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40 years of Rochdale Music Society

The Rochdale Music Society is celebrating 40 years of bringing the
very best classical music to the borough this year

Alexander Soares - November 2019 Benyounes Quartet - December 2012

Founded in 1979, the range of musical expertise and The ball was rolling, and at the end of February
artistry brought to venues in Rochdale by Rochdale 1980, David asked Rhona to call a steering
Music Society has been tremendous, from solo committee together after the council gave a
pianists to full symphonic ensembles. preliminary go-ahead for The Vermeer Quartet
to play in Rochdale.
Over the years, Rochdale Music Society has
featured many internationally renowned A main committee formed, with the expectation
orchestras and artists as well as encouraging the very that four small trial concerts would be held in the
best up-and-coming musicians in the early stages of old council chamber, plus a booking of The
their careers. Vermeer Quartet.

Music from likes of the Amadeus String Quartet, However, chairman Kip Heron had very different
Julian Lloyd Webber, Paul Tortelier, Segovia, Clifford ideas, shunning any thought of trials.
Curzon, Robert Tear, Annie Fischer, Igor Oistrakh,
Eugene Sarbu, Amanda Roocroft and the Melos At the next meeting, he proposed concerts at the
Ensemble of London – and so, so many more – have Gracie Fields Theatre featuring the Amadeus String
all been enjoyed locally by thousands. Quartet; Julian Lloyd Webber; London Mozart
Players, conducted by Harry Blech, and the
Putting Rochdale firmly on the classical music map, Tortelier trio.
the Rochdale Music Society was formed on the
back of an idea from the-then Director of Arts and Excitement in the air, the first major concert season
Entertainment Services at Rochdale Borough was voted in and the musicians booked, in spite of the
Council, David John, when speaking with Rhona committee having very little to go on.
Bennett.
All costs considered, an average cost of a
Wanting to set up something similar to the Friends six-concert season could be anywhere between
of the Art Gallery, which was now up and running, he £12,000 and £20,000 – a vast sum of money to be
asked Rhona if she would be interested in starting a found each year.
music society.
Support largely came from the Rochdale community:
After giving the idea some thought, and despite initial the local authority, businesses, societies and
lukewarm support, Rhona told David: “Well, I music-lovers alike, followed by the Music Society
suppose if we get The Vermeer Quartet to Rochdale, Club (later The Friends) in 1985.
we’ll have made it.”

REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2019 38