A scene from the Northern School of Music's 1954 production of Mozart's opera Marriage of Figaro.

A question for singers: how to do sing in all that get up? And move? And breathe?!

Ref: NSM/13/3

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

And I thought they couldn't fit a big dress on the stage! Never say never at the Northern School of Music it seems. This is the 1954 production of Mozart's opera Marriage of Figaro. The NSM was very proud of its opera productions, even having a Speech and Drama Department.

Ref: NSM/13/3

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

A scene from the Northern School of Music's production of Strauss' opera Die Fledermaus in 1953. It's a story of practical jokes, cheating husbands, fancy dress and honestly I'm not sure what. Looks like a jolly romp, though.

Ref: NSM/13/2

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

The Northern School of Music's production of Mozart's opera Marriage of Figaro in 1953.
The NSM was very proud of its operas, performed in the Lesser Free Trade Hall. Staff, students and alumni would take part particularly in the orchestra. It's a pretty full on production for such a small stage. Can't imagine they'd get away with the bustles being any bigger!

Do you remember seeing any productions? Did you perform or rehearse? What can you tell us about them? We'd love to hear from you.

Play where's Wally with your face here and let us know if you can find yourself!

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 thing is, we believe, the Curtis Gold Medal which was awarded to Annie Worsley in 1905. The Curtis Gold Medal is one of the top student awards at the Royal Manchester College of Music (1893-1972). Despite graduating a early in 1902 at only 19 or so years of age, Annie continued her studies at the RMCM and performed a whopping 16 times at the college.

Thanks so much for Annie's family for sharing these images with us, particularly to Michaela for getting in touch with the @rncmarchives on Twitter.

This was the welcoming speech Ida Gertrude Carroll gave to new students at the Northern School of Music. The speech gives new students a summary of what they can expect from the school, including information on new teachers, school clubs, classes, and student committees. Ida Gertrude Carroll makes sure the new students know that if they have any problems, no matter how small, they should come to her as she will help in any way she can. In her speech Ida Gertrude Carroll is not shy about her pride in the Northern School of Music, discussing upcoming teaching visits from people such as pianist John Hunt. She is also very happy to point out the fact that her school had facilities, such as ‘quiet rooms’, unlike the Royal Academy.
Ref: CARROLL.IGC.9 1956
With thanks to the Ida Carroll Trust.

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 was a speech given in September 1957 by Ida Gertrude Carroll to welcome new students to the Northern School of Music, she has included hymns and bible readings throughout the speech. In her speech Ida Gertrude Carroll talks about the schools founder Hilda Collens, who started the school with only two students in one room, almost 37 years later the school had grown to have 650 students. She ends by asking the students to remember Hilda Collens “Who planted in fertile soil the seed of music and dedicated her life’s work to god and the furtherance of her art”.
Ref: CARROLL.IGC.9 1957
With thanks to the Ida Carroll Trust.

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 speech was given by Ida Gertrude Carroll 29/04/1957 at the start of the summer term where the beautiful weather had inspired her to discuss and reflect on the beauties of nature. She discusses the death of Hilda Collens the previous year and announces that Founders Day will be celebrated on Hilda Collens birthday to commemorate her. Ida Gertrude Carroll then tells the students about the upcoming Sumer Course which will feature guest teachers and performers such as: Clifford Curzon, Michael Kennedey, Noel Long, and Dorothy Pilling. She finishes by giving the students information about preparing for upcoming exams before a final reading and prayer.
Ref: CARROLL.IGC.9 1957
With thanks to the Ida Carroll Trust.

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 1971 Northern School of Music's summer course - likely its last before it's merger with the Royal Manchester College of Music and the creation of the Royal Northern College of Music in 1972.

Ref: NSM/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.

The 1969 summer course by the Northern School of Music. Tiered pricing shows that you got a pretty hefty discount if you were a member of the NSM Old Students Association, in a music college or were an NSM student. Do you know anyone who attended a summer course here?

Ref: NSM/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.

1968 summer course by the Northern School of Music including an illustrated talk on opera by James Robertson (1912-1991, conductor, director of Sadler's Wells Opera) which would have been a smash hit and a session on early music as well!
Do you remember meeting any of these people? Attended any classes? Remember the NSM on Oxford Road? Share your stories with us!

Ref: NSM/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.

Northern School of Music summer course 1967 with some strong names such as Ida Gertrude Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music), 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) and John Wilson (1940-present, Northern School of Music student, teacher, pianist) on the roster.

Ref: NSM/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.

The famous Léon Goossens (1897-1988, oboist) shares his insights with the Northern School of Music 1966 summer course cohort. Goossens came from an incredibly musical family with his father, brother and sisters all respected musicians in their own rights. One of the best oboists at the world during the middle of the 20th century, this was a real treat for the NSM students and staff.

Ref: NSM/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.

Talk about star-studded. This programme for the Northern School of Music's 1965 summer course is riddled with future and contemporary celebs. First we have Louis Kentner (1905-1987, pianist), famous for performing Liszt and Chopin and started performing in concerts at just 15. His recitals must have been a knock out for the students and staff at the NSM. Then we have the amazing Alfreda Hodgson (1940-1992, Northern School of Music student, singer, orchestra soloist) who went on to give solo performances to pretty much all the major orchestras in the country, accompanied by John Wilson (1940-present, Northern School of Music student, teacher, pianist) who has become an extremely successful teacher and performer in his own right.

Ref: NSM/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.

1963 programme of events for the Northern School of Music's summer course. This is one of the many summer courses featuring the famous Leonard Hirsch (1902-1995, violinist, teacher). He pioneered the idea of arranging concerts in air-raid shelters in WW2, he studied under the famous violinist Adolph Brodsky at the Royal Manchester College of Music and at 19 he joined the Hallé Orchestra, later becoming its leader and soloist. Pretty impressive guy!
In 1963 he was directing the summer's chamber music and orchestral course for the NSM.

Ref: NSM/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.

1962 Northern School of Music summer course programme with speakers from all over the country.

Ref: NSM/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.

Northern School of Music summer course for 1961 including talks on "Backstage at Covent Garden".

Ref: NSM/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.

Programme for the Northern School of Music's summer course of 1960, including updates on the changes at GCE/GCSE level.

Ref: NSM/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.

Letters between guest lecturers and Ida Gertrude Carroll (1905-1995, student and principal of the Northern School of Music) for the Northern School of Music's 1959 summer course. Amongst this year's visitors is Dr. Annie O. Warburton, Gordon Clinton, Bernard Shore, Geoffrey Tankard and Allan Wicks. A "galaxy of stars" indeed!

Ref: NSM/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.

Warwick Braithwaite (1896-1971) was a composer from New Zealand who did lots of work in British opera. Well connected, he would have been the star attraction to the 1958 summer course at the Northern School of Music.
Any takers on what the "pitfalls as well as difficulties" of opera would be, that he talked about?

Ref: NSM/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.

Some big names in the Northern School of Music's summer course for 1957. Clifford Curzon (1907-1982, pianist) was a good friend of the school and supported them often. Michael Kennedy (1926-2014, music critic), was a close friend of the Royal Manchester College of Music down the road from the school and wrote for the Telegraph. 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) was an influential woman and used Dalcroze Eurhythmics in her teachings.

Ref: NSM/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.

Planning behind the Northern School of Music's summer course for 1956, including a letter to Gordon Clinton with a note announcing the death of Hilda Collens, and some notepaper planning the speakers including Kathleen Forster (alumna of the Royal Manchester College of Music and pupil of the famous violinist Adolph Brodsky).

Ref: NSM/4
Address redacted

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 jam-packed summer course for the Northern School of Music. Does anyone remember attending the holiday lessons?

Ref: NSM/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.

End of term didn't mean end of teaching for the Northern School of Music. For many years, the school arranged summer courses in music and teaching, with some pretty big names delivering lectures including Stewart Macpherson (1865-1941, composer and educator), and Walter Carroll (1869-1955, father of Ida Carroll, teacher, composer and music education professional).

Anyone else intrigued by the recommended reading? "The Differentiation of Curricula between the sexes in Secondary Schools" by the Department for Education, with its "remarkable chapter upon the value of Art and Music in Education"?

Ref: NSM/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.