History of the Crosby Symphony Orchestra
One fateful day in September 1942 a small group, perhaps
only eight strong, of enthusiastic local musicians decided to start an
Orchestra. Their motivation, other than a love of playing music, is lost
in the mists of time but their brainchild, then called the Crosby Music
Society, is still flourishing sixty years later and is giving great pleasure
to players and audiences alike.
Sadly there are no surviving members of that intrepid band of 1942 to
whom present members and concert goers can express the considerable debt
of gratitude for their foresight in enabling so many to enjoy music making
in a local Orchestra.
Over the years the organisation has had a number of names, originally
a Musical Society with Orchestra and Choir it became the Crosby Orchestral
Society in 1959 and its most recent incarnation -The Crosby Symphony Orchestra
-in 1983. Some early snippets are worthy of record such as subscriptions
originally 17/6d (37.5p post decimalisation) per year, £12 .10s
.Od were offered for a pair of tympani, tea was 2d or 3d with biscuit,
and a performance of Messiah made a loss of £12. The Orchestra's
popularity with players was somewhat tempered ten years after founding
by a limit of 35 members being imposed as a result of limited rehearsal
space, however as some 50 musicians actually performed at concerts in
the same year perhaps the proverbial inability of musicians to count is
adequately confirmed.
The Orchestra has, throughout its life, sought to add more than just music
making to the local scene and has an enviable record of fund raising for
worthy causes. It is quite impossible to total the donations made to charities
by the Orchestra out of proceeds of its concerts, but many thousands of
pounds have helped organisations from 'Wings for Victory' and 'Holidays
at Home' of the 1940's to 'Caring', 'Medical' and 'Children' recipients
of the 1990's.
Reminiscences are sometimes dangerous but it would be impossible not to
remark on a small number of personalities or incidents which have punctuated
the Orchestra's history. The smoker 'cellist who pocketed his still lit
pipe and was oblivious to all save the music, the left-handed violinist
who caused consternation for his desk partners with bows moving in opposite
directions, the incomparable trombonist who coped with very primitive
artificial hands and the tragedy of the oboist who simply put down his
instrument and died during a rehearsal. All these and many more are remembered
with affection and admiration.
It is perhaps invidious to single out a few people for individual mention,
when there are so many who have contributed in no small way to the past,
and hopefully the future, of the organisation but no anthology could be
complete without some.
For most of the first thirty years a major driving force was Wilf Murray,
who as rank and file violinist, Leader, Conductor, Committee Member and
Chairman gave of his time and energy to promote the Orchestra at every
opportunity.
Of even longer connection was Don Boutle who joined in 1954 as a viola
player, soon joining the Committee and becoming Chairman in 1969, holding
the post until 1988, during which time his wise counsel, good humour and
sheer enthusiasm endeared him to all. Viola players are so often the butt
of musicians 'humour' and the Crosby Orchestra is the place to lay that
particular injustice as it was another player, Les Ewings, who succeeded
Don as Chairman, after holding the post of Secretary for ten years, and
helped to steer the ship towards the wider horizons of concert giving
outside Crosby.
The Crosby Symphony Orchestra decided to recognise the particular contributions
of these trojans during its Golden Jubilee year by inviting them to become
Honorary Vice-Presidents, and they were gracious in accepting this signal
honour. It is with great regret that the Orchestra has to record the passing
of both stalwarts; Les a few years ago, and Don during this the Diamond
Jubilee year. Also, and more recently, the Orchestra lost probably its
longest serving member Dorothy Smith, nobody can remember when she joined,
nor is there any written record, but it has to be over fifty years ago. She
was a member of the first violin section for all of her time with the
Orchestra and together with her late husband Reg, who played french hom,
double bass and viola (not all at the same time), was a well respected
figure in musical circles.
Artistic stability has been a feature of the Orchestra's history with
three Conductors having over fifty years 'in the hot seat' between them.
Wilf Murray, who was mentioned earlier, was at the helm for twelve years,
immediately followed by the Orchestra's current President Geoff Cowie,
who waved the stick for nineteen years, and the present incumbent Robert
Sells who has just completed twenty years, making him the longest serving
'Maestro'.
All three could be described as dedicated musicians with expertise, experience
and enthusiasm in the art but none earned their living from music. They
were an Industrial Chemist, a Chartered Civil Engineer and a Renal Specialist
respectively.
Over the years support has come from Local Authorities in a number of
ways but of particular note is firstly that the now deceased Crosby Borough
Council recognised the Orchestra as an 'Education Organisation' and consequently
allowed free use of rehearsal rooms at Crosby Road School. and secondly
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council has, through its Cultural Fund, assisted
with engagement of soloists, purchase of music and instruments such as
Tymps (which were certainly not £12 .10s .0d this time round).
The Orchestra's decision, in more recent years, to promote a 'Concert
Series' of three major, and some less demanding performances, each year
has proved to be a success as has the policy of undertaking engagements
in Liverpool Cathedral, the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and the
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Adventures with concert giving outside the
Liverpool area have added an extra dimension to the music making and the
Orchestra even went abroad last year - to Wales, St Asaph to be precise.
The Orchestra's Diamond Jubilee concert took place in the superb Liverpool
Philharmonic Hall, a fitting venue for such a Celebration. From the first
steps taken during the dark days of wartime the Crosby Symphony Orchestra
has prospered to become a major force in the artistic life of Merseyside
and all those involved during the sixty years leave a vibrant community
thrusting forwards towards a centenary.