A classic "I'm writing this letter, and paying for its postage, to say that I have nothing to say except thanks for your letter" letter.

Ref; HH/1/10

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

An absolutely adorable, supportive and positive note from Hilda Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) to Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) saying he "will constantly be in my thoughts and prayers" whilst he is in Switzerland and not to worry if his playing don't always achieve the standards he wishes as "I know it will come out right in the end". She ends the letter by reminding him to get fresh air. Good advice.

Ref: HH/1/9

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

Hilda Hester Collens shares some practical advice with Hubert Harry about exchange rates for currency in Switzerland where he now studies. She says that this advice was given to her by a past pupil, Mrs. Esobel who now lives in Basel, Switzerland, and can meet him upon his arrival. "She is tall and handsome and I think she might be a great help to you."

Ref: HH/1/8

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

Setting up a lunchtime catch up post-performance between Hilda Hester Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) and Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music).

Ref: HH/1/7

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

He's made it! Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) has sorted himself out with somewhere to live whilst he studies in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Ref: HH/1/6

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

Hilda Hester Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) wants to know how Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) is funding plans to move his education to Switzerland.
Hubert went to study in the Lucerne conservatoire, ensuring that his education would not be interrupted by WW2 conscription requirements.

Ref: HH/1/5

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

Hilda Hester Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) shares even more advice with ex-pupil Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music). It references the request to get exemption from conscription into national service and she also eagerly enquires into his plans to write music in the summer. There seems to be a lot going on with Hubert at the moment.

Ref: HH/1/4

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

A request to suspend a doctor's appointment so Hubert Harry (1927-2010. Pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) can attend his music exam.
Now, Harry would have been about 18 at this point, of conscription age (conscription lasted until 1960). Could it possibly be that this appointment was the required medical examination in the conscription process?

Ref: HH/1/3

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 kind advice from Hilda Hester Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) to Hubert Harry (1927-2010. Pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) about his forthcoming piano examination. "Listen for a good signing tone - even in the quiet parts." And of course, "Enjoy yourself!"

Ref: HH/1/2

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

Hilda Hester Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) wrote to the father of Hubert Harry (1927-2010. Pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) . Harry was a solo performer by age 9 and a student at the Northern School of Music.
"My ambition for him is that he shall become a world-famous solo pianist."

Ref: HH/1/1

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

Northern School of Music students came from all over the north and further! Did you study at the school? Where did you come from?

Ref: NSM/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.

A first look at the RNCM Junior School! The Junior School is one of the lasting legacies of the Northern School of Music, and we still hold Junior School on Saturdays to this day!
Were you one of these pupils? Have you ever attended the school or college as a junior?

Ref: NSM/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.

It looks like the Northern School of Music had to justify their wages depending on how many students they taught? Am I reading this right? There's nothing else with this document and the maths is confusing me. I didn't get into heritage to do maths.

Ref: NSM/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.

Numbers for a staff party in 1973 and 1974. There was wine, food, a band and other entertainment. Anyone remember the shindig?

According to Ida Gertrude Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music), she "was prepared to play Fairy Godmother if necessary, as otherwise we should have no catering or cleaning staff left, such was the atmosphere of depression." Yikes! Definitely in need of a party!

Ref: NSM/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.

Memos between John Mandell (1928-2017, Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music) and Ida Gertrude Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music) about faith-based "honorary" positions at the new RNCM. 3 Christian denominations were allocated as well as 1 Jewish, to accommodate a wider range of faith-based needs within the school.

William Griffiths, MP for Manchester Exchange and Moss Side, writes to Ida Gertrude Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music) with sympathy over the death of Hilda Hester Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music).
Hildas health had been failing for a while but she kept on working, until finally she died of a heart attack at home after coming back from work one evening.

Ref: NSM/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.

A letter from Ida Gertrude Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music) to Manchester local authority in support of increasing Geoffrey Griffith's (1906-1993, bursar of the Northern School of Music) salary. Working 12 hours a day 5 days a week and then some, it sounds like the chap deserved it!

Ref: NSM/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.

Wow! Even more info about the Northern School of Music teachers, including their birthdays and where they trained and any military service undertaken in WW2.

Ref: NSM/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.

We are so very lucky to have this information in our archives. What a wonderful resource! These biographies of full time staff for the Northern School of Music (1920-1972) were drawn up during the period of conversation and negotiation between the school and the Royal Manchester College of Music, to create a single musical education school (later the RNCM).

Do you remember any of these staff? Learn something new about someone you remember? Let us know!

Ref: NSM/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.

Oh wow. TONS of detail about the Northern School of Music and the Royal Manchester College of Music as well as the vision for the future Royal Northern College of Music.

With annual running costs of nearly £189,000 but with an estimated income of just over £182,000, they knew the new college would run on a deficit without additional support by local authorities. Now, the RNCM operates as a city centre venue for performances, gigs, conferences and more, to help generate income.
What ideas would you have put forward to fund the new college?

Ref: NSM/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.

I think this was written when the parties involved thought that the RNCM would be up and running by the end of the 1960s. The RNCM came into being in 1972 and was officially opened in 1973.
Also, I like the "bored now" doodle spiral.

Ref: NSM/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.

Here the Royal Manchester College of Music puts forward what they want in the forthcoming RNCM. However, red scribbles throughout show the Northern School of Music's queries and objections such as the lack of provision for their Speech and Drama Course and the dismissal of the Northern School of Music students going forward who already study and will graduate at the new school.
Date is unknown but we reckon late 1960s.

Ref: NSM/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.

A summary of Ida Carroll's approach to the design of the RNCM, "Neither of us wanted to take second place."

Ref: NSM/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.

A rather formal meeting about the new music college (RNCM) which highlights some of the Northern School of music's growing concerns about provision of their curriculum, identity and staff going forward. It took another 14 years to actually officially open the RNCM.

Ref: NSM/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.