A Front-Row Seat to a Musical Evolution: Marney Curran Reflects on 34 Years at CDS
For the past 34 years, Marney Curran has had a front-row seat to the transformation of the music program at The Country Day School (CDS) – not just as a witness, but as an instrumental part of its evolution.
Her journey at CDS began when music teacher Rick Deacon invited her to join him in tackling more ambitious repertoire at the school. He was already familiar with her exceptional talents, having worked alongside her in a community choir where she served as the accompanist.
“The first concert we played was in the spring of 1992, when the Senior School was fairly new,” Marney remembers with a smile. “It was one massive concert for Kindergarten through Grade 12 at the time, and it lasted three hours!”
Looking back on her remarkable tenure as a highly regarded collaborative pianist and accompanist, Marney marvels at the caliber of the students and faculty she has worked alongside. In addition to Rick, she fondly recalls the opportunity to work with her childhood friend, Jane Willms, who arrived in 1994 as the Junior School Curriculum Leader and Music Teacher. Jane’s love for music was so deep that she even requested working with the Grade 3 and 4 vocal choirs be written into her contract.
Rick Deacon, after all those years, still cannot speak highly enough of her impact.
"Marney Curran is a choir director’s dream accompanist. The Country Day School has been deeply fortunate to benefit from her professionalism, thoughtful and collaborative approach to choral accompaniment, and exceptional technical and interpretive abilities. Her sensitivity to the needs of both the choir director and singers, combined with her extensive knowledge of the choral repertoire, has made her an invaluable part of CDS’s music program.”
Always willing to step up where needed, Marney even spent a year in the classroom starting in the fall of 1998. Due to last-minute staffing changes, she taught SK and Grade 1 music – an experience she absolutely loved.
As the school approached the new millennium, the music program continued to grow. In 1998, Lisa Kyriakides took over the Music department from Rick Deacon and launched both a Junior School chamber choir and a Parent, Staff & Spouse (PSS) Choir, which performed in the Middle School Gym until the Performing Arts Centre was built. Lisa also laid the groundwork for a Senior Choir that truly exploded in popularity under the direction of Stephen Handrigan, who arrived that same year. Initially hired as an instrumental faculty member, Stephen’s arrival meant even more accompanying opportunities for Marney. When Lisa departed, Stephen took on the role of CDS Head of Music, serving until 2010 before becoming the Director of the St. Michael’s Choir School in Toronto.
Marney's own role continued to expand as well. In 2006, she added piano lessons to her CDS responsibilities. From 2010 through 2025, she served as both the private lesson coordinator and school accompanist, gracefully passing the reins in 2024 to Susie Simmons, the new Junior School accompanist and lesson coordinator. “I am so thankful to have been able to share my love for music, participate in the trips, and work with such wonderful staff and students for so many years,” Marney reflects.
Our current Head of Music, Larry Shields, acknowledged Marney’s dedication to CDS in his closing remarks at last week’s Middle/Senior Spring Music Night: “Marney Curran has been the heart and soul of the Music Department for the past 34 years. Throughout her time at CDS, she has always demonstrated professionalism, generosity, support, and a remarkable dedication to her students and colleagues. We sincerely thank her for her time, talent, and care for this community.”
Marney’s post-CDS schedule will undoubtedly remain full. She continues to teach piano privately, and both she and her husband, Gary, remain staple figures in the wider York Region arts and church music scenes.
Marney’s post-CDS schedule will undoubtedly remain full. She continues to teach piano privately, and both she and her husband, Gary, remain staple figures in the wider York Region arts and church music scenes.
It is clear that Marney comes by her musical gifts honestly. Her late father, Ronald Adams, was an exceptional pianist, a piano tuner, and a respected instructor of piano tuning at the Ontario School for the Blind. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario, he was completely blind, yet lived his life as an immensely passionate musician. Today, Marney remembers, and beautifully exemplifies, his musical legacy with great fondness and pride.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
