Ruth Gordon Singers

Meeting Details

What we do

We are a happy informal group - singing for fun, not as a choir. We choose about 8 items to sing each time, from a large repertoire including old favourites, songs from the musicals, a few originals, and sing-a-longs.

We have a mixed membership of sopranos, altos, tenors and baritones, and a lovely pianist who takes us through our scales at the beginning of each session. Members do not have to be able to read music, although some do.

Each April at the U3A Monthly Meeting, together with other groups we give a concert for members. In the past we have visited other organisations and charities to sing for them.

Some background

When Dr Ruth Gordon came to Kendal from South Africa she made sure she could belong to and take part in as much as possible of the social life of the town. She joined the U3A, several interest groups welcomed her into their circle, and members often had the chance to enjoy her lively illustrated talks at our Monthly Meetings.

So it began. She set up our Singing for Fun group in her home, and by Jove it was fun with a capital F. We were introduced to many different songs, some of which we liked more than others, and many original pieces. For these Ruth wrote the words to music written by her friend Doris Fenn, who came over from South Africa and was present at our first concert for U3A members in 1999.

Ruth died on 11 January 2002, aged 91. When a celebration of her life took place at the Unitarian Chapel we were privileged to sing for her, and later, with the blessing of her family, to rename our group in her memory.

And so we continue, as we know Ruth wished us to . . .

Reports

July 2008
Continuing to enjoy our singing and friendship. Attendances have been down recently with an average of 30, perhaps due to holiday time. Some of us went to Hallgarth Community Centre on 22 May for another delightful ‘engagement’ and on Saturday 28 June, 19 of us gathered at Abbot Hall Social Centre for a singing workshop conducted by Joy, our lovely pianist. Joy put a great deal of preparation and work into what turned out to be a great fun day. Learning to sing in parts was an exercise in concentration! Our teacher showed great patience! Thank you Joy. And thank you my Guys and Dolls!

Kathy Webster

November 2007
As always, we are enjoying singing together at our fortnightly sessions in the lovely Unitarian Chapel Hall, with an average attendance of lately of 35. After our morning at Hallgarth three new members joined our group from there.
We have a busy time ahead of us as on 2 December we have been invited to take part in a carol concert for Cancer Care at the Unitarian Chapel, and on 7 December to sing at Stonecross Manor after Arthritis Care lunch. Our last date before Christmas is 11 December, but to celebrate Christmas we have asked the Instrumental Music group to join us for a morning of carols on 18 December. It is all go!
In February we have our own Christmas lunch at Kendal College, arranged for us as always by Betty. If you would like to join us please let me know and I will add your name to the waiting list.

Kathy Webster