Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Coffee Day 19th March 2012

Well the weather was terrible outside -pouring with rain all day - but there was a radiant glow in the reception lounge of the venue for our Coffee Day. We were hosted by the Birkenhead Baptist Church courtesy of Delyse Whorwood and Doug Farr and what a great day it turned-out to be. What with 6 keyboards to either play or listen to and a sumptuous lunch with lots of cooked dishes as well as finger food. Considering the weather, it was a great turn-out with 22 members braving the elements to share a memorable day of great company, great venue, and, last but not least, great music! A big thank you to all those members who brought along their instruments and a very big thank you to Delyse Whorwood for all her hard work in the kitchen together with all the willing hands.

 Delyse Whorwood practising on her Technics KN6500 whilst new member, Eileen Grainger, studiously watches on.   Peter Brophy (foreground) on his Yamaha PSR-910 accompanying Colin Crann on his PSR-710.   Barbara Powell giving Peter Brophy's Yamaha PSR-910 a work-out

        Denise Gunson playing Peter Brophy's Korg SP-250 digital piano with husband, Brian, accompanying on guitar.                Denise Gunson playing Peter Brophy's Korg SP-250 digital piano with husband, Brian, accompanying on guitar.

Peter Brophy (foreground) harmonizing with Denise and Brian Gunson Jim Nicholson playing the Korg SP-250 digital piano with Brian Gunson adding guitar licks and Peter Brophy harmonizing in the background SAM_0939

Colleen Kerr playing the Korg SP-250 New member, Eileen Grainger trying out the Technics KN6500. Eileen is getting back into her music and is checking-out the various models of keyboard before deciding what to buy. George Watt got the Korg piano swinging along nicelyNgaire McRae played some semi-classical pieces on the Korg piano The lovely sounds of the Techics KN6500 breaking through to Eileen Grainger as she tries out this keyboard John Beales gave Desiree Barrows Korg Pa500 a whirl

          Gordon Sutherland playing his Korg Pa3X and propped-up by the electric guitar! Photo courtesy of Brian Gunson.      Desiree Barrows playing her Korg Pa500. Desiree is recovering from a badly broken wrist but is not letting that stop her enthusiasm for her music.

Happiness is convivial company, great surroundings and a mutual love of music

Brian Gunson very kindly took this shot of some of the members relaxing to the great music Some of the members listening on to the music

         Doug Farr turned-up later on in the afternoon (straight from work) and played Delyse's Technics KN6500. Doug is a great fan of Technics having a KN7000 himself.     A rare moment! Doug Farr caught trying-out the new state-of-the-art Korg Pa3X. Doug was particularly interested in the piano sound and the organ sounds, Doug being a great theatre organ fan and collector!

 

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Club Night 6th March 2012

What a terrific turn-out of members and guests - our Club Rooms were just about packed to the rafters! What a fantastic evening! We started with our 35th AGM where all office bearers were re-elected with the addition of one extra Committee member, Peter Littlejohn - welcome Peter. After the AGM we were well entertained by our members: Ken Mahy on his Korg Pa1X keyboard; June McCrorie on the Technics GA3 organ; and the first half was concluded with Warren Levick playing the Yamaha Clavinova CVP-509.
After a sumptuous refreshments interlude (thank you Delyse Whorwood and helpers) we were treated to a concert by Kane Steves who used the latest Korg Pa3X 76 note arranger keyboard. What amazing music and  what a wonderful keyboard. It is great to have Kane back on the North Shore after his sojourn to Melbourne. Kane has re-joined Music Planet and will be initially based at Music Planet Orewa.

Committee Member, Ken Mahy, did the honours for the arrival music and then started the formal session off by playing one of his current favourites.                    It was great to hear June McCrorie back playing at the Club and giving the Technics GA3 a good whirl. 

Warren played our Yamaha Clavinova CVP-509 as a straight grand piano for his three pieces.

Kane Steves demonstrated the magnificent sound and features of Korg's latest top-of-the-range arranger keyboard, the Korg Pa3X. The instrument comes in a 61 note and 76 note version. Kane Steves demonstrated the magnificent sound and features of Korg's latest top-of-the-range arranger keyboard, the Korg Pa3X. The instrument comes in a 61 note and 76 note version. 

A well earned thank you to Kane from Club President, Gordon Sutherland. Photo courtesy of the Club Secretary, Colleen Kerr.