William J. Cordner

William John Cordner (4 December 1826 – 15 July 1870) was an Irish-born organist and choirmaster in Sydney, Australia.

History

Cordner was born in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Ireland, a son of Samuel Waring Cordner and his wife Margaret, née Weir. His father was the organist of the local Anglican church, and Cordner was a competent player by age seven, and sang in the choir.[1] Like David Lee, the Melbourne City Organist,[2] he studied under Robert Turle, younger brother of James Turle and organist of Armagh Cathedral from 1823 to 1872.

He spent some years in India, then returned to Ireland. In 1854 he migrated to Sydney, where he was appointed organist to St Patrick's Church, and was responsible for a marked improvement in that church's musical offerings.

In 1857 he was appointed choirmaster to St Mary's Cathedral, again effecting considerable improvements, notably re-introducing female choristers and on occasion supplementing the organ with an orchestra.

He helped organise the music festival that attended opening of the Great Hall of Sydney University in July 1859.[3]

He was a guest organist at the opening of the new organ for St Andrew's Cathedral in August 1867.[4]

He conducted the choir for the new St Mary's Cathedral foundation stone laying ceremony in December 1868, Mrs Cordner being the leading soloist.[5]

In November 1869 he organised a first for Australia — a production of Rossini's Petite messe solennelle at the Victoria Theatre, Sydney. It was applauded by the critics, but the paying public stayed at home that night.[6]

Cordner was also a successful teacher: his pupils include John A. Delany and Thomas P. Banks, both of whom would later preside at the cathedral organ. He died at Woolloomooloo and his remains were buried at the Church of England section of Rookwood Cemetery.

He is credited with one composition, Thanksgiving, a hymn "for the preservation of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh from the late attempt upon his life" to words by Derwent Coleridge, published and first performed in March 1868, now lost.[7]

Family

Cordner married Ellen Munton (1842–1932) on 18 May 1858.[8] She has been described as stately, with a beautiful contralto voice, especially in traditional Irish songs, and sang in every choir led by Cordner.[9] After his death she married again, to John Balfour Clement Miles on 25 February 1871. As Mrs Cordner-Miles she was living in Strathfield in 1921.[10] Bea Miles was a granddaughter.[11]

References
  1. E. J. Lea-Scarlett (1969). Australian Dictionary of Biography: Cordner, William John (1826–1870). National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  2. "Death of David Lee". The Age. No. 13, 166. Victoria, Australia. 13 May 1897. p. 6. Retrieved 29 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "University Musical Festival". Empire. No. 2, 442. New South Wales, Australia. 25 July 1859. p. 4. Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Miscellaneous". Empire. No. 4, 925. New South Wales, Australia. 23 August 1867. p. 2. Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Saint Mary's Cathedral". Freeman's Journal. Vol. XIX, no. 1340. New South Wales, Australia. 12 December 1868. p. 15. Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Public Entertainments". Empire. No. 5646. New South Wales, Australia. 7 December 1869. p. 3. Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. Graeme Skinner. "AustralHarmony:William Cordner". Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  8. "Family Notices". The Sydney Morning Herald. Vol. XXXIX, no. 6244. New South Wales, Australia. 10 June 1858. p. 9. Retrieved 31 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Acta Populi". Freeman's Journal. Vol. LX1, no. 3732. New South Wales, Australia. 18 August 1910. p. 38. Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "Survivors of the Opening in 1882". The Catholic Press. No. 1349. New South Wales, Australia. 3 November 1921. p. 18. Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "Has Manly Girl Got Sharks Scared?". Sydney Truth. No. 1992. New South Wales, Australia. 11 March 1928. p. 24. Retrieved 30 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
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