Thursday, March 27, 2014

Chris Powell Theatre Organ Concert 27th March 2014

The North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club were thrilled to promote a Theatre Organ Concert given by Chris Powell from the UK in conjunction with the Hibiscus Organ and Keyboard Club. Chris is one of the UK's top Theatre Organ artists and tours Australasia every two years. It has been a tradition for the last 19 years that Chris plays at Red Beach Methodist Church for the HOKC on his NZ visits.

The good-sized audience were treated to two hours of wonderful music from various genres with Chris'  inimitable flamboyant style of play! What a wonderful musician! For variety, Chris also played a Korg Pa3X 76 note keyboard. Chris has one of these Korg keyboards at home in the UK.

We were grateful for the support of the Music Planet organisation for loaning us the magnificent Allen TH300 Theatre Organ and the Korg Pa3X. The TH300 was delivered by Peter Parkinson from Music Planet Botany branch. Special thanks also to James Duncan, President of the Wurlitzer Organ Trust of Auckland, for looking after Chris during his stay in Auckland and also for helping to set-up the Allen and Korg keyboards in the afternoon before the Concert.

A big vote of thanks also to the Steering Committee from both music clubs for planning this Concert over the last two years and members of both club’s Committees for managing the evening.

Video Snippets:

Chris Powell playing the mighty Allen TH300 3-Manual Theatre Organ at the Concert. Click on the Start Icon to watch the video which has been embedded courtesy of YouTube.com/

Chris Powell giving an Encore playing the Korg Pa3X (76-note version) at the Concert. Click on the Start Icon to watch the video which has been embedded courtesy of YouTube.com/

And Now the Photos:

Chris Powell in full flight on the Allen TH300 Theatre Organ. Photo Gordon Sutherland.

Peter Littlejohn playing the arrival music on his newly acquired Technics KN6500 keyboard. Photo by Gordon Sutherland The magnificent Allen TH300 Theatre Organ that Chris Powell played together with the latest Korg 76 note keyboard, the Korg Pa3X. The Allen and Korg were generously provided by Music Planet Botany. Photo courtesy of Gordon Sutherland.

Preparing the Big Screen for the Concert. L to R: Gordon Sutherland, James Duncan and Peter Littlejohn. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Chris Powell checking-out the Allen TH300 Theatre Organ during preparations for the Concert. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Gordon Sutherland preparing the video camera for use with the Big Screen. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Chris Powell checking-out the Allen TH300 Theatre Organ during preparations for the Concert. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

The venue during set-up. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.    Vice-President of the Hibiscus and Keyboard Organ Club, Dave Winslade, introducing Chris Powell for the two hour Concert. Photo Gordon Sutherland

Chris Powell intoducing the next section of music. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. For variety, Chris Powell played a Korg Pa3X for several sections of the Concert. Chris has one of these instruments back home in the UK! Photo Gordon Sutherland.

Chris Powell relishing playing the Korg Pa3X. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

The magnificent Allen TH300 Theatre Organ that Chris Powell played. The Allen was generously provided by Music Planet Botany. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

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