Mary Goodman BA GRSM ARCM

Violin teacher and author of the 'Fast Tracking' method...

Mary Sheena Goodman was born in Melton Mowbray, the elder daughter of Dr. Furness who was a local G.P. and also a keen amateur pianist, accompanist, conductor and close friend of Malcolm Sargent who had been appointed organist at St Mary's Parish Church Melton Mowbray. [For mentions of the Furness family, please see Charles Reid's biography, 'Malcolm Sargent' published by Hamish Hamilton]

Mary grew up surrounded by music and musicians, and with Malcolm Sargent as her godfather. She attended her first concert at the age of 3, started piano lessons at the age of 5, but had to wait until the age of 9 before fulfilling her dream of having lessons on the violin. At the age of 12yrs Mary acquired a small size viola bequeathed to her in the will of one of her father's patients. Meanwhile, her younger sister Margaret was starting to learn the cello.

Winning a music scholarship to Westonbirt School in Gloucestershire at the age of 13yrs, in the 6th form Mary was awarded a school leaving scholarship to Girton College, Cambridge, where she studied Classics and Moral Sciences, gaining a 2.1 in her BA (Honours) degree. During her Cambridge studies, Mary led the violas in the Cambridge University Music Society Orchestra, whilst also playing in various quartets and string orchestras. During this time she gained her Viola Performer's ARCM and an open Viola Scholarship to the Royal College of Music.

In her first year at the RCM, she gained a graduate music teaching degree (GRSM), and during 1944 - 1945 she further developed her playing experience by deputising in various professional orchestras including the Boyd Neel String Orchestra.

In her final year at Cambridge Mary had married organist Peter Goodman. Their subsequent family of four children all undertook professional musical training at the Royal College of Music: Wendy [Wendy Waldock ARCM LRAM], cello, Jennifer [Jennifer Smith BA ARCM], clarinet; Roy [Dr. Roy Goodman FRCM FRCO], violin, viola, organ, harpsichord and conductor; and Malcolm [Malcolm Goodman MBE ARCM], horn (currently Music School Manager at Uppingham School).

Mary Goodman started teaching violin and viola in the last year of the 2nd World War. With a gap when her children were very young, she has been teaching more or less ever since, predominantly in the Hull state schools.

Consultations

Following a professional career of over 50 years, including private teaching and groups in all types of school, Mary Goodman is pleased to offer consultation advice to those new to string teaching and to those more experienced who would be interested in experimenting with her alternative method of tuition.

For an initial consultation of 45 minutes (fee £25) please contact Mary Goodman on 01482 633572.

Website Development: MalcolmGoodman.com
Updated: 4 February, 2007