With a jolly jaunt in mind, Hilda Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) wishes to come and visit Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) in Switzerland to see what her former pupil is up to.

Ref: HH/1/23

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

Anxious about Hubert Harry's imminent recital, Hilda Collens wishes him good luck. She is excited for Hubert as he met Mrs. [Satina] Rachmaninoff and wishes to know more.

Ref: HH/1/22

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

Hubert Harry is apparently staying another year in Switzerland (spoiler alert - he ends up staying there permanently) and Hilda Collens urges him to write to he local authorities in Britain to ensure that he doesn't get called up for conscription.
Looks like the persistent encouragement worked and that he has finally signed up to perform in the Geneva Competition!

Ref: HH/1/21

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 Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) asks whether Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) is planning to stay another year in Switzerland now that his music studies there are finished.
She asks yet again if he is entering the Geneva competition.

Ref: HH/1/20

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 Collens is disappointed that Hubert Harry did not enter the Geneva Festival, and that if he has won it would have been useful in the event of him being called up for conscription, as he would have had performances booked.

Solid logic. Also, a letter of disappointment is the *worst* thing ever.

Ref: HH/1/19

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

Needing a reminder that he is still young and should chill out, Hilda Collens writes to Hubert Harry with the view that he should travel Europe during the holidays, learn French and write to a bunch of people. You know, relaxing stuff.

Ref: HH/1/18

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

With piano lessons just once a month, Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) is noticing some discrepancies in advice and progress. Hilda Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) encourages him to get more lessons and hang in there!

Ref: HH/1/17

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

Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) seems to want to switch it up and get a new piano tutor. Hilda Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) suggests Paul? Baumgartner, a Swiss pianist who escaped Nazi Germany.

Ref: HH/1/16

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

Some updates about the Northern School of Music's new premises and performances post-war 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). She says she heard about the Geneva Competition, a swanky international competition open to all instruments. It was founded just before WW2 and ceased to operate during the war. Hubert would compete in different competitions throughout his career as a pianist, including winning the Geneva Competition later on!

Ref: HH/1/15

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

"Stay abroad because otherwise the army would claim you!"

Hilda Collens encourages Hubert Harry to stay in Switzerland and continue his piano studies despite whether or not he is fully satisfied.
She updates him on the Northern School of Music which is getting new premises and has about ten new male students, some of which have just come out of the army.

Ref: HH/1/14

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

There's a lot on Hilda's mind here. She writes to Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) and is chuffed he met with Clifford Curzon (1907-1982, pianist). She tasks him to listen to his tutor in his advice about the way he plays, "Fischer means not sufficiently care-free, it is a question of language... rather over-cautious and not quite adventurous enough."
She reminds him that he is only 19 and to try new things. She also encourages him to stay in Switzerland and not come home for a break as it will undo all his hard work and will probably "get called up". "I know you are going through it but believe me dear every experience you are having is helping to make you what you want to become."

Ref; HH/1/13

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

A lovely catch up between Hilda Collens and Hubert Harry, teacher and pupil, in 1946. There's a Harvest Festival which sounds jolly good fun and then a possibly optimistic but slightly onerous message that she's written to the Ministry of Labour about his progress in his studies in Switzerland.

No pressure, Hubert.

Ref: HH/1/12

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

Hilda Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) seems very pleased with the progress Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) is making in Lucerne. He's managed to bag private lessons with Edwin Fischer (pianist, conductor, educator), and she reminds him "learn from anyone who has anything to give you."

Ref: HH/1/11

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

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.