Coffee Day 16th February 2009

 What a lovely day! Thank you so much Alvin and Ann Fitzgerald for opening up your beautiful home and your wonderful hospitality for the Club's February Coffee Day. Looking at the picture on the right it looks like Alvin and Ann enjoyed the day also. Alvin looks very much at home on the Korg full length digital arranger piano (Korg Pa588) that was very generously loaned to the Club for our Coffee Day. Thank you Roger Smith from Music Planet, 16F Link Drive, Wairau Park, North Shore (Phone: (09) 444 4442). Why not call in and have a browse around the extensive stock of keyboards, guitars and acoustic pianos including top range brands such as Schimmel and of course Korg!

The day kicked-off about 10.30am with a friendly welcome and nice 'cuppa'. In fact we had a pretty good turn-out with some 21 members of the Club coming along to enjoy the day. Whilst some of our members just enjoy listening to the music and socializing, a fair number of the attendees were keen to have a go on this lovely fully-weighted 88 note piano with styles and sounds aplenty to give full orchestral arrangements - the touch screen was a big hit also as it makes it intuitive to change the rhythms, sounds and settings such as tempo. About 12.30pm we sojourned to the dining area to enjoy the terrific range of finger foods that everybody had contributed. The weather was kind also, so we were able to eat, talk and soak up the magnificent Waitemata Harbour Gulf views - very enjoyable.

So here we go with the pix of all the fun and frolics that we had before gradually fading away about 3.15pm.

 

Colin Crann was keen to get the 'show on the road' using full keyboard but with the arranger playing along for a really slick, professional sound.

Club Secretary, Colleen Kerr, enthralled us with her super classical style piano skills. Sure makes the "Steinway" samples piano sound of the keyboard sound a million dollars.

 

 

 

 

 

It was thrilling for us to hear June McCrorie make her Club debut. June was a little nervous but soon forgot the nerves as she enjoyed the piano. We certainly enjoyed her playing and June reckoned she couldn't play! Well done, June, for cutting the ice. We look forward to your playing in the future both at Club Nights and Coffee Days.

 

 

 

 

Next up, long-time member Marlene Forrest, entertained us using the built-in styles to add that professional touch to her delightful playing.

 

 

 

 

Jim Nicholson, the Club Treasurer, showed us he is not only good with the numbers but also with the playing as he rattled-off his old favourites and all from memory! Nice one Jim.

 

 

 

It was terrific to see Dorothy Waddel finding the time to come along and enjoy the musicfest! It is always a delight to hear Dorothy play with her professional touch and lovely choice of songs.

 

 

 

 

 

A 'new kid on the block' Roy Evans then entertained us with his straight piano playing. Roy is a keen organist with a large Rogers organ at home as well as a Clavinova! Roy has previously been President of a music group in Napier and so we hope Roy has found a 'new home' with our Club.

 

 

 

 

Former Club President, George Watt, felt quite at home on the Korg as he thrilled us with his easy flowing stride piano style of playing. I love the music on the music stand George! Oh, to have developed the ability to memorize music and be free of the shackles.

 

 

 

Alan Wilkins had several session during the day on the piano which seemed to intrigue him. Alan is self-taught and plays by ear and they must be pretty good ears because it sounded pretty good as he rattled off medley after medley of all time favourite songs such as 'As Time Goes By' and 'Misty'.

Newly co-opted Committee member, Delyse Whorwood, can be seen behind Alan and was intrigued with the instrument and the great playing. Delyse is taking piano lessons and so we look forward to her musical sojourns in due course.

 

 

Committee member, Ken Mahey, thoroughly enjoyed playing the piano in keyboard style with some nice styles to give a great backing to his songs. Desiree Burrows could not contain herself and so she joined-in with a duet whilst our host, Alvin Fitzgerald, watched on intently.

 

 

There was plenty of eating, talking and listening taking place as well. In the foreground we see Ngaire McRea (in the blue top) enjoying the playing before she stepped-up to the piano and gave us some terrific straight piano tunes. Yvonne Crann (in the white top) may not play herself but she sure enjoys the listening!

Taking a breather over lunch on the veranda which has superb views of the Gulf.

 

 

 

 

Peter Brophy in the foreground also delighted us with his playing by ear and covering the dance band era music - but he did manage to elude the camera whilst playing! Peter is the Convener for the NSAOKC and the Creative Keyboard Club so far as organizing our pool of volunteer players to entertain 'in the field' at such venues as the Prescott Club. I suspect he is trying to 'sign-up' Colin Crann in this photo to add to the pool of players for this ongoing Community Playing Project.