improve our playing, by pointing out changes in dynamics, and getting us to listen more to the other parts. He was very supportive, encouraging, and enthusiastic. We could feel that our playing had improved.

We also paused halfway through for a brief break for a drink and a short discussion. Several members were keen to continue this practice, while others preferred to keep playing for the whole 2 hours. This calls for a debate!

On 16th April, there were 13 of us, and we played more three-part music than usual, in preparation for the concert with the Boundary Singers at Linton Heath on 9th May. We are going to be careful regarding copyright, as the rules are very strict. We plan to play popular, well-known tunes, as we did for the Open Day last year. In July, for the u3a Festival, there won’t be any problems with this issue, as the necessary licence has been obtained for the event, so we can use photocopies. We played some of the Recorder Poppettes: ‘When the Red, Red, Robin’, ‘Puppet on a String’, an Early Tudor Trio, ‘English Country Gardens’, Sellinger’s Round, ‘Since first I saw your face’, and a couple of Spirituals, the Cantique de Jean Racine, and the Hippopotamus.

The next practice, on 7th May, will include a practice for the concert. The compromise agreement about the tea-break seems to be for a strictly-limited 10-minute break, with a 10-minute extension to the practice. It has also been agreed that, when Patrick visits again, we start at 9:30 to fit in with the arrival time of his train at Tamworth station at 08:55. Last time he and Marion (his taxi-driver!) had a 30-minute wait before the start of the practice. His next visit will be on 21st May. Patrick won’t be coming to us every time: we are considering how often would be best for him and for us.

We had a new lady at the meeting on 19th. I've known her for ages, and she decided to join us to see what we get up to. She seemed to enjoy herself, so we may see her again.

The group is growing! Trouble is, it gets more difficult to keep us all together when we play! Victims of our success!