The Gwendolyn Reiche

Memorial Scholarship



The Gwendolyn Reiche Memorial Scholarship

Gwendolyn Reiche


Gwendolyn Woodruff was born in West Bridgford in 1912. Her mother was a piano teacher and sent Gwendolyn to the Stockwin Music School, Wellington Circus, Nottingham. She gained a scholarship to the Royal Academy, studying with Victor Booth, and later with Louis Kentner. She gained the Academy's Gold Medal and later became a sub-professor and was awarded the honorary title ARAM.

During the 1930's she undertook numerous engagements as a soloist in and around London, using her professional name - Gwendolyn Reiche. She began to teach, and was repetitor for the Lydia Sokolova Ballet. At the outbreak of the war she joined ENSA and played for the troops, and it was at this time that she met her future husband, Philip Jackett, himself an amateur pianist. They married in May 1940 but, tragically he was killed in action in July 1942. She never remarried.

At the end of the war, Gwendolyn's mother became ill and she returned to Nottingham to nurse her, still giving concerts, and now broadcasts for the BBC Home Service, whilst continuing to teach. She gave regular recitals at the YMCA Hall, Shakespeare Street, Nottingham as did her pupils. In addition to her private teaching in West Bridgford, she taught for the Music School in Arnold, Clarendon College and for Nottingham University.

She believed ardently in supporting local music festivals, regularly entering pupils in classes at Grantham, Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, and others, and donated cups and bursaries at Nottingham and Derby. In addition she volunteered her time to local committees, notably Nottingham Music Festival and the Nottingham Music Club.

Her teaching career covered 50 years. She leaves behind a wealth of ex-pupils, so many of whom are now professional musicians who will continue her high standards. Finally, her influence is maintained after her death in 1996, through her most generous gesture of all - The Gwendolyn Reiche Memorial Scholarship.
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The Scholarship


The Scholarship may provide tuition and/or accommodation fees for postgraduate piano studies with an eminent teacher in the UK or abroad for a period of up to four years. It is only available to pianists who have lived in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire or Northamptonshire for a minimum of five years prior to applying for the award. Time spent in conservatoires does not count for that purpose.
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Contact

For further details and application form you can send a message:

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