One of the new desktop images that can be downloaded for free from our website.

Is this a real bit of organ? Or a doll's version? See details about our competition

Visit our two shops: Pipe Organ Goodies and Music Humour for great gifts for musicians!

Dear NZOrgan.com newsletter subscriber,

I've been a busy bunny lately – so here is a bit of the news about things organy from our part of the world.

1. Updated New Zealand links pages - many had fallen dead or been moved - ; and now you have a sparkling little red analogue clock telling you what time it is in New Zealand, and a weather panel letting you know whether to put on your road kill possum merino cardy or not. This site is helpful for tourists, residents, or those thinking about emigrating. and if YOU have any sites you think should be there and aren't, tell me!! http://www.nzorgan.com/nzsites/nzsitelinks.htm

2. New desktop pictures – and just for a change they aren't of organs. These are two of my favourite places – one in the lake region of Central Otago in New Zealand, beside Lake Hawea, looking forwards the mountains and the West Coast; and another is taken at the very top of the Rigi beside Lake Lucerne, in the heart of Switzerland's mountains and known as the Queen of the Mountains. There are two sizes for you to download but you may have to shrink them to fit your monitor. http://www.nzorgan.com/publicity/desktoporgans.htm

3. New competition: Can you tell a real organ from a doll's one? So you think it's easy? Enter our new competition and go in the draw to be the lucky winner of Martin Setchell's latest CD, “A Taste of Shropshire”. Closes on September 15th http://www.nzorgan.com/puzzle/picturepuzzle/picturepuzzle3.htm

4. Reviews – Grant Vicat is our most recently acquired reviewer, and is a self-confessed organ anorak. He has kicked off with a long hard listen to Kristaan Seynhave playing the organist's favourite Belgian, César Franck. So, what did he think ? http://www.nzorgan.com/reviews/Kristaan-Seynhave-cd-review.htm

5. Two important birthdays this week: Mr Bernard Bicknell, long-time friend and major benefactor of the organ, is celebrating his 90th birthday this Sunday, August 26th. Happy birthday 90th Bernie! Without your generosity, our Rieger may still have been only a pipe dream. Our best wishes go to you and your wife Marion. On a more international note, renowned Dutch organist and composer Piet Kee turns 80 on August 30. We wish him good health and many happy returns.

6. Martin Setchell will be St Andrew's Church, Ashburton this Sunday, August 26th, to present the organ, its music and a few other surprises as well. The fun starts at 2.30pm. Then next week he's off to play “From Buxtehude to Bovet” in the Great Hall, University of Sydney, Australia, at 3.30pm on Sunday, September 3. Sometimes it's hard keeping up with this bloke. More details on Martin's website here

7. Websites to Watch:

• Since it's Piet Kee's birthday next week, have a listen to the recording of his stupendous improvisations that he came up with to win (against Anton Heiler and Karl Richter, no less!) at the International Improvisation Competition in Haarlem in 1953.
  The website is in Dutch but you should be able to find your way around it. It's well worth it to hear this amazing historical clip. For more information in English about this recording and the competition, go to his Wikipedia entry
• Another fun website is a musical listening test, run by the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. It takes less than 8 minutes and the results may startle you if you thought you were highly musical.

That's all for now – the tigers are getting restless and Spring is about to sproing. Another newsletter will be coming your way next week when I will have some extra good news for you!