Lawrie Pardy

Bio:
I grew up in a small country town. Moved to "the big smoke" at age 16 to start a telecommunications apprenticeship. Later I moved into computers with the same employer.

I don't know if I'm a technophile with musical tendencies or a musician with a technical affliction.

Got married at 20 and 18 months later moved to the beautiful New South Wales Central Coast and have lived there ever since. We have 3 kids. Two of them are married off now and the youngest is studying at university in another town.

We are active in our local church in various capacities though the one that is most obvious is our involvement in the band. My wife plays flute and I play trombone with a little flugel horn and trumpet thrown in. As well, I'm the senior technical consultant :)

In 1993 We took the step into our own business in the computer industry as networking specialists. I believe our success has been nothing less than Gods grace in our lives.

I use NWC to:

• Produce useful charts for the band.
  
• Write arrangements. NWC makes this sooo much easier as I can both see and hear the results of my fumblings.
  
• Help to notate some of our home grown songs.
  

• An older lady taught me to play piano accordian (with not much theory) when I was about 8 or 9.
  
• Graduated to organ at about 10 or 11 but that teacher gave me _no_ theory at all.
  
• Then on to my local brass band on Trombone, Baritone, Tenor Horn and Euphonium at about 11 or 12 - not a lot of theory but enough, and all of it practically based.
  
• The rest I've been soaking up slowly "through my skin" since then.
  
• My most significant learning period for theory has actually coincided with my use of NWC.
  

• I've written a few little songs.
  
• My improvisation skills are slowly coming along.
  
• I play in the "Central Coast Conservatorium Big Band".
  
• I sing a great "tenor solo".
  
• I water ski - not often lately but would like to get back into it more.
  
• Go snow skiing once a year.
  
• Try to go abseiling but don't get much opportunity
  
• I talk too much, my wife not enough.
  
• Love people
  
• Hate crowds.
  
• Despise bullying and other injustices.
  
• Hate rudeness, politics and feeling helpless.
  
• I love driving and riding motorcycles.
  
• Don't get out on my pushy nearly enough hence I'm "a bit" over weight.
  
• Had a beard almost constantly since I was about 17.
  
• I like bushwalking and camping but never seem to be able to organise myself to go, always too busy.