Meet new Interest Groups Online member, Elisabeth
Elisabeth joined an online recorder group as part of her Interest Groups Online membership
"I knew a little about the u3a from my husband's remarkable aunt who has only just 'retired' from hosting an Italian group at the age of 92 but I imagined it was only open to people of state retirement age and above. I was therefore delighted to discover that an early retiree like myself (I'm 56) could be a member and so I decided to give it a go.
I am currently living in a very rural part of France and haven't been able to find a recorder/music group within sensible travelling distance so the online group is the perfect solution.
The joining process couldn't have been easier and I'm very grateful for the immediate help I received from Catherine Wykes in pointing me in the right direction and putting me in contact with Peter Stephenson, the group organiser; he, in turn, was very supportive and reassuring, sending a few examples of the types and standards of music played which further encouraged me to join.
Although a little nervous and unsure at first, I can't say how much I am enjoying the twice-monthly sessions and I really look forward to them coming around. Peter sends out the music in good time and I like the way I am being introduced to many pieces I perhaps wouldn't find or choose on my own which are helping to shape my practice.
Playing along to MuseScore software with everyone muted provides a very safe environment as when I make mistakes or lose my place, only I know about it and it doesn't spoil others' enjoyment! Peter is an excellent host, very positive and encouraging, and it's interesting and beneficial to listen to feedback from him and the other group members, many of whom are very knowledgeable. It's a diverse group and there is a light-hearted, chatty atmosphere to the sessions which I think is exactly how amateur music groups should be.
So ~ thank you, for a wonderful and enriching experience I never imagined would be happening! I certainly wouldn't hesitate to recommend the IGO to other people and I'm considering also joining the Welsh conversation class at some point in the not-too-distant future."
