Club Night 5th May 2009

DIY Club Night but what a night it was with a goodly number of members making for a great atmosphere and superb music. We also had six different keyboards brought in by members to play. For variety we had the Technics GA3 organ wound-up by June McCrorie (her Club debut) and the Clavinova showed-off by our Club Secretary, Colleen Kerr.

 

Alan Wilkins did the honours for our arrival music playing his newly acquired Yamaha Tyros2 keyboard. Alan had an unfortunate incident with his car on his way to the Club but being as conscientious and enthusiastic as he is, this did not stop him entertaining the audience superbly.

 

 

 

 

June McCrorie did her debut at the Club on the Technics GA3. Well done June the first is always the most nerve racking and you came through with shining colours.

 

 

 

 

Ngaire Lonergan played her Technics KN2600 which sounded great especially plugged into the Clavinova to boost the sound for the hall. Well done Ngaire!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Jackson brought his Korg Pa1X and gave us a brilliant performance incorporating playing, singing and jokes that had us 'in tuts' laughing. Good stuff Peter. Peter is also the Vice-President of the Hibiscus Organ and Keyboard Club.

 

 

 

Club Secretary, Colleen Kerr gave us a masterly performance on the Club's wonderful Clavinova CVP-305. Colleen played: Moonglow; Up A Lazy River; and Dark Town Strutter's Ball.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pam Rea, President of the Hibiscus Organ and Keyboard Club and long-time member of our Club, brought her beloved Korg Pa80 and what a nice choice of songs, including one of the writer's current favourites "Greenfields". Very nice Pam as always.

 

 

 

 

 

Doug Farr tuning his Bass Woofer to optimize the sound of his pedal board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here you can just see Doug Farr's pedal board which is a plug-in module for the KN7000 and what a great enhancement to the sound for certain pieces that he played to demonstrate the use of manual bass pedals. Great keyboard, great playing Doug. Thanks for bringing all the gear along and giving us so much pleasure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Club member and renowned professional musician, John Bercich, gave us a cameo on his Korg Pa1X and wow John is really starting to make this baby talk. John makes extensive use of the Songbook database built into the keyboard to instantly recall all his settings for each song. Show stopping John - thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule of gigs. Check with your local RSA to see when John is appearing - he plays under the name of "Swingstarz" which includes vocalist, Barry Findon.

Prescott Club 29th April 2009

Gordon Sutherland, President of the North Shore Amateur Organ and Keyboard Club acted as MC for the concert as Peter Brophy was on vacation in the South Island (playing his Korg at various Probus Clubs on the way down and back). Thanks go to John Beales and Des Rouse for providing the great music on their own keyboards. These concerts are part of the Creative Keyboard Club of Browns Bay and the North Shore Amateur Organ and Keyboard Club's effort to take our music out into the wider community. Certainly, it is satisfying when the Prescott Club members show their appreciation of our music - it makes the effort well worth while!

Whilst Des was playing the first time around, yours truly stuck the PA leads into the Aux In sockets and wondered why there was no volume coming from the PA speakers! Des kept cool anyway, and the problem was solved before he played his second song.

 

John Beales playing his Yamaha PSR-S500 keyboard. John played two sessions and his song selections were:

April Showers; Baby Face; The Nearness Of You; Bye Bye Blackbird; Sally; Red Roses For A Blue Lady.

Nice arrangements and played very smoothly John.

 

 

 

 

Des Rouse playing his Yamaha PSR 3000 keyboard. Des did an 'Elvis' session first time around playing: Love Me Tender; Can't Help Falling In Love; Teddy Bear.

In his second session, Des did a Frank Sinatra selection: I Left My Heart In San Francisco; Three Coins In A Fountain. That got the members stomping in the aisles! Well done Des. Time was running short so Des never got to do his final piece "The Lady Is A Tramp". Hopefully, next time around Des.

 

 

 

With time limited, Gordon Sutherland just played two pieces in each of his two sessions. His chosen songs were:

This Boy (Lennon and McCartney); Ferry 'Cross The Mersey (including Gordon's pre-recorded vocals!); The Magnificent Seven; and the theme from the movie "Exodus".

 

 

 

 

 

The concert had no sooner seemed to have started than it was time to finish. I must learn to play "Happy Birthday" - very embarrassing as I generally only play 'the dots' and when asked to play for two members birthdays yours truly was stumped! Still, as a penalty, I had to sing "Happy Birthday" instead and I hope Dennis and Erika enjoy their special day.

And now the real heroes, the wonderful members of the Prescott Club enjoying their Wednesday morning and luncheon. Thanks also go the support team for the Prescott Club including: Wendy; Leslie and Dennis (caterer).