The Drury Theatre Organ Charitable Trust's beginnings were quite auspicious. In 2006 Ray Drury purchased an Allen Q311D digital theatre organ reasoning that such a fine instrument would be unique to Christchurch. As far as is known, no other of its kind exists in New Zealand to this day. With the organ installed in the smaller of two substantial sheds on the Drury's Halswell lifestyle block, Nancy and Ray encouraged Canterbury's organ followers and members of the general public to come and hear it by dint of a small number of concerts featuring both local and overseas organists. In addition, Richard Hore used the organ in his first specific theatre organ CD The Fun Starts Here.
So great was the musical success of those early concerts that Ray dreamed up the idea of forming a charitable trust which would as a result of any given concert, donate funds to a specified charity within the Canterbury region once expenses had been cleared. Thus in June 2007 the Drury Theatre Organ Charitable Trust was launched in the shed lovingly given the title of Drury Lane Theatre. Since its inception the Trust has given proceeds from individual concerts to many deserving local organisations including RNZFB Guide Dog Services, the Order of St John, CanTeen, the Salvation Army, the Stroke Foundation and many more.
The movement continued to grow in both size and musical prowess when in 2008 Ray purchased an even larger Allen theatre organ, a Lyn Larsen Signature Q324 instrument, New Zealand's largest theatrically voiced organ of any kind, pipe or electronic. This organ too is unique. The Trust's activities consequently moved to the larger shed and the concerts kept on happening. Further excitement waits in the wings. In 2012 Ray purchased a "mostly Wurlitzer" theatre pipe organ from a private source in Wellington. This medium/small organ is currently being installed in an extension to the existing shed. Thus in due time Ray will have fulfilled his whim, the return of a true theatre organ to greater Christchurch. The Drury keyboard collection also includes several more home electronic organs of varying status and at least three pianos of both acoustic and digital kinds.
The Trust stages on average some four concert events per year. Local organists Richard Hore (the Trust's Musical Director) and Barry Brinson have often performed. The localised concerts especially give rise to performers whose chosen field differs greatly from the organ, including singers, dancers of various kinds, pianists and other instrumentalists and latterly the Mainland Big Band on two occasions and the band Red Hot and Dixie once. For those appearances the "theatre" became a perfect dance hall.
Both Trust organs have also played musical host to a number of truly notable overseas artists, initially from the heights of Australian renown with the addition of one highly revered British organist. Since 2010 the network of artists has been expanded by dint of the Trust's inclusion on the Australasian touring circuit. Due to this fact, by early September 2013 a total of ten top line performers including seven from the USA and three from the UK will have entertained the ever expanding audiences and at least three further organists are anticipated for 2014. The Trust's integrity appears to be firming up since one splendid artist in Len Rawle, a Member of the British Empire since 2011, has visited and performed on three occasions to date.
In terms of size the Trust is not a large body, its chief members comprising Nancy & Ray Drury, Marilyn & Richard Hore and Margaret Kitney. What shines through consistently though is keenness to work for causes that are well worth supporting: the sharing and enjoyment of theatre organ music, enlarging public awareness of the phenomenon and donating to charitable organisations which definitely warrant attention. In short, The Fun Starts Here could be thought of as a very fair motto. The "fun" is set to be continued for a long time to come.
So great was the musical success of those early concerts that Ray dreamed up the idea of forming a charitable trust which would as a result of any given concert, donate funds to a specified charity within the Canterbury region once expenses had been cleared. Thus in June 2007 the Drury Theatre Organ Charitable Trust was launched in the shed lovingly given the title of Drury Lane Theatre. Since its inception the Trust has given proceeds from individual concerts to many deserving local organisations including RNZFB Guide Dog Services, the Order of St John, CanTeen, the Salvation Army, the Stroke Foundation and many more.
The movement continued to grow in both size and musical prowess when in 2008 Ray purchased an even larger Allen theatre organ, a Lyn Larsen Signature Q324 instrument, New Zealand's largest theatrically voiced organ of any kind, pipe or electronic. This organ too is unique. The Trust's activities consequently moved to the larger shed and the concerts kept on happening. Further excitement waits in the wings. In 2012 Ray purchased a "mostly Wurlitzer" theatre pipe organ from a private source in Wellington. This medium/small organ is currently being installed in an extension to the existing shed. Thus in due time Ray will have fulfilled his whim, the return of a true theatre organ to greater Christchurch. The Drury keyboard collection also includes several more home electronic organs of varying status and at least three pianos of both acoustic and digital kinds.
The Trust stages on average some four concert events per year. Local organists Richard Hore (the Trust's Musical Director) and Barry Brinson have often performed. The localised concerts especially give rise to performers whose chosen field differs greatly from the organ, including singers, dancers of various kinds, pianists and other instrumentalists and latterly the Mainland Big Band on two occasions and the band Red Hot and Dixie once. For those appearances the "theatre" became a perfect dance hall.
Both Trust organs have also played musical host to a number of truly notable overseas artists, initially from the heights of Australian renown with the addition of one highly revered British organist. Since 2010 the network of artists has been expanded by dint of the Trust's inclusion on the Australasian touring circuit. Due to this fact, by early September 2013 a total of ten top line performers including seven from the USA and three from the UK will have entertained the ever expanding audiences and at least three further organists are anticipated for 2014. The Trust's integrity appears to be firming up since one splendid artist in Len Rawle, a Member of the British Empire since 2011, has visited and performed on three occasions to date.
In terms of size the Trust is not a large body, its chief members comprising Nancy & Ray Drury, Marilyn & Richard Hore and Margaret Kitney. What shines through consistently though is keenness to work for causes that are well worth supporting: the sharing and enjoyment of theatre organ music, enlarging public awareness of the phenomenon and donating to charitable organisations which definitely warrant attention. In short, The Fun Starts Here could be thought of as a very fair motto. The "fun" is set to be continued for a long time to come.
AIMS
OF THE DRURY THEATRE ORGAN CHARITABLE TRUST
· to promote the theatre organ by way of charity concerts & light entertainment · to use the above vehicle to raise funds and support other charities · to provide an insight into other charitable organisations & their work · to form a group of willing supporters to share these objectives TO YOU OUR VALUED BUSINESS CUSTOMER · help us to help you & your families · become a supporter of the Drury Theatre Organ Charitable Trust · we hold 5 concerts per year · $ 5.00 - $ 25.00 gratefully received · tax receipts issued on request · from small beginnings ‘ an oak tree grows To date we have raised funds for the following charities · Foundation for the Blind – Guide Dogs · Canteen Child Cancer · Christchurch City Mission · St.John Ambulance · Heart Foundation · Women’s Refuge · Diabetes · Salvation Army · Stroke Foundation And Canteen |
Overseas Artists who have had concerts at Drury's
2007 John Atwell Melbourne 2008 David Bailey Brisbane David Johnston Melbourne Len Rawle UK 2009 Scott Harrison Melbourne Tony Fenelon Melbourne 2010 Scott Harrison Melbourne Ken Double USA 2011 Len Rawle UK Rob Richards & Alex Zsolt USA Jelani Eddington USA 2012 Chris Powell UK Jonas Nordwall USA Dave Wickerham USA 2013 Len Rawle UK Donny Rankin USA David Gray UK |