Tribute to musical pioneer, James McCusker

(posted 07.06.10)

Nearly 50 years ago a nun named Mother Winifred began a small school orchestra in Canberra and one of the children’s father, James McCusker, a violinist, offered to help out.

The year was 1962 and Mr McCusker soon was conducting, composing and arranging music, and his wife, Portia, became the librarian of the music.

The orchestra later moved to a central location and became the Canberra Junior Orchestra and Mr McCusker’s daughter, Genevieve, became the orchestra leader.

Most of the McCusker children were members of the orchestra, which eventually grew to a full symphony orchestra called the Canberra Youth Orchestra.

To ensure the nurturing of musical talents, a training ensemble was established and in honour of the late James McCusker, took his name.

Today, the Canberra Youth Orchestra attracts hundreds of young musicians each week to play in the orchestras, bands and choirs. And this year, the James McCusker Orchestra will join with Queensland school, Matthew Flinders Anglican College, for a special concert at Llewellyn Hall on June 25.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College is an independent, co-educational Prep to Year 12 school located at Buderim on the Sunshine Coast. The College’s Music Program has gained recognition for its exceptional quality and outstanding achievements.
 
James McCusker’s daughter, Genevieve Bignell, who is the string specialist and Primary Music Coordinator at Matthew Flinders Anglican College, has been instrumental in bringing the two performing groups together during the Flinders’ 2010 Music Tour to Canberra.

This year, 98 Flinders students in the Wind Symphony, Stage Band, College Chorale and College String Orchestra will visit Canberra and Young from June 19-26.

Highlights of the tour include two performances at Llewellyn Hall at the Australian National University on June 25 (1.30pm and a 7pm Combined Concert with James McCusker Orchestra - entry free), and also a performance that morning in the Great Hall at Parliament House.  

Earlier in the week, the Year 7-12 students will visit Young and present concerts at the local retirement village and the Young North Public School, including a special public performance with selected members of The Regional School of Music.

Students will also enjoy a day of sight-seeing around the nation’s capital, and take part in workshops and performances at the Burgmann Anglican School and Daramalan College.

“When the decision was taken to tour Canberra this year it was only a far away dream to actually share a performance with the orchestra named after my father,” Ms Bignell said from the Sunshine Coast.

“By his dedication and service my father influenced so many young musicians in Canberra but that influence has not diminished over the years but has grown remarkably.

“Another amazing connection to this orchestra happened on my first day of teaching at Matthew Flinders Anglican College. Unbeknown to me, the James McCusker Orchestra was to visit the school and put on a performance. So on my first day I took the whole Primary School to hear this orchestra named after my father.”

Previous Flinders’ music tours have taken students to Sydney and Melbourne where the ensembles have performed at prestigious locations such as the Sydney Opera House, Angel Place (Sydney Recital Hall), St Andrew’s Cathedral (Sydney), St Mary’s Cathedral (Melbourne) and the BMW Auditorium (Melbourne).

In the lead-up to the annual music tour, the students have been involved in a number of performances including a Pre-Tour Concert, the Anglican Schools Conference, St Paul’s 50th Anniversary Jazz on the Lawn, the Music Scholars Concert and the Sunshine Coast Choral Festival.

For information regarding the Canberra or Young concert and workshop events, contact Flinders Music Department on 5477 3258 or email musicsecretary@mfac.edu.au

Canberra Music Tour

1972 Canberra Times article

Back to News and Events