We are an established group of around 30 members. We aim to meet from 10 am to 12 noon twice a month on Friday mornings in term time, subject to room hire availability.  There are between five and seven sessions per term, making about 18 a year. The cost per person is £25-£30 per term, which includes coffee and biscuits, and provides us with a central Bath location with good audio/visual facilities, internet access and IT support.  We are a friendly and welcoming group, with time for discussion and socialising before the session and over our coffee break, and no musical  expertise is needed to enjoy and benefit from the sessions.

The format is flexible but is usually a talk, illustrated with slides and recorded musical excerpts.  The music is mainly, but not necessarily, classical – for example we have had presentations on Enigma Variations, women composers, Handel in Bath and London, favourite conductors, Arvo Pärt, Coleridge-Taylor, Jerome Kern's 'Showboat', 'The Magic Flute' and many many more - a full list of past sessions is available on request.  The talks are given by group members (very occasionally by an outside speaker) who include professional musicians, music teachers, amateur players and singers, or simply those with a particular interest. There is no obligation to deliver a talk, but we can only continue if enough members do offer one.  Full technical help can be provided to create PowerPoint slides, music from the internet etc.

Term dates and programme are given below but please note these are sometimes subject to change.

2026 summer programme

Apr 17 - A history of music in France, from medieval times to 1848, plainchant to Berlioz, Cliff Haresign

May 1 - Crumhorns to Chorales, my life with ancient instruments, Diana Terry

May 15 - Henry Purcell, an introduction, Margaret McAlpine

June 5 - Anton Bruckner, Sandra Heward

June 26 - Instrumental music in opera, Cliff Haresign

July 10 - Arthur Sullivan, Alastair MacKichan

2026 autumn programme

 Sept 25 - Music for children title tbc, Josephine Herrlinger

Oct 9 - Wigmore Hall Gala Concert, Guy Heppner

Oct 23 - BBC young musician winners, what follows, Judy Heppner

Nov 6 - Topic tbc, Tonino Howard

Nov 20 - Jean Sibelius, voice of a nation, Carolyn Haresign

Dec 4 - tbc

If you would like to join us or obtain more information, Bath u3a members please contact Margaret or Cliff, our convenors, via the Enquiry link at the top of this page. Non-members should contact the Groups Advisers for more information.