On Sunday 28 August Glen Eden Methodist Church celebrated the contribution of two musicians with flowers and morning tea. Doreen Sunman shares the background on how the talented pair came to be close friends and blessed congregations and communities with their talents.

Valerie Cuneen was born in Newmarket and has always lived in Auckland. Coming from a musical family, she took dancing lessons from age four, piano lessons from age eight and began violin lessons in her teens. She played in two amateur orchestras as a violinist, however the piano became her main instrument. Valerie played for the Salvation Army Sunday School from age 11 and as a teenager she began teaching piano to beginners. She was a pianist for dancing classes and a light opera society. In 1959, renowned broadcaster, Methodist lay preacher and choirmaster (Uncle) Tom Garland asked the Music Teachers’ Association to recommend a pianist for The Friendly Road Choir. Valerie started as a rehearsal pianist but was soon accompanying the choir for live radio broadcasts and made a record with them. In July 1964, Valerie played the organ at Pitt St Methodist Church for Uncle Tom’s funeral.

In 1963 she qualified with Fellow of the Trinity College of London (FTCL) in piano performance.

After her marriage in 1965, Valerie’s musical activities were reduced until the late 1970s when she met Mary-Helen Goldsworthy who asked her to play for the local Country Women’s Institute choir for concerts and competitions. In 1992, the CWI had an “Instrumentalist of the Year” competition. At the final in Wellington, Valerie won first place with a 10-minute piano recital. She and Mary-Helen formed Keyboard Kapers and over a decade the duo raised approximately $20,000 for various causes.

Mary-Helen was born in Te Kuiti and grew up in Taumaranui and Hamilton. Her parents provided music at church: her mother on piano and her father on violin. Her brothers were also accomplished musicians. Mary-Helen started piano lessons at the age of eight but only sat one exam as her mother felt that training for exams was too limiting. Being a pianist was an asset when Mary-Helen moved to Auckland to train as a kindergarten teacher. After her marriage, her husband supported her musical interests by making a piano their second major purchase after a lawn mower! 

 In the early 1960s Mary-Helen joined St Paul’s Interdenominational Church at Green Bay and, as there was no pianist for the evening services, she gradually built up the confidence to play for them. She also joined the CWI at this time and played duets with another member. Initially she refused Valerie’s offer of tuition because she was over-awed by her talent. Under Valerie’s tutelage, she passed practical and theory exams and a close friendship developed.

About 25 years ago, Valerie and Mary-Helen joined Glen Eden Methodist Church and, separately and together, they have blessed the fellowship there with their music. Valerie has now retired as a church musician. Her skilled, sensitive playing was much appreciated and will be greatly missed. Mary-Helen plans to continue playing for services and for this the congregation is very grateful.