Like most people I love music and celebrate in the wide choice. Some I am keen on, some less so, but that is not a criticism of the type I like less.

I have been fortunate over my life to hear some amazing performances. From school days, the choices of parents, friends. Sometimes choices of theirs that I seemed to suffer, yet years later I now enjoy and appreciate. Some self-selected that I developed a curiosity in hearing more.

Such is the passing of life and the changing seasons in our tastes. Yet some types have come through all seasons and provided joy, comfort, amusement, reflection, even heart wrenching sadness. Yes, music can be moving emotionally and encourage us to move physically. Touching us in ways that stir. Making us feel alive.

A few days after enjoying some of sessions at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival in England I was at a couple of performances of classical music. The one thing that struck me was the differences in the mix of ages.

The players in the at the Jazz Festival were from a very broad age group - young to old. One young person had amassed an amazing, and large band where I am guessing the average age was around 30. Other performers would be long retired if they had followed the usual career, yet still travel globally to perform.

Interestingly, the Jazz Festival audiences also stretched from young to old for the same performances.

At the classical events the players were all young, one string quintet I am guessing were in their thirties, the piano player and Tenor early forties. The audiences significantly older…some would say old, with only a few young people.

One of the people I spoke with asked if classical music will fade away due to the audience age. I think then answered their own question when she mentioned that her great niece was at university reading classical music.

The buzzing crowd at the Jazz Festival were blessed with good weather which helped to keep spirits high for people of all ages.

It struck me that all too often we assess people by age rather than attitude. For me the most important thing is the engagement, the joy, the sharing of something that is magical in a musical way.

Perhaps at times I need to remind myself that it is the attitude that is so important – I have mentioned in another article the comment made by Benjamin Franklin...and do hope you feel alive, enjoying music with occasional dip into types that would not usually be your first choice.

Let us encourage the joy of live music.

My best wishes,

Peter