It's Dorothy Pilling! The author of the wonderful programme notes is the same voice who writes the fascinating editorials in the Northern School of Music magazine.

Ref: GWilliams

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Another lovely programme with gorgeous programme notes from the Northern School of Music.

Ref: GWilliams

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Writing interesting programme notes is something of an art. The Northern School of Music wrote some beautiful ones! Some gorgeous descriptions of the orchestral works from 1965.

Ref: GWilliams

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Faust! A performance that many of alumni remember. Double bassist, Gladys Williams remembers it being really exciting, "if a bit cramped, I was almost sitting on the timpani, it was all a bit squashed."

Ref: GWilliams

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

What a packed programme! Madrigals, solos, songs, sonatas and more!

Ref: GWilliams

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Northern School of Music orchestra was made up of students, staff and alumni when they needed places filling in.

Ref: GWilliams

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Northern School of Music's Speech and Drama Department! When the school closed to become part of the Royal Northern College of Music, this department became part of what is now the Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre. They even rented the costumes from the Royal Shakespeare Company!

Ref: GWilliams

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Northern School of Music's production of Dream of Gerontius, by Elgar. It's a huge work for orchestra and choir, based on a poem by John Henry Newman. It tells the story of a dying man's last prayer and journey to Purgatory. Gladys Williams, double bassist at the school, remembers it with the "big angels" and the "amazing crescendo" which was so powerful that she had to look at the audience to make sure they hadn't got up.

Ref: GWilliams

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Some pretty high flyers would come to conduct the awards ceremonies of the Northern School of Music, including Gerald McDonald from the BBC! Does anyone remember any of these students or the ceremonies? We'd love to hear from you!

Ref: GWilliams

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

There are a lot of names getting awards from the Northern School of Music here! Not bad for a school that started off with just 9 students, 1 piano and a sofa!

Ref: GWilliams

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Another fantastic Distribution of Awards programme, loaned from Gladys Williams, Northern School of Music alumna. Anyone recognise these names?

Ref: GWilliams

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Official magazine of the Northern School of Music, covering the academic year 1953-54
This particular publication highlights the growing popularity of the school, its progression and the obstacles that accompany this, a precursor to the future developments to come. The editorial vividly describes the lack of space and resources for students and staff, noting the common sight of ‘violin lessons in the secretary’s office’, ‘trumpet lesson in the student’s study or a trombone lesson in the staff canteen’. Former head teacher and founder of the NSM Ida Carroll notes the increased total of 9 to 560 students in 30 years.
1954 marked the first generation of graduates of the Northern School of Music awarded with said status. Further expression of the School’s progress over the years is detailed on page five with ‘The Work of the Northern School of Music’ – Ida Carroll’s contribution to “Music in Manchester” by South Manchester Halle Club.
Numerous concerts and public events are also included, with the annual picnic, Christmas and Opera party providing an insight into student life at the Northern School of Music.
Pages 20-25 have been censored to protect personal data.

Many thanks to Gladys Williams for the loan of these fantastic programmes! The Northern School of Music was able to grant their own degrees from 1952. This Distribution of Awards programme shows the school students in 1963, these ceremonies were given in the Houldsworth Hall on Deansgate.

Ref: GWilliams

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Walter Carroll thanks Hubert for his letter and photograph, enclosing a photo of his own of himself and his daughter Ida Carroll. He is pleased with Hubert's news to stay on course. "Go ahead - and win."

Ref: HH/4/19

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Walter Carroll expresses "great pleasure" to hear about how happy Hubert is in his new home. He hopes he still practices "joint reading" and relays that he does not see Dr. Scholes often but hopes to see him again. He encloses a photograph of himself and his daughter Ida Carroll. He hopes his concerts will be a success and this music is useful.

Ref: HH/4/18

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Walter Carroll wishes of Hubert Harry that he "could call once more for a long talk and a short meal as in olden days." He relays that he has shared Hubert's address with Percy Scholes "the famous Music Man of Oxford" who is shortly to visit Switzerland. He believes that Hubert "may help me in my final effort to achieve a real system based on Nature for young pupils."

Ref: HH/4/17

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Walter Carroll updates Hubert Harry on his wife's health. He shares that a student helps him in writing and reading.

Ref: HH/4/16

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Walter Carroll congratulates Hubert on his successes. "You and I did good work in training your mind in life and character; your music developed through Miss Collens and the Masters who followed."

Ref: HH/4/15

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Copy of a letter from Hubert Harry in which he relays how excited he is about meeting up with Ida Carroll after many years before he leaves for Switzerland. He hopes to be able to see him on another visit. He explains that is the conductor Stanley Pope who has given him the opportunity to play at the Royal Festival Hall. He is going to give a recital in November also, and begin a series of five lectures in German on "Virtuoso Piano music from the 18th century to the present." In January, he will have two recitals in the Hague and Amsterdam. In February he is playing one of his favourite pieces, Rachmaninoff's 2nd Concerto, in Geneva. He shares that "quite a number of of my pupils are playing your wonderful 'Sea Idylls' they just adore them. The will be playing a number of them at a student's concert in the near future."

Ref: HH/4/14

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Walter Carroll praises Hubert for making a good life and career for himself. He is pleased by Hubert's interest in his compositions and booklets and asks him to share them with his new circle. The household is celebrating Mrs. Carroll's birthday today, she is "a lesson to all who admire British grit and energy."

Ref: HH/4/13

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Walter Carroll updates Hubert on his health and wishes for his remaining days, " I am awaiting that peace which cannot now be found in Life." He references a booklet he sends to Hubert which he finished writing in 1950. He hopes that Hubert is happy and "working hard to make the power of Music a help towards a better world."

Ref: HH/4/12

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Walter Carroll thanks Hubert for the gift he sent, "the six small boxes of cheese are indeed welcome visitors in a strange land which gave all to win the war and now is able to get the least possible foot at the highest possible price." He hopes his radio broadcast was a success and asks about the result of his examination. He reminisces about their regular Wednesday talks and that their memory comforts him as he gets weaker.

Ref: H/4/11

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Walter Carroll shares his great pleasure at receiving Hubert's "beautiful" letter. He shares that he is growing weaker, and must dictate his letters, that he "can no longer walk, read or write; but I can get great pleasure from thought, memory, and the love of my friends."

Ref: HH/4/10

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.