MUSIC was the main theme at the February meeting of Todmorden U3A.
Members were entertained with a talk from Richard Pomfret, the convener of the music group.
He began by saying that his only qualification for talking about music was that he had been in love with it all his life, and mentioned the radio programm
e "Two-Way Family Favourites" as an important part of his musical education.
He did not play an instrument, which he said was not necessary to be a musician. If you enjoyed listening to music you were a musician. He had called his talk "Music Hath Charm?" and explained that the question mark was to make the point that music was not just a relaxing background.
It had real power, and could be used to manipulate its listeners, for instance with martial or national music, background music in supermarkets, or in the case of classical music played to deter youths from lingering in bus stations.
Of the main elements in music, Richard concentrated on rhythm and silence. Strong rhythms were easy to listen to. Repeated rhythms were powerful and hypnotic. But in some forms of music, silences of the right length were also very important.
Richard was thanked by vice-chairman David Cross.
The short talk was given by David White, of Todmorden Community Brass Band.
This band had been set up to be non-competitive, and was open to everyone who wished to learn a brass instrument and make music.
There was a beginners' class, a five-note band, a training band, which gave several concerts each year in and around the town, and finally the senior band which played 20 to 30 concerts a year. They meet on Tuesday and Friday evenings at the bandroom on Wellington Road.
U3A chairman, Peter Gibson, reminded members that the annual general meeting would be in May, and as several committee members were stepping down, it was important that volunteers came forward to replace them.
The hard work of the current treasurer and other committee members had ensured that all procedures were now in place and there would be much less work to do in the future, but in order for the organisation to continue functioning after May, it was vital that a new treasurer and membership secretary were found.
These posts required a few hours' work each week, access to a computer and a basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
l The next meeting is at Central Methodist Church, Bramsche Square, on Thursday, March 18, when the main speaker is Bob Hayter with a talk entitled "So you use electricity, do you?"
