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http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=27-Mar-2015&lang=en&s=10135
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=27-Mar-2015&lang=en&s=10135
27-Mar-2015
Queen’s Service Medal for Heather Mitchell-Gladstone, Christchurch – New Zealandby Heather Masefield |
 Accordion and vocal teacher, well known entertainer, leader of the St Alban’s Community Choir, Heather Mitchell-Gladstone was named in the 2015 New Year’s Honours List. “It was such a wonderful surprise,” says Heather of her Queen’s Service Medal for services to music.Picture left is Heather Mitchell-Gladstone entertaining in Christchurch and the lower picture is singing and playing for the Farewell Dinner at the NZAA 2013 South Pacific Accordion Championships, pictured with NZAA Treasurer Amber Masefield. From the age of 11, Heather has played piano and accordion, and sung for live audiences. After leaving school she obtained her music degree from the University of Canterbury and in later years returned to the university to teach extension courses in accordion. Heather has performed both nationally and internationally as a soloist, as well as in bands, groups and orchestras, including the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and three tours of Australia with the 2nd Battalion Army Band. She has toured extensively in Australia, Europe, England and America. She has also spent some time as a music specialist and touring musician in schools in the South West of England and in Finland. A founding member of the Canterbury Accordion Association (CAA), in 2005 Heather received a Merit Award from the Accordion Examination Board of New Zealand (AEBNZ) in recognition of outstanding services to the accordion movement and this was followed by Lifetime Membership from the CAA in 2013. In 2007 Heather received a Community Services Award from the Christchurch City Council for services to music in the Community. This award recognised her work running numerous choirs through the years including the Christchurch Star Children’s Choir and the St Alban’s Community Choir. In 2012 Heather was awarded the Vernon Griffiths Prize in Musical Leadership from the University of Canterbury in recognition of her outstanding contribution to music. “Heather has a philosophy of music for all,” says Doug Lamb, a choir member for over eight years. “I went along one evening to see what the choir was all about. I was in my early 50s and had no singing experience. As soon as I arrived I was welcomed into the group and had music thrust into my hands with the clear message to join in. Since that day I have had nothing but encouragement.” Heather is always working on a variety of musical projects, volunteering, leading musical tours through Europe, playing in folk bands and currently running the choir along with her own music school, teaching accordion, singing, and piano. |