Heather Roberts, RNCM Archive and Museum Manager, spoke at our July meeting about the history of the Royal Northern College of Music, with special reference to Hilda Collens and Ida Carrol, both of whom were Manchester Soroptimists.
Hilda was a piano teacher and founded the Manchester branch of the Matthay School which become the Northern School of Music, merging with the Royal Manchester College of Music to become the RNCM. There is a memorial window in her name in St Ann’s Church.
Ida studied piano at the Matthay School, becoming secretary after leaving school and later succeeding Hilda as President.