Maestro Eileen bows out on a high note

FAREWELL . . . Dr Eileen Bentley and colleagues at the Oldham Music Centre on Friday toast her career that “sprinkled magic on the town”

Tributes paid to music centre’s retiring director

A dedicated teacher whose life has been devoted to bringing harmony to Oldham’s young people retires next month.

Dr Eileen Bentley, director of music and head of the Oldham Music Service, has sprinkled magic on the town, according to the Mayoress, Councillor Kay Knox.

Dr Bentley has devoted her working life to Oldham’s musical youngsters for 38 years, after her own childhood was filled with music and song.

Colleagues held a retirement gathering at the Music Centre, in the Lyceum in Union Street, on Friday.

And on Sunday, Dr Bentley appeared at her farewell concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, with the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Jim McArdle, and Councillor Knox.

Also there were former pupils who are now accomplished professional musicians.

She was born in Oldham in 1946, and began piano lessons at six, followed by singing and organ lessons.

Aged only 11 she became organist at Waterhead Congregational Church and still plays at St Chad’s Church, Uppermill.

She graduated from the Royal Manchester College of Music, and in 1971 joined Oldham Music Service becoming one of the first peripatetic singing teachers in the country.

She founded the Oldham Girls’ Choir in 1974, and conducted for 21 years, taking them to international success at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, the Elgar competition in Worcester, and the International Choral competition in Malta.

They appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in the Schools’ Prom, were finalists in the first Sainsbury’s Choir of the Year, and sang in France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Gibraltar.

In 1978 she became director of music and music adviser for Oldham Education Authority — and arranged a concert for the late Queen Mother when she opened the civic centre.

In 1989 she was awarded a Manchester University doctorate for research into the development of music in the curriculum.

She has also been awarded Rotary International’s highest honour — the Paul Harris Fellowship — and was the first professional category winner in the Chronicle’s Pride in Oldham awards.

In 1998 she founded the Oldham Youth Choir for young men and women, which has gone on to make three South Bank appearances, one at the Royal Albert Hall, plus a German tour, several radio broadcasts and three CDs.

The music service has also diversified into Asian music, a steel band and African drumming, and helps improve the health of young people through music in partnership with NHS Oldham.

Her awards continued in 2006 when Dr Bentley was awarded the MBE, and this month she is a national finalist in the Local Government Long Service awards.

Councillor Knox added: “It is incalculable how many hours of pleasure she has brought to the people of Oldham borough.

“New music teachers have come back to Oldham because of the ability of the music service, so the magic continues.”

Dr Bentley said: “I’m feeling very happy, I’ve had a wonderful time and I’m now ready to hand on to someone else, and move on to other things.

“There have been many high spots, but the best must be the International Eisteddfod, winning in Malta, and being honoured with the MBE.”