Around 200 people swarmed the halls of LCM Church last Tuesday, 11 March 2025, to celebrate Lane Cove Music’s 80th anniversary. They were accompanied by world-class jazz performed by internationally renowned musicians.
A night expected to be a 70-minute jazz music performance was regularly interspersed with charming banter and insightful comments by the musicians performing the songs, concert pianist Simon Tedeschi and vocalist and violinist George Washingmachine.
“It has very good acoustics for a modern church. Really excellent. Nice piano,” Simon told ITC after the concert.
“You can sort of play rambunctious things and then also sprinkle the fairy dust to make it nice and gentle. And they [the audience] come on a little journey,” George added.
The pair played a variety of renditions, including Mozart and Debussy’s classical music, Gershwin’s favourites, classic jazz standards by Cole Porter, and even some original music.
President of Lane Cove Music Christine Butters OAM said the club not only provides a space for musicians to perform but it allows the community to enjoy top-notch music without residents having to travel too far.
“It’s of special importance to the older members of the community who, at this stage of their lives, find it difficult to get to the city for concerts in the city at night, and so they appreciate being able to come somewhere local and to meet up with their friends here and to enjoy good quality music at an affordable price,” Christine said.
A Brief History Of Lane Cove Music
The club was established 80 years ago under the name Longueville-Northwood Music Club with the unchanging purpose of bringing first-class entertainment and performance opportunities to the local community.
Over the years, Lane Cove Music has changed its name to Lane Cove District Music Club and then to its current title. The Club was incorporated in 2019.
Interestingly, the club has had just as many name changes as it’s had presidents.
Reverend Blanchard was President for the first 40 years, and Agnes Smart was the Founding Musical Director for 43 years. Then Alf Pollard became President in 1984, and after he passed away in 2000, his daughter, Christine Butters, the current President, took the mantle.
“I took over from my father, and so there have only been three presidents in the whole history of our 80 years,” Christine proudly told ITC.
“I’ve done it with pleasure. I’ve enjoyed it and always had great support from my committee.”
In 2017, Christine was awarded the Lane Cove Citizen of the Year for her volunteer work, duties with the Uniting Church, active role in the Longueville Tennis Club, and her work as President at Lane Cove Music.
The club has a long history of bringing memorable talent to the local community, hosting performances with Dame Joan Sutherland, June Bronhill, Tamara Cislowska and Peter Dawson – just to name a few through the years.
Locally born musicians David Fung, Pascal Herington, David Elton, and Anna Dowsley are now making their names internationally in the music world.
Simon Tedeschi, the internationally renowned pianist who performed at the 80th anniversary concert, was doing much the same at Lane Cove Music in the 1990s when he was 14 years old.
Today, Lane Cove Music has 115 members and continues to provide first-class entertainment for the community at an affordable price.
The Importance Of Music Clubs
To Simon and George’s delight, the crowd not only enjoyed their music but actively engaged in the journey through a variety of jazz and classical musical performances.
The pair agreed that local groups such as Lane Cove Music – clubs they have participated in all their lives – are the foundations for continuing musical culture in communities nationwide.
“It’s great to be in a room of musical appreciators, and these people are getting all kinds of music all the time. So like in one of the pieces where Simon’s quoting all these different composers. They’re getting it. I don’t use the word sophisticated lightly, but they’re pretty sophisticated,” George said.
“For people in my world, it’s music clubs that really hold it [the music community] together. So for me, it’s local communities, apart from the big stuff like the Opera House and Sydney Symphony, it’s the local groups and the music lovers who really sustain it,” Simon interjected.
While steering the ship herself for over two decades, Christine extended her gratitude to the founders and previous members of Lane Cove Music, who kept the club’s goal going for years.
“It’s been a community group run by the local community for 80 years, nonstop. So we have a lot to thank our forefathers for they were very keen to encourage music in our community, and this has continued. It provides a meeting place for local people who love music, and it also provides a venue for musicians.”
After the performance, the rest of the night was dedicated to a ritual almost as important as experiencing the music; enjoying food and drink while discussing the music amongst each other and the musicians who made themselves available – keeping the music culture in Lane Cove alive for yet another night.
Next Lane Cove Music Event 13 May 2025 at 7.30 pm
Magic Flutes, Electric Harp Blues & The Silver Screen
Join two Australian flute and harp superstars in an enchanting concert that transports you to an atmosphere of glittering dreams and angelic realms. Jane Rutter plays her gold and silver flutes and Celtic whistles. Louise Johnson plays classical gold and electric blue harps. The renowned duo pay tribute to Jazz harp legends Dorothy Ashby, Mimi Allen, Robert Maxwell and Harpo Marx. With evocative music from the silver screen, the duo showcase works by Richard Strauss, Mozart, Bizet, Chopin, Liszt, Brubeck, Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Khachaturian and Scott Joplin.
Bookings open on 22 April 9 am (put that date in your diary)
Check out the rest of LCM’s season here.
Lane Cove Music Contact Details
Website: lanecovemusic.org.au/
Performance Centre: LCM Church – 19 Rosenthal Ave, Lane Cove
(behind the Post Office and opposite The Canopy). The venue holds up to 250 people, has comfortable seats and excellent acoustics. It is also wheelchair accessible.
Become a Member: lanecovemusic.org.au/lane-cove-music-membership/
Help ITC to Keep Providing Free Local News in 2025
