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CHOA Cambridge Holiday Orchestra http://www.holidayorchestra.co.uk Has been around for 72 years. it was born as a in house training By Molly Gilmore. Some of the memories of the time are included in this article - please add to these as and when you feel like it. The Holiday orchestra is meant for children of all age groups. It is managed by parents and other committee members for the last 40 years. It attempts to introduce the children to the fascinating world of performance. The tutors are experienced highly motivated musicians in their own right and have consistently delivered high level of performance. Established over 50 years ago, runs a wide range of musical activities, including bands, choirs and a full orchestra for young musicians of all abilities of school age from the age of 7. The week-long courses take place during school holidays at Christmas, Easter and in the summer.

Molly Gilmour started the orchestra more than half a century ago to provide fun activities for youngsters during the school holidays. She died a few days ago in a care home at Histon, aged 99.

Mrs Gilmour was born in 1913 into a musical family, and was taught to play piano by her mother. In 1935, she married a botanist, John Gilmour, and the couple moved to Cambridge when he was appointed director of the Botanic Garden.

They lived in Cory Lodge, in the centre of the garden, and had three children, all of whom were encouraged to learn instruments. Their daughter Clare told the News: “There was no orchestra for us to play in, so she decided to start one. She called it the Holiday Orchestra because it was held in each school holiday.

“The first one was in 1953, with Molly’s brother-in-law Reginald ‘RH’ West as conductor. Then Ludovic Stewart, the then Cambridgeshire County Music Adviser, became involved and the orchestra started to meet in his home in the Malting House, by the Mill Pond. “Ludovic conducted the orchestra and played a central part in its successful development from then on. “The Holiday Orchestra went from strength to strength. The first sessions just had a few players, but very soon word spread and more and more children wanted to join.

Have to insert the picture of Molly Gilmore “Molly felt very strongly that any child who wanted to take part should be able to. There were no auditions – the orchestra was open to anyone who wanted to come along. “While a normal orchestra might have just two of each wind and brass instrument it became a familiar sight to see huge numbers of players in each section.”

Mrs Gilmour is survived by her three daughters, Nicky, Carolyn and Clare, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her funeral will be on Thursday, April 5 at Cambridge City Crematorium West Chapel at 2.15pm and afterwards at Girton College. Flowers or donations for Cambridge Samaritans or the Cambridgeshire Holiday Orchestra may be sent c/o Richard Stebbings, Kendal House, Cambridge Road, Impington, Cambridge CB24 9YS.

Courses are held over 4 and 5 days, three times a year in school holidays in Cambridge. There are no auditions. For anyone aged 7 to 18 years who plays an orchestral or band instrument or who enjoys singing. String groups, wind bands, jazz workshops, recorders, djembe drumming, 7+ and 10+ Choirs, lower orchestra (new) and upper orchestra.

Some of the tutors and director are http://www.holidayorchestra.co.uk/russellkeable.stm