Now in it's 44th year, the Thames Music Group is a not-for profit incorporated society that promotes and presents music performances in Thames, on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand for the enrichment of our local community.
The Group has been running continuously since 1977 and is run by a small team of dedicated volunteers with a passion for music.
The Thames Music Group funds its activities through membership fees, private donations and grants where possible. Our activities are largely made possible through the generosity of many.
The Group has been running continuously since 1977 and is run by a small team of dedicated volunteers with a passion for music.
The Thames Music Group funds its activities through membership fees, private donations and grants where possible. Our activities are largely made possible through the generosity of many.
Friday Lunchtime Series Usually on the fourth Friday of every month a concert is held at 12:15pm at St Georges Church.
The Friday Lunchtime Series are free, but entry by donation is greatly appreciated. The next free Friday lunchtime concert is on Friday 23rd April Pianist John Broadbent John was raised in Paeroa and studied piano with Joan Collier in Paeroa, Josie Flühler in Hamilton, and then with Dr Thomas Hecht and Diedre Irons at Victoria University of Wellington, graduating with a Bachelor of Music with first class honours. For several years he was active as a pianist/chamber musician/teacher in Wellington and Belgium, with special interests in four hands piano repertoire and working with singers. A damaged finger cut short his professional playing career, so he completed an LLB at Victoria University of Wellington and returned to Paeroa to work for the family firm, but he still finds time for a little music every day." John has had little written about him, but here is an excerpt from a review of a young musicians’ performance in St Andrews on the Terrace in July 2013 This concert featured members of the N.Z. School of Music Young Musicians Programme, which provides opportunities for gifted young people to work with the cream of New Zealand performers, composers and music educators, as well as overseas visitors, faculty staff and gifted post-graduate NZSM students. Seven performers contributed to a well rounded programme which demonstrated that there is no shortage of well trained, able younger musicians coming up the ranks. Of John Broadbent, reviewer Frances Robinson wrote in 2013 “The singers were accompanied at the piano by John Broadbent, whose sure technical support and musicianship greatly enhanced the three partnerships. His crafting and balance of piano dynamics with each voice was exemplary, easily the best piano ensemble work I have heard in the challenging acoustics that musicians must now grapple with since alterations were completed at St.Andrews”. John will be playing the following for the 45 minute concert on Friday 23rd April Mozart Sonata in C Major K.330: (i) Allegro moderato, (ii) Andante cantabile, and (iii) Allegretto. Debussy Estampes: (i) Pagodes (Pagodas), (ii) La soirée dans Grenade (Evening in Granada), and (iii) Jardins sous la pluie (Gardens in the Rain). 
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Sunday Afternoon Series
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About Thames
Thames is conveniently situated only a ninety minute drive from Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. In the late 19th century, Thames was one of the largest towns in New Zealand's - built on the pioneering industries of gold and Kauri logging. Today, its colourful history is still alive in the many pubs, buildings, museums and activities found in the area. Thames has a population of approximately 7,500.
For more information about Thames see http://www.thamesinfo.co.nz// or http://www.thecoromandel.com/towns/thames
For more information about Thames see http://www.thamesinfo.co.nz// or http://www.thecoromandel.com/towns/thames
Our Supporters
The Thames Music Group have always been extremely grateful for the support of St Georges Church for the continued use of their lovely church.
We are grateful too for generous grants from Creative New Zealand, the Thames Coromandel District Council and the Waikato Community Trust which help in paying for professional performers, and with the upkeep of the piano, but most of all we are grateful to the people of Thames who have supported us over the years, and we hope will continue to do so.
We are grateful too for generous grants from Creative New Zealand, the Thames Coromandel District Council and the Waikato Community Trust which help in paying for professional performers, and with the upkeep of the piano, but most of all we are grateful to the people of Thames who have supported us over the years, and we hope will continue to do so.
