Iris Jeffries has enjoyed music all her life. Now 80, she uses her skills and knowledge to share mandolin music with others.
She and about 12 others are in a group called Mandolynos and do the rounds of rest homes, senior citizens' clubs, libraries and even schools.
Iris Jeffries says music keeps her young. Photo / Richard Robinson
The idea is to entertain people who can no longer get out to concerts and who miss the experience of live music.
Mrs Jeffries not only plays the mandolin, she also arranges music for the little group, prepares the programmes, organises rehearsals, makes pikelets and drags a heater around on cold days.
This week they're off to the Caughey Preston Home in Remuera.
"We have three singers as well, but one can't come this week, so I'm having to ring around and email and find someone else.
"We try to have only one outing a week, no more than four a month. We are all retired and can visit places during the week when others are working. But we still have to find time to rehearse and learn new arrangements."
Age is no problem for Mrs Jeffries. "Music and being busy keep you young. I've no time to worry about myself. I do use a walking stick, though, which makes me look worse than I am."
Mrs Jeffries came to New Zealand from Perth in Western Australia as a bride in 1953. She had trained as a classical pianist, but decided she needed a change. She joined the School of Modern Music in New Zealand as a tutor to bring in a little extra cash.
She retired after 15 years and began playing the mandolin.
After a few lessons Mrs Jeffries was considered good enough to join the Auckland Mandolinata Orchestra and a year later, in 1985, she and friends formed the Mandolynos.
Diana Grant-Mackie, who nominated Mrs Jeffries for the Unsung Community Heroes series, has been a member of Mandolynos for nearly 10 years.
She and Mrs Jeffries believe music is important in the lives of older people. It comforts them and helps them cope with troubles, pain and sadness."
Copyright 2009, APN Holdings NZ Limited
April 20, 2009
NEW ZEALAND: Musician takes her gift to the elderly
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AUCKLAND, New Zealand / The New Zealand Herald / Music / April 20, 2009
By Phoebe Falconer
Iris Jeffries has enjoyed music all her life. Now 80, she uses her skills and knowledge to share mandolin music with others.
She and about 12 others are in a group called Mandolynos and do the rounds of rest homes, senior citizens' clubs, libraries and even schools.
Iris Jeffries says music keeps her young. Photo / Richard Robinson
The idea is to entertain people who can no longer get out to concerts and who miss the experience of live music.
Mrs Jeffries not only plays the mandolin, she also arranges music for the little group, prepares the programmes, organises rehearsals, makes pikelets and drags a heater around on cold days.
This week they're off to the Caughey Preston Home in Remuera.
"We have three singers as well, but one can't come this week, so I'm having to ring around and email and find someone else.
"We try to have only one outing a week, no more than four a month. We are all retired and can visit places during the week when others are working. But we still have to find time to rehearse and learn new arrangements."
Age is no problem for Mrs Jeffries. "Music and being busy keep you young. I've no time to worry about myself. I do use a walking stick, though, which makes me look worse than I am."
Mrs Jeffries came to New Zealand from Perth in Western Australia as a bride in 1953. She had trained as a classical pianist, but decided she needed a change. She joined the School of Modern Music in New Zealand as a tutor to bring in a little extra cash.
She retired after 15 years and began playing the mandolin.
After a few lessons Mrs Jeffries was considered good enough to join the Auckland Mandolinata Orchestra and a year later, in 1985, she and friends formed the Mandolynos.
Diana Grant-Mackie, who nominated Mrs Jeffries for the Unsung Community Heroes series, has been a member of Mandolynos for nearly 10 years.
She and Mrs Jeffries believe music is important in the lives of older people. It comforts them and helps them cope with troubles, pain and sadness."
Copyright 2009, APN Holdings NZ Limited
Iris Jeffries has enjoyed music all her life. Now 80, she uses her skills and knowledge to share mandolin music with others.
She and about 12 others are in a group called Mandolynos and do the rounds of rest homes, senior citizens' clubs, libraries and even schools.
Iris Jeffries says music keeps her young. Photo / Richard Robinson
The idea is to entertain people who can no longer get out to concerts and who miss the experience of live music.
Mrs Jeffries not only plays the mandolin, she also arranges music for the little group, prepares the programmes, organises rehearsals, makes pikelets and drags a heater around on cold days.
This week they're off to the Caughey Preston Home in Remuera.
"We have three singers as well, but one can't come this week, so I'm having to ring around and email and find someone else.
"We try to have only one outing a week, no more than four a month. We are all retired and can visit places during the week when others are working. But we still have to find time to rehearse and learn new arrangements."
Age is no problem for Mrs Jeffries. "Music and being busy keep you young. I've no time to worry about myself. I do use a walking stick, though, which makes me look worse than I am."
Mrs Jeffries came to New Zealand from Perth in Western Australia as a bride in 1953. She had trained as a classical pianist, but decided she needed a change. She joined the School of Modern Music in New Zealand as a tutor to bring in a little extra cash.
She retired after 15 years and began playing the mandolin.
After a few lessons Mrs Jeffries was considered good enough to join the Auckland Mandolinata Orchestra and a year later, in 1985, she and friends formed the Mandolynos.
Diana Grant-Mackie, who nominated Mrs Jeffries for the Unsung Community Heroes series, has been a member of Mandolynos for nearly 10 years.
She and Mrs Jeffries believe music is important in the lives of older people. It comforts them and helps them cope with troubles, pain and sadness."
Copyright 2009, APN Holdings NZ Limited
