STRICTLY STRINGS

Today I had the honour of listening to the first “public” rehearsal of a new duo, “Strictly Strings” formed by two ladies who both have a love of music.  I was only an “audience of one” but it was a delight to hear them play.

D, the lady playing the cello has been a friend of mine for many years - and is also a Blip friend, mindful_life - although until today I had never heard her play and the other lady, Vikki, is a friend of hers - and I had never met her until today, but we clicked straightaway.

They met when taking their sons to swimming classes and got chatting - both realised they loved music and playing the cello and violin, although neither had played for a while, so they decided to get together to practice. 

Things snowballed - well it is the winter after all - and they decided they would like to play to an audience so approached a local public house, which was happy to let them make their debut at a “Christmas Cracker” event being held there next Monday to raise funds for a Community Defibrillator.

Having never played in public before, their confidence was a little lacking - although having heard them today, I don’t know why - so I offered to go and be their first “listener”!  I was invited to give constructive criticism, but I have to say that not much was needed.  

We did laugh when they started playing the first piece of music though, as Vikki played an F Sharp that shouldn’t have been there, so after that, whenever F Sharp was mentioned, we all dissolved into giggles.

What an enjoyable afternoon in the company of two lovely ladies - both much younger than I, but we just gelled and as I love music too, it was a real pleasure listening.  I happily tapped my feet to all sorts of Christmas music and hope that those listening next week will appreciate all the hard work they have put in.

It was only when I got home and started making the collage that I realised I hadn’t taken a photograph of the two of them together.  Ah well, there’s always next Monday!

“Let us have music for Christmas…
     Sound the trumpet of joy and rebirth;
          Let each of us try, with a song in our hearts,
               To bring peace to men on earth.”
Mildred L. Jarrell

P.S.  Many thanks for all your lovely comments and stars for yesterday's Blip, which were much appreciated - apologies that I didn't get round to commenting back.