Monday, December 31, 2012

New Year’s Eve Party Night

What a great way to celebrate the New Year in. The North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club were pleased to provide the musical entertainment for the New Year's Eve Party Night at the beautiful Fairview Lifestyle Village and celebrated by both residents and members of The North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club. We got the ball rolling at 8pm sharp and carried-on with non-stop music until a little after midnight. Lots of dancing, laughter and convivial conversations as the night progressed. We drew the raffle (three lovely prizes in aid of Club funds) a little after supper and then the serious stuff of conga dancing and the Hokey Cokey got under way culminating in Auld Lang Syne as the New Year rolled-in. It was pleasing to see a good smattering of our members came along the enjoy the occasion and celebrate the New Year amongst friends.

A big thank you to all the musicians from the Club who helped make this a really special occasion as well as Colleen Kerr and Sylvia Riddell handling the raffle table. Also, a special thank you to Fairview Lifestyle Village for making the lovely facilities available for the celebration. A big thank you to Barbara Bailey for manning the bar for the entire evening together with support staff. The evening was organized by the Club’s Events Manager, Peter Brophy and so a big thank you to Peter also for making the event go off so successfully.

The stage is set for the musical entertainment!    Peter Brophy doing a sound check prior to the start of the evening's entertainment.

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SAM_1508    Role reversal! Santa Claus sitting on Colleen Kerr's knee.

First act up was Denise Gunson on the grand piano accompanied by Brian Gunson on his electric guitar.       SAM_1511

Peter Littlejohn entertaining the audience on his Korg Pa1X.        SAM_1516

Gordon Sutherland playing his Korg Pa3X. Photo courtesy of Colleen Kerr.   Len Hancy singing along with Gordon Sutherland. Photo courtesy of Colleen Kerr.

Closing-in on midnight and the band played on... Jim Nicholson on grand piano, Len Hancy on jazz vocals, John Perkin on Korg Pa3x keyboard and event organizer, Peter Brophy controlling things.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Christmas Party 10th December 2012

What a wonderful Christmas Party for The North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club! The fun and frolics commenced at 10 am and continued full-on until about 9.20 pm. During the day, we used our Whiteboard to make sure everybody who wished to play had the opportunity to do so in 15 minute sessions. Lunch was available from the Fairview Village dining room and the Club provided tea/coffee and biscuits on tap for the entire day. About 60 members and guests sat down to a fabulous BBQ outside on the patio early in the evening - delicious! Refuelled by the fab dinner, we were energised to enjoy The Band giving us dance type music to have some fun on the dance floor. The Band included no less a personality than acclaimed musician/entertainer, Marian Burns. What a great way to finish the Club's activities for 2012. Joining us for the Party we were also pleased to welcome Rendall Miller and his wife Shirley and Rendall very generously played a cameo on the grand piano in our Happy Hour as well as accompanying Marian Burns for a number later in the evening! We also celebrated four Birthdays during the evening. Congratulations and Happy Birthday to: Diane and Dennis Lyons; Peter Littlejohn; and Bob McNab.

A very big thank you to the Club's Committee for organising this wonderful Christmas Party and special thank you to Fairview Lifestyle Village for sharing their lovely facilities with us. A special thanks to Barbara Bailey and her bar staff for providing 'refreshments' during our two hour Happy Hour! It was great that Chris Larking from Music Planet, Taharoto Road Branch, could join us for the occasion and share his great music with us also.

 

The Band really ripping it up! - L-R: Peter Brophy; Marian Burns; Len Hancy; Jan and Kevin Johnston

A guest artist, Mary Barrett, entertained us on her Korg Pa800 and later on the grand piano. Barbara McNab entertained us on her lovely Yamaha Tyros 4. John Beales gave the Korg Pa3X a whirl. Well done John, this was his first serious performance since his recent illness.Former Club President, George Watt, entertained us on grand piano. Acting Secretary of the Club, Peter Littlejohn, played and sang along with his Korg Pa1X. Ngaire McRae played for us on the Club's Korg SP-250 digital piano.Birthday Girl, Diane Lyons, entertained us on her Korg Pa500 including some great vocals as well. Diane used a wi-fi microphone whilst singing. Maestro, John Perkin, gave us a session using his Korg Pa3X. Some of our members enjoying the music whilst having a snack. Foreground L to R: Ngaire McRae; Jeanette Beamish; and, June McCrorie.Some Fairview Village residents enjoying the music and festivities. Preparing the stage for the evening's entertainment. Peter Brophy talks with Kevin Johnston. The oil painting in the background had arrived earlier that day for mounting. The painting depicts a scene north of Orewa and was painted by our multi-talented member, John Perkin. A guest artist, Mary Barrett, entertained us on her Korg Pa800 and later on the grand piano.Club President, Gordon Sutherland, playing his Korg Pa3X. Photo courtesy of Peter Littlejohn. SAM_1460 Michael Bramley played and sang for us on Peter Brophy's Yamaha PSR-910The Band L to R: Peter Brophy; Jan and Kevin Johnston; and John Perkin. Our talented member, Denise Gunson, played a session during Happy Hour. 

We were honoured to have Rendall Miller join us for our Party and he joined in the activities with some splendid playing on the grand piano during Happy Hour. Later in the evening he duetted with Maran Burns! Great stuff. 

Barbara Powell played Barbara McNab's Yamaha Tyros 4 very nicely. Ian Jackson also played during Happy Hour on the grand piano whilst Carey Forrest watches on.

We were joined at our Party by Chris Larking from Music Planet Taharoto Road, Takapuna. Thanks Chris for sharing your music with us even though you are very busy in retail at this time of year.

Members Diane and Dennis Lyons were celebrating their Birthday's at the Party and are seen here receiving a singed Birthday Card by Gordon Sutherland and announced by Len Hancy in background (with the customary 'Happy Birthday' having been sung). All our members present were pleased to sign the Birthday Card for Diane and Dennis. Also celebrating their Birthdays were Bob McNab (left);  Dennis Lyons; Peter Littlejohn; and Diane Lyons. Peter was commissioned to make the magnificent Birthday Cake for Dennis and Diane and we see them here at the cake cutting ceremony. 

Club President, Gordon Sutherland, congratulating Acting Secretary, Peter Littlejohn, on his Birthday. All the members present were pleased to sign the Birthday Card. Photo courtesy of Colleen Kerr.  SAM_1481A

A close up of Diane and Dennis Lyons Birthday Cake. So magnificently baked and decorated by Peter Littlejohn. Peter Littlejohn also made a Christmas Cake for the Party as well!

The Band really ripping it up! - L-R: Peter Brophy; Marian Burns; Len Hancy; Jan Johnston; and Kevin Johnston

Marian gave us a few virtuosos on her electric fiddle. Amazing music.

Marian Burns stepping-out into the audience whilst she enthralled us with her wonderful music - such energy and dynamism as she plays her fiddle.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Club Night 4th December 2012

Our Christmas Club Night was a great success with a record attendance of members and visitors - something in excess of 62 persons in attendance! And what a spectacular treat was awaiting the attendees with the very best of our players giving their all with some superb music and entertainment par excellence! The tradition of Christmas Hampers for our Raffle went very well also with some 12 Hampers won. A big thank you to our members for their generous donation of goodies for the Hampers. A very special thanks goes to George and Jean Watt for once again collecting and packaging the Hampers so beautifully. We were honoured to have join us this evening one of Auckland’s finest pianists, Ben Fernandez B Sc DCS, DMM, BMus(Hons). Ben plays solo and has his own quartet band as well and playing regularly at such venues as Sky City. We are hoping to entice him to come along and play for us next year as our guest artist (fingers crossed!).
The Club President, Gordon Sutherland, recently celebrated his 65th Birthday and the occasion was not allowed to pass unnoticed! A lovely decorated cake and gift were presented to Gordon to celebrate this milestone and as a thank you for all the hard work to keep the Club vibrant.
As always, a big thank you goes to the Committee and door duty staff (tonight it was Yvonne Crann and Sylvia Riddell) as well as “Mrs Mary Claus” (Jeanette Beamish) for making the occasion appropriately festive!
 
 Arrival Music was most ably played by our Treasurer, Jim Nicholson, on our Clavinova CVP-509All      Christmas Teddy taking a keen interest in the 12 Xmas Hamper buckets! A big thank you to our members for contributing to the Hampers and a huge thank you to George and Jean Watt for collecting and packaging the goodies for us as they have done now for many years.
Alan Dadson played the Clavinova for us making full use of the rhythms/styles to provide magnificent orchestrations.      Warren Levick (left) and Taka Iida played a couple of Christmas Songs as a duet
Taka Iida played three lovely orchestral arrangements on his Yamaha Electone D-Deck two manual keyboard.                 Committee Member, Ken Mahy, presented the Club President, Gordon Sutherland, with a gift to celebrate his 65th Birthday and as an appreciation of the hard work committed to the Club to keep it vibrant. Photo courtesy of Peter Littlejohn.
Brian Gunson and Denise Gunson played a duet for us. Sounded great!     Gary Chester, (left - playing electric bass)  joined Brian and Denise Gunson to create a trio and they sounded terrific. Gary and Brian provided vocals as well! To finish off, Gary and Brian then performed three numbers with just their guitars - good stuff!
Our guest artists were The Silverbeats. Left to Right: Kevin Johnston on acoustic guitar; Jan Johnston on Korg Pa1X; Peter Brophy on Korg Pa3X (but providing percussion FX as well); and Len Hancy providing Jazz Vocals (and some percussion effects as well). They certainly got the Members feet tapping and audience participation with some of the sing-along numbers.      Our guest artists were The Silverbeats. Left to Right: Kevin Johnston on acoustic guitar; Jan Johnston on Korg Pa1X; Peter Brophy on Korg Pa3X (but providing percussion FX as well); and Len Hancy providing Jazz Vocals (and some percussion effects as well). They certainly got the Members feet tapping and audience participation with some of the sing-along numbers.
Our guest artists were The Silverbeats. Left to Right: Kevin Johnston on acoustic guitar; Jan Johnston on Korg Pa1X; Peter Brophy on Korg Pa3X (but providing percussion FX as well); and Len Hancy providing Jazz Vocals (and some percussion effects as well). They certainly got the Members feet tapping and audience participation with some of the sing-along numbers. Here we see Kevin playing his banjo and Peter and Len providing the percussion section!

Concert for St Anne’s Club for the Blind 4th December 2012

Part of the Club's ethos, is "Bringing Music To The Community". It was our pleasure today to give a Concert to the St Anne's Club for the Blind prior to their Christmas Luncheon. The honours to play for the members fell upon: Len Hancy (vocals); Peter Brophy (keyboard); and, Gordon Sutherland (keyboard). Len and Peter played together with sing-along style music to get the members’ feet tapping and their hands clapping not to mention exercising their larincs! Gordon played solo alternating with Len and Peter one song at a time. The Concert lasted for 80 minutes and the members seemed to thoroughly enjoy the programme. Gordon played more orchestration type pieces to offset the music hall focus of Len and Peter.

The North Shore Organ and Keyboard members that gave the Concert today were left to right: Len Hancy (jazz vocals); Peter Brophy (keyboard); and, Gordon Sutherland (keyboard).


The North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club has a long association with The St Anne's Club for the Blind as we have been playing for them alternate weeks for over 20 years! Great credit goes to George Watt, our Club's former President, for mostly doing the honours and playing for the Club over the last 20 odd years. Today was no exception, so after the Concert, Len, Peter and Gordon were invited to lunch with the members and whilst we feasted George Watt entertained us on the piano with some lovely Christmas Carols.

The St Anne's Club for the Blind has been in operation for some 44 years and so they have the legs on The North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club as we have only been in existence for a mere 35 years!
 
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Members having morning tea before the concert commenced.   Charles Raven was given the honour of cutting the Christmas Cake. It was also Charles' Birthday! He particularly liked the song that Gordon played "Band of Brothers" as it reminded him of the Normandy landings in 1944.
 Setting-up for the Concert.   Len and Peter in full flight.
SAM_1392     Gordon Sutherland announcing the next song he was about to play

Monday, November 19, 2012

Coffee Day at Delyse’s Home 19th November 2012

A lovely late Spring day saw 22 of our members attend the Coffee Day at Delyse Whorwood's lovely home at Birkenhead. We were treated to a wonderful variety of instruments to play, some terrific music and a veritable banquet for lunch! It was nice to sit in the various outdoor areas and relax whilst soaking in the music, the convivial conversation and a delicious glass of punch!
Thank you Delyse for opening your home to your friends at the North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club and for all your hard work to make the day so memorable.
 

Our gracious host, Delyse Whorwood, making the final touches to the luncheon table.    Some of our members enjoying a glass of punch and soaking up the sunshine on Delyse's deck.

                 Roy Steen playing Delyse's Korg Pa1X     Roy Steen playing Delyse's Clavinova

Barbara McNab giving Peter Brophy's Yamaha PSR-910 a whirl   Peter Brophy playing his Yamaha PSR-910

Errol Storey playing Delyse's Korg Pa1X         Peter Littlejohn playing Delyse's Clavinova