Gramophone Circle

We are a circle of people who have a love of music of all tastes and gather once a month to listen to, chat about and discuss music. A member plays their personal choices adding snippets of information about the composer, the composition, the piece itself and so on. It is a most pleasant and enjoyable evening where friendships and a sense of community spirit are formed.

All are welcome and may it be said that none of us are musical experts. So come along to just listen or add your choices and share it with us, be it classical, jazz, sean-nos or opera.

More information can be received from Valerie Cuddy 435 3733 or Michael Burke 435 3642

A History of the Gramophone Circle
Do you remember the gramophone? The lovely cabinet, the winder on the side, the box of needles and yes the screechy sound. My grandmother had one and it was a source of wonder and fascination for me as a child. Often, neighbours to each others homes to come and listen to the latest John McCormick or Gigli record.

Gradually from these gatherings gramophone societies grew, where larger groups organised to listen to rarer records or ones too expensive or difficult to find. It was a form of concert of great singers, musicians, or orchestras of the day went into decline but the social contact and individual choices of presenters appealed to many and gradually their popularity grew.

The Glounthaune Gramophone Circle started in November 2002 when a small group, facilitated by Timebank, formed the circle and has it first presentation in December 2002. Do we have a gramophone? Not really but we do have a very good CD player and can lay our hands on a record player for vinyl when necessary. The presentations take place every second Thursday of the month, February to June and September to December at 8 p.m. in the Community Centre. The presentations are most enjoyable, the music, the presenter’s choice, adds an air of expectancy to the evening and the rapport with the listeners is delightful. Presenters come from within the group or we have guest presenters.

We invite you to join us, share your love of music of any kind with us or just listen.