H Music

H04W Beginners Recorder

Max: 7, Sessions: 10

Tutor / Leader: Mrs Janet MCBRIDE

This course is for those wishing to learn to play a descant or tenor recorder. The course will cover basic fingering of recorder, basic reading of music and an understanding of music notation. A music stand will be required, and a recorder. A file in which to keep music sheets is advisable. A drink break will be available with biscuits for those who are patient with the tutor.

Weekly on Mondays 10:00–12:00

4 Oct to 18 Oct, 1 Nov to 13 Dec

Venue: Host’s house. Check your programme for details.

Clashes: C15R E15T F19Y F20Z G03U G04V H05X

H05X Black Lives Have Always Mattered: A Musical and Social Journey of the African American Experience through the Blues

Max: 8, Sessions: 4

Tutor / Leader: Mr John HILLS

This course builds on two previous ones delivered through the u3a on the “Story and Poetry of the Blues”. Since then, following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 in Minneapolis, the whole history and treatment of African-American has come into stark focus. The clues to the oppression of the US Black population and the disregard for their human rights was always present in the Blues . . . if the listener chose to hear it.

Weekly on Mondays 10:30–12:00

25 Oct to 15 Nov

Venue: Philcott Room, Friends’ Meeting House, The Friars, Canterbury, CT1 2AS

Clashes: C15R E15T F19Y F20Z G03U G04V H04W

H06Y Recorder Ensemble

Max: 40, Sessions: 11

Tutor / Leader: Mrs Janet MCBRIDE

This course is run jointly by John Nickson, Ursula Steiger and Janet McBride. Ensemble playing for descant, treble, tenor and bass recorders. Playing a variety of music—rennaissance, dance, ethnic, modern, etc. Players need to be able to read music and be prepared to practise at home. They do not need to be experts but confident enough to play with others around them. Music will be provided. People need to bring their own recorder, music stand and possibly a drink. A file to keep the music in would be helpful.

Every 2 weeks on Tuesdays 14:00–15:45

5 Oct to 30 Nov, 18 Jan to 15 Mar

then on the following dates 5 Apr

Venue: St Peter’s Methodist Church Hall, St Peter’s Street, Canterbury, CT1 2BE

Clashes: B11Y B12Z C21Y E18W E21Z F29X F30Y F31Z F32L

H07Z Ukulele Fingerpicking for Beginners

Max: 6, Sessions: 10

Tutor / Leader: Derek RUTTER

This is a course for people who are new to ukulele fingerpicking and wish to learn the basics. Some experience of strumming is advisable but not essential. Applicants should have a ukulele and be able to tune their instruments.

Venue is the Small Upper Room in Littlebourne village hall (lift available).

Weekly on Wednesdays 10:30–12:00

6 Oct to 8 Dec

Venue: Littlebourne Village Hall, 58 High Street, Littlebourne, CT3 1ST

Clashes: A13Z C22Z F33N J25W J26X

H08L Singing for Pleasure

Max: 100, Sessions: 20

Tutor / Leader: Ms Ursula STEIGER

This is not so much a course as an enjoyable and beneficial activity offering plenty of learning. We sing a wide variety of music in unison and harmony. There are no auditions and you do not need to be able to read music, though a little knowledge will make things easier for you. We give the occasional concert, but taking part is not compulsory. Come and enjoy the friendly, inclusive atmosphere and be a part of something very worthwhile.

Parking: Singers will be used to not having parking available on site. However the Holman’s Meadow car park is close by and there is meter parking in nearby roads. The Church is also on bus route 25 with the stop close by. Very limited disabled parking for blue badge holders is available at the hall, and this must be reserved through Ursula in advance. Please contact her also if there is any other access problem; help will be provided if at all possible but nothing can be guaranteed.

Wednesdays 14:15–15:45 on the following dates

6 Oct

then Weekly 20 Oct to 3 Nov, 17 Nov to 1 Dec

then on the following dates 5 Jan

then Weekly 19 Jan to 2 Feb, 16 Feb to 2 Mar, 16 Mar to 6 Apr, 20 Apr to 27 Apr

Venue: St Mary Bredin Church

H09N Skiffle Group

Max: 8, Sessions: 4

Tutor / Leader: Mr Robert FISK

Have you ever wanted to be in a skiffle group? Well, now is your chance. The aim is to play and sing a variety of suitable songs using typical skiffle instruments. I have an authentic tea drum bass, wash board and guitar which we can share. Please bring any other instrument such as penny whistle, mouth organ etc you can play. The plan is for participants to experiment in a relaxed manner. I will provide song sheets with chords and lyrics. I am happy to answer any queries.

Weekly on Thursdays 10:30–12:00

20 Jan to 10 Feb

Venue: Chartham Hatch Village Hall

Clashes: B15P B16R B17T C25P C26R F35R

H10P A Brief History of Music

Max: 8, Sessions: 5

Tutor / Leader: Dr Gill BURTON

This course will follow the development of music from early forms such as religious chant, through the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods to the 20th and 21st centuries. It will be illustrated by musical examples which we will hear during the afternoon session, with further suggestions for listening individually on YouTube outside the meeting. There will be opportunities for discussion.

Weekly on Thursdays 14:00–15:30

4 Nov to 2 Dec

Venue: Host’s house. Check your programme for details.

Clashes: E22L E23N F36T

H11R Ukulele Performance Group

Max: 15, Sessions: 8

Tutor / Leader: Mr Robert WOOD

This group is under new leadership and is currently rehearsing for a performance at the Canterbury Festival. New members will be welcome to join from January 2022 onwards. Thank you for your understanding.

This group is for reasonably competent players and /or singers, who would like to perform. THIS REQUIRES A COMMITMENT TO PRACTISE AT HOME, as well as attend the fortnightly sessions. We draw on the Ukulele Group’s Friday songbooks, as well as learning new pieces to keep our programme fresh and varied.

We perform at a variety of venues supporting charities and good causes, under the name ‘Ukelear Power’.

Every 2 weeks on Thursdays 14:00–16:00

13 Jan to 21 Apr

Venue: Hersden Community Centre, Canterbury, CT3 4HL

Clashes: B18U F36T H12T

H12T Music from K to O

Max: 8, Sessions: 5

Tutor / Leader: Dr Gill BURTON

At last, our return to the musical alphabet brings us to composers such as Monteverdi, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Liszt and Mahler, Kodály, Nielsen and Orff. We’ll include the mandolin and oboe and we’ll discuss the terms key and melody. You’ll be invited to bring an appropriate piece of music of your choice to the group. No pre-requisites; just your ears and an open mind. New and returning members welcome.

Weekly on Thursdays 14:00–15:30

10 Mar to 7 Apr

Venue: Host’s house. Check your programme for details.

Clashes: B18U F36T H11R

H13U Ukulele Group

Max: 50, Sessions: 12

Tutor / Leader: Mr Dave WALSH

A session for ukulele players of any ability who simply want to enjoy and develop their playing style and repertoire. Some attendees will be experienced players, so there’s always someone around to help! We play a variety of well-known songs from the last five decades and enjoy a sociable coffee break at half time. The group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month, with a Christmas break.

Every 2 weeks on Fridays 10:30–12:30

8 Oct to 17 Dec, 7 Jan to 18 Mar

Venue: Dunkirk Village Hall, Dunkirk, Faversham, ME13 9LF

Clashes: B19V C27T C28U C29V C30W F37U F38V

H14V Ukulele Finger-picking

Max: 15, Sessions: 11

Tutor / Leader: Mr Robert POTTER

This course is for ukulele players who wish to develop the skill of finger-picking the strings, in the manner of a classical guitar. We do not strum and sing. Different picking techniques are explored. The tunes we play are wide-ranging, from early renaissance, to classical and folk. This includes learning not only chord positions but being able to read and interpret tabs (musical notation) on the fret board. Ability to read standard music notation, as e.g. for the piano, is helpful but not essential. Members should be willing to practise between sessions. Music is provided in digital format, but members are encouraged to purchase relevant tutorial books.

The nucleus of the group is well established, but none claim to be expert—just keen to learn a new skill. We welcome newcomers enthusiastically, and support and encourage each other whatever our ability.

Venue is the Upper Room in Littlebourne village hall (lift available).

Every 2 weeks on Fridays 10:30–12:00

15 Oct to 10 Dec, 14 Jan to 25 Mar

Venue: Littlebourne Village Hall, 58 High Street, Littlebourne, CT3 1ST

Clashes: B19V B20W B21X C27T C28U C29V C30W F37U F38V

H15W Acoustic Americana and Country Music

Max: 8, Sessions: 11

Tutor / Leader: Mr Ian DAVIDSON

This group will aim to sing and play songs from across these genres. Please offer a relevant instrument such as guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, fiddle, cajon and/or vocals. The idea, hopefully, would be to ‘play around’ with the songs, not merely do them once. The emphasis will be on participation, contributing and enjoyment. We will operate from song sheets with chords and not sheet music. The course will only continue into 2022 if it works.

Every 2 weeks on Fridays 14:30–16:00

8 Oct to 3 Dec, 14 Jan to 25 Mar

Venue: Blean Village Hall, School Lane, Blean, CT2 9JA

Clashes: E24P