Guided Visit to RNCM Archives and
Historic Musical Instrument Collection
Saturday May 30th2015 at 2pm
The Royal Northern College of Music was formed forty years ago by an amalgamation of the Royal Manchester College of Music and the Northern School of Music. The archives of these two institutions, founded respectively in 1893 and 1920, are a rich source of information about the history of Manchester as a musical city and include letters from Sir Charles Hallé(founder and first Principal of the RMCM)and from Walter and Ida Carroll, the father and daughter who were so influential in developing musical education in the North West. (Those with memories of childhood piano lessons may remember Walter Carroll’s imaginative piano pieces, which are still popular today). There are also compositions by Alan Rawsthorne, Frederick Delius, and John Ogden, who is perhaps better known as the outstanding pianist associated with the Manchester School of composers. The little-known Historic Instrument Collection contains no less than three hundred instruments, based on the personal collection of Dr. Henry Watson, another very significant Manchester musician. Makers’ names include Stradivarius, Guarnerius and John Broadwood.
Our tour will be led by the Chief Librarian and the College Archivist, and will consist of two sessions of approx. 45 minutes, with a short break between when we can buy refreshmentsin the College Refectory.
Venue: The Royal Northern College of Music, 124, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9RD. We shall meet in Reception shortly before 2pm.
Parking: Details of car parks can be found here
Public transport: Buses along Oxford Road are frequent and the college is a ten-minute walk from the St. Peter’s Square Metrolink stop or from Oxford Road station.
Cost: £5 per person. This is made up of a donation to the RNCM and a small levy for Branch administration costs.
Guests are very welcome. If you would like to join the tour, please return the slip below with your payment by Friday May 22nd to:
Rosemary Broadbent, 26, Bowden Lane, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 6ND.
Telephone: 0161-449 7073 or 07801-491031
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MANCHESTER BRANCH OF THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY SOCIETY
Please reserve _____ places on the tourofthe RNCM Archives and Historic Musical Instrument Collection
I enclose a cheque for £____ (£5.00 per head) made out to OUS Manchester Branch
Name______
Phone number or e-mail______