Book review: History of the North Staffs Symphony Orchestra by Kathy Niblett, reviewed by Fred Hughes

Published in 2004 to commemorate the centenary of the North Staffs Symphony Orchestra, this history has been lovingly written and compiled the much-respected Potteries historian Kathy Niblett BA, AMA, FRSA. A musician herself, Kathy’s connections with the orchestra date back to its beginnings through the Wooliscroft family of whom the author is a family member.

This is the story of the most celebrated of the region’s orchestral orchestras which began life in a wood yard in Moorland Road Burslem. The legendary and enigmatic Scandinavian Madame Reymond made her home in the smoky streets of the Mother Town where she taught music from her salon at 76 Moorland Road.

Here she became the patron of her most famous protégé and scholar John Cope. Together tutor and pupil established the symphony orchestra that has performed in most of the country’s largest concert halls under the baton of many of Britain’s finest conductors.

It is a story of fame and success, a story of commitment and personal dedication as well as a story of rejection and hardship. It ends happily though with renewal and regeneration, indeed the orchestra is currently enjoying one of its most productive periods.

The book is documented chronologically and filled with anecdotal nostalgia. But it is told with historical accuracy and is well-illustrated with contemporary photographs.
The biographies of Reymond and Cope are fascinating and are complemented with mini-biographies of other principal participants. All in all it is a joy to read, to understand how much music played in Potteries’ life.

Kathy Niblett is a fine writer and this book is a tribute to her literary talents and academic research capabilities, but more than this – her love for music.
The book is still available at the Potteries Museum.