The Northern School of Music (NSM) started life (1920) as Manchester's branch of the Matthay School of Music. In 1943 it was properly incorporated as the Northern School of Music. In its later years it was accommodated in a building on Oxford Road (near Sidney Street).

For most of the early years of its existence it focused on training music teachers but gradually performance came to play an increasing role. This was thanks to Ida Carroll.

In 1955 Hilda Collens, the School's founder and principal met the principal of the Royal Manchester College of Music

Royal Manchester College of Music

The Royal Manchester College of Music was founded in 1893 by Sir Charles Hallé who assumed the role as Principal. For a long period of time Hallé had argued for Manchester's need for a conservatoire to properly train the local talent. The Ducie Street building, just off Oxford Road, was purchased...

, Frederic Cox

Frederic Cox (musician)

Robert Frederic Cox was a noted singer, composer and music educator.Cox was the Professor of Singing , Principal and Principal Emeritus at the Royal Manchester College of Music and then a singing teacher at RNCM from 1975 to 1984.Distinguished pupils of his included: John Mitchinson, Joseph...

, and talks about merging the schools were held. These talks were to last many years and finally in 1972 led to the establishment of the Royal Northern College of Music

Royal Northern College of Music

The Royal Northern College of Music is a music school in Manchester, England. It is located on Oxford Road in Chorlton on Medlock, at the western edge of the campus of the University of Manchester and is one of four conservatories associated with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music...

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