Past Events - The Early Beginnings
My earliest memory of Making Music.
When I was four, while Mum was in the
kitchen, I remember prancing around the lounge,
with the somewhat battered custard pot in my left
hand, and very old and well used wooden spoon in the
right. The National Programme blasting away with
some kind of Music Education Programme for
youngsters... and there was me dancing around and
beating in time .. That must have been sooooo loud.
Poor Mum.
When did I get my first Violin?
When I was five, Mum asked me what I'd like
for Christmas. I asked her for a violin. My
three brothers and sister had all had a season
or two on the piano, (oh those red knuckles) I
just wanted to play the instrument that featured
on the Blue Danube 33LP that Mum played so
regularly. The orchestra featured on the cover
and a whole lot of people were playing violins.
Mum didn't get me one that year, but I asked
again when I was six, and she decided that maybe
I was serious about this whole violin thing
after all. 1st Lesson: Campbell's Bay Music
Centre First Private Tutor: Mrs June Allen
The first memories of wanting to play in a
Band.
I had only just turned eight when my Mum
remarried. At their Wedding Reception, The
Lodge, was a live band playing. I remember
just gazing at them for ages, soaking it all in,
and thinking to myself, "That's what I want to
do when I grow up." I wish I could meet up with
even one of those band members, to tell them how
much they inspired me. That would be cool.
Watching the New Zealand Celebrities at
work.
Between the ages of ten to thirteen, I
remember seeing New Zealand Show Hosts, Don
Lindon & Max Cryer coming out into the local
community mardi gras and beach parties, holding
singing competitions with kids during the school
holidays. I so wished I could be one of those
kids up on stage, but lacked confidence in
myself 'big time' so I just watched from a
distance. Now half my time is spent on one stage
or another and through my teaching I'm
surrounded by children who have the same dreams.
My
sister got me hooked on Guitar.
When I was twelve, I used to watch my sister,
Karen sitting on the end of Mum's big double bed
in the end room. She'd strum away at her
guitar, learning chords and songs. Once again I
just knew I had to pick it up and play that
too... so when she wasn't looking I'd sneak in,
close the door and try to copy what she'd just
played. I will always remember that proud
moment playing my very first Chord. G it felt
great!! .. and then came the sore
fingertips. Yowza!! but worth it. Thanks Kaz
My first desire to win an award
When I was twenty something, I went to watch my
sister perform in the Auckland Country Music Awards
at the Auckland Town Hall. There was a table of
trophies which you couldn't help but notice ...and
there it was.... The title grabbed me. "Best
Instrumentalist" I turned it around and on the
back it read, 'Cath Newhook' Well, that was my next
goal and dream!!. I just wanted to have my name on
the same trophy as her. She was teaching me
classical violin, but here she was in an awesome
country band "Gentle Annie" and playing an ELECTRIC
FIDDLE. She definitely rocked!! It took masses of
hard work, but that's when I knuckled down and
taught myself The Orange Blossom Special.
and.....another dream came true.
