We first introduced themes for monthly meetings in 2024: an idea for people to focus their solo showcase works around, perhaps inspiring them to choose pieces months in advance, or try some new things they might not have thought of. The themes are always optional — if you don’t have something that fits the theme, you can happily play something else instead! We’ve had consistent feedback that people really like the themes.
If you want to remember the previous years’ themes, check out the Theme Nights for Solos in 2024 andThemes for 2025 meetings posts.
While the 2026 programme is still awaiting formal approval at the January 2026 Meetup and AGM, I think I can reveal the proposed themes as a preview!
Themes
- January — Distant Lands
Journeys in sound from Iberia to the Andes. - February — Numbers & Patterns
Groove, symmetry, polymeter, variations. - March — Faces & Places
Musical portraits. - April — Hidden Treasures
Overlooked gems and modern miniatures that sing. - May — Study in Style (Etudes)
Studies that also make convincing concert pieces. - June — Composition Competition
Original compositions and arrangements. - July — Summer Celebration
Members’ concert and social. - September — “Easy but not Cheap”
Maximum difficulty Grade pieces done to the best of the player’s ability. - October — Moonlit Strings
Gentle night-music: rocking, dreamy, cantabile. - November — Once Upon a Time
Narratives, scenes, characters—music with a plot. - December — Winter Celebration
Members’ concert and mince pies.
Artwork
I’ve generated some matching hero images for each month’s theme. Here’s the full calendar!
