381 Canterbury Road, Ringwood, Victoria, 3134 P:03 9872 5122 www.musicland.com.au YOU’RE INVITED

Bernies Music Land is proud to

offer a sensational lineup of

artists and events to inspire

your music making!

SEPTEMBER

Brush up your March tunes as

we March into Spring at

Players Afternoon, 2pm

Thursday 17th September.

Come to play or just to listen.

Don’t miss a superb night of

classical organ music with

international guest, Martin

Setchell on the Bernies stage,

7.30pm Tuesday 22nd

September.

Be in the audience for the

recording of Channel 31’s

Piano Talk show, here at

Bernies at 6.30pm on

Wednesday 23rd and Thursday

24th September

Find out the secrets of the

piano at our popular holiday

workshop Ready for Action;

Inside the Piano at 10am on

Thursday 24th September.

OCTOBER

Come and be in the audience

for the 27th Annual Bernstein

National Piano Awards Finals

here at Bernies Music Land on

Sunday October 4th. Featuring

local and interstate students,

this will be a showcase of

stunningly talented young

pianists.

Join us for a fun musical

Variety Night raising money for

charity with Kenneth Briggs,

7.30pm on Thursday 29th

October.

Book Now: 9872 5122

Johannus Training Conference, Jakarta Indonesia, June 2015

MusiClub Newsletter

This issue Welcome, You’re Invited P.1

What’s Happening at Bernies P.2

New from our Favourite Brands P.3

Travel Tips P.4

SUMM ER 2015 /16

And he suggested to take a limo for four hours, leaving as early as possible. I took his advice (big mistake) and was keen

to see the sights and learn about the city’s history. The porter said the driver could speak English well. After the first hour I gave up asking questions. Firstly, I received no response. The when I asked who the president was, the answer was “yes”!

Tip: Use organised tours!

Thinking I had three hours still to fill, I asked if we could stop for lunch. “Sorry, Rahmadan” was the reply… he was fasting hence I was too. Eventually I was glad he fitted our four-hour tour into two and a half as the hotel restaurant buffet was open and I had enough of telling myself what I was looking at ... Happy travelling. Bernie C

Johannus dealers from 10 countries all around Asia

gathered for three days in July in Jakarta. Hosted by

Marco Van De Weerd (Johannus President) and his

able assistant Penny, the group participated in

workshops on voicing classic organs, and discussion

on new models.

Dear MusiClubbers,

Wow what a cold winter!

I hope you all had plenty of time making

music at home and attending some wonderful

events. We are so fortunate in Melbourne

with such sensational performance venues

like Hamer Hall, Deakin Edge, the Recital

Centre and many more.

From the photos you’ll see we’ve been busy

with staff birthday celebrations and education

for my two grandsons, who love playing

“Hammond Hammond” and piano early in the

mornings!

Around Town Events Sponsored by

Bernies Music Land

Youth Concerto Final

Preston Symphony Orchestra

7pm Saturday 5th September

Northcote Town Hall

http://prestonsymphony.org.au/

Maroondah Symphony

Orchestra Concert

2.30pm Sunday 6th September

Yarra Valley Grammar, Ringwood

$25 / 20 at door, Enq 0418620479

The Team of Pianists Presents

Sounds of America

6.30pm Sunday 20th September

Rippon Lea Estate, Elsternwick

www.teamofpianists.com.au

Julie Haskell Piano Recital

6pm – 7pm Thursday 29th October

Melbourne Recital Centre

$38 / 28 Ph: 9699 3333

www.melbournerecital.com.au

Travel Tips

Do you realise Indonesia was formed out of a Dutch colony? Accordingly it seemed like a suitable location for the recent Johannus Asian Pacific Dealer Conference (being a Dutch company).

Indonesia is predominantly a Muslim country and the conference coincided with Rahmadan… which meant that almost 14 million people were trying to do the same thing at the same time! This included chanting at 4.30am in the Mosque close to the hotel.

Tip: Perhaps avoid Jakarta during Rhamadan!

Jakarta is a city of massive contrast, from the Presidential Palace to the slums near the harbour. A photo from my hotel room shows the luscious pool area then a mosque then hovvels and high rise.

Yesterday I asked at the hotel porter about a tour

Above: Proud new Bernstein grand piano owners

Below: Bernies team celebrating birthdays

Johannus Organ Launch

7.30pm Tuesday 22nd September

Bernies Music Land invites you to the launch of

the spectacular new Johannus Ecclesia D-470

organ with brilliant organist, Professor Martin

Setchell.

Martin Setchell is an international concert

organist who believes in promoting entertaining

organ music to a wide audience. Born and

educated in England, he is based in New

Zealand, as curator of the Rieger organ in the

Christchurch Town Hall for the Performing Arts,

and Associate Professor of Music and University

Organist at the University of Canterbury.

Join us at Bernies Music Land as Martin ably

displays the fabulous tonal colour of this new

Johannus organ. Limited seats are also available

at the Masterclass for students and interested

observers, 10.30am -12pm Wednesday 23rd

September. Please phone Craig on 9872 5122.

Our winter season here at Musicland featured artists; Tony

Fenelon, Andrew Chubb, Pete Sullivan with Andrea Lees ,

Michel Benebig and Carl Lockyer with Mike Jordan plus the

popular Players Afternoons , Masterclasses and workshops.

We were proud to be the major sponsor of the 61st

Ringwood Eisteddfod by suppling the Schimmel C189 grand

piano for the heats and Schimmel concert grand for the Aria

Finals at Karralyla. The contestants were exceptional and

the program was enjoyed by all. Well done to Patron Ruth

Hawkins and President Mark Dipnall.

Now it’s spring and there is much to be jolly about. There

are some great programs to excite and encourage you to

enjoy making music. Please have a good read through this

newsletter and the Dateline. So there is no excuse to keep

your mind working and enjoy active music at Bernies.

You may have noticed that the Australian dollar has fallen.

This means massive price rises are on their way. So if you

Michel Benebig Back on the Bernies stage

It was great to have Michel

Benebig back on the Bernies

stage for an amazing Live at

Bernies nighton August 19.

Michel had his friend, USA

guitarist, Carl Lochea, with him

and fabulous local drummer,

Mike Jordan was there to keep

the beat.

Michel is known for his

smooth, expressive Hammond

playing and is well respected

musician at his home in New

Caledonia and all round the

world.

The night was sensational and

the recording will be available

soon as part of the Live at

Bernies label.

The program was excellent and I enjoyed the

fellowship of the international network of dealers.

Bernies Music Land / Musico is very proud to be the

Australian representative for Johannus and I am now

qualified to answer any difficult question. Or maybe.

It was well worth the trip. Bernie C

are thinking about acquiring a new

instrument for a dynamic playing

experience, please call in, have a

cuppa and talk to us about it. This

edition includes a Specials List, which

may be helpful for some friends or

family members as you wish.

A big thank you to our contributors;

Craig Douglass, Lester Cheung,

Simeon Mascarenhas, and to our

wonderful editor, Michelle.

Bernie C

Happenings… Johannus Happenings

I would firstly like to thank all our wonderful Johannus customers, new and existing, for choosing Johannus. The feedback I am receiving from all over Australia certainly encourages us to ‘keep working hard’ and confirms our belief that Johannus organs are certainly market leaders in innovation and technology, giving us a digital organ that is both realistic and musical.

We are often asked how long a Johannus organ should last. Well, a few weeks ago we had a very affirmative confirmation that Johannus organs are built to last for a very long time.

I received a phone call from Mr Colin Lamb in Sydney and he told me how he first encountered Johannus organs. Whilst holidaying in Germany in 1975, a sudden storm forced him to take refuge in a music store, where there was a display of electronic church organs from a new organ builder in Holland; Johannus. In fact they built their first organ in 1969. Colin was so impressed he ordered an Opus 20 via mail and in 1977, Johannus ‘Number One for Australia’ arrived. Colin was looking to rehome his organ a few months ago and offered it to us as the Johannus distributors for Australia.

The sound and cabinet designs have certainly changed since 1975, but the organ is still fully functional and very playable. So 40 years on and still going strong. Quite a testament to build quality.

On the education side, we are proud to be now partnering with Marryatville High School in Adelaide to run a pilot educational program for organ students. This is in conjunction with Adelaide Cathedral organist, Dr Joshua van Konkelenberg. Josh’s energy for education is amazing and we certainly had no hesitation in providing a Johannus Opus 270 for the roll-out of the pilot program. The response from the students has been very encouraging.

Don’t forget Professor Martin Setchell is visiting Musicland in September and will be launching the new Eccelsia D470 on Tuesday 22nd at 7.30pm. We will also have a Masterclass for students and interested observers on Wednesday 23rd at 10.30am. Spaces are limited for the Masterclass, so please call on 9872 5122 or email me to book.

Johannus have recently released a few new models and the new ‘Classic’ series is a welcome addition to the model line-up. A beautiful slimline console available in 2 and 3 manual models, with impressive in-built audio systems and practical stop lists, all combined with the cutting-edge Real-Time Sampling system. Our first Classic 350 (3 manual) is due at the end of October. Drop me a line if you would like to know when it arrives.

Don’t forget, we have a great range on display and you are always welcome to pop in for a coffee and a play.

Until next time! Craig D

BERNSTEIN® Masterclass & Piano Competition

For over 30 years, the national Bernstein Piano

Competition has provided a unique learning and

incentive experience for young piano students.

Each Masterclass session offers the students an

intimate opportunity to perform and receive an

insightful lesson from a renowned teacher, including

members of the Team of Pianists. It is ideal

examination preparation.

With prizes totaling over $1200, the Bernstein Piano

Competition provides an encouraging competition

format for students to compete with national peers.

Entry is by invitation following masterclass

participation.

Hammond CD Review Who says that the jazz organ is forgotten? Jon

Hammond (what an appropriate name!) shows

clearly that the Hammond jazz room is not only

alive and well but, what is more, that it can provide

something from almost every genre of modern

popular music for everybody. Opening with “Days

of Wine and Roses”, Jon and Melbourne drummer

Michael Jordan provide a soothing evening of music

to an appreciative and relaxed audience at Bernies

Music Land in Ringwood, Victoria. Jon’s cool

registration, even tempo and elegant ornamentation

are the best reference to his mature and musical

approach to what is essentially great music for

listening. The amazing Hammond B-3 is his vehicle,

and what a vehicle it is!

Standards like Satin Doll, Besame mucho and

Somewhere over the Rainbow are conveyed

smoothly to the listener’s ears whilst enhancing the

dinner table ambience and candlelit atmosphere.

Jon draws humorously on his personal experiences

with his original composition Late Rent, which he

calls his theme song.

Up to date with modern classics that everybody

recognises, Jon plays Stevie Wonder’s You are the

Sunshine of my Life in a style that makes the piece

instantly recognisable. He finishes with I left my

Heart in San Francisco; where he was born!

Jon makes excellent use of the Leslie effect to add

colour to the numbers that he plays: it enhances the

shimmery mood that such music needs. His tempi

are such that people whose toes begin to tap

uncontrollably can - and do - get up and dance to

his music. With extensive experience as a

Hammond B-3 performer across the USA and

Europe, Jon shows deep insight for the essentials

of jazz – melody, rhythm, tempo, mood, style,

improvisation – and he captures them all admirably.

In this excellent recording, Jon Hammond draws

listeners into the astonishing world of Hammond

stage keyboard organs. It should be part of every

Hammond music collection. Nice work, Jon! Simeon Mascarenhas

New from Our Favourite Brands

Bernies Music Land proudly sponsored

the 61st Ringwood Eisteddfod

Above & Below: Bernies Music School students’ Winter Concert

School Holiday Workshop

Ready for Action: Inside the Piano

Join us for this fascinating interactive workshop

where we discover how pianos work, why they

go out of tune and how pianos are all different.

Ideal for teachers, students and families. Phone

us on 9872 5122 to book. Entry $10.

10am – 11am Thursday 24th September

BERNSTEIN®

Piano Competition

Shepparton Regional Finals

Hi MusiClubbers,

For my first visit to Shepparton, the town put

on a cold, wintery day. Mum and I drove up

and got lost… eventually we found the

“Mechanics Institute”; a public building

designed for performance.

Shepparton is the home of the Australian

National Piano Award and presents the

Bernstein Piano Competition annually as a

“junior” section under this umbrella. Three

sections are divided by the pianists’

performance level and students are welcome

up to age 21.

The performance room featured a lovely

Bernstein 161cm grand piano and comfortable

audience seating, with a large supporting

audience. We were greeted by a host of

impressive performances, with standards that

keep rising each year. Adjudicators Professor

Max Cooke and Mr Darryl Coote travel to

Shepparton annually for this event and have a

long founding relationship with the Bernstein

Piano Competition and Shepparton Piano

Award.

Adjudicator Max Cooke presenting awards

I spoke to many of the young performers

afterwards and they were very impressed with

the dynamics and sensitivity of the Bernstein

161 grand piano. It had plenty of power and

richness in tone to fill out the relatively large

room. One performer told me that they wished

they could take it home! Being a smaller sized

instrument, it was fantastic to hear such good

feedback from the performers.

The Shepparton division of the Bernstein

Piano Competition is coordinated by Julie

Tracy, who does a wonderful job in making the

event run seamlessly. I watched her run

around all day, setting up chairs, preparing

programs, writing certificates and cheques,

and coordinating the program. Thanks for your

great work, Julie.

Winners from the Shepparton Regional

Division are invited to compete in the national

finals of the Bernstein Piano Competition, held

here at Bernies Music Land on Sunday 4th

October. Audience are welcome so please

phone me on 9872 5122 if you’d like to attend.

Lester C

Bernstein Hailun 218 Featured

Visiting artist,

Andrew Chubb

from NSW was

our guest artist

in June and

featured the

Bernstein 218

grand piano in

a superb

classical

program.

Andrew’s CD

will be available

through Move

records shortly.

Great to see Tony Fenelon in June!

Introducing the Schimmel K219

All ears were on the new Schimmel K219 Konzert

Grand in the beautiful ballroom at Rippon Lea

Estate on August 16th. It performed more than

admirably under the amazing fingers of young

Indonesian Concert Pianist, Kevin Suherman.

The evening held two celebrations; the Australian

launch of this sensational new grand piano, as well

as the launch of Kevin Suherman’s third Schimmel

International Artist Series CD recording. This new

CD features works by List and Chopin, as well as

Hungarian Rhapsody by Listz, Kevin’s encore which

left the audience in awe.

The Schimmel K219 features Schimmel’s new

Piano Action concept; whereby a full concert-sized

grand piano action is fitted into a medium sized

grand. Slightly larger than the K213 grand, this new

model offers enhanced mid and bass response and

power, giving the performer even more scope for

dynamic exploration.

Thanks to the guidance of Max Cooke, the program

was complemented by two additional pianists,

Victor Hu and Jayden Taviera with violinist Williard

Chong.

The Schimmel K219 is now on display at Bernies

Music Land. Please visit to have a try and pick up a

copy of Kevin’s CD, or phone me for details on

9872 5122. The 2015 Rippon Lea season of the

Team of Pianists concludes on September 20th.

Bernie C

Enrol your students today

and help them achieve

outstanding performance

results this year.

MASTERCLASS SESSIONS:

Wed 1st July: Tamara Smolyar

Wed 8th July: Grant Furneaux

Sat 11th July: Robert Chamberlain

Sat 19th September: Helene Hatton

Tues 22nd

September: Darryl Coote

ENROLMENTS: phone Lester 9872 5122

A rewarding learning experience

Welcome New Team Member

Bernies is delighted to welcome our newest

member of staff, Lindsay Stodden. Lindsay is

our Service Manager, looking after all electronic

instrument and amplifier servicing (wow!). He’s

here three days a week and always seems to be

carrying around an interesting case on a trolley.

Lindsay owned his own recording studio and is a

sound engineer, so he knows when something

sounds good. Personal interest led him to

electronics, and among other qualifications, he

is an amature radio technician and a video

specialist, having designed sound and video

setups for large theatres.

Lindsay plays piano and organ, mainly theatre

style, and listens to classical music. His quick wit

is a welcome addition to our Bernies crew and

we hope he can be of good assistance to our

valued customers. Michelle C