Mystical Vision , the prize CD this month

Douglas Mews in concert, Sunday August 31st, 3pm

Pipe Organ Calendars for 2009 - coming soon!

Splosh, dribble and gurgle. This newsletter is coming to you from a giant puddle nearby

Fair enough - it's winter here and supposed to be scungy. So what better time than to sit back and enjoy a word search competition by the indefatigable Augustine Whiffle?

Send in your words and you could win this marvellous 2-CD set of music by Richard Francis, recorded by Paul Derrett. Entitled ''Mystical Vision'', Richard's appealling and often very funny pieces are becoming well-known far away from his home country of Shropshire in England. If you think the name of Francis is familiar, it probably is. Richard's Introduction and Variations on the tune to Onward Christian Soldiers by Arthur Sullivan tune to (not included in this set), was recorded by Martin on his ''A Taste of Shropshire'' CD, and he has also included this work in his concert series in the Christchurch Town Hall.
Go to the page linked here, read the instructions, then click on the thumbnail . The large image of the word search puzzle will open in a new window. Right click and select 'Save image. . . ' and find as many composers (plus two librettists!) hidden either vertically, diagonally, horizontally and backwards and forwards, hidden in the letter grid. Send your list to word search@nzorgan.com by August 20th.

www.nzorgan.com/puzzle/puzzleindex.html
(By the way, congratulations to the last winner, Anthony Carr, of Victoria, Australia.)

2. Latest Reviews: The prize CD set ''Mystical Vision'' of Francis's music played by Paul Derrett on the organs of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and the City of Hull Town Hall, has just been reviewed by Philip Bailey. The full list of reviews is also available for those who may have missed out on some.
Read now:
www.nzorgan.com/reviews/08reviews-pb.htm

3. Bombardes away!!! Concert at 3 O'Clock!

Failing being washed away at high tide, the next concert at the Christchurch town hall is on August 31st. We look forward to hearing Wellington City Organist Douglas Mews (a great favourite of the kitties, needless to say) swap organ benches to play our Rieger. That's Sunday, 3pm, Christchurch Town Hall. Note it in your diaries now! I'll be putting up his detailed programme nearer the time, and Friends of the Christchurch Town Hall Organ will get a newsletter with details in August.

4. It's a date

Our 2009 calendars are going to be available within the next 2 weeks (fingers and eyes all crossed) Believe it or not, people are still buying the 2008 calendars. Intended for VERY tardy, disorganised types, I suppose. I'll be sending a quick newsletter out when the 2009 versions are ready. Meanwhile, if you want to browse, check out at www.organcalendars.com

5. New Plymouth bound

Next week Martin will be fluttering north for a spot of drier weather - but only as far as New Plymouth - for a concert on August 3rd at 2pm in St Mary's Pro Cathedral, Vivian Street. The Taranaki Male Voice choir will also present some items, and for Martin's programme, please go to his website at www.organist.co.nz and click on the 'Concerts' link .

6. Botox treatment for website

Inspired by the outpourings of energy from the looming Olympic games, from the training camp of my armchair I've been flexing a few grey cells and trying to revamp www.nzorgan.com. Howls of protest from fans of the original design, coupled with the mental exhaustion from contemplating changing it, all have moved me to alter only a few pages at a time. So, the latest Musings and Amusings (Flying High - have you read it?), Reviews, and now the Competition pages sport the new-fashioned, stream-lined look. Let me know what you think!
All suggestions - apart from the obvious - are very welcome.

Time to fish the kitties out from the nearest puddle, where they are happily disproving the theory that all cats hate water.
Don't forget to enter out latest competition!
Chirps
Jenny

contact me: newsletter@nzorgan.com