When you look back on your life and things just fall into place. That’s music for me.
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Kevin Atkins has been playing piano and organ since he had his first lesson at nine years of age.
But, he says, he was in his 80s before he realised other people might also like what he plays.
The 85-year-old said his first big break came when he was 14 and he was asked to play organ at his local church.
“I would have been pretty woeful. But they put up with me for 10 years,” he says.
“The following year I spent playing a pipe organ at another church too.
“Because of the way life unfolds, I’ve played on various types of organs but never as a solo pianist as such.
“I've played at nursing homes, retirement villages and the like but it wasn’t until I started playing at the Glasshouse about seven years ago that I seemed to find people that thought I played the piano okay.”
He admits playing to his first ‘captive audience’ at Kendall. He was 80 years of age.
It was a chance encounter with Glasshouse staff during a casual walk with his son that opened up Mr Atkins’ weekly gig.
“We were walking through the Glasshouse and I saw the piano. A staff member asked if i played and I said ‘I try too’.
“The next minute I was being asked to come back and play a regular gig on a Wednesday,” he said.
“I am just very thankful for the chance to play there. It has been a very good outlet for me, personally.
When you visit somewhere to play, music always seems to be able to reach people. To touch them in a way that normal conversation can’t. I don’t know really, but music seems to tap into peoples’ minds.
- Kevin Atkins
“At my age, it’s just great to play and to read music and to concentrate … if I was at home playing, I think I would get too lazy.”
Mr Atkins says the versatility of the piano and the variety of music available to play are the main attractions for him. He will continue to play as ‘long as other people are enjoying the music’.
He enjoys playing the classics, themes from films right through to some modern day classics.
“Because of my background in the church, I also enjoy playing songs of faith too,” he adds.
And that’s another reason behind his playing.
“When you visit somewhere to play, music always seems to be able to reach people. To touch them in a way that normal conversation can’t. I don’t know really, but music seems to tap into peoples’ minds.”
He said the passing of his wife, Betty, four years ago was a difficult time but their love of music has helped him enormously.
“Betty’s plaque reads: The song has ended, but the melody lings on’,” he adds.
You can hear Kevin Atkins play at the Glasshouse every Wednesday morning from about 10am until 12.30pm.