New Year Honours list: Jeremy Whimster

IN TUNE: Jeremy Whimster, has had a interest in music and singing since he was a small boy, "my parents said when I heard someone singing on the radio when I was 3, I just stopped and listened." Photo / George Novak

When Jeremy Whimster was a 3-year-old a song playing on the radio stopped him in his toddler tracks and he just listened - sparking a lifetime's interest in music and singing.

Mr Whimster has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal for his service to music.

"My parents said when I heard someone singing on the radio when I was 3 I just stopped and listened. There must have always been an interest.

"I think I liked hearing the end results. On my first day at Hamilton Boys' High, we had the whole assembly, 800 boys singing, it just blew me away hearing that sort of thing."

Mr Whimster has been involved in music, particularly choral singing, in the Bay of Plenty region since the 1970s.

He has been the musical director of the Tauranga Civic Choir for more than 20 years, joining the group in 1992 and has been instrumental in getting Bay of Plenty choral groups ready for the regional rounds of the National Secondary Schools choral competition, The Big Sing, which is regarded as the showpiece for young singers.

Resident organist for the Tauranga Wesley Church since 1975, Mr Whimster is currently serving on several music committees in the Bay of Plenty region, including the Waikato-Bay of Plenty New Zealand Choral Federation.

Mr Whimster said he was quite surprised to get the award.

"It's a real privilege. I thought 'what have I done to deserve this' because I am just doing something I enjoy doing."