Ida Carroll thanks Hubert for the calendar he sent at Christmas from Switzerland. She relays that it's not just her that enjoys them, but that other colleagues take the images from previous months and enjoy them also. She updates Hubert on the health of her sister Elsa and friend Griff. She remains in good spirits despite two burglaries in the last 6 months.

Ref: HH/3/17

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

Ida Carroll updates Hubert Harry on the health of her sister Elsa and partner Griff. She writes that she is keeping busy with work, "but as you know, I thrive on hard work - just as well!"

Ref: HH/3/16

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

Ida Carroll talking about her 80th birthday, "but I don't feel a day over 30."

(Birthday goals.)

Ref: HH/3/15

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

Ida Carroll relays how the Christmas arrangements were made at the Royal Northern College of Music, claiming that there is not enough of a holiday to respond to all the letters she receives. She writes that Philip Jones "The Brass Man" knows Hubert from Lucerne and hopes he relayed her best wishes to Hubert.

The archive also has the archive of the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble! An incredible collection of arrangements for the ensemble, tour papers and programmes.

Ref: HH/3/14

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 Carroll wonders whether Hubert Harry will he will be visiting England. She updates him on the new college, that is now the Royal Northern College of Music. "I bet Miss Collens would be tickled by that!" She calls it "really quite stupendous."

Ref: HH/3/13

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

Ida Carroll writes to Hubert Harry, pleased that he enjoys teaching, "one can only be really happy if one loves one's work." She is talking with Forsyth's music shop about French and German translations of Walter Carroll's work. She is going to write to Clifford Curzon to reassure him that the Northern School of Music does still exist and will only become part of the new College the following year.

Ref: HH/3/12

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

Ida Carroll sends a note to former Northern School of Music student Hubert Harry. She reminisces about the time he played at one of the London orchestras conducted by Stanley Pope and updates him that the new College will open in 1972.
The building ended up being delayed and opened in early 1973, with the Royal Manchester College of Music and the Northern School of Music operating out of their own buildings as the Northern College of Music (soon to be Royal).

Ref: HH/3/11

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

As the Northern School of Music turns 50, Ida Carroll writes to Hubert Harry (former school pupil) to update him on the celebrations. Knowing that change is coming for the start of the Royal Northern College of Music in a few years, she updates him on mutual friends, keeping the connections of the Northern School of Music alive.

Ref: HH/3/10

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

Happy New Year! Ida Carroll sends greetings to Hubert Harry and remembers visiting Switzerland just before World War II. She describes her Christmas at home and with the Northern School of Music.

Ref: HH/3/9

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

A sweet note from Ida Carroll to Hubert Harry thanking him for the calendar he sent at Christmas. She describes a concert she went to from the Halle in which Clifford Curzon played.

Ref: HH/3/8

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

Ida Carroll says she had no idea of Hubert Harry's reasons for staying away from England until she realised the "grave risk" he took in performing at Festival Hall the previous year. The issue she refers to is the very real possibility of Hubert being called to national service, as conscription was in place through to 1960. She relays that the future of the Northern School of Music depends on finance.

Ref: HH/3/7

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

Heartfelt letter in which Ida Carroll relays the death of Hilda Collens to Hubert Harry. Hilda was Hubert's piano teacher when he was a student at the Northern School of Music. She describes how the Northern School of Music reacted and the funeral service. She asks Hubert to give a memorial recital for Collens in England and offers to pay the expenses, at Houldsworth Hall.

Ref: HH/3/6

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

Ida Carroll thanks Hubert Harry for his letter after the news of Walter Carroll's death (Ida's father and renowned Manchester music educator). Walter's passing "was happy and quiet - just a gradual diminuendo to the double bar." Carroll enquires if he is ever coming back to England.

Hubert moved to Switzerland just after WW2, to continue his studies and avoid the interruption of post-war conscription. He ended up moving there!

Ref: HH/3/5

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

A sweet little note wishing Hubert Harry a successful concert and recital, from Ida Carroll.

Ref: HH/3/4

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

Whoo okay, this is a lovely long letter from Ida Carroll to former student of the Northern School of Music, Hubert Harry. Carroll congratulates Hubert on a performance in London and says that she was pleased with the reviews in the newspaper. She thanks him for the handkerchief he sent and for the cheese for her father Walter and for devoting time to Hilda Collens, particularly after the enormous effort she took to get to London. She assures him that he is on the way to success, with "many friends who will be only too pleased to try to help you."

Ref: HH/3/3

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

Gorgeous letter from Ida Carroll (1905-1995, principal of the Northern School of Music) to Hubert Harry, former pupil at the school. She updates him on the Northern School of Music, proclaiming that they have nearly 600 students and six orchestras "quite apart from the usual routine." She assures him that the double bass picture he, Vincent and Rene gave her still sits in her office. She had expected him to have booked in concerts after his competition success. She gives him the sizes of Rene and Pill (Dorothy Pilling?) for nylons he has promised to buy. She happily relays that she has just published her first music book.

Ref: HH/3/2

A lamenting note from Clifford Curzon to Hubert Harry. Written on the reverse of a copied newspaper notice announcing the death of Curzon's wife, Lucille Wallace on 21 Mar 1977. In his letter, Curzon explains that it is easier for him to write about the death than to telephone Hubert and talk about it.

Ref: HH/2/11

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

Oof there's a lot here. So:

Curzon Curzon writes to Northern School of Music alumnus Hubert Harry. He says that even though it's difficult to write on a liner he will find it more difficult later on in his journey and so wishes to thank Hubert for his letter now. He is pleased that things are better than their previous meeting in Lucerne. He sympathises with Hubert as he has gone through this stage of his career when he was Hubert's age. He advises him that "knowing oneself serves as well in art as it does in daily life." He is glad that Hubert is living less exorbitantly than he anticipated although speculates that he's probably living very reasonably. He is grateful that Dr. Fischer's teachings have been useful and reminds Hubert that "no just reputation is made of air," and that only by having life experiences can an artist be strong and select the correct forms in his art. He marvels at Hubert's programme, calling it formidable. He relays that he is working on Brahms's No.2 after not playing it for so many years and that it is difficult, although his heart is more fully in No.1. He wishes Hubert would play Brahms for him.

Ref: HH/2/10

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

Postcard from White House, Highgate, London. Clifford Curzon thanks Hubert for his postcard from Wiesbaden, Germany, and remembers playing there himself! He relays that "The season has been terribly full and seemingly endless; but we all keep going."

Ref: HH/2/9

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

Not entirely sure what has happened to the letter here, if indeed there was one! Maybe Clifford ran out of note paper and just scribbled on the envelope instead. Anyway, this is a note sent from Clifford Curzon in Austria to Hubert Harry (Northern School of Music alumnus) in Switzerland. Clifford reckons it is unlikely he will visit Switzerland next season.

Ref: HH/2/8

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

A sweet little note from pianist Clifford Curzon to former Northern School of Music pupil Hubert Harry.

Ref: HH/2/7

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

Official magazine of the Northern School of Music, covering the academic year 1951-52.
This issue provides an insight into early post-war life at the school with the mention of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, proving to be a notable milestone for those who lived through the war moving onto brighter times.
The school's principal, Hilda Collens, had recently recovered from a serious illness, so the details of events are those predominantly organised by those in her place.
These include numerous concerts, the drama student's annual production and the school's first operatic performance (Smetana's "The Bartered Bride").
The Student Christian Movement held a number of guest speakers at the school, including a bishop from Car Nicobar (an island near the Burmese Coast) and a member of the SCM who helped rebuild a village destroyed during the war.
Pages 18-24 have been censored to protect personal data.

A predecessor of the Northern School of Music, the Matthay School (Manchester branch) provided music education to those chasing a career within this sector in the north west.
Covering the academic year 1940-41, the official school magazine provides an insight into civilian life in Manchester within the context of the Second Word War, particularly during the Blitz.
Whilst the editorial details the inconvenience of 'constant air raids', shattered windows and 'black outs', it is clear the school are determined to go on with life as it was before the war.
Observations include the importance of 'wartime music making' and the increased public interest in concerts, as well as numerous social events held by the school and two articles: one focusing on 'Creating and Appreciating' and another on living in a cripple hostel in Cowdenknowes, Scotland.
Pages 18-20 have been censored for the protection of personal data.

Ida Carroll and a man wearing very cool glasses, stood under some pretty pink flowers.

Ref: CARROL/IGC/11/1/60

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.