Thursday, March 27, 2014

Chris Powell Theatre Organ Concert 27th March 2014

The North Shore Organ and Keyboard Club were thrilled to promote a Theatre Organ Concert given by Chris Powell from the UK in conjunction with the Hibiscus Organ and Keyboard Club. Chris is one of the UK's top Theatre Organ artists and tours Australasia every two years. It has been a tradition for the last 19 years that Chris plays at Red Beach Methodist Church for the HOKC on his NZ visits.

The good-sized audience were treated to two hours of wonderful music from various genres with Chris'  inimitable flamboyant style of play! What a wonderful musician! For variety, Chris also played a Korg Pa3X 76 note keyboard. Chris has one of these Korg keyboards at home in the UK.

We were grateful for the support of the Music Planet organisation for loaning us the magnificent Allen TH300 Theatre Organ and the Korg Pa3X. The TH300 was delivered by Peter Parkinson from Music Planet Botany branch. Special thanks also to James Duncan, President of the Wurlitzer Organ Trust of Auckland, for looking after Chris during his stay in Auckland and also for helping to set-up the Allen and Korg keyboards in the afternoon before the Concert.

A big vote of thanks also to the Steering Committee from both music clubs for planning this Concert over the last two years and members of both club’s Committees for managing the evening.

Video Snippets:

Chris Powell playing the mighty Allen TH300 3-Manual Theatre Organ at the Concert. Click on the Start Icon to watch the video which has been embedded courtesy of YouTube.com/

Chris Powell giving an Encore playing the Korg Pa3X (76-note version) at the Concert. Click on the Start Icon to watch the video which has been embedded courtesy of YouTube.com/

And Now the Photos:

Chris Powell in full flight on the Allen TH300 Theatre Organ. Photo Gordon Sutherland.

Peter Littlejohn playing the arrival music on his newly acquired Technics KN6500 keyboard. Photo by Gordon Sutherland The magnificent Allen TH300 Theatre Organ that Chris Powell played together with the latest Korg 76 note keyboard, the Korg Pa3X. The Allen and Korg were generously provided by Music Planet Botany. Photo courtesy of Gordon Sutherland.

Preparing the Big Screen for the Concert. L to R: Gordon Sutherland, James Duncan and Peter Littlejohn. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Chris Powell checking-out the Allen TH300 Theatre Organ during preparations for the Concert. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Gordon Sutherland preparing the video camera for use with the Big Screen. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. Chris Powell checking-out the Allen TH300 Theatre Organ during preparations for the Concert. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

The venue during set-up. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.    Vice-President of the Hibiscus and Keyboard Organ Club, Dave Winslade, introducing Chris Powell for the two hour Concert. Photo Gordon Sutherland

Chris Powell intoducing the next section of music. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons. For variety, Chris Powell played a Korg Pa3X for several sections of the Concert. Chris has one of these instruments back home in the UK! Photo Gordon Sutherland.

Chris Powell relishing playing the Korg Pa3X. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

The magnificent Allen TH300 Theatre Organ that Chris Powell played. The Allen was generously provided by Music Planet Botany. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Posted by North Shore Music and Keyboard Club at 11:18 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Coffee Day at Piha RSA

What a wonderful day we had for our Big Day Out at Piha RSA. A good turn-out of some 19 members made the trek over the Waitakere Ranges to the West Coast for our Coffee Day. We were hosted beautifully by the Piha RSA that made us feel most welcome and a big thank you to our member, Val Alison, for offering the venue to us. We were joined on the day by members of the Organ, Piano and Keyboard Society of Auckland Incorporated and it was great to share such a great day with them. We were pampered by a cordon bleu chef (Sean) who prepared our finger food for lunch without us lifting a finger! Also, the bar was open all day (courtesy of Leanda) and into the evening for cool refreshing drinks on the gorgeous, warm and sunny Autumn day. Ten of our members stayed on into the evening and enjoyed an a la carte dinner from the evening chef - Phil and team. Certainly a day to remember and we have an invite for next year so we obviously left a good mark.Once again, a big thank you to all our members for making the trip and contributing to such a successful Coffee Day. Also, a big thank you to the Piha RSA and Val Alison for hosting us so well.

Gordon Sutherland, Diane Lyons and our host for the day, Val Alison, having a relaxed conversation. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

The Piha RSA entrance. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons   Beautiful views of the Tasman Sea from the Piha RSA decking area. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

The Club's Details proudly displayed at the entrance to Piha RSA. Photo Gordon Sutherland

Peter Littlejohn having a go on the Korg Pa3X. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons   Desire Barrows preparing to play the Korg Pa500. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

Dorothy Waddel playing the Club's Korg SP-250. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons   A pensive moment by Peter Jackson before playing his Yamaha PSR-S950. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

We had 7 keyboards set-up and playing. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons  Michael Bramley playing the Yamaha PSR-S950 keyboard. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

John Beales playing his Korg Pa500. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons  Roy Steen playing the Club's Korg SP-250 digital piano. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

Piha RSA President, Rodger Curtise playing the RSA piano. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons    Treasurer, Laurie Conder playing his Roland G-70 keyboard. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

Gordon Sutherland, playing his Korg Pa3X. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons       Barbara Powell playing her Tyros 3 keyboard. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

Rob Powell playing his Tyros 3 keyboard. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons   Diane Lyons enjoying playing her Korg Pa900. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons

Dorothy and Trevor Waddel enjoying the sea views from the Piha RSA deck. Photo courtesy of Gordon Sutherland   NSOKC members and guests enjoying the occasion. Photo courtesy of Gordon Sutherland

Colleen Kerr playing the Club's Korg SP-250 digital piano. Photo courtesy of Gordon Sutherland

Posted by North Shore Music and Keyboard Club at 11:23 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Club Night and AGM 4th March 2014

We started the evening with the AGM which was completed in about 35 minutes with no issues surfacing. A vote of thanks was given to outgoing Treasurer, Jim Nicholson, and Events Manager, Peter Brophy, for their many years of hard work and tireless enthusiasm to keep the Club vibrant. We were pleased to welcome Laurie Conder as our new Treasurer and Diane Lyons who has taken the role of Events Manager. We are sure they will do a great job to keep the Club moving forwards. Acknowledgment is made for the other Committee Members contributions: Delyse Whorwood as Secretary; Peter Littlejohn as Logistics Manager; Colleen Kerr as Secretary emeritus; and, Ken Mahy together with all those that had helped during the year on door, camera and kitchen duties - particularly, Dennis Lyons and Sylvia Riddell.

Gordon Sutherland was presented with a bottle of red wine and a gratitude card for his 'sterling' work during 2013.

Holding the AGM. The microphone kept drooping more and more which seemed to cause huge amusement. Left to Right: Jim Nicholson (outgoing Treasurer); Gordon Sutherland (President); and, Delyse Whorwood (Secretary). Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.
After the Raffle and an early refreshments break, five of our members played for us, namely, in order of play: Denis Stewart; John Perkin; Peter Littlejohn; Pam Rea; and Colin Crann who also kindly did the arrival music for us.

All in all, a very pleasant evening of musical entertainment.

VIDEO:

Peter Littlejohn playing the Club’s Yamaha Clavinova CVP-509 on Club Night. Click on the button below to watch a YouTube embedded video of Peter playing.

THE PHOTOS:

Colin Crann playing the arrival music on his new Korg Pa3X 76 note keyboard.   Denis Stewart having a ball on his debut at the Club and playing his Yamaha Tyros 4. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

John Perkin playing his Korg Pa3X amidst an array of keyboards setup for the eveings entertainment. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.   Committee Member, Peter Littlejohn, playing the Club's Yamaha Clavinova CVP-509. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Pam Rea playing her Korg Pa80. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.   Colin Crann completed the evenings entertainment on his Korg Pa3X 76 note keyboard. Photo courtesy of Dennis Lyons.

Posted by North Shore Music and Keyboard Club at 11:24 PM 0 comments
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