Passion for the piano, people and a place, promoting positive performances, providing peaceful pleasure. Poetry for a pianist.
Inspiration can be taken from many aspects of life, from our natural world, experiences or through relationships with other outstanding members of your family, friends or community. Mentoring and fostering positive hope in the younger generations that follow is an important part of being an elder.
One such local lady of influence is Audrey Neville, who is currently ninety-three and a half years of age. Born way back in the 1930s, she first started playing piano at the age of eight, thus spanning an eighty-five and a half year musical career. Her talents as a pianist and her positive attitude that embraces longevity continually inspire not only me but many others. Still living in her own residence with her trusty old cat Tesca, driving and doing most things for her independent-self with only occasional help from me, her son David and her gardener.
Audrey enjoys good company, music, the odd glass of brandy (which we have in common) – and also her new-found local mag COROMIND, with a home-made espresso. Audrey is a pretty hip chick, to my mind. I have known her for many years and she continues to amaze me with her zest for life at every visit.
Her talents as a pianist and her positive attitude that embraces longevity continually inspire not only me but many others
True to Audrey’s hospitable nature she has enjoyed passing on her skills and love for the piano, tutoring many students in the past, young and old – continuing the age-old skill of reading sheet music and connecting the brain to coordinate two different hands and finger movements; giving her students a gift that will hopefully stay with them a lifetime; hosting the most amazing end-of-year student recitals, an entertainer who also loves to share her culinary skills, so you definitely don’t need dinner afterwards!
Her dedication to music in the community over the years is noteworthy, from Christmas concerts to entertaining the local Lions Club ladies. Starting in the early 60s here in Whitianga, she began accompanying the choir The Glee Girls, followed by The Tuesday Club.
Over the past eleven years, her ageing arthritic fingers have been hitting the keys for many concerts throughout Tairua and Whitianga with the group The Golden Girls. Audrey hosts weekly practices for up to twelve vocalists who perform hits from earlier eras for residents in local aged care facilities. They are rewarded by seeing the light in the residents’ eyes, or a movement of recognition and a dance on a good day, as music has an ability to take you right back to that ‘time in your life’ which is known as a music-evoked autobiographical memory.
I remember a conversation that went something like this. “We are going to play a few modern pieces from the 20s and 30s,” said Audrey. “You weren’t even alive then,” I replied in jest. “Yes I was,” answered Audrey. ‘Well, isn’t that something!’ I thought.
Music also encourages positive social relationships by working with others in a creative space for not only personal enjoyment but social connection, contributing joy to society by bringing people together.
For Audrey, “It is the people and the stillness, almost a spiritual feeling of the area, that makes Whitianga so special”. Well for me, you are indeed one of our special treasures Audrey.
Audrey hosts weekly practices for up to twelve vocalists who perform hits from earlier eras for residents in local aged care facilities.
Thank you for sharing your love of music with us and for entertaining those who are in need of it the most and for inspiring me with your gratitude, humbleness, grace and friendship. Keep on playing those wonderful old tunes, keeping them alive and sharing them as you do.
Words by Judy Brocas
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