Touch my world with your fingertips.........................An evening at the Winter Gardens Prom

As many of my friends know, my house is often filled with music of some sort or other and has been for several years. From Louise and Peter with what the called the "dance faster" music from the film Amadeus to the Singing Kettle to Bon Jovi, Meatloaf, Billy Joel, to violins, recorders and clarinets. Oh, and a spell with a Bass Clarinet as well - just for something a little different!!!!

Last September, Paul decided to join the Strathclyde University Concert Band. As the name suggests, it's based at the Uni, open to students, staff and mmmmm - anyone else who cares to come along and join in. Paul is wanting to eventually do a degree in Music. Alas, one of the best degrees going has been axed by the uni and the replacement hasn't come into being - yet.

But first - the music. Paul has loved being in the band and has played some challenging music. They have 3 concerts - Matthew went to the last 2, since i was doing other things, But last night i went. It was held in the Winter Gardens on Glasgow Green - a lovely venue.

The Band played music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Andrew Lloyd Webber and others/. The BA Applied Music Ensemble were singing and there was a Brass Sextet.

I had that hairs on the back of your neck feeling when the Band started playing. There were more clarinets and flutes than you could shake a stick at and even a Bassoon and a tuba. God, i thought the tuba player was going to bust a blood vessel, or his guts or something - he put sooooo much effort into it!! And they ALL enjoyed it!!.
Now - none of these people get payed for this. They do it for love, enjoyment and maybe a drink down the pub after a show or rehearsals.

The singing was great as well - they did a Grease Medley which brought back so many memories for me and made me want to get up and dance!!

Me

Get up and dance!!

I am a woman who not only has 2 left feet, but a whole left body to go with them!! I usually am dragged on to the dance floor kicking and screaming under threat of death, torture or bribery. I usually pay up and so and sit down, so no one gets the chance to laugh at me!!!

And i wanted to sing as well.

Oh - my singing is 10 times worse than my dancing!!

But just for a while last night, i could sing and dance, even if it was only in my head and because those people made me feel like i could.

Now the politics bit.
Strathclyde University are cutting courses and moving move to research and other "viable" (science) courses. Music has not been replaced yet - tho there are some still fighting to make sure it will be. Other community ed courses and stuff like geography and sociology are to be axed to save money. Thankfully, the Music Society have been given 3 more years of funding, but it is small reward.

Last night, they could have had posters all over the place shouting down the cuts. There was only one - it said "save music". It spoke volumes.
And only one remark. The conductor said that he well remembered the campaign that the Musicians Union had in the 80's. It was " Keep Music LIVE" . He didn't really need to say much more - we all knew that if a great course like this goes, folk who want to take playing music to a high level will miss out. AND - the people like me and everyone else will miss out on a feelgood factor.

Yes - the science and research may well come up with a miracle tablet or cure for some ailment or illness. BUT - many studies have shown that music is also a good medicine. It reminds people of good times, helps some people with dementia remember the past and their youth, and helps them to communicate to the nurses and carers.
So what's better - the science where things get invented or the music which can also help??
Well, i'd say both - and neither can do it alone.

THe line"touch your world with my fingertips".................... It comes from a song by Queen - "Who Wants to Live Forever?"

The Vocal Ensemble sang it last night. And the music did touch worlds. For me it brought back memories of being 15 and going to see the film Grease, loving it, getting to my mid 30's and hating the film cos it was on TV when i was really ill to then going to Disney on holiday and loving Grease Lightening again, because the staff at Annette's Diner did a great rendition!!
ANd Evita - memories of being 19 and my 1st holiday without my parents, with friends in London and going to see Evita - the first musical i think i ever saw live!!

And Memories from Cats - Paul did that fro Standard Grade music. Mind you, i did want to high tail it to London and cut the throat of ALW for writing the music - i heard it SOOOOOOO often, it drove me bonkers. But the Lord need not worry - it got Paul a 1 in his exam, so ALW is forgiven. (and if he ever reads this - don't let it happen again!!!)

It was disappointing that no one high up in the University thought to actually come to the concert last night. Maybe they were scared that people would set about them. If that is the case, i think they are cowards. And the missed a good night of entertainment.

Maybe they just don't value music. Is it because they can't put it into a formula and come out with a nice straightforward result. Possibly. I just wish they had been there - the folk playing were great - the more experienced encouraging those who are still learning like Paul. Enjoying passing on the passion, making sure that passion is passed on again to others. Enjoying the night, making sure we the audience were enjoying it too.

Can you tell it was a good night????