For all her musical talent and formal training, Boorowa maestro Mary Corcoran chose not to embrace a professional career in music.
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In her quiet, modest way, Mary said this week that she felt she didn’t have the confidence to undertake a career as a professional performer.
“I did consider it, but I never thought it was for me,” she said.
At the Sydney Conservatorium, Mary studied piano with noted Russian master Alexander Swerjensky and singing with the renowned English vocal educator Godfrey Stirling.
She boarded in Sydney for two years (1948-49) and for the third year travelled down and back each week by train from her home in Forbes.
One of her favourite memories was, as a 19 year old, playing for famous Scottish tenor Fr Sydney McKeon during his visit to Australia.
But she says that perhaps her most significant musical training was that which she received from her father’s cousin, Mother Cecilia, at the Convent in her home town.
(That must have been an omen-Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music and musicians)
Yet those who know her would agree that although Mary may have eschewed a professional career, she nevertheless brings a great degree of commitment and professionalism to the musical contribution she has made to the Boorowa community over more than six decades.
This year, Mary is looking back over 60 years as mentor, participant and musical director of the Boorowa Musical and Dramatic Society, which has been her special interest since she came to Boorowa from Forbes in 1956.
A new phase in Mary’s life began at a Picnic Race meeting in Grenfell, where she met Boorowa farmer Max Corcoran, and eventually the couple married in November 1955, and came to live on their Boorowa property Kalamunda, which thereafter was to become the hub of musical activity in the district.
Despite her undoubted skills, Mary practises every day to ensure that she retains the flexibility and positivity of touch which are the hallmarks of a fine musician.
Mary had been active in the amateur theatrical society in her home town of Forbes, and was keen to establish a similar organisation in her adopted town.
Soon, with the interest and co-operation of many new friends, the Boorowa Revue Company was formed and presented its first production, Canemumbola Capers, in May, 1958.
There followed many other successful productions, such as Our Miss Gibbs, the Quaker Girl, the King and I, Oklahoma and South Pacific, to name only a few.
Along with many following productions, the name of the organisation was changed to Boorowa Musical and Dramatic Society, but Mary remained at the musical helm, bringing her own brand of musical motivation to the company whenever it was needed.
It is something of a miracle that, amid all that musical activity slotted in with a busy farming life, Max and Mary were able to produce, raise and educate seven children.
She indicates with some amusement that during one of the Musical and Dramatic Society productions three of the major female participants were pregnant, but that didn’t dim their commitment or enthusiasm.
Over more than sixty years, Mary has always been very generous with her talents and has made herself available to make music or just to lend a hand in support of church activities or local charitable pursuits.
Mary’s special contribution to the community was recognised with a Citizen of the Year award in 1997.
Reflecting on sixty years of the Boorowa M&D, Mary indicated this week how much she had enjoyed her association with the organisation.
She said it was a special experience ‘when people get together to make music.’
Mary’s mantra is that ‘music is essential’ and where there is music ‘we find the world a better and brighter place.’
It has been very providential that Mary chose to make her home here and share her musical talents with us all.
When the M&D Reunion takes place on Saturday, October 27, Mary will be among the many to share many reminiscences and the happy memories of sixty years of making music.