Building Name

Royal Manchester College of Music Ducie Street Chorlton on Medlock

Date
1893
Street
Ducie Street
District/Town
Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester
County/Country
GMCA, England
Work
New build

THE ROYAL MANCHESTER COLLEGE OF MUSIC – The College begins its work next month under the direction of Sir Charles Halle. We understand that a considerable number of students have offered themselves for admission, and that the new institution is likely to open its doors under very promising conditions. A home has been found for it in Ducie Street, Oxford Road. The building was in use for some time as a club, and has been adapted for its present purpose by Messrs Salomons and Steinthal, architects. The principal room in the building is a large concert-room on the ground floor. It is 76 feet by 28 feet and has a lofty open-timbered roof. At one end of it a platform has been erected. Classrooms have been arranged on the ground floor and upstairs, and there is also on the first floor a large apartment for choir practice. Rooms are also set apart for the principal and the members of the teaching staff, and space has been found for a library. The building has been decorated and furnished in a pleasant and comfortable style. [Manchester Guardian 4 September 1893 page 5]

THE ROYAL MANCHESTER COLLEGE OF MUSIC - The College building, originally presented by a member of the Council, has during the past few months undergone considerable alteration at the instance of Messrs Salomons and Steinthal, architects, of this city, and has proved itself to be admirably fitted for the purpose to which it is destined. One valuable feature of the building is a large and well-appointed central hall for lectures and concerts, excellently lighted from the roof, with walnut panelling round the sides, and capable of seating comfortably 400 people. On every side of this fine hall lie at proper intervals, the various classrooms, offices, cloakrooms, and waiting rooms, all of which are very tastefully decorated and furnished. The classrooms have double doors and sound-proof walls, and each contains a grand piano, in addition to the requisite furniture, which is everywhere of the best. Special attention has been paid to the lighting, heating, and ventilating of the building and each classroom can be regulated to the requisite temperature. The total cost of decorating and furnishing has not exceeded the £1,500 subscribed. …. The council have decided to dispense with a formal opening ceremony, and in place have arranged to invite their subscribers to a conversazione on the occasion of the opening on Saturday October 7 (included solos by Sir Charles Halle and others) [Manchester Guardian 26 September 1893 page 9]

Note - Ducie Street has subsequently been  re-named Devas Street.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 4 September 1893 page 5
Reference    Manchester Guardian 26 September 1893 page 9