The  Score  –  Maritime  Conservatory  of  Performing  Arts  Association  Update  –  February  2016     1  

The  Score    

Sheila  Piercey  as  Adele  in  the  COC's  1964  production  of  Die  Fledermaus

 

Image  by  Ed  MacDormand  

       

   

 MCPA  Association  Update            February  2016  

New   MCPA   Association   Sheila   Piercey   Awards:    Through   the   generosity  of   long-­‐time  Association  member  Sheila   Piercey,   a   new   set   of   student   awards   has   been  made   available   to   MCPA   voice   students.     Aware   of   the  added   costs   to   students   and   parents   of   hiring  accompanists   for   vocal   performances,   Sheila   has   created  the   MCPA   Association   Sheila   K.   Piercey   Collaborative  Pianist   Awards.     Each   year,   up   to   six   voice   students  who  audition   for   one   of   the   Conservatory’s   competitive   music  scholarships   are   eligible   to   have   the   costs   of   hiring   an  accompanist   covered.     These   awards   will   be   available   for   this   year’s   auditions.    

One   of   Canada’s   preeminent   operatic  sopranos,   Sheila’s   first   vocal   coaches   were  her   mother   Lilian   Piercey   and   Leonard  Mayoh,   who   at   the   time   was   head   of   the  Conservatory’s   Voice   Department.     She  continued  her   studies  with  Dr.   Ernesto  Vinci  at   the   Royal   Conservatory   of  Music   and   the  University   of   Toronto   Opera   School.   Joining  the  Canadian  Opera  Company  in  1957,  Sheila  became   one   of   its   most   versatile   and   best  loved   stars,   performing   22   different   roles   in  16   COC   tours.       Having   “a   natural   vivacity”  and   “a   clear,   flexible,   rich   voice”,   she   was  “outstanding   in   comedy   and   soubrette  roles.”       On   retirement,   Sheila   returned   to  Halifax  where  she  has  been  an  avid  supporter  of  the  performing  arts  in  Nova  Scotia.    She  is  especially  passionate   about  helping   talented  young  people  realize  their  full  potential.  

The   Association   values   Sheila   Piercey   as   a  member   and   friend,   and   we   would   like   to  

                                                                                                                                                                                         thank   her   for   her   generosity   in   making   it                                                                                                                                                                                                                  possible   to   add   these   new   awards   to   those                                                                                                                                                                                              the  Association  already  makes  available  to                   MCPA  students.    

           The  Score  –  Maritime  Conservatory  of  Performing  Arts  Association  Update  –  February  2016     2  

Dr.  Jennifer  Farrell  

Change  of  Dean  of  Music  at  the  Conservatory:    After  a  highly   successful   term   as   the   inaugural   Dean   of  Music   at   the  Maritime  Conservatory  of  Music,  Cheryl  McCarthy  has  stepped  down.     The   Association   would   like   to   congratulate   Cheryl   on  her  many  successes  as  Dean  of  Music:  a  job  well  done.    She  is  much   admired   for   her   charm,   her   dedication,   and   her   hard  work  on  behalf  of  MCPA.    “It  has  been  a  great  privilege  to  serve  the   School   of  Music   as  Dean,”   Cheryl   notes,   “a   role   that  was  initiated   by   Janet   Hull   five   years   ago   and   has   evolved   in  response  to  needs  as   they  arose.  The  Conservatory   is  such  an  important   part   of   both   past   and   future   history   of   music    education   in  Nova   Scotia.   The   love   and  dedication   to  music   of    both   teachers   and   students   is   always   heartwarming   and   inspiring   and   promises   a   continued  bright  future  for  the  school.  With  Dean  Jennifer  Farrell  leading  us  into  the  next  phase  of  growth,  I  am  happy  to  focus  entirely  on  my  voice  and  piano  students  who  are,  after  all,  the  reason  we  all  work   to  make   the   Conservatory   the   best   it   can   be.  Many   thanks   to   all  who  have   shown   such  support,   encouragement,   and   patience   to   me   through   the   “dean”   years   –   sometimes   easy,  sometimes  challenging  –  always  worthwhile.”    

We   are   delighted   that  Dr.   Jennifer   Farrell,   a  member   of  the   MCPA   Voice   Department,   has   been   appointed   as  Cheryl’s   successor   as  Dean  of  Music.     Jennifer  began  her  advanced   studies   in   music   at   Wilfred   Laurier   University,  continuing  at  the  University  of  British  Columbia  where  she  was  awarded  both  masters  and  doctoral  degrees.    A  highly  accomplished   singer   with   a   beautiful   soprano   voice,  Jennifer   performs   regularly   in   the   fields   of   early   music,  opera,   oratorio,   and   art   song.     She   has   appeared   from  coast   to   coast   with   Canadian   ensembles   such   as   the  Vanncouver  Symphony  and  Pacific  Baroque  Orchestra,  and  Symphony  Nova  Scotia  and  Opera  Nova  Scotia.    Dr.  Farrell  

             has   also   toured  western   Canada  with   the  National   Youth  Orchestra   of   Canada   and  Canada’s   Royal  Winnipeg  Ballet,   and   eastern  Canada  with   Jeunesses  Musicales   du   Canada.     Dr.   Farrell   is   equally   active   as   an   adjudicator,   examiner,   lecturer,   and  choral  clinician.      

Jennifer  notes  that  the  “Conservatory  has  been  part  of  my  life,  and  dear  to  my  heart,  for  as  long  as   I   can   remember.     I   studied  piano  and  music   theory  here  as  a  child,  and   it   is   such  a   thrill   to  return   now   to   support   our   wonderful   students   and   teachers   as   their   Dean   of   Music.     In  collaboration  with  the  MCPA  Association  and  my  colleagues  in  the  Schools  of  Music,  Dance,  and  Kindermusik,   I   hope   to   help   maintain   the   high   level   of   excellence   in   programming   and  community  outreach   that   already  exists,  while   increasing  public   recognition  of   the  MCPA  as   a  first  class  performing  arts  centre  in  Canada.”  

We  are  delighted  to  welcome  Dr.  Farrell  to  her  new  position  as  Dean  of  Music  and  look  forward  to  working  closely  with  her.    Like  Cheryl,  Jennifer  is  an  active  member  of  the  MCPA  Association.  

Cheryl  McCarthy  

           The  Score  –  Maritime  Conservatory  of  Performing  Arts  Association  Update  –  February  2016     3  

 

New   Appointment   for  Mayann   Francis:   The   Honourable  Dr.   Mayann   Francis,   OSE,   has   been   attending   the   Association  Dinners  for  some  time,  and  we  were  delighted  when  she  recently  became  an  Association  member.      

We  would   like  to  extend  our  congratulations  to  Mayann  for  her  recently  announced  appointment  as  the  first  Distinguished  Public  Service  Fellow  at  Dalhousie’s  School  of  Public  Administration.    To  mark  this  appointment,  Dr.  Francis  will  deliver  a  lecture  entitled  A  Very  Public  Journey:  from  Whitney  Pier  to  Government  House  on  March   1,   at   7:30   pm,   in   Room   1011   of   the   Row   Building,   6100  University   Avenue.     In   the   words   of   the   university’s  announcement   of   the   appointment:     “Through   her   many  achievements—most    notably   as   CEO   of   the   NS   Human   Rights        Commission,  as  an  Assistant  Deputy  Minister  in  Ontario,  and  the      

     first  Black  Nova  Scotian   to  be  appointed   to   the  highest  office   in            the  province,  the  vice  regal  position  of  Lieutenant  Governor—Dr.  

Francis  has  broken  through  cultural,  racial  and  gender  barriers  to  inspire  and  set  the  course  for  those  destined  to  follow.”  

We  would   also   like   to   congratulate   Dr.   Francis   on   the  recent  publication  of  her  first  children’s  book  Mayann’s  Train   Ride.     To   quote   publisher   Nimbus   Press’s  description:   “Nine-­‐year-­‐old   Mayann   Francis   and   her  family  are  travelling  from  their  home  in  Cape  Breton  to  New  York  City  by   train.  Everything   is  exciting   to  young  Mayann,   from   the   beds   that   fold   down   to   the   stop   in  Montreal   to   visit   friends.   Most   exciting   of   all   is   the  chance   to   show   off   her   brand   new   purse.    When   the  Francis   family   arrives   in   big,   bustling   New   York   City,    Mayann  visits  with  relatives,  goes  to  the  zoo,  and  rides  the   subway.   She   even   receives   a   beautiful   black   doll,  something  she  has  never  seen  before.  But  one  subway  ride,  she  loses  her  beautiful  purse.  At  first  she’s   heartbroken,   but   she   just  might   learn   a   lesson   that  makes   the   whole   trip   worthwhile.”    Mayann’s  Train  Ride  has  been  receiving  excellent  reviews  and  is  widely  available.  

MCPA  Honouree  Prize:     Last   year   the  MCPA  Association   created   a   new   student   award   in  recognition   of   the   individual(s)   honoured   during   the   year   by   being   named   Honourary   Life  Members  of  the  Associations.    This  year’s  Honouree,  who  was  recognized  at  the  autumn  Dinner,  is  Marie  Himmelman   Smyth.     The   award,   to   be   presented   at   this   June’s   Convocation,  will   be  called   the  MCPA  Association  Honouree  Marie  Himmelman  Smyth  Prize.    Marie  graduated   from  the  Conservatory,  after  studying  piano  with  Harry  Dean,  theory  with  Rita  Morton,  and  voice  with  Mary  Dee  Gerrior.    She  has  been  a  member  of  the  Association  continuously  from  the  time  she  graduated  from  the  Conservatory,  where  she  also  taught  piano  and  theory  until  retirement.      

             The  Honourable    Dr.  Mayann  Francis,  OSE  

           The  Score  –  Maritime  Conservatory  of  Performing  Arts  Association  Update  –  February  2016     4  

MCPA  French  Café:  Last  year  Barbara  Dearborn,  the  Dean   of   Dance,   suggested   to   her   colleagues   on   the  Association  Board  that  we  organize  a  gala  event  for  the  winners   of   all   the   scholarships   and   prizes   available   to  Conservatory   Students.     There   are   now,   by   the   way,  more   than   80   awards   presented   at   Convocation   to   the  Conservatory’s  more  than  1200  students.    These  awards  are   contributed   by   a   range   of   groups   including   MCPA  itself,   the   Halifax   Ladies   Musical   Club,   Beta   Sigma   Phi,  String   Music   Atlantic,   Delta   Master   Chapter,   various  departments   of   the   Conservatory,   and   a   number   of  individuals  and  businesses.     The  MCPA  Association  now  provides  some  two  dozen  of  these  awards,  in  addition  to  a  number  of  bursaries  to  those  in  financial  need.  

Last  year   the   student  Gala   took   the   form  of  a  High  Tea  that   was   thoroughly   enjoyed   by   the   students,  many   of  whom   dressed   for   the   occasion.     This   year   the   theme  was  a  French  Café,  with  suitable  decorations  provided  by  event  organizers,  Barbara  Dearborn,  Carolyn  Bird,  Jennifer  O’Connor,  and  Frances  Royle.    The  event   was   very   well   attended   and   the   food   prepared   by   Carolyn   Bird   was   predictably  

outstanding.     The   new   Dean   of  Music  Jennifer  Farrell,  accompanied  by  pianist  Frances  Royle,  performed  a  number  of   French   songs   to   great  applause,   accompanied   in   Jacques  Offenbach’s  Barcarolle  by  long-­‐time  Association   member   and   Past  President   Joan   Cunningham.     Two  talented   guitarists   also   performed  throughout   the   afternoon.  

 

The   MCPA   Association   Scholarship   to   be   Renamed:    The  MCPA  Association  Board  has  decided   to   rename  one  of   its   oldest  student  awards.    The  MCPA  Association  Scholarship  will  now  be  called  the   MCPA   Association   Laing-­‐Porter   Founders   Scholarship,   in  recognition  of  the  central  role  these  two   individuals  played   in  creating  the  Conservatory  and  putting  it  on  a  firm  footing.      

The   Rev.   Robert   Laing  was   the   founding   President   (1887-­‐1919)   of   the  Halifax  Conservatory  and  its  sister  institution  the  Halifax  Ladies’  College,  while  Charles  Henry  Porter  was  the  Conservatory’s  first  Director  (1887-­‐1900).    

A  small  portion  of  Carolyn  Bird’s  wonderful  food  

The  Rev.  Robert  Laing  

Trois  étudiants  de  danse    

           The  Score  –  Maritime  Conservatory  of  Performing  Arts  Association  Update  –  February  2016     5  

The   Founding   of   the   Association:     A   meeting   was   held   on   June   13,   1921   at   the  Conservatory  of  Music,  then  on  Barrington  Street,  chaired  by  Conservatory  Director  Harry  Dean.    

Its   purpose   was   to   organize   a   Society   of  Graduates   of   the   Halifax   Conservatory   of  Music.    The  meeting  was  addressed  by  Dr.    J.W.   Falconer   (a   professor   at   what   was  then   Pine   Hill   Divinity   Hall),   and   it   was  moved   by   F.M.   Guilford   (a   prominent  businessman,   owner   of   Guildford   and  Son’s  Machinist  Supplies)  and  seconded  by  Conservatory   alumna  Mrs.   H.P.   Bezanson  that   such   a   society   be   formed.     Elsie  Taylor,   a   member   of   the   Piano  Department,   was   on   the   planning    

             committee;   on   her   death   in   the   1940s—                after   a   fifty   year   connection   with   the                  Conservatory—an   endowed   scholarship  

was  created  in  Miss  Taylor’s  name,  and  the  MCPA  Association  Elsie  Taylor  Piano  Scholarship  has  been  awarded  continuously  for  more  than  70  years.        

The  first  actual  meeting  of  the  new  Alumni  Society  of  the  Halifax  Conservatory  of  Music  was  held  on  January  3,  1922.    Among  the  initial  members  were  several  whose  names  will  still  be  familiar  to  some  of  our  older  member:  Miss  Vera  Blois,  Mrs.  Annie  DesBrisay,  Miss  K.   Inglis,  and  Miss  Elsie   Taylor.    With   the   Association   Centennial   only   five   years   away,   preliminary   planning   will  begin  soon  of  how  we  should  celebrate  this  momentous  occasion.    If  you  have  any  suggestions,  please  pass  them  along  to  a  member  of  the  Association’s  Board.  

SAVE  THE  DATE:    The  MCPA  Association’s  Spring  Dinner  will  be  held  this  year  on  Sunday,  June  19th   and,   in   a   change   of   location,   the   dinner  will   be   held   at   the   Stadacona  Wardroom  Officer’s  Mess.      Further  information  will  be  provided  closer  to  the  event  but,  in  the  meantime,  please  reserve  the  date!    

                                                     

  The  Scotia  Room   The  Dining  Room  

The  Halifax  Conservatory  and  Ladies’  College,                                                                      circa  1900  

           The  Score  –  Maritime  Conservatory  of  Performing  Arts  Association  Update  –  February  2016     6  

The  MCPA  Association’s   Statement  of  Purpose:     The  MCPA  Association   is   a   group   of  friends  of   the  Conservatory   including  alumni,   teachers,  parents,  and  those  who  appreciate   the  importance  of   the  Maritime  Conservatory  of  Performing  Arts   in   the  cultural   life  of  Halifax  and  Nova   Scotia.     Since   1921   the   Association   has   organized   events   to   promote   and   support   the  Conservatory   and   its   programmes.     From   the   beginning   one   focus   has   been   on   recognizing  student   excellence   and   providing   financial   assistance   to   students   through   prizes,   scholarships,  and  bursaries.    Each  year  we  also  select  other  projects  such  as  assisting  in  the  purchase  or  repair  of  a  piano  or  the  acquisition  of  new  equipment.        Another   aim   of   the   Association   is   to   maintain   a   social   connection   with   MCPA   friends.     We  organize   or   participate   in   a   variety   of   events   during   the   year   such   as   the   spring   and   autumn  dinners  and  the  donor  appreciation  evening,  occasions  at  which  Conservatory  students  will  often  perform.    Membership  in  the  MCPA  Association  is  a  wonderful  opportunity  to  donate  time  and  energy  with  like-­‐minded  friends  for  the  benefit  of  students.  New  members  of  the  Association  are  always  welcome.    

A   Grace   Note   from   the   President:     This   year   the   MCPA  Association   Board   is  making   a   special   effort   to   keep   in   touch  with  you,   our   friends   and   supporters.     From   time   to   time   we   will   be  sending   members   an   update   such   as   this   on   the   activities   of   the  Association,  letting  you  know  about  the  varying  ways  in  which  we,  as  an   organization,   are   striving   to   achieve   our   purpose   of   promoting  and   supporting   the   Conservatory.     We’ll   also   pass   along   stories  

about  the  successes  of  some  of  our  members.    We  hope  that  you  enjoy  this  issue  of  The  Score.

                     

MCPA  Association  Board  of  Directors    

Dr.  Gary  Brooks,  President  Chantal  Williams,  Vice-­‐President  Joan  Cunningham,  Past  President  Vaila  Mowat,  Recording  Secretary  

Carol  von  Syberg,  Corresponding  Secretary  Angus  Campbell,  Treasurer  

Michelle  LeClaire,  Membership  Coordinator    

Carolyn  Bird  Margaretta  Brown  

Bill  Chaddock  Daryl  Chaddock  

June  Cook  Barbara  Dearborn  Edie  Hancock  

Mary  Ann  Mercer  Patricia  Walsh  MacNeil  

Frances  Royle  Wayne  Thompson