Monk, Varney, 1892-1967

"The Song and the Sigh" music by Elsie Marsh; "Bright Star of Peace" music by Oscar W. Walters; "Lines to a Young Mother"; "The Slip Rails and the Spur"; "Macquarie Place"; "On the Night Train"; "Kiss in the Ring" music scores by Varney Monk. Collection has also been photocopied.

From the description of Music scores [manuscript]. [1931-] (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225844044

Varney Monk was a composer and pianist. In collaboration with T. Stuart Gurr, she wrote the first professionally produced Australian musical comedy Collits' Inn, which was staged by F.W. Thring in Melbourne in 1933. It received wide acclaim, delighting audiences with its Australian content. Monk's second musical comedy The cedar tree, also staged by Thring, followed in 1934.Monk felt strongly that Australia and its history provided a rich source of subjects for her compositions, and this is evident in the themes of her songs. During the course of her career, Monk composed over 150 songs. In addition to works with her own lyrics, she set to music the poems of several Australian poets, including Henry Lawson and Henry Kendall.

From the description of Papers of Varney Monk [manuscript]. 1907-1986. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225822198