Friday Lunchtime Concert Features Alison Shannon

The Thames Music Group’s Friday lunchtime series is a wonderful opportunity for locals to enjoy live music and see the talents of local musicians. On Friday, 25th April, Alison Shannon, an organist and keyboard player from Whangamata, will take the stage to perform on the St George’s organ.
Alison’s journey with music began in her teens when she was drawn to the organ at a church in Te Aroha, after years of piano lessons. Her love for the instrument deepened after attending a recital by Dutch organist Bernard Bartelink, which inspired her to explore the more virtuosic side of organ music. Alison went on to study organ with William Whittle (the Director of Music at St Peter’s Cathedral in Hamilton), and he encouraged Alison to apply to study at Auckland University under the guidance of baroque specialist Anthony Jennings. After four amazing years of study and performance opportunities, Alison graduated with honours majoring in Organ and Harpsichord Performance.

Living in Whangamata on the Eastern Coromandel can make access to a classical organ a bit challenging, so Alison practices her keyboard on manual parts on the piano at home and makes use of her time on the organ in Waihi or Thames to focus on the foot pedals—an essential part of the organ that provides a rich bass accompaniment and intricate pedal solos. These pedal solos, often showcasing complex fugue themes, add a unique dimension to organ music and test a musician’s skill.
Alison’s main role in recent years has been as an accompanist for church services and choirs at Whangamata Anglican Church and St James Union Parish in Thames, while also performing as a soloist.

For this Friday’s concert, Alison will perform works from composers spanning the mid-1600s to the 1920s, including JS Bach, Domenico Zipoli, Max Reger, and Erik Satie.

Thames Music Group’s Free Friday Concert series presents Alison Shannon, Friday 25 April, at 12.15 pm, St George’s Church, Thames. Free entry, koha/donation gratefully accepted.