Exploring Classical Music

The Exploring Classical Music Group has been running for many years. We meet online to explore music. That is to listen to and discuss classical (and not only classical!) music of a composer we have never heard before, an unknown piece of a well-known and loved composer, or a performance that is worth listening to. These days we enjoy the practically unlimited resources available on various websites. To join our group you do not have to play a musical instrument, be well-informed about music or read music. All you need is to like classical music and have the patience to listen to it for about 90 minutes.
In the best democratic tradition of U3A, we take turns in presenting the music in our meetings. From time to time we have a Desert Island Disc meeting, usually dedicated to a specific topic: the members are asked to select an appropriate piece of music (up to 15 minutes long) that we then listen to in the meeting.
Before COVID-19 we met at member homes for a cup of coffee, a cookie or piece of a cake, and listened to classical music. Now we meet on Zoom. We have overcome the technical problems. For best results, you need an average-quality PC and a decent internet connection. However, a tablet or even a mobile phone can provide a reasonable quality of sound and picture.
The members receive with each meeting the playlist with links to the compositions so that they can listen again to the music presented in the meetings.
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Read some music recommendations in December 2022's News Extra
When
First and third Thursday of the month from 10 am to 12 pm
Group Size & Availability
Maximum 40
How to join
You can join this group, or the waiting list, via the Beacon Members Portal. To join a group you must first subscribe to Interest Groups Online. This is separate to a local u3a membership.
If you would be interested in helping to lead a group around this subject or any other, please contact
Interest Group Online members can contact the group leader via the Beacon Members Portal. Non-members should contact the Interest Groups Online team by email: