Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 04:11:33 :
Marin Journal
Thursday, Au gust 19, 1943
Page 4
Sudden Death of Sister Dominic, O.D. Is Widely Mourned
Solemn requiem high mass was sung yesterday morning at the chapel of the Dominican Convent for Sister M. Dominic McGettigan, O.D., whose sudden death following a heart attack Monday came as a shock to the hundreds of friends of the famous head of the Dominican Convent Conservatory of Music.
A distinguished musician herself, Sister Dominic was instrumental in guiding several prominent musicians. In addition her work toward the furtherance of musical instruction at the Convent brought her national acclaim.
Outstanding in her broad recognition of all types of music for their intrinsic musical value, she was the leader here on the Coast in the presentation of several first renditions. Among these are numbered Milhaud’s “Christopher Columbus,” Gluck’s “Orpheus,” and of Guilio Silvia’s “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” and “Accasin and Nicolette,” these two being played for the first time in their history at Dominican under the sponsorship of Sister Dominic.
It was through this well loved woman that other music was brought to Marin. The playing of the Coolidge, Pro Arte and London String Quartets were under her guidance, and not to be forgotten is her vast and untiring word on behalf of the Marin Musical Chest. Not only was she active in aiding to bring world renown artists for the Chest concerts, but it was partially through her effort that the Chest Scholarship was set up, and the young artists trained under her skillful hands.
Constantly in contact with the musical world’s elite, Sister Dominic accomplished much in the field of liturgical music, and it was through her continued effort that the original Gregorian chants of the order were used at the Convent.
However, this remarkable woman’s interest did not stop at music. Her mind, always alert, considered matters ranging from the study of history of the Dominican order to plans for a true world peace at the close of the present conflict.
Born in Vallejo in 1872 to the pioneer California McGettigan family, she joined the Dominican order in 1895, and since that time served as head of the Dominican Conservatory of Music for 25 years.
She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Vincent Leahy and Mrs. Rose Burnett, and two brothers, Frank J. and Louis T. McGettigan. She was the sister of the late Dr. Charles D. and Edward T. McGettigan, who for many years served as editor of the San Francisco Call.
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