Club Night 7th December 2010

What a wonderful Club Night. What a wonderful way to finish our Club Nights for 2010! A record Club Night audience were treated to some magnificent musicianship and lovely melodies. Our special guest artist for the arrival music was none other than Margaret Massey, who has to one of the finest pianists on the North Shore. Margaret played our Technics GA3 organ and then moved on to our Clavinova. Inspirational Margaret thank you so much! Some of our most talented members then gave us a veritable feast of music starting with Roy Steen on the GA3, followed by Carole Littlejohn, who came up all the way from Papamoa to play for us. To finish the first half, Taka Iida played his magnificent Yamaha Electone D-Deck keyboard - gorgeous sounds, great arrangements and masterfully executed. After traditional mince pies and a cuppa (the bar was open for those that wanted a sip of wine), Denise Gunson treated us to some wonderful music on the Clavinova - what a lovely style and touch. After the special raffle draw, there were 11 buckets of goodies, we were treated to a grand finale with John Bercich, our Club resident professional, who was joined by one of his star pupils and a member of our Club, Jan Johnston. They played their Korg Pa1X keyboards and thoroughly delighted the audience with their great music.

As always, a big thank you to the Committee for organizing the evening so successfully.

                       

                        

      

           

Care & Craft Concert 26th November 2010

When Daphne Markwick, Supervisor for the local wing of The Care & Craft Centres of New Zealand Trust, asked if we could entertain their members for their Xmas Party we were very pleased to accept. The members of the Care & Craft Group meet at The Lady Allum Retirement Home in Milford. Peter Brophy, Peter Jackson, Roy Steen and Gordon Sutherland were the contributors for the event with lots of Christmas carols sung and seasonal songs played to the delight of the Care & Craft members. We were kindly invited to share lunch with the Group after the Concert which lasted about 75 minutes.

 

                                  

Prescott Club 24th November 2010

It was the Club's pleasure to play for the Prescott Club at St Joseph's Church Hall, Takapuna for an hour as a pre-luncheon concert. Members playing were Denise Gunson, John Beales, Gordon Sutherland and the MC was Peter Brophy. We were joined by Chris Larking. It is so wonderful that professional musicians like Denise and Chris are prepared to take time out of their busy schedules to participate in our Community Music Programme.

                          

                                            

                          

                                            

Coffee Day 15th November 2010

What a great Coffee Day. Weather started dodgy but turned into a gorgeous day for us to enjoy the finger food lunch in the sun-soaked back courtyard. About 23 Club members enjoyed the day of good music, good company and good cuisine. With the choice of an acoustic piano, EL90 Electone organ, Yamaha PSR-710 keyboard and a Korg Pa1X keyboard there was every opportunity to express ourselves. A big thank you to Jack and Phyl Briscoe for opening up their lovely home to the Club members for a memorable Coffee Day.

Club Night 2nd November 2010

A record attendance of members and visitors were rewarded with an absolutely absorbing evening of music. The evening started with a DVD presentation of the Club's Clavinova being played by Glynn Madden of the UK. A few UTube video clips were shown at the start of proceedings also which had the house rolling about with laughter! Then, a Japanese visitor, Mayu Murakami, played our Clavinova with two popular Japanese ballads. Yvonne Moller then entertained us on her lovely Korg Pa1X keyboard and followed by Marlene Forrest on the Clavinova - well played ladies. To finish the first-half, Alan Dadson, played three pieces on the Technics GA3 organ and then a piece of the Clavinova - nicely played Alan and thanks for all the pre-work to become familiar with our GA3.

                        

                              

The Second-half of the evening was passed-over to our special guest artists, Darren Smith (National Retail Manager for MusicWorks) and Murray Hancox (Piano/keyboard Manager at Atwaters MusicWorks, Hobson Street, Auckland City), Wow, did they turn-on a fantastic concert with a great selection and variety of songs that also brought-out the gorgeous sounds and styles that the Clavinova CVP-509 is capable of as well as the magnificent newly released Yamaha Tyros 4. These magnificent instruments can be further inspected at Atwaters Musicworks, Hobson Street, Auckland City where Murray Hancox is the Piano/Keyboard Manager (Phone: (09) 303 1919).

                 

                

             

A big thank you to the Committee and support members for making the evening go so smoothly and oh how the Big Screen facilitates a grand-stand view from anywhere in the House. Supper was provided by Alan Wilkins and support members - thanks Alan for stepping into the breach whilst Delyse Whorwood recovers from surgery.

Tyros 4 Launch

Atwaters Musicworks launched the new Yamaha arranger keyboard flagship - the Tyros 4. An enthusiastic audience enjoyed Musicworks National Demonstrator, Andy Keys, highlight the exciting new sounds and features of the latest iteration of the venerable Tyros - the Tyros 4. Atwaters Musicworks, Piano and Keyboard Manager, Murray Hancox, finished off the hour and a half launch with some great R & B songs. A splendid luncheon then awaited the attendees whilst discussing the exciting new features of this magnificent instrument. Thanks to Darren Smith of Musicworks, Murray Hancox and Andy Keys for making the launch so enjoyable to all present.