They have come together each month since the mid-1970s, expecting no more from their gatherings than to play the music they loved.

On Friday, the group — about 15 or so — met at Sue Radloff’s Austin home, enjoying a holiday brunch before settling in with their instruments and performing for their friends.

“Well, after all, there aren’t many places to play, are there?” asked Sonia Larson, a pianist and singer.

But on this day, it seemed everyone played. Radloff’s living room was transformed into a performance arena. A huge Christmas tree and large, vaulting windows, framing the winterscape, provided the backdrop. Tuning up was her newly-formed string quartet of cellist Esther Barati, violist Emily Bain and violinists, Millie Masse and Radloff.

“Beautiful!” one voice exclaims, after the foursome finished its three selections.

The performance was the first of several given throughout the morning. There was flutist Amy Unseth, who traveled from Rochester to play. She was accompanied on piano by Janet Gilbertson. Gilbertson also accompanied the next musician, oboist Holly Dalager. Performer after performer warmed the winter morning with their music.

“It is a good way to work on our skills, and to share with each other,” Larson said.

They come from different backgrounds and abilities, and they float in and out of the group when jobs take them from Austin, or they move to be closer to children. After all, this society has been meeting for over 40 years. Many, like Radloff, have taught music (Radloff has been a string teacher at local schools and at Riverland); others, like Judy Personen, just enjoys the camaraderie.

“I am definitely an amateur,” she said with a laugh.

“A very talented amateur,” emphasized Gayle Heimer of St. Ansgar, Iowa, a retired Austin librarian who plays the flute. She is a relative newcomer, waiting to join until after she retired.

Personen said the group was formed when Austin resident Mary Lea MacGregor, a vocalist “with a beautiful soprano voice,” suggested the idea.

“She was the brainchild,” Personen added. “She had belonged to a similar group when she lived in Iowa and wanted to start one here.”

Larson was one of the original members, recalling that the Iowa group was called “Ladies Musical Improvement” which the ladies casually called “Lunch Most Important.”

Several laughed at the story. Humor also seems to be a mainstay of this group.

“It’s always been a nice way to meet new friends and it’s very informal. No dues. No officers,” Personen said. “There have been professionals, there have been amateurs; some have been just beginners. It’s a wide array of musical expertise.” That casualness probably accounts for the group not having a formal name.

Larson said she enjoyed the opportunity to work on a piece and present it. Many are members of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, but outside of a few performances for events, “there really aren’t many places to play, or to sing. I enjoy opera, but there are few places where you can perform.”

She said the group was very lucky to have the talent it has. She noted the background of cellist Esther Barati, who has played professionally in her home country of Hungary.

“She is a true professional … but very humble,” she said.

Radloff said she enjoyed the social connection with other musicians in the community, and the ability to create ensembles or other types of groups, to create different sounds.

“You hear us saying, ‘Oh we can do this! Let’s do that!” she said.

New blood can come as people move into the community — or in Dayna Jondal’s case, as people grow up. She is one of the youngest members.

“These women were my teachers,” said the 26-year-old violist, adding that it was an honor to play with them.

“I’ve always loved chamber music  … and here we are, like it was originally performed, in a home,” she said. “It’s always fun.”