Author name: richard

A community afternoon of creating Christmas crafts, suitable for pre-school to intermediate aged children.
Come along with your family and join in the festive spirit of making Christmas crafts. From 3:30pm on Friday 9th December 2016.
Afternoon tea provided for both adults and children.
All welcome, we look forward to seeing you there.

Takapuna Methodist Church, 427 Lake Road, Takapuna. 09 489 4590

‘Return of the Russian’

Andreï Freïdine, the brilliant Franco-Russian Clarinettist and Christopher Hainsworth on Organ

 Sunday 6th March 2016  At 4:00pm at the Takapuna Methodist Church

The combination of clarinet and organ is unusual but surprisingly successful. They will be  performing a deliciously varied programme for clarinet and organ  chosen from Mozart’s Concerto  and « Quintet », LaTraviata Fantasy, virtuoso Variations by Beethoven and Rossini, and «  Se  Canto » (the ‘National Anthem’ of the South of France), Jazz  (Bechet, Goodman…) and especially exciting Klezmer highlights.

The 2014 NZ tour was such a success, with audiences alternately moved by the beauty of Andrei’s playing, staggered by his virtuosity and excited by his very lively performance of popular music, he has returned for another season.

This is an opportunity not to be missed. There may not be another chance.

For a taste see:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuFUIfd249Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u27o_gp0sRA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5SoUfOFp34

Admission by $20 donation. Proceeds to Organ Refurbishment Fund

Duration about 75 mins.

Put this date in your diary and come and support this very talented duo. Watch this space for more information in due course.

About the Artists

Christopher HAINSWORTH, distinguished New Zealand organist and long-term resident of the south of France, is known for his imaginative and entertaining programming.  Formerly Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Music in Waikato University now Organist of Beziers Cathedral, has been free-lancing in Europe for 30 years.   More here>.

Andreï FREÏDINE studied in Russia before moving to France, where he obtained his Premier Prix (1993) and Prix d’Excellence (1994) at the Versailles Conservatoire. He has performed in Germany, Austria, Bulgaria and Russia. Andrei now teaches clarinet and Computer Music Studies at the Beziers Conservatoire. He also records a variety of artists in his studio and works on acoustic projects for Eurocontrole.  More here>.

Further details from Brian Ellis email: brellis@theiet.org

International Concert Organist
Martin Setchell  –  Entertains on the Organ at Takapuna

This event took place on:
Sunday 11^th October 2015 at 4pm.   Takapuna Methodist Church

Martin, the Christchurch City Organist, is an international recitalist who believes in promoting entertaining organ music to a wide audience has just returned from a European concert tour. He has delighted audiences the world over with his spirited playing, lively personality and entertaining repertoire.

The concert was supported by the Auckland Council Creative Communities NZ.

All music-lovers are welcome and encouraged to come and enjoy a programme of Surprises.

Admission by program. A donation ($20) requested to support the refurbishment and maintenance of the Organ.

Children & students free.

Contact: Brian Ellis 418 2494, or Norman Firth 418 4245

What the Critics say:

“The globetrotting Setchell’s digestible programme and playing are highly tasteful. He both entertains and educates.” (Ian Dando, New Zealand Listener, August 9, 2014)

“real artistry . . . it’s fun listening to such splendid playing, meticulous and flawless . . .”
Bruce Steele, review of Cardboard Capers CD, Organ Australia, Winter 2014

“. . . he is an impeccable stylist, with nimble fingers (and feet) and is clearly having a jolly good time as well”

To view previous events go to Events Past

Sunday 2nd August 2015, 4pm. Takapuna Methodist Church

This variety concert, entitled ‘Vocal Colours’, was presented by mezzo-sopranos Lynne Anderson and Margo Knightbridge, accompanied by pianist Warwick Gibbs, and will also included an organ solo given by David Findlay an upcoming young organ student.

For this concert of vocal and keyboard variety, the singers performed a programme of solos and duets, covering music from the sacred repertoire, folk song arrangements, parlour ballads and popular song.

Lynne Anderson and Margo Knightbridge are experienced performers with many years of involvement in choirs, opera and musical theatre. Margo is a co-founder of Orlando Singers and both are members of the vocal trio Three Mezzos and also perform as independent soloists.

Warwick Gibbs is a teacher of the piano, an accomplished pianist and accompanist and works with singers, string players and choirs.

Proceeds were applied to the Organ Refurbishment Fund.