(as related by Peter Torckler for the Club's 21st Anniversary)
'The Club was first considered at a meeting in Nov 1990 when a few music enthusiasts were concerned that the Organ clubs at that time were not catering for all keyboard instruments and because their meeting times were not suitable for young children to participate regularly, so it was difficult to encourage families to join.
The original meeting that was called was attended by Janice Bates, Barbara McNab, Marlene Forrest, Pam Rea, Ivan & Jocelyn Skinner and Peter Torckler.
It was resolved at this meeting to establish a Club called The Creative Keyboard Club and to have regular meetings on the 2nd Sunday every month, so that it would not clash with the other Clubs on the Nth Shore and would be a time when families could be encouraged to attend and so include young people into the meetings. After some investigation we were fortunate to secure the Red Cross hall for the Club meetings.
The first Club meeting was in February 1991. The Primary objects set down for the Club at its formation were to foster the playing and enjoyment of all keyboard instruments and in particular to encourage a platform for students and players to gain public performance experience and in so doing also provide enjoyable musical entertainment for those who wish to be an audience. In this the Club has considerable success as we have seen inexperienced and extremely nervous members both young and old gain valuable performance abilities and develope in to confident musicians. A few of the young people who have benefitted from the Club are Kane Steves, Sean Henderson, John-Paul Muir, Jessica Chen, Carla Wallace, Rachel Blair, Donald Cruikshank and Matthew Barker.
Looking now at the past calendar of important events:
Nov 1990 It was decided to start the Club
Feb 1991 The first Club meeting
Mar 1993 Very successful Sean Henderson Concert at the A.I.T
John Bult elected as President
1994 Sponsored Organ Club Competitions with the N.S Competition Socy, this continued to 1998
1995 We purchased the Club's first piano, a Roland HP2700
Feb 1996 Large group of members go on an enjoyable organized trip to Tauranga Theatre Organ Socy
Aug 1996 Another very successful Concert with Arapin Bumen at the A.I.T
Mar 1998 Purchase of the Club Organ, Yamaha EL90
Feb 2001 Club trip to Whittaker Musical instrument Museum, Waiheke.
10th Year Birthday and the President for 8 yrs John Bult dies.
Barbara McNab takes the Presidents position.
Oct 2002 Shift to Northcross Intermediate after 11 yrs at the Red Cross hall
2003 Marlene Forrest elected as President
Aug 2005 Shifted to East Coast Family Centre
Club members have also given concerts at a number of venues ... Mayfair Retirement Village, Parklane Retirement Village, OnsDorp Retirement Village (Henderson), East Coast Bays Summer Festival, East Coast Bays Library, Hibiscus Organ Club, The Rose Centre in Belmont.
And so, looking back over the last 21 yrs Club members can be proud of their acievements and successes, the Club has been fortunate to have an enthusiastic committee and others who have been willing to help wherever needed ... members who have served on the committee for many years, Brian Farley, Barbara McNab, Marlene Forrest, Phillipa Zink and Shirley Smale, Laurie Condor and more recently Dave Hallam who has fitted in very well taking over the gap that I left in 2006 when I retired and I must say I am impressed with the continuing standard of musicianship that the Club is maintaining under the guidance of Dave'.
