MUSICALLY-MINDED soulmates Cara Dickie and James Fox couldn’t resist leading part of the worship at their masterfully orchestrated wedding.
“I couldn’t not sing on our special day,” the petite blonde said of their St Stephen’s Cathedral Mass.
The duo didn’t surprise guests when they led the Responsorial Psalm – both members of the cathedral’s Schola choir and from particularly melodic families.
“I received a violin from Santa when I was six,” Cara said.
“(And) Mum and Dad allowed us all to learn music as children – my brothers Justin and Simon both learnt piano and when I was five, I started learning the piano with five-minute lessons at the end of their lessons.”
Together the siblings formed what they jokingly call
“The Dickie Family Orchestra” with Justin playing the clarinet, Simon the trumpet, Cara the violin and younger sister Megan, the cello or flute.
The Dickies sing too, Cara adding, “Megan and I used to sing ‘The Sound of Music’ around the house at ages five and three.”
Other early influences include the then youth leader in their home parish of Sunnybank, Andrew Beiers.
Following her Catholic schooling at Lourdes Hill College, Hawthorne, Cara studied at the University of Queensland, where she noticed “a boy with very beautiful eyes and nice hair”.
That was her future husband.
He too was raised and educated in Brisbane with active faith evident in his upbringing.
“Being a boy chorister at St John’s (Anglican) Cathedral instilled in me a love of choral music,” James said.
“The director of music at the time, Dr Robert Boughen, was instrumental in conveying the real art which is choral music.
“(And) Fr Robert Braun played a big part in the faith education that goes with being a boy chorister.”
James said being a chorister helped him “learn other qualities such as discipline, self-control, attention to detail and time management” while “Sunday school at St Mark’s Anglican Church” in Clayfield was also a plus.
With a grandfather who was a concert pianist, James went on to studying accounting and business management but remained committed to music and particularly the Schola.
Studying together and seeing her “handsome” husband for the first time, Cara admitted she “found out which tutorials” the curly-haired James was in.
“We were the only two first-year students in Concentus so we used to talk to each other,” she said.
The couple dated for 12 years before formalising their commitment before God, admitting time apart and a brief stint overseas for James “created other wonderful experiences”.
“I sang with Winchester Cathedral Choir from 2006-07 and the Truro Cathedral Choir from 2005-06 and St George’s Chapel, Winsor Castle, in 2005,” James said.
“(That fulfilled) a dream of experiencing the great English Choral tradition first hand (and) thankfully Cara was able to join me for most of my time in Winchester.”
Joining Cara and James musically for their May 9, 2009, wedding was director of music for St Stephen’s Cathedral Ralph Morton, the then organist Greg Mayer and eight of their “closest singing friends” and “instrumental friends who formed a string quartet”.
Music has continued to unite the Camp Hill couple who both celebrate their 30th birthdays this year, James saying, “We just seem to love each other more and more as each day passes … (marriage is) absolute bliss.”
“Two years has just flown by and we are loving it,” Cara, a music teacher at St Laurence’s College, South Brisbane, said.
“It’s been wonderful setting up our home together.
“I just love the fact that if we are talking about music or a specific piece of music, we know what we’re talking about.
“I couldn’t imagine being with someone who doesn’t share that love and understanding of music.”
Together Cara and James not only sing in the Schola for the cathedral but often for special events, saying it was a “privilege … to perform for the Governor-General and the Premier at a private function last year in recognition of Young Care”.
To their singing, especially in the cathedral, they bring certain faith.
“In such a big building as the cathedral, some people in the congregation feel intimidated to make any noise,” James said.
“It is our job to encourage them to do just that.
“The cantor is leading the worship at that point in the service, so body language and visual contact with the congregation is equally as important as vocal leadership.”
Cara added her thoughts: “We are singing for God and for others to experience God.”
With so much in common, the couple were asked what makes them different.
“I’m short and James is tall,” Cara piped up comically, James saying his “bubbly” wife is “outgoing” while he’s “more reserved”.
With teaching and accounting careers also offering different schedules, the duo look forward to overseas travel in the coming months and adding to their family in the years to come.
They encourage young people to “work towards” musical goals.
“Get lessons from experienced teachers,” Cara said.
“(And) network,” James said.
“It is often not what you know but who you know in the music business.
“Practise and perform often – the art of performing is best practised by performing … and good, old-fashioned hard work is a pre-requisite.”
While Cara and James’ musical role during their Nuptial Mass didn’t surprise, a song at the wedding reception did.
“We sang ‘All I Ask of You’ (from ‘Phantom of the Opera’) at the reception,” Cara said.
“(And) at the end of the piece, completely unrelated and a total fluke, fireworks exploded over the Brisbane River.”
For Cara and James, there’s no doubt the musical fireworks will continue.
