Neville Forsythe
1949-2022
You have reached the homepage of Neville Forsythe; teacher, musician, dabbler in a variety of artistic pursuits, author of "That Mountain Must Come Down, a visit to Peel Forest South Canterbury". You are invited to browse the accompanying pages as you will. I hope there will be something of interest to you.
A little about myself: Male of Scots, Irish/Scots and English descent, I am a third or fourth generation New Zealander, depending on which side of my family tree you look. Born in Ashburton New Zealand, I have lived in Christchurch for 40 years.
Initially a primary school teacher with a specialist interest in Music, I taught at primary and intermediate schools in Christchurch for 12 years, before following my talents in woodwind playing and teaching, into the secondary school service where I teach as an itinerant or peripatetic woodwind teacher. i.e I travel on a weekly schedule to schools to teach woodwind instruments to small groups and individual pupils.
- Bassoon (20 years principal in Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, ending in 1992).
- Recorder (intermittent appearances for Brandenburg 4 as well as baroque trio sonatas).
- Piano – member of Hot Ora Combo trio – jazz and light music for weddings etc
- Bassoon - member of Silencio New Music Ensemble established 2005
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Saxophone
An interest in early music developed through my recorder playing has extended to include Renaissance instruments such as crummhorn, shawm, dulcian, gemshorn, cornetto, three-holed pipe, baroque flageolet, a variety of simple keyed flutes, clarinets, French bassons. Some of these I perform upon, others are not currently in playing condition (or as in the case of the cornetto, I have no talent or patience for).
As a teacher, I focus on the woodwinds listed above, taking a special interest in the more specialised Bassoon and Recorder.