Hannah ‘Molly’ McGurk was born in Armadale in 1929 and grew up at the family home on Prospect Road. She was a very musical child who learnt the piano. She was a regular competitor and winner of the state finals of the ABC’s Concerto and Vocal Competition, first as a pianist and then as a solo singer in the 1940s. She also competed in other national singing competitions. She was in demand to perform in concert work, including a production of the Messiah.
1950
VOICE AND CONCERTO – Semi-Finalists In A.B.C. Contest
The West Australian semi-finalists in the concerto and vocal competitions conducted by the Australian Broadcasting Commission were announced yesterday. They are Molly McGurk, Bernise Demorest. Pamela Kott and Ina Micale (pianists), Elise Longwill and Pamela Flower (sopranos) and Jack Harrison (clarinet). They will appear at the orchestral concert to be conducted by Sir Bernard Heinze on May 25 at the Capitol Theatre, at which the two State finalists will be selected. The final will be adjudicated by Dr. A. E. Floyd, Mr. L. Kennedy and the Assistant-Director of Music of the A.B.C. (Mr. H. Cannon). Mr. Cannon said yesterday that the number of entries in Western Australia in proportion to population had been the largest in the Commonwealth. This year there had been 69 entries for the competition, the majority having come from the metropolitan area. Prizes, he said, were being given to both the instrumentalist and vocalist finalist in the State and Commonwealth finals. The aim of the competition was to give young artists an opportunity to appear with an orchestra under an experienced conductor. Mr. Cannon added that the competition had impressed many overseas conductors, mainly because of the experience gained by young artists. and several conductors had said that it was a unique competition in this respect.
The West Australian Thursday 4 May 1950 page 7
VOICE AND CONCERTO – Semi-Finalists In A.B.C. Contest
The West Australian semi-finalists in the concerto and vocal competitions conducted by the Australian Broadcasting Commission were announced on Wednesday. They are Molly McGurk, Bernise Demorest, Pamela Kott and Ina Micale (pianists), Elise Longwill and Pamela Flower (sopranos) and Jack Harrison (clarinet). They will appear at the orchestral concert to be conducted by Sir Bernard Heinze on May 25 at the Capitol Theatre, at which the two State finalists will be selected. The final will be adjudicated by Dr. A. E. Floyd, Mr. L. Kennedy and the Assistant-Director of Music of the A.B.C. (Mr. H. Cannon). Mr. Cannon said on Wednesday that the number of entries in Western Australia in proportion to population had been the largest in the Commonwealth. This year there had been 69 entries for the competition, the majority having come from the metropolitan area. Prizes, he said, were being given to both the instrumentalist and vocalist finalist in the State and Commonwealth finals. The aim of the competition was to give young artists an opportunity to appear with an orchestra under an experienced conductor. Mr. Cannon added that the competition had impressed many overseas conductors, mainly because of the experience gained by young artists, and several conductors had said that it was a unique competition in this respect.
The West Australian Friday 5 May 1950 page 5
Local Finalists Meet Conductor
State finalists in the ABC vocal and concerto competition, who will play at next Thursday’s youth concert, met their conductor, Sir Bernard Heinze, yesterday morning.
Sunday Times Sunday 21 May 1950 page 21
Tomorrow at 8, Capitol Theatre – 2nd YOUTH CONCERT
State Finalists in the Concerto and Vocal Competition – PERTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Conductor: Sir Bernard Heinze
Soloists: Molly McGurk, Bernice Demorest. Pamela Kott. Ina Micale (pianists); Elise Longwlll. Pamela Flower (sopranos); Jack Harrison (clarinet).
Prices: 2/1 to Youth up to 25 years 6/1 and 4/1 to adults. Plan at Nicholsons. Direction: Australian Broadcasting Commission.
FINALISTS CHOSEN – A.B.C. Concerto And Vocal Contest – (By ‘”Tactus.”)
Last night at the Capitol Theatre an audience which completely filled the auditorium attended the second of the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s series of youth concerts. Actually, the occasion, more than any other previous concert of the kind, fulfilled the purpose, for the young solo performers were those chosen in the West Australian concerto and vocal competition. There were seven of them, four pianists, one clarinettist (the only male to qualify) and two vocalists. Considerable interest was added by the fact that the concert was the final test to decide the choice of one instrumentalist and one singer to compete against two representatives of each State in Sydney at a later date.
HIGH PRAISE
The adjudicators were the Director of Music for the A.B.C. (Mr. W. G. James) and Dr. Edgar Bainton (former Director of the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music), Their decision, which was announced at the end of the concert, bestowed the honours on Miss Elise Longwell, soprano, whose singing of the aria, “Salce, Salce,” the Willow Song from Verdi’s opera,”Otello,” was a fine performance, and on Miss Molly McGurk, who received high praise for her playing of Liszt’s TodtcnTanz (Dance of Death). The adjudicators were so impressed also with Jack Harrison, who played the clarinet Concertino (Weber) that they announced their intention of strongly recommending his inclusion as a finalist.
The others who appeared were Miss Pamela Kott (first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, in G Major); Miss Bernice Demorest (first movement of Moszkowski’s Piano Concerto in E Major); Miss Ina Micale (first movement of Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A Minor); and Miss Pamela Flower (Jewel Song from Gounod’s opera “Faust”). A high standard was maintained by all the young musicians, and Dr. Bainton described the adjudicators’ task in arriving at their verdict as “exciting.” The orchestra, under the direction of Sir Bernard Heinze. Gave excellent cooperation to the soloists.
The West Australian Perth, Friday May 26 1950 page 14, Saturday May 27 1950 page 11
CLASSICAL MUSIC BROADCAST – MONDAY OCTOBER 23 1950
7.30pm: Young Australia
Jack Harrison (clarinet) and Molly McGurk (pianist).
Sonata No. 2 Op. 120 (Johannes Brahms).
The Broadcaster October 1950
1951
ABC CONTEST FINALISTS IN WA CHOSEN
THE eight WA finalists in the ABC Annual Concerto and Vocal competition were selected today. They are Sheila Hines (piano) ; Ian Conochie (baritone) ; Barbara Smith (viola) ; Molly McGurk (piano) ; Ina Micale (piano) ; Jack Harrison (clarinet) ; Valerie Wynne (soprano); Bernice Demorest (piano). They will all appear with the WA Symphony Orchestra in the Capitol Theatre on Thursday. A State finalist from each of the vocal and the instrumental sections will be selected. These two winners will be eligible for the Australia-wide competition, which will be held in Sydney on July 7. The winner of this competition will be booked for a tour of Australia under the ABC.
The Daily News Friday 27 April 1951 page 6
THE WORLD OF MUSIC – State Finalists In. A.B.C. Competition
Seven young West Australians were chosen yesterday to appear at the Capitol Theatre on Thursday night as the State finalists in the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s concerto and vocal competitions. They are Miss Sheila Hines (pianist), Miss Barbara Smith (violist), Miss Molly McGurk (pianist), Miss Ina Micale (pianist), Miss Valerie Wynne (soprano), Miss Berniece Demorest (pianist), Mr. Jack Harrison (clarinettist), and Mr. Ian Conochie (baritone). They will all appear with the W.A. Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Mr. Rudolf Pekarek. The judges at the concert will be Dr. A. E. Floyd and Messrs. Lauri Kennedy, H. Cannon and Pekarek. From these finalists they will select one artist from the vocal section and one instrumentalist These will have the chance of appearing with other State finalists in Sydney on July 7 when the Australian winner of each section will be announced. The winners will then tour Australia under the direction of the commission.
The West Australian Saturday 28 April 1951 page 4
Bookings also open for
CONCERTO & VOCAL FINALS
Featuring:
SHEILA IINES,
IAN CONOCHIE,
BARBARA SMITH,
MOLLY McGURK,
INA MICALE,
JACK HARRISON,
VALERIE WYNNE,
BERNIECE DEMOREST,
With W.A. Symphony Orchestra conducted by RUDOLF PEKAREK
Capitol Theatre Next Thursday
PRICES: 4/-, 6/-, plus booking fee.
Direction A.B.C.
The West Australian Monday 30 April 1951 page 21
ABC CONTEST 3rd MAY 1951 – WINNERS IN MUSIC A.B.C.’s Vocal And Concerto Finals (By “Fidelio.”)
Finalists in the A.B.C.’s concerto and vocal contest for this State played and sang before the judges and a big audience at the Capitol Theatre last night. Sheila Hines, pianist, and Valerie Wynne, soprano, were placed first in the respective sections. Jack Harrison, clarinettist, was specially commended. Of the eight contestants heard with the W.A. Symphony Orchestra four were pianists. There were only two singers, and the remaining instrumentalists were a violist and a clarinettist. Miss Hines played a Mendelssohn concerto, Miss Wynne sang “Elsa’s Dream” (Wagner), Mr. Harrison played two movements of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto. The judges were Dr. A. E. Floyd, Mr. Lauri Kennedy, Mr. Herbert Cannon (the A.B.C.’s Assistant Director of Music) and Mr. Rudolf Pekarek, conductor of the Perth orchestra. Four of the contestants had been among the finalists in previous years, one (Ina Micale, pianist) three times, two (Molly McGurk and Berniece Demorest, pianists) twice, and Mr. Harrison once; but last night’s winners were appearing for the first time in that role. The ages of the contestants ranged from 19 to 26. Whether one or both of the winners will go to the Eastern States, there to compete with winners in other State contests in the Commonwealth, finals, has still to be decided.
The West Australian Friday 4 May 1951 page 4
1953
Finalists Will Be Selected
The State finalists in the Concerto-Vocal Competition will be selected tomorrow when the State semi-finalists are called for re-audition. The finalists will appear with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in the Concerto Vocal Concert to be held on May 7. The semi-finalists are: Pianists. Laurel May Devine, Donald William Thornton. Sheila Hines and Angela Travia: violinists, Brenda Cullity and Barbara Tyler; clarinet, Jack Harrison: sopranos, Patricia Wyatt, Lynette Howieson, Beth Banks and Molly McGurk, mezzo-soprano. Vella Timewell; baritone, John Little and bass-baritone, Douglas Glendinning.
The West Australian Friday 10 April 1953 page 6
ABC FINALISTS ANNOUNCED – For MAY 7 1953
THE Australian Broadcasting Commission today announced the State finalists in its 1953 concerto and vocal competition. The six finalists are: Sopranos; Patricia Wyatt and Molly McGurk. Pianists: Laurel Devine and Donald Thornton. Violinist: Brenda Cullity, Clarinet: Jack Harrison. An ABC spokesman said that the finalists would be heard at a youth concert in the Capitol on May 7, with the State Symphony orchestra. They will compete in the Australian final in Melbourne in July.
The Daily News Saturday 11 April 1953 page 3
Next Thursday evening the finals of the A.B.C.’s Concerto and Vocal Competition will take place at the Capitol. The contestants, with their chosen items, are as follows: Donald Thornton, pianist (first movement of Tschaikowsky concerto); Molly McGurk, soprano (air from “Louise”); Brenda Cullity, violinist (first movement of Beethoven concerto); Laurel Devine, pianist (Franck’s “Symphonic Variations”); Patricia Wyatt, soprano (Meyerbeer aria); Jack Harrison, clarinettist (movements from Weber concerto). The adjudicators will be the A.B.C.’s Director of Music (Mr. W. G. James) and Mr. H. Portnoj.
The West Australian Saturday 2 May 1953 page 20
ABC STATE FINALISTS – State finalists in the ABC Concerto and Vocal competition for 1953 are:
Sopranos: Molly McGurk, Patricia Wyatt. Pianists: Laurel Devine, Donald Thornton. Violinist: Brenda Cullity. Clarinet: Jack Harrison. They will take part in the finals on May 7 when they appear with the State Symphony orchestra in the Capitol.
Sunday Times Sunday 12 April 1953 page 8
Music Under Fire – Youth Concert Reviewed
Pianist Donald Thornton, who was judged winner of the instrumental section, opened the concert with the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s Piano concerto No. 1. Soprano Molly McGurk, winner of the vocal section, with a lovely poetic rendering of Charpenter’s “Depuis de Jour”. Jack Harrison opened the second half of the programme with the second and third movements of Weber’s Concerto in E Flat for clarinet and orchestra. He played with imperturbable technique and in places genuine artistry. I should like to hear him play a Mozart work, which might give scope for a more sensitive and musical approach than Weber. PEGASUS.
The Pelican (UWA Guild Journal) – Jack Harrison’s scrapbook
MOLLY McGURK WINS AWARD
In the ABC’s Concerto and Vocal finals at the Capitol on May 7 in the vocal section, Miss Molly McGurk of Byford was named the winner following the singing of the well known soprano air from Louise. Hitherto, Miss McGurk has figured in the list of finalists three times as a pianist and her win at the Capitol was her first as a vocalist.
Bruce Rock-Corrigin Post, Narembeen-Kondinin Guardian (WA : 1948 – 1958), Thursday 4 June 1953, page 2
Molly McGurk had won on two occasions – once on piano then as a vocalist. Perth Clarinettist Donald Westlake came into prominence in the 1953 to be the first wind player to win the ABC’s Instrumental and Vocal Competition.
1955
Molly McGurk first WA – Mobil Quest competitor
First Western Australian competitor in Mobil Quest on 6PR Sundays at 7.30 p.m. will be soprano Molly McGurk.
Regarded as one of WA’s finest singers, Miss McGurk reached the semi-finals of last year’s Mobil Quest. For the past two years she has been a finalist in the ABC concerto and vocal competition. Twenty-five years of age. Miss McGurk has had also a distinguished career as a pianist. As a pianist she reached the finals of the ABC concerto and vocal competitions in 1948, 1950 and 1951. In this year’s Mobil Quest she will be heard in the fifth heat to be broadcast on Sunday, March 20.
Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 – 1955), Sunday 27 February 1955, page 17
1956
West Australian Symphony Orchestra Tour – 24-26,28 Sept 1956
Cunderdin Town Hall, Merredin Road Board Hall, Southern Cross Town Hall, Boulder Town Hall
SEPTEMBER 24 – 28 – WASO COUNTRY TOUR
During the week from the 24th to the 28th September when the W.A. Symphony Orchestra will be making one of its frequent country tours, the residents of Eastern districts will have the opportunity to hear the many popular works by great composers. The orchestra will be conducted by its permanent conductor, Mr. John Farnsworth Hall, who since his arrival in this State a couple of years ago has become extremely popular with West Australian concert audiences. The soloist will be the young West Australian soprano, Miss Molly McGurk, whose voice is well known to music lovers throughout the State on account of her frequent radio broadcasts and her many appearances at ABC concerts. The program includes two examples of that most popular form of composition— waltzes. Waldteufel’s “Skater’s Waltz” and Tschaikowsky’s “Sleeping Beauty Waltz.” The soprano will sing a number of popular excerpts from Opera including the famous “They Call me Mimi” and “Ever Since the Day.” There are two overtures included in the programme, Mendelssohn’s “Ruy Bias,” the overture to the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera “Iolanthe.” At the special request of some Goldfields residents, Mr. Farnsworth Hall has readily agreed to play in addition to the items in the printed program, that old favorite “The Nutcracker Suite.” As can be seen from the items mentioned, the programme is not one for “high brows,” but would be enjoyed by all who attend. The orchestra will be heard in the Cunderdin Memorial Hall on September 24, the Merredin Road Board Hall on Tuesday, September 25, the Southern Cross Town Hall on Wednesday, September 26 and the Boulder Town Hall on Friday, September 28.
Southern Cross News (WA : 1935 – 1957), Thursday 20 September 1956, page 2
1963
TELEVISION– 9.30 Channel 2: ALL STRINGS AND FANCY FREE
Perth Sinfonietta conducted by Verdon Williams. Featuring Audrey Webster (harp), John Reece (percussionist), Jack Harrison (clarinet and harmonica) and Molly McGurk (soprano). Music to be played includes All Strings, Fancy Free and Moon River.
TELEVISION – 9.30 Channel 2: ALL STRINGS AND FANCY FREE
An 18 piece orchestra will be used by Channel 2 for its live program “All Strings and Fancy Free” at 9.30pm on Tuesday.
The group, conducted by Verdon Williams, will consist of 10 violins, three violas, two cellos, a double bass, harp and percussion. In some tunes they will be joined by the piano. Soloists will be pianist and soprano Molly McGurk and dance band leader, Jack Harrison who will play clarinet and harmonica Some of the tunes to be played include Moon River, At the Balalaika, Cuban Rondo, One Kiss They Can’t Take that Away from Me.
1965
MUSIC – By Peter Hellstrom – Kylie Music Club – Saturday April 3rd 1965
The artists at the Kylie Music Club’s meeting at the Skinner Galleries next Saturday evening will be soprano Molly McGurk and Jack Harrison’s woodwind trio. Members of the trio are Jack Harrison (clarinet) Owen Fisenden (flute) and Jill Mowson (bassoon). The programme will include works by Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Rachmaninov and Ibert.
SOPRANO GIVES FINE RECITAL – By Sally Trethowan – Kylie Music Club – Saturday April 3rd 1965
Soprano Molly McGurk accompanied by Alan Speer, gave a distinguished recital as part of the Kylie Music Club’s opening meeting for 1965 in the Skinner Galleries on Saturday night. Between vocal brackets, the audience heard equally distinguished wind playing in three diverting woodwind trios performed by Owen Fisenden (flute), Jack Harrison (clarinet) and Jill Mowson (bassoon).
The West Australian Monday April 5 1965
1966
In 1966, Molly McGurk was awarded a Churchill Fellowship and spent 12 months in England studying singing with Lucie Manen and Paul Hamberger.
MUSIC – By Peter Hellstrom – Festival Of Perth 1966
The Master of Queens Musick, Sir Arthur Bliss, has told the Festival Of Perth committee that the planning of the musical programs in the coming festival is a magnificent gesture to British music and should be more widely known. That it has become well known already in Britain is showing by letters from many leading authorities there they include congratulations from the executive of the Composers Guild of Great Britain. Though some prominent English music festivals like Cheltenham Aldeburgh and the longest established Three Choirs Festival feature their country music, no British festival has in recent times included such an extensive and exciting range of British music in one series. Works of nearly 70 composers are included. The Perth programs have been wisely spaced over the six week festival period and though many of the concerts will start at the customary 8 pm some will be at 6 pm to enable patrons to attend another festival attraction the same evening. Works by Vaughan Williams Gordon Jacob, Howard Ferguson, Lennox Berkeley and Michael Tippett will be new to W.A. The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Colin Davis will introduce Bliss’s “Discourse for Orchestra” to Australia in one of its Perth concerts. In the other, Tippitt’s Symphony No. 2 and Stravinsksy’s Symphony in Three movements will be played here for the first time.
Leading W.A. musicians appearing as soloists in the festival will include soprano Molly McGurk who will sing Benjamin Britain’s song cycle “Les Illuminations” with the W.A. Symphony Orchestra. She will also sing the solo soprano part in the University Choral Society’s performance of Vaughan Williams “A Sea Symphony”. Stephen Dorman will be the accompanist for tenor David Galliver’s three British song recitals. He will also partner violinist Vaughan Hanly in a Sonata recital and will play the solo part in constant Lambert’s Concerto for Orchestra and Nine Instruments. Jack Harrison will be the soloist in David Tunley’s Clarinet Concerto and will be joined by the Oriel Quartet in Bliss Clarinet Quintet. Graham Wood will introduce James Penberthy’s Romance for Violin and Orchestra and Alice Carrard will be the pianist with the A.B.C. Wind Players in Rawsthorne’s recent quintet. Madame Carrard will be joined by Mr Dornan, Stephanie James and Michael Cole to perform Malcolm Williamson’s new Concerto for Wind Quintet and two pianos. The new university organist, Mr John Hind, will be soloist in a program which will feature the W.A. Bach Society. The Oriel Quartet will also be the soloists with the W.A. Symphony Orchestra in Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for strings and will give a separate recital of works by Howells, Frank Bridge, John Exton (the newly appointed senior lecturer in music at the university) Gerald Finzi, Elizabeth Lutyens and Edmund Rubbra.
The West Australian September 1965
1971
Workshop at its most attractive – By MARY TANNOCK – Thursday February 18 1971
Last night’s Australian composers workshop program at the Basil Kirke Studio was distinguished by the presence of Dr Andre Jurres, president of the International Society of Contemporary Music and the Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe. They were members of the panel chaired by Professor Frank Callaway. It was also the most attractive of the workshop series in the festival so far. Works by Margaret Sutherland, Colin Brumby, John Exton, Peter Sculthorpe and Trevor Jones were performed by Molly McGurk (soprano), Jack Harrison (clarinet), Stephen Dornan (piano) and the Oriel Quartet. Peter Sculthorpe’s “The stars turn” opened with wistful echoes from Gregorian Chant and a sea shanty and dissipated quickly into the character of the song. With limpid tones Miss McGurk sensitively delineated the shifting patterns of a lyrical line. Again, with Colin Brumby’s “Three Italian Songs for High Voice and String Quartet”, she infused chiselled and graceful declamation into the string line, throwing into relief its undulating fluidity. Trevor Jones’s “Essay for String Quartet” was alive with dense pulsating rhythms and sometimes fugal growth. Its textural complexity was skilfully highlighted by the Oriel Quartet. In Margaret Sutherland’s “Sonata for Clarinet and Piano” traditional texture and techniques were cleverly reconciled to the clarinet line and the accompanist Stephen Dornan’s deft chordal Textures in the piano provided neat and subtle undertones.
The West Australian February 19 1971
Composers’ Workshop an Evening of Contrasts – By ALAN BONDS – Thursday February 18 1971
The workshop program presented in the Basil Kirke Studio last night was an evening of contrasts. The programme began with a polished rendition by Jack Harrison and Stephen Dornan of a “polished” Sonata for Clarinet and Piano by Dr. Margaret Sutherland. The work’s appeal was immediate, its form was basically straightforward and concealed few intricacies for cerebral digestion. The cycle of three songs by Colin Brumby further enhanced this composer’s reputation for skilful handling of texts. The work was witty and sensitive, but I feel that the texture of the accompanying string quartet was frequently too thick and overpowered the refined singing of Molly McGurk. For those interested, last Thursday’s performance of John Exton’s String Quartet (1969) was their fourth opportunity to hear the work in as many months and the work could easily stand a fourth hearing. It is completely absorbing, combining the all-embracing logic of serialism with a wonderful sense of contrast and colour. The performance by the Oriel Quartet was both accurate and persuasive, skilfully handling textures, which demand fine precision and control. “The Stars Turn” (1970) by Peter Sculthorpe was I feel more notable for the performance than the music which was performed. The piece itself was expressive and moving in the skull for tradition of Irkanda and the Quartets but I couldn’t help it feel that I had heard it all before. Molly McGurk did a splendid job moulding and phrasing as she might to Schubert or Brahms. The Oriel Quartet concluded the performance with a performance of Trevor Jones’s “Essay for string Quartet”. It would be fair to say that much of the work is reminiscent of Bartok’s quartet writing. The Essay was easily sectionalised thematically with frequent excursions through poly modality to atonalism.
The Sunday Times February 21 1971
1972
The A.B.C. presents Studio Recital – 3pm Sunday May 21 1972 – Basil Kirke Studio
Molly McGurk (soprano) Jack Harrison (clarinet) Stephen Dornan (piano)
Programme
Women’s Love and Life – Song Cycle Op. 42 SCHUMANN
Three Fantasy Pieces for Clarinet and Piano Op. 73 SCHUMANN
The Shepherd on the Rock SCHUBERT
1973
Recording with the WASO and David Measham of Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915”.
1975/6
This record was produced in 1988/89 by MJ Records from recordings done at the ABC studios in Perth in 1975 and 1976.
https://collectionswa.net.au/items/bc134bfd-9de5-465b-9f3f-57497b9e426b
1976
1989
Ms Molly McGURK OAM (1989)
For service to music education
STUDENTS
Taryn Fiebig
Andrew Foote
Elisa Wilson
Gregory Yurisich
Molly McGurk died on January 2, aged 83. She was one of Australia’s most notable musicians. Both as teacher and performer, she brought distinction to her art.
UWA Emeritus Professor David Tunley said teachers earned their reputation from the successes of their students – and Molly McGurk was no exception.
“Sara Macliver, Taryn Fiebig, Elisa Wilson, Gregory Yurisich and Andrew Foote are just some of the students who have enjoyed outstanding careers through her influence,” Tunley said, pointing out that McGurk was herself an exceptionally gifted artist. “As a pianist and accompanist, she could improvise, play music at sight and instantly transpose into any key. As a singer, her versatility led her into opera and oratorio.”
Sister Mary Phillip, who taught little Molly piano at Victoria Square, and voice teacher Lucy Howell gave the gifted young musician the technique and encouragement that were crucial to carve out a career of high distinction in both disciplines.
McGurk’s achievements were formidable. She was soloist with the UWA Choral Society on more than 50 occasions, more often than not under the direction of the late Sir Frank Callaway. Her 1973 recording with the WASO and David Measham of Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 is still considered one of the most meaningful in the international catalogue – and a recording, mainly of French art songs accompanied by Geoffrey Parsons, garnered much praise, too.
For many years, McGurk was pianist for the ABC’s Kindergarten of the Air which had a large and loyal following, and she often performed at music clubs across Perth.
She had the unique distinction of winning the ABC Concerto and Vocal Competition in both vocal and keyboard categories; she also is believed to be the only soloist to have played a piano concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in one year and appeared as vocal soloist with the same orchestra the next `year.
Wallace Tate recalls the early days of McGurk’s career performing both as singer and pianist, acquitting herself with ease and perfection, often accompanying herself at the piano. Tate, a former federal director of the Australian Music Examinations Board, said McGurk, as examiner, was discerning and capable and highly thought-of by colleagues. Tate particularly recalls McGurk’s high professionalism at a piano recital many years ago for TB patients at the old Wooroloo Hospital.
Soprano Sara Macliver, one of McGurk’s most distinguished former students, described her as “a superlative musician”.
“She taught so much more than just good technique. Through her wonderfully clear language, she taught me how to interpret songs, how to colour words, how to shape phrases, how to tell a story. She was unquestionably the greatest influence on my career.”
In 1967, McGurk was awarded a Churchill Fellowship for further study in London. She also received an OAM for services to music education and the Chancellor’s Medal from the University of WA.
https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/art/molly-mcgurk-musician-extraordinaire-ng-ya-342637