Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Christmas Club Night 1st December 2015

A great way to finish up the Club's programme for 2015. Our Christmas Club Night was a real cracker thanks to our wonderful musicians that played for us. The largest audience of the year shared the evening of great music, our 11 fantastic Christmas Raffle Hampers, and a scrumptious supper with traditional mince pies etc. It was great that Santa Claus made an early sortie from Lapland to hand-out the Hampers (thank you Laurie Conder).
A big thank you to Delyse Whorwood and Diane Lyons for all the work storing and presenting the Hampers. As always, Dennis Lyons did a great job with the photos. To all our members and followers, the Committee of the North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
The Videos:
Takashi Iida performing on his Yamaha Electone at our Special Christmas Club Night.



Audrey Henden playing the Club’s Yamaha Clavinova CVP-509 at our Special Christmas Club Night.

Vicky Chen and Rendall Miller duetting and playing the Club’s Clavinova CVP-509 at our Special Christmas Club Night.

The Photos:
Santa Claus (Laurie Conder) and his helper (Diane Lyons) preparing the Christmas Raffle Hampers for the lucky winners of the raffle draw. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.
Our host for the Night, our Treasurer and occasional Santa Claus, Laurie Conder, addressing the attendees. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.
Audrey Henden made her debut for the Club on Club Night playing the Clavinova. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Vicky Chen preparing to play for us on the Clavinova. Some of her pieces were accompanied by Rendall Miller using Taka Iida's Yamaha Stagea organ. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.
Our distinguished member, well know pianist, Rendall Miller accompanied Vicky Chen using a Yamaha Stagea organ. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Rendall played a couple of pieces solo on our Clavinova. Rendall chose "Rustle of Spring" and "Autumn Leaves" as a tribute to our former Secretary, Colleen Kerr, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.Taka Iida brought along his main Yamaha Stagea organ and gave us a magnificent 30 minute concert. Wonderful variety and beautifully executed. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.
Claude Moffat played a selection of George Shearing (fistfuls of chords) for us on the Club's Yamaha Clavinova CVP-509. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Professional musician, and distinguished member of the Club, Denise Gunson played a great selection of songs for us on the Clavinova. What a wonderful touch and such great custom arrangements! Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Friday, November 20, 2015

End of Year Party 20th November 2015

What a great way to celebrate a wonderful year of music and camaraderie! The Club's End of Year Party was held at the lovely Fairview Lifestyle Village, Albany. In the afternoon, members brought their keyboards or played the Village's grand piano enjoyed by our members and residents of the Village. After a wonderful dinner we were entertained by our MC/member and Village host, Len Hancy. Len sang along with some  great bouncy background music. Denise Gunson then entertained us on the grand piano for half an hour with her wonderful touch and custom arrangements of evergreens. To finish the evening, Jan and Kevin Johnston played some great dance music to fill the dance floor with appreciative dancers. Len Hancy joined in with vocals from time to time as did Roy Steen on the grand piano - magic. A big thank you to our artists that entertained us so wonderfully.

A big thank you also to the Fairview Management, Social Committee, and Len Hancy (our host) for sharing their wonderful Village facilities with us.
Special thanks must go to our Events Manager, Diane Lyons, who worked so hard over the last few months to make sure everything went smoothly. Our door duty staff also did a great job with the raffle: Delyse Whorwood, Margaret Black.

All in all, a Party to remember. We were sad that some of our members were indisposed and therefore unable to join us and we wish them a speedy recovery.

The Photos:

1_SAM_2895 Rod Moffat playing his Korg Pa3X. Rod and Nelleke Moffat entertaining us.Len Hancy (vocals) and Roy Steen (grand piano) giving a duet. Resident, Danny (93 years young) sang a few songs accompanied by a fellow Irishman, Roy Steen on grand piano. Peter Jackson playing his Yamaha PSR-S950. Photo courtesy of Diane LyonsOur intrepid heros on the 'desk' - Delyse Whorwood (left) and Magaret Black (right). Photo courtesy of Diane Lyons. Relaxing in the plush surroundings of Fairview Lifestyle Village's main lounge. L to R: Laurie Conder, Len Hancy, Jim Nicholson, and Edith Fyfe. SAM_2905Members enjoying the Party. Photo courtesy of Diane Lyons Diane Lyons enjoying the occasion with her Korg Pa900. Photo couresy of Dennis Lyons Laurie Conder playing his Roland keyboard for us. In the background, Delyse Whowood and Margaret Black are dutifully manning the raffle and information desk.Errol Storey played the grand piano for us in Happy Hour.         Claude Moffat playing the grand piano. Photo courtesy of Diane Lyons

Denise Gunson playing the grand piano for us in a mini-concert immediately after dinner. What a wonderfully talented pianist.

Residents and Club members relaxing in the oppulent surroundings and enjoying the wonderful music.

Residents and Club members relaxing in the oppulent surroundings and enjoying the wonderful music. Peter Jackson  casting his magic musical spell on the audience!

Our guest artists all the way from Algies Bay, Kevin and Jan Johnston, gave us a great bouncy after dinner concert - certainly got the audience on their feet and heading for the dance floor. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Left to Right: Len Hancy our MC for the evening adding vocals to Kevin Johnston and Jan Johnston. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Club Night 3rd November 2015

A great night of music with a good sized audience who were entertained by 5 of our wonderful musicians. Colin Crann played the arrivals music followed by performances by: Pam Rea; Michael Bramley; Colin Crann; and Ian Jackson. After a refreshments break, Roy Steen entertained us on his Korg Pa80 and Korg Pa300. Great music and Roy only had 3 days notice to prepare as our scheduled artists Jan and Kevin Johnston had to cancel due to indisposition.

The Videos:

Pam Rea Playing her Korg Pa900 on Club Night:

Michael Bramley playing his Yamaha PSR-S950 on Club Night:

Colin Crann playing his Korg Pa3X (76 note version) on Club Night:

Ian Jackson playing the Club’s Yamaha Clavinova CVP-509 on Club Night:

Our Guest Artist, Roy Steen, playing his Korg Pa80 and Korg Pa300 on Club Night.

The Photos:

Our guest artist for the night, Roy Steen, shown here setting-up his Korg Pa80 and (on the top) his Korg Pa300. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Colin Crann playing the Arrival Music on his Korg Pa3X (76 note). Colin also gave a 15 minute performance in the first half of the programme. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Michael Bramley preparing to play his Yamaha PSR-S950 for his performance. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Pam Rea preparing to play her Korg Pa900 for us. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Ian Jackson preparing to play the Club's Clavinova CVP-509. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Coffee Day at Evelyn Page Village 23rd October 2015

A great Coffee/Community Music Day at Evelyn Page Retirement Village. What a wonderful lifestyle village. We were made very welcome with Ryman Healthcare providing our members with complimentary morning and afternoon teas and a sumptuous lunch. Our members turned-on some great music too as did the Evelyn Page Choir. All in all a wonderful day enjoyed by our members and the residents as well.
A big thank you to our hosts at the Village: Dorothy and Trevor Waddel and Julia and Bob Bissett. A big thank you also to our Events Manager, Diane Lyons, for co-coordinating the event with our hosts. The Committee members contributed also with door and MC duties.

Roy Steen preparing to play his Korg Pa300. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Audrey Hendon playing the grand piano. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.  Yvonne Moller playing her Korg Pa1X. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.Brian Teviotdale playing his Technics KN7000. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Denise Gunson playing the grand piano. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Sandy Crawford playing the Yamaha PSR-S950. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Peter Jackson playing his Yamaha PSR-S950. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Rod Moffat playing his Korg Pa3X (76). Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Gordon Sutherland preparing to play on his Korg Pa3X. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.Laurie Conder acted as MC for the day. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Peter Jackson whooing the audience with his crooning voice. Laurie Conder playing his Roland BK-9 keyboard. Michael Bramley playing his Yamaha PSR-S950.        Diane Lyons and Margaret Black on desk duties and admiring the lovely morning tea sandwiches kindly provided by Ryman Healthcare catering staff - very tasty! Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

the Evelyn Page Village Choir with choir master, Julia Bissett and pianist Patricia. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.                                                                                      

   Patricia and Dorothy Waddel playing a duet on the grand piano.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Club Night 6th October 2015

What a great night of music. A near full house were treated to a variety of styles of music as well as a variety of instruments. It was great that our former President and long time member of the Club, George Watt, was able to join us and play the arrival music for us on the Clavinova. We were treated to some wonderful nostalgic yester-year Wurlitzer type music by our special guest artist, Ross Mead who brought his Yamaha EL90 theatre organ all the way from Papamoa to play for us! Ross was a member of our Club in the 1990's before relocating to Papamoa.

A big thank you to the Committee members that helped organize the evening and a special thank you to the great grandson of our Secretary, Delyse Whorwood, Ashton who helped set the room up and also did door duties! A budding pianist himself and I am sure he was inspired by Hana Tani who played the Clavinova for us so magnificently and still only 9 years old!

The Videos:

George Watt playing the Arrival Music for Club Night. George is using the Club’s Clavinova CVP-509.

Hana Tani playing the Club’s Clavinova CVP-509 on Club Night:

Laurie Conder playing his Roland BK-9 on Club Night:

Yvonne Moller playing her Korg Pa1X on Club Night:

Peter Jackson playing his Yamaha PSR-S950 with vocals and comedy on Club Night:

The Photos:

George Watt playing the Club's Clavinova CVP-509 for the Arrival Music Yuko Tani playing the Club's Clavinova CVP-509.

Hana Tani playing the Clavinova CVP-509. What a wonderful budding pianist! Photo courtesy of Laurie Conder. Hana Tani playing the Clavinova CVP-509. What a wonderful budding pianist!

Club Treasurer, Laurie Conder, playing his lovely Roland keyboard.    Yvonne Moller playing her Korg Pa1X.

 Peter Jackson playing his Yamaha PSR-S950.

Our guest artist, Ross Mead, playing his Yamaha EL90 Theatre Organ. Ross came all the way from Papamoa to play for us! Great to hear the classic 'Wurlitzer' sound played in Blackpool Tower style of play. Our guest artist, Ross Mead, playing his Yamaha EL90 Theatre Organ. Ross came all the way from Papamoa to play for us! Great to hear the classic 'Wurlitzer' sound played in Blackpool Tower style of play. Ross used to be a member of the NSOKC in the 1990's and early 2000's before relocating to Papamoa and so it was great to catch-up with Ross and for Ross to meet old friends.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Coffee Day at The Peninsula Club 15th September 2015

What a lovely way to spend a Tuesday! A beautiful Lifestyle Village, great camaraderie, wonderful food and fantastic music. A big thank you to our hosts, The Peninsula Club, for allowing us to share our music with the residents for the day. As always, a very big thank you to our Events Manager, Diane Lyons, for arranging the venue and raffle for us.

John Beales playing his Korg Pa500. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood. Pam Rea playing her Korg Pa900. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood.

Our Events Manager, Diane Lyons, playing her Korg Pa900. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood. Claude Moffat playing the superb Wertheim piano. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood.

Gordon Sutherland playing his Korg Pa3X. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood. Kevin Johnston accompanying the music on his Crafter acoustic guitar. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood.

Peter Jackson playing his Yamaha PSR-S950. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood. Yvonne Moller playing the Korg Pa1X. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood.

Audrey Hendon playing the Wertheim piano. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood.            Ian Jackson playing the Wertheim piano. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood.

Rod Moffat playing his Korg Pa3X (76 note version). Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood. Nelleke Moffat and Rod Moffat dueting for us. Photo courtesy of Gordon Sutherland.

Roy Steen savouring the sound from his new Korg Pa300. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood. Jan and Kevin Johnston gave us a mini-concert. Jan on her Korg Pa1X and Kevin on a Crafter acoustic guitar (loaned courtesy of Music Planet Takapuna as Kevin's guitar was in for service). Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood.

Errol Storey playing the Wertheim piano. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood.              Jim Nicholson playing the Wertheim piano. Photo courtesy of Delyse Whorwood.