Christmas Party 14th December 2009

Words fail to describe what a wonderful day we all had courtesy of our generous host, Peter Brophy.  The day started at 10.30 am and carried on until about 11 pm. Culminating in a starlight swim in the pool. In the meantime over 40 Club members and guests enjoyed the day with a great lunch and then a magnificent BBQ for dinner. It goes without saying that there was some incredible music played over the twelve hours and some fun jamming sessions with up to six piece bands improvising away to great effect. Thanks to all who participated and brought their gear. Particular thanks to John Bercich for bringing his Trixon Vibraphone; Ian Jackson for bringing one of his drum kits; Barbara and Rob Powell for bring their Tyros 3; and also, Kane Steves of Orewa Music, for loaning us the magnificent Korg Pa588 piano (and turning-up for a while to give us a great cameo). A day to go down in the memory banks as something really special.

Above: Carol Littlejohn, Ian Jackson and host Peter Brophy

Thanks you Peter for a wonderful day and thanks also to the Committee for all their hard work in facilitating this great Christmas Party.

 

 

Rob Powell, Ken Mahy and Peter Brophy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Brophy and Joy Eade

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colleen Kerr, Jim Nicholson, Colin Crann, Yvonne Crann, Dorothy Waddel and Barbara Powell enjoying the music

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 Trevor Waddel, Ngaire Lonergan, Ngaire McRae and Peter Littlejohn relaxing in the luxurious surroundings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Ken Mahy, Peter Brophy, Joy Eade and Alan Wilkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rob Powell, Ken Mahy, Peter Brophy and Joy Eade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The three ‘galley’ tenors! Peter Brophy, Gordon Sutherland and Peter Littlejohn. Peter showing-off his trademark Pavlova. Who says guys are not good in the kitchen?

 

 

 

 

 

  Lunch is served!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carol Littlejohn, Peter Brophy and Jim Nicholson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara Powell, Ian Jackson, Rob Powell and Dorothy Waddel gave a mini concert for about 15 minutes – nicely presented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara Powell, Ian Jackson, Rob Powell, Carol Littlejohn, Peter Brophy and Dorothy Waddel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ‘Full Monty’ – Barbara Powell, Ian Jackson, Rob Powell, Peter Brophy, Carol Littlejohn and Dorothy Waddel – amazing improvisation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Brophy, Ngaire Lonergan and Carol Littlejohn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Peter Jackson, Peter Littlejohn, Kane Steves and Carol Littlejohn. Kane Steves of Music Planet Orewa made a cameo appearance having kindly lent us the superb Korg Pa588 full 88 weighted note portable ensemble piano (seen in the foreground)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ian Jackson having a rest from the drums and showing his talents on piano

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Club Secretary, Colleen Kerr making lovely music on the Korg pa588 portable piano

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ian Jackson, Peter Brophy, Sklp Eade and Carol Littlejohn providing the vocals. You can see John Bercich’s Trixon Vibraphone being set-up for a session after the BBQ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carol Littlejohn and Gordon Sutherland vocalizing with Kane Steves on the piano and his daughter taking a keen interest in the activities!

Photo courtesy of Peter Littlejohn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gordon Sutherland, Delyse Whorwood and Ken Mahy taking a refreshing dip in Peter Brophy’s lovely pool.

Photo courtesy of Colleen Kerr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guest, Dave Hallam gave us a terrific session on the Korg piano accompanied by Ian Jackson. Wow – amazing music guys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Bercich playing his fantastic Trixon Vibraphone and accompanied by one of John’s students, Jan Johnston on the Korg keyboard together with Kevin Johnston on the guitar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hidden talents! Committee member, Delyse Whorwood, giving the drums a good rattle – impressive! Whilst Peter Littlejohn watches with admiration and Peter Brophy grooving along with the music provided by John Bercich and band. Peter reckons it has been ten years since he has done any dancing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gayle and Peter Brophy showing some slick steps as they dance to John Bercich, Jan Johnston and Kevin Johnston on guitar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maureen Jackson enjoying the cool music with Joy Eade in the foreground.
Photo courtesy of Colleen Kerr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carol Littlejohn and Jim Nicholson
Photo courtesy of Colleen Kerr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joy Eade and Gordon Sutherland enjoying the occasion.
Photo courtesy of Colleen Kerr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carol Littlejohn and host Peter Brophy enjoying the music from the ‘band’.
Photo courtesy of Colleen Kerr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And the band played on! John Bercich on keyboard, Kevin Johnston on guitar and Jan Johnston with the castanets
Photo courtesy of Colleen Kerr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jessica and Alita Bercich and Ken Mahy and Desiree Barrows enjoying the evening. Photo courtesy of Colleen Kerr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our host Peter Brophy taking a rest with Jan Johnston taking a break from the keyboard.
Photo courtesy of Colleen Kerr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carol Littlejohn playing the Tyros.
Photo courtesy of Colleen Kerr

Club Night 1st December 2009

The last Club Night of the year and what a great evening it turned-out to be.   The fun and frolics just kept on coming so the evening extended half-an-hour from 7.30 pm until 10.30 pm. A packed house was entertained in the first half by some great piano and keyboard playing courtesy of our Members and after a delightful supper and visit by Mrs. Claus, we were magnificently entertained by consummate professional keyboard player, John Bercich. John brought his Korg Pa1X arranger keyboard together with his Trixon Vibraphone and light show to give us a spectacular finale to what has been a wonderful year of musical indulgence. We are fortunate to have the likes of John Bercich as an enthusiastic Member of our Club as this gives us inspiration to continue pushing our musical boundaries. 
A big thank you to the Committee for making the evening (and the year for that matter!) go so well and a special thanks to George and Jean Watt for all their work on preparing the Xmas Hampers for the raffle - they looked splendid all nine of them! Thanks go to our Members also for their magnificent generosity in donating all the wonderful treats that packed the Hampers.

 

 

Alan Wilkins played the arrival music for us on his lovely Yamaha PSR S900 keyboard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Dorothy Waddel played three lovely arrangements on our Clavinova

 

 

 

 

 

 Len Osbourne has found a new musical ‘lease of life’ with his brand new Korg Pa500 arranger keyboard

 

 

 

 

 

 Barbara McNab made good use of the foot pedal to give us some slick style and sound changes as she played her three very nice arrangements. It helps I guess to own one of these ‘babies’ for pre-practice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Jackson brought his Korg Pa1X keyboard which he had pre-prepared some Xmas songs that he then sang along with. What a wonderful smooth crooner-type voice Peter has and his jokes were pretty good too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last, but not least, to finish the first-half of the programme, Club Secretary, Colleen Kerr played three very nice pieces in straight piano style including Chopin’s “Polonaise”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Claus paid a visit in the interval (Santa was very busy making deliveries in the Northern Hemisphere) and lots of sweet treats were liberally handed-out. Thanks to Jeanette Beamish for her wonderful efforts in this regard. Jeanette advises that she has had the Santa outfit since she was 17 years of age – just a few years ago!

 

 

 

 

Former Club President, George Watt, showing-off some of the 9 Hampers that he and Jean had collected, stored, packed and presented for us. Thank you George and Jean for a wonderful job as always. A big thank you to our Club Members for their generosity in donating these wonderful gifts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 John Bercich, our guest artist, playing his favoured Korg Pa1X arranger keyboard

 

 

 

 

Above: John Bercich on his Trixon Vibraphone whilst Jan Johnston plays along with her Korg Pa1X. Jan has been a student of John’s for a couple of years and wow what a difference learning from a master!

Above: John Bercich and student Jan Johnston duetting. They used two different rhythms and played them in sync to great effect.

            

Club President, Gordon Sutherland, thanking John Bercich for his great Concert. Photo courtesy of Club Secretary, Colleen Kerr.