And a what great kind of people they are.
They are for the most part very people oriented with a great sense of fun and living life to the full. They are people of all ages, sizes, backgrounds and seem to generally fit for their age. They love acquiring learning, sharing and developing skills of older generations. They are motivated to put in hours of practice for the pure joy of doing things because they want to. They are for the most part fit mentally but also fit physically.
These are :
The type of person that worked together during the last world war to raise morale when the country was in imminent disaster from being invaded by the Germans.
The kind of people that set sail in their small boats to bring back the troops when they were being driven into the sea in Normandy.
The kind of people that, when faced with adversity instead of wingeing and complaining, get out their musical instruments, write a song about it or narrate a story of knights performing heroic deeds to raise our spirits and 'laugh disaster in the face'. Others use a craft or art to add something worthwhile to our lives.
The kind of people that go out of their way to help others when needed
They bring a breath of fresh air to the town in contrast to the sad commercialisation of the town by people hell bent in promoting 'festivals' that make money.
They encourage people like themselves in our community to take activities like the Lantern Procession out of the hands of power seeking individuals and return them back into the hands once again of a community group.
They see through the hype from government encouraged Royal celebrations,
Olympic torch relay nonsense,
Football and Tennis mania and even the
'Cumbria in Bloom' farce
They encouraging very local 'bottom up' activities by little groups of nobodies who get together without 'official guidance' and do their own thing.
They are good at conveying a strong message in the subtle ways of song writing, poetry, fiction, art and craft - the things we all value.
These are the kind of people and activities that are going to be needed in the future years
when the bulk of the population who follow the Red Top Media continue to blame others for the mess we are heading for
because of Global Warming,
because of Economic Disaster,
because of the Population Explosion,
because of Ethnic Cleansing and turmoil taking place in countries like Northern Ireland, Syria, Lybia, Egypt, India, Afghanistan, Iraq etc and
because of the "What we need is growth " Brigade at a time when the world's resources are stretched to the limit.
In contrast to people here in Ulverston who seek to find fault with any attempt to be positive, they just get on quietly and make music, dance, make beautiful things and celebrate the good things in life.
Hopefully a bit of their positive outlook will rub off and encourage each one of us.
Long live the Traditions of the past as they are carried forward by the young people of the present here thankfully in Furness
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Saturday, 14 July 2012
A fantastic night out
When I arrived at the Lantern House, last night, for the first organised activity of the Furness Tradition week end events, I had no idea hope much I was going to enjoy myself.
I shall try to tell you why is I can find the time and energy.
Meanwhile if you read this and trust my judgement come into town and visit as many of the events that you can - they will I believe be of top quality and appeal to all those that value the important things in like - joining in with others that are enjoying life to the full. In the commercial world full of hype and disappointment, this is a rare experience.
Having experienced any of these activities you will come away an enriched person - if you are a person that likes people.
Further details from the Furness Tradition web site.
I shall try to tell you why is I can find the time and energy.
Meanwhile if you read this and trust my judgement come into town and visit as many of the events that you can - they will I believe be of top quality and appeal to all those that value the important things in like - joining in with others that are enjoying life to the full. In the commercial world full of hype and disappointment, this is a rare experience.
Having experienced any of these activities you will come away an enriched person - if you are a person that likes people.
Further details from the Furness Tradition web site.
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Medieval music ?
Is it true that 'bards' used to tour the country making music like this?
Except that they could do it in tune.
They call it an embouchure with a clarinet . . what would the equivalent be here?
Friday, 23 September 2011
Another amazing concert at the Coro
The Manchester Camerata visited us again with brilliant musicians, fantastic music and a superb conductor.
Sadly the hall was less than half full so we're in danger of losing them next year. If this happens we'll have to travel to Manchester or Preston for simlar quality.
If you enjoy good musicianship of any kind, the quality here is sky high and you can bring children free.
I started coming to concerts and enjoying them at the age of nine. . .
I've returned from this concert, re-envigorated to practice the piano even more.
It's wonderful to be able to make music for oneself. The instrument one plays gives back so much. This is my prime goal at the moment and one of the reasons I don't post much.
I'm too busy taking care of myself and my own problems. I find that I need to spending time with real people who are positive ; blogging comes very low down my list of priorities.
Sadly the hall was less than half full so we're in danger of losing them next year. If this happens we'll have to travel to Manchester or Preston for simlar quality.
If you enjoy good musicianship of any kind, the quality here is sky high and you can bring children free.
I started coming to concerts and enjoying them at the age of nine. . .
I've returned from this concert, re-envigorated to practice the piano even more.
It's wonderful to be able to make music for oneself. The instrument one plays gives back so much. This is my prime goal at the moment and one of the reasons I don't post much.
I'm too busy taking care of myself and my own problems. I find that I need to spending time with real people who are positive ; blogging comes very low down my list of priorities.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Birkrigg is a must today
If nothing else.
You'll meet a lot of people with a broad smile on their faces.
That's a rare occurence these days.
Make every effort even if you have to drag yourself up by very small movements on your hands and knees.
You'll find someone there to help you down.
What's it all about?
Listen, listen, listen.
Lots of creativity in making sounds from the wind.
Harmonic Fields
If you get the chance go several times in different conditions.
Lots of ideas to spark off other activities . . . .
Ulverston will never be the same.
That's true of course every day of the year with the people who live here.
You'll meet a lot of people with a broad smile on their faces.
That's a rare occurence these days.
Make every effort even if you have to drag yourself up by very small movements on your hands and knees.
You'll find someone there to help you down.
What's it all about?
Listen, listen, listen.
Lots of creativity in making sounds from the wind.
Harmonic Fields
If you get the chance go several times in different conditions.
Lots of ideas to spark off other activities . . . .
Ulverston will never be the same.
That's true of course every day of the year with the people who live here.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Sadly , they've gone!
To the West Coast of Scotland and beyond.
Starting at Drumnadrochit, via Eigg, Mull and Iona .
You missed an amazing evening
But you lucky guys, they're stopping off nearby at Arnside on their way home to London.
Hear them at Arnside Village Hall in just over a fortnight on the Evening of Sunday 5th June .
Better book your ticket now!
They'll be high as kites after what I'm sure will be an exhilarating tour.
With material like this what else?
Starting at Drumnadrochit, via Eigg, Mull and Iona .
You missed an amazing evening
But you lucky guys, they're stopping off nearby at Arnside on their way home to London.
Hear them at Arnside Village Hall in just over a fortnight on the Evening of Sunday 5th June .
Better book your ticket now!
They'll be high as kites after what I'm sure will be an exhilarating tour.
With material like this what else?
Sunday, 26 December 2010
Snow Landscape from Hoad Ulverston
A video made a year ago. Having the sound of a great song greatly enhances these views from our favorite place to walk to - Hoad. At the time - the monument wass wearing its skirt - now its totally nude - bearing all in this ferezing weather.
Thanks Colin - Let's have another one - you've got the weather again - surely you can find something to sin (sic) about !
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Monday, 29 November 2010
Sunday, 21 November 2010
An absolutely superb concert at the Coro on Friday Night
The Ulverston Victoria High School, Wind Band was playing with what I would call a full orchestra in a concert where The Royal Marines had the 'privilege' of playing with them later on.
Richard Butler their teacher, leader and conductor had done a superb job of inspiring and guiding them.
They opened with a piece that showed off their talents of being precisely in time and in tune - not a thing you expect of youngsters, some of whom I understand were only 11 years old.
"The Showstopper" by Osterling showed their talents off and certainly made me sit up and take notice.
Their playing was crisp and precise. Closing one's eyes would have made it difficult to tell one was not listening to the Halle.
Opening them revealed some very young children hunched forward whose body language suggested a lack of confidence.
Had they been able to hear objectively what I could, then I'm sure their stance would have changed dramatically and they would have appeared confident and assured. The latter was true of some of the soloists who were top notch.
As time went on we suspected they enjoyed playing with their respected adults and I hope the thought occurred to them - "I'm as good as they are". It's true - I thought they were.
The school is looking for sponsors for their next few years activities . I hope these will come in quantity as Richard Butler once again has planned a series of many activities which will take them to Europe - to Strasbourg and The Black Forest in Germany in July 16 to 21, 2010 . This kind of activity brings confidence and is a deserved complement to the studies of students who will be working hard at school in other areas other than music.
I shall be supporting their endeavors - contact Richard Butler , their outstanding teacher at
rbu at ulverstonvictoria.cumbria.sch.uk if you want to do likewise.
If in doubt , come and listen to the UVHS Swing Band at the Dickensian Festival at the Market Cross at 5 pm this next Saturday, 27th November.
Hopefully I'll be getting a version of this with my camera up onto Youtube shortly afterwards - as I did in the Spring this year!
Richard Butler their teacher, leader and conductor had done a superb job of inspiring and guiding them.
They opened with a piece that showed off their talents of being precisely in time and in tune - not a thing you expect of youngsters, some of whom I understand were only 11 years old.
"The Showstopper" by Osterling showed their talents off and certainly made me sit up and take notice.
Their playing was crisp and precise. Closing one's eyes would have made it difficult to tell one was not listening to the Halle.
Opening them revealed some very young children hunched forward whose body language suggested a lack of confidence.
Had they been able to hear objectively what I could, then I'm sure their stance would have changed dramatically and they would have appeared confident and assured. The latter was true of some of the soloists who were top notch.
As time went on we suspected they enjoyed playing with their respected adults and I hope the thought occurred to them - "I'm as good as they are". It's true - I thought they were.
The school is looking for sponsors for their next few years activities . I hope these will come in quantity as Richard Butler once again has planned a series of many activities which will take them to Europe - to Strasbourg and The Black Forest in Germany in July 16 to 21, 2010 . This kind of activity brings confidence and is a deserved complement to the studies of students who will be working hard at school in other areas other than music.
I shall be supporting their endeavors - contact Richard Butler , their outstanding teacher at
rbu at ulverstonvictoria.cumbria.sch.uk if you want to do likewise.
If in doubt , come and listen to the UVHS Swing Band at the Dickensian Festival at the Market Cross at 5 pm this next Saturday, 27th November.
Hopefully I'll be getting a version of this with my camera up onto Youtube shortly afterwards - as I did in the Spring this year!
Sunday, 18 July 2010
On a wet day, give yourself a treat!
This is so beautiful,
it brings tears to my eyes.
Thankfully I can cheer myself up all over the house at the press of a button, I have one of her CD's and can go an emulate her music in my amateurish way on my piano.
Enjoyment to the full.
And now for a good dance about the place - without the piano!
Now can you keep your extremities still?
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Having fun with the piano
A few months later!
To see my previous video on the subject click on the label "piano" below made six months ago!
Friday, 11 June 2010
The Vuvuzela - great - but get those ear plugs in
Great for partying and dance but will it catch on here?
This is the best video, I could find:
We'll see when the fans return fro South Africa.
Article in the press today!
This is the best video, I could find:
We'll see when the fans return fro South Africa.
Article in the press today!
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Sevdalinka - I love this harmony
I'm captivated by this 'Gypsy' scale.
If you liked that then try these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yj_NbYbeF4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jViuYuQV-bw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCypSBYxxUA&feature=PlayList&p=0E46503AFC3DB847&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ2dIuAwh10 from 50 sec wow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt6FDBElmbg much quieter
My piano playing and composition is trying to reflect this.
Youtube here I come!
Watch this spot if you can cope with Dellow music on the piano!
If you liked that then try these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yj_NbYbeF4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jViuYuQV-bw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCypSBYxxUA&feature=PlayList&p=0E46503AFC3DB847&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ2dIuAwh10 from 50 sec wow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt6FDBElmbg much quieter
My piano playing and composition is trying to reflect this.
Youtube here I come!
Watch this spot if you can cope with Dellow music on the piano!
Monday, 4 January 2010
Manchester Camerata Concert on Saturday last
These concerts in the Coro never cease to inspire me.
The standard of the latest was sky high and the whole orchestra played very well.
A lot was due to the conductor who instilled a lot of enthusiasm in the musicians and thence to the whole hall.
There was a great sense of fun throughout. Well known works where brought to life so that you noticed for the first time harmonies and ways of playing that had been missed before.
The atmosphere for me surpassed the Last Night of the Proms which the program emulated.
Good to be part of a packed house.
Inspired me to achieve the same standard of excellence in my present projects, especially the Flowers/Parks one.
Feeling very grateful that these people travel all the way from Manchester to entertain us.
Aren't we lucky to have this standard of entertainment here in Ulverston!
The standard of the latest was sky high and the whole orchestra played very well.
A lot was due to the conductor who instilled a lot of enthusiasm in the musicians and thence to the whole hall.
There was a great sense of fun throughout. Well known works where brought to life so that you noticed for the first time harmonies and ways of playing that had been missed before.
The atmosphere for me surpassed the Last Night of the Proms which the program emulated.
Good to be part of a packed house.
Inspired me to achieve the same standard of excellence in my present projects, especially the Flowers/Parks one.
Feeling very grateful that these people travel all the way from Manchester to entertain us.
Aren't we lucky to have this standard of entertainment here in Ulverston!
Sunday, 20 December 2009
It's important to me to be able to entertain myself
One of the ways I do this is by making up music!
If anyone's interested to talk about what I'm doing - you know where to find me.
Apologies for the low quality of the sound.
If anyone's interested to talk about what I'm doing - you know where to find me.
Apologies for the low quality of the sound.
Saturday, 19 December 2009
Music in the Town on a Saturday
Once again the town is full of music
I missed the bands actually playing today though I could hear them in the distance.
Here are several examples of the Town Band Playing - I agree the camera shake is annoying.
I like this next video because it includes playing just outside the inside market.
A lot of people put energy in doing something they enjoy but at the same time give us a lift.
Last Thursday the woman selling the Big Issue in the "Potters Alley" was very happy.
In spite of the price having been raised to £2.50, she was selling plenty of copies. This makes up for the many times earlier on in the year when she's sold very few - she wasn't at all happy with the price rise to £2 in the summer.
There's a really good positive atmosphere in the town around Christmas.
It's sad that we don't have someone, selling the Big Issue from Ulverston to support.
Occasionally we get a local busker playing down by the Trustees Saving Bank. Maybe he could be persuaded to return regularly
I missed the bands actually playing today though I could hear them in the distance.
Here are several examples of the Town Band Playing - I agree the camera shake is annoying.
I like this next video because it includes playing just outside the inside market.
A lot of people put energy in doing something they enjoy but at the same time give us a lift.
Last Thursday the woman selling the Big Issue in the "Potters Alley" was very happy.
In spite of the price having been raised to £2.50, she was selling plenty of copies. This makes up for the many times earlier on in the year when she's sold very few - she wasn't at all happy with the price rise to £2 in the summer.
There's a really good positive atmosphere in the town around Christmas.
It's sad that we don't have someone, selling the Big Issue from Ulverston to support.
Occasionally we get a local busker playing down by the Trustees Saving Bank. Maybe he could be persuaded to return regularly
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Busking on the Market Square Saturday 31 Jan 2009
Shed on the Roof entertain the 'crowds'!
Came across this group after my visit to Poppies where we had a good discussion of how to get groups going in different parts of Ulverston. Today the focus was on the area around Ainslie/Burlington/Casson streets !
The feeling was that a group focuses on a particular issue and gets to work - picking up litter for example.
Waiting to see what other people want to happen!
Meanwhile the busking is great!
Came across this group after my visit to Poppies where we had a good discussion of how to get groups going in different parts of Ulverston. Today the focus was on the area around Ainslie/Burlington/Casson streets !
The feeling was that a group focuses on a particular issue and gets to work - picking up litter for example.
Waiting to see what other people want to happen!
Meanwhile the busking is great!
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