Mrs Carey’s Concert
Mrs Carey's Concert (c)
“Karen Carey’s exuberance and dedication are inspirational”.
Bob Connolly is no stranger to peeking behind-the-scenes at music education in Australia. His 2001 documentary, Facing The Music, was a jaw-dropping exposé of academic naivïte. But while it exposed the remote relationship between academics and the so-called “real world”, it was balanced with the depiction of a number of academics being committed to music, and frustrated by the music faculty’s financial imperatives.
It’s this commitment that is highlighted in Mrs Carey’s Concert. Karen Carey, the Director of Music at MLC in Sydney, displays and exuberance and dedication that are inspirational.
She is passionate about music, but also mindful of the way in which this particular extra-curricular activity helps provide a rounded education for her students. The study of music, especially performance, imbue students with confidence in a setting in which they also learn to work cooperatively with others.
When this documentary was filmed, it marked the tenth anniversary of the annual concerts coordinated by Karen Carey. These are no meagre “speech nights”. The repertoire is often challenging, and the expectations are high.
We share the journey of one student in particular: violinist Emily Sun, whose father died when she was only five years old. As the film progresses, we see her gradually shaking off her shy demeanor, and summoning the courage to throw herself into the music, rather than simply playing dots on the page.
Emily has since received a full scholarship to the Sydney Conservatorium Open Academy, and, at the end of the year, will take up a full scholarship at London’s Royal College of Music. There’s no denying that the tutelage she received at MLC, paved the way for her success.
The teachers actually know the students: their backgrounds, their foibles, and the challenges facing them.
Contrasted with Emily, is the occasional glimpse of another student, whose disinterest in the annual concert provides significant comic relief. I daresay she’ll be somewhat embarrassed to look back on this film in years to come.
While not being quite as gripping as Connolly’s more politically-oriented material, Mrs Carey’s Concert is highly engaging, and a must for any lovers of classical music. The goosebumps you’ll experience during parts of the concert, are a testament to Connolly’s ability to involve his audience in the journey: one can’t help but share the pride arising from the accomplishments of these dedicated staff and students.