Ida Gertrude Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music) getting her committee ducks in a row to ensure that Northern School of Music gets as much clout on the steering committee of the RNCM as it is due.

Looks like the RNCM was expected to be ready in the mid-1960s.
[Narrator: it wasn't.]

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.

Lots of long sentences and legalese but I think these basically say "yes we can create the RNCM, let's get shifting shall we?".

I think?

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.

Ida Gertrude Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music) berating Kathleen Ollerenshaw here about the dangers of misrepresenting the Northern School of Music agenda at meetings to discuss the future RNCM. Ida didn't give an inch and didn't expect to, either.

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.

The first rumblings of a merger between the Northern School of Music and the Royal Manchester College of Music here written about in 1956. It took nearly 20 years for it to complete as the RNCM. Due to both schools requesting funding from the local councils, a merger for the financial stability of music education and training was suggested instead. Here begins years and years of negotiations and determination from Ida Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music) and co., to make sure that the NSM is not forgotten.

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.

College colours of the RNCM were a big political deal during the merger in the 1960s-1970s. The Royal Manchester College of Music had light blue, the Northern School of Music had dark green. The new college HAD TO have a neutral colour so that unconscious association wouldn't be inherited from either founder. Maybe a nice purple to reflect the forthcoming new royal 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.

The Northern School of Music making their position quite clear here that their hard work and dedicated ethic to training music teachers will not be undersold and they will have an equal legacy as that of the more financially sustained Royal Manchester College of Music, when it comes to leading the merger creating the RNCM.

Like, serious business here.

RNCM/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.

Ida Gertrude Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music) here taking any and all newspapers to task on the subject of correct reporting of the future RNCM. How the new college was described in the public eye was vital to ensuring that the Northern School of Music's contributions weren't dismissed under the weightier title of the Royal Manchester College of Music, its merger partner.

I really do admire her tenacity and leadership.

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.

Ida Gertrude Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music) right in there making sure that the RNCM college colours don't just evolve from those of the Royal Manchester College of Music. John Manduell (1928-2017, Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music) quick to reassure her.
You ignored Ida at your grave peril.

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 fateful mistake. Ida Carroll rebelled against the idea that the royal title simply by merit of the Royal Manchester College of Music's legacy, which would deny that the contributions of the Northern School of Music to the new RNCM were without royal credit.

Ooh did she have words.

RNCM/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 strong letter from Ida Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music) regarding the misleading reports that the Royal Northern College of Music inherited its title from the Royal Manchester College of Music.

Indicative of the worries that she had regarding the legacy and input of the Northern School of Music (which merged with the RMCM to form the RNCM), she wishes continually for the contributions of the NSM to be recognised in their own right as part of the new school. This was a theme for almost 20 years and corner she continued to fight.

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.

Clifford Curzon (1907-1982, pianist) graciously declining the position of President of the proposed RNCM in Manchester on account of his thinking that the role should be taken up bu someone unbiased for the new college. The role was eventually accepted by the Duchess of Kent.

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.

So many scribbles! Ida Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music) doodles and sketches and annotates the list of facilities for the proposed new Royal Northern College of Music. She notes that the "whole thing is too small" and that bigger teaching rooms are needed for bigger classes, specifically on topics studied then at the Northern School of Music such as movement, history etc. She wants baths and showers, a Recording Studio, and something called a "Body Room" which... yeah, I don't want to 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.

It's the Free Trade Hall! The seating plan is in the papers of the Northern School of Music as it negotiates with local authorities and the Royal Manchester College of Music, what the new RNCM would look like. Its facilities included a concert hall and this seating plan could have been some inspiration.

Do you remember attending concerts at the Free Trade Hall? What was the best seat?

Date is totally a guess.

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.

The Northern School of Music making its voice heard when it comes to finding a location or building for the then forthcoming Royal Northern College of Music. It did not want to share premises with any other school (possibly Manchester Metropolitan's School of Art?) and it was of the opinion that negotiations were "quite seriously prejudiced" by the "dispute" between the RMCM and local authorities. Not sure what this dispute would have been but was likely to do with continued funding.

What do you think? What if the RNCM had ended up on 55 Piccadilly? Above symphony hall above a Wetherspoons. I like the idea.

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.

Ever wondered what the Northern School of Music actually contained? Its building was on Oxford Road on the corner of Sydney Street and its room sizes and allocations are set out in this scribbled on bit of paper.

Does anyone have any idea what the Beanstalk Building was? I can only assume it's where you go to fight a giant.

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.

Some chuffed graduates of the Northern School of Music in their caps and gowns with glorious hoods. Recognise any faces? We've no information on when this was taken so any tips would be of great help!

Ref: NSM/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.

Oh wow! A play or opera of the Northern School of Music at the Lesser Free Trade Hall. It looks amazing! The costumes are so great. Unfortunately we're not sure what it is or when it was taken. Any guesses?

Ref: NSM/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.

The Northern School of Music's orchestra - not sure where or when. Houldsworth Hall? Lesser Free Trade Hall? The Northern School of Music's top floor? With two pianos at the ready, they clearly mean business. Possibly Ernest Read conducting? Who remembers playing in the orchestra of the school?

NSM/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.

Northern School of Music students in Houldsworth Hall at the annual distribution of awards. Someone sporting a charming trophy on the front row. Congratulations! The academic dress colours for the Northern School of Music hoods were gold and green, like their crest. In colour, this scene must have been pretty amazing.
We don't know when this was taken and haven't any info on who is in it so if you recognise any faces please do let us know.
Do you remember the Northern School of Music? Do you remember the graduation ceremonies and colours?

NSM/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.

Anyone know where this could have been? Was it the Northern School of Music? Or the new student residences for the Royal Northern College of Music at Hartley Hall? And are those chairs in the background or just piles of couch cushions? The more I look, the more questions I have...

Ref: NSM/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.

Not sure what I'm more obsessed with here, the texture of that wallpaper or the business of the dress prints. People seriously rocking some 1970s looks here.
We don't have much information on this pic but we know that the Northern School of Music principal Ida Carroll is seated on the left side of the couch. Do you recognise any other faces?

Ref: NSM/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.

This fantastic find is a folded scrapbook of 6 photographs of the Northern School of Music's final ever end of term summer ball. We have John Manduell (1928-2017, Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music), Ida Gertrude Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music), Irene Wilde ((Northern School of Music student then staff, pianist and singer), Geoffrey Griffiths (1906-1993, bursar of the Northern School of Music) and so many more!
Do you remember the Northern School of Music? Do you recall the staff and students? We'd love to hear from you.

Ref: NSM/13/58

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 really do love going on days out with lots of open air stairs don't they. Again, we're not actually sure when or where this was taken. If anyone has any ideas or recognises any faces then please do let us know!

Ref: NSM/13/57
Credit: Peter Johnson Photography

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 smashing day out with some gorgeous floral prints, tidy suits and stylish hair. Amongst the gathering we can spot Dorothy Pilling (1910-1998, composer, student and teacher at the Northern School of Music, teacher at the Royal Northern College of Music, co-founder of the Rhythmic School of Music in Todmorden), Geoffrey Griffiths (1906-1993, bursar of the Northern School of Music) among them. Do you recognise anyone else?
The Northern School of Music often organised day trips to places, summer picnics and all sorts. We're not sure when this one was or where it is but did you attend this day or another outing? What was it like? We'd love to know!

Ref: NSM/13/56

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