For the Ten Pound Pom turned ABC Classic FM broadcaster, Canowindra’s Baroquefest is one of many passions.

All my early musical memories were profound and lasting. As an infant, asking my father repeatedly for ‘the green record’ (Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance), ‘the juice man’ (Jussi Björling), and Galli-Curci (ensembles from Lucia and Rigoletto – my violin is now named Amelita!). As a pre-schooler in England being taught, with my sister Christine, two Mendelssohn duets. On my first day at school, the most beautiful music imaginable, played at assembly on the piano (Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring). And en route to Australia, as a seven year old, being taken to the Royal Festival Hall and being riveted by violinist Isaac Stern.

Marian Arnold

We Ten Pound Poms settled in country NSW, and although the music scene was decidedly not vibrant, I became passionate about singing, and was repeatedly called on to perform throughout my childhood and adolescence. A musician who heard me sing gave me a violin, but lessons were not available. I taught myself the guitar, invaluable for an understanding of harmony, and as my dad’s record collection grew, developed...