CONGRESS 2008 HUGE SUCCESS, ROLL ON PALMERSTON NORTH!
ORGANZ Congress 2008 ended on Queen's Birthday Monday 2 June with the handing over of the Congress banner by Auckland Organists' Association President Michael Cox to Roy Tankersley of next year's hosts, the Manawatu Organ Group.
The theme for the 2009 Congress in and around Palmerston North, again on Queen's Birthday Weekend, will be "Joining the Ranks" and will focus on the potential of the organ with other musical instruments, including orchestra and even electric guitar! A very attractive programme is coming together and details will be announced before long.
The Auckland Congress was acknowledged as an unqualified success on virtually every count. Highlights included:
- Hayko Siemens' absolutely first class Congress recital, his Reger lecture, choral directing skill and his willingness, with Heike, to become part of the Congress family.
- Two superb concerts by "The Age of Discovery" early music group.
- The closely fought Organ Performance Competition in which Dunedin's Rachel Swindells just pipped a very talented group of competitors.
- The re-emergence of the Congress Choir for the Sunday service.
- The splendid catering, St Mark's fine facilities and, of course, fellowship with friends new and old.
Welcome to the new website of ORGANZ
(The New Zealand Association of Organists Inc.)
This new website will, over time, contain a wealth of news and information for everyone with an interest in the organ in New Zealand. Visit it regularly to keep up with developments, especially our national Congress to be held in Auckland over Queen's Birthday Weekend, 30 May - 2 June.
We welcome anyone with an interest in the organ, whether a player or not, to join one of the regional organists' associations in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Otago-Southland. (There are also local organ groups in the Manawatu and Waikato.) The regional associations will link you into the organ community in your own area. It is also possible to join the national body ORGANZ direct.
Use the links on this page to contact the Regional or National Secretaries for details.
About ORGANZ
ORGANZ (The New Zealand Association of Organists, formed in 1961) is the national society for the organ community in New Zealand. Membership is open both to organists and others with an interest in the instrument.