Tribute concert for loved Whanganui singing teacher

Lyn Shackleton will be honoured with a special concert at St Paul's next Sunday. Photo / Supplied

The Wanganui Music Society will hold a special tribute concert for Lyn Shackleton, who passed away after a short illness on January 9.

This concert is to honour Ms Shackleton and the contribution she made to music in Whanganui, not only through her role as president of the music society, but also as a member of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers (IRMT), NZ Association of Teachers' Singing (NEWZATS) and - last but not least - her extensive list of singing pupils.

Ms Shackleton's students have been asked to choose a piece they would like to sing as tribute.

Lyn Shackleton, the elder daughter of Jack and Doris McBeth, was born in Whanganui and attended Wanganui East and Fordell Schools.

She also attended Lake Pukaki School (Twizel) and Sacred Heart College, Timaru (now Roncalli College) before completing her teacher training at Ardmore Teachers' College.

During her teaching career, Ms Shackleton taught initially in various capacities in both primary and intermediate schools before becoming a specialist music teacher.

She progressed to head of music at McAuley High School (Otahuhu, Auckland) from 1995 to 2003. After "retiring" with her husband, Ron, to Whanganui, she "kept her hand in" with relief teaching until setting up the Singing Studio.

Ms Shackleton studied singing with Sister Mary Leo and Hubert Milverton-Carta, and was winner of the 1964 Rotorua Aria Contest, and runner-up in the John Court Aria Contest in Auckland in 1965.

She was twice winner of the Ladies Vocal Championship in both Aucklandand Rotorua, and also won the Ladies Vocal Championship on the North Shore once.

In addition, Ms Shackleton performed over many years in opera, musical plays, oratorio, and recitals.

The concert will be held in St Paul's Worship Centre, Cooks St, Whanganui.

All are welcome and are also invited to afternoon tea after the concert, to share memories of Ms Shackleton.

Tribute Concert for Lyn Shackleton: Sunday April 8 at 2pm, St Paul's Worship Centre, Cooks St, Whanganui. Gold coin donation at the door.