A TRIBUTE concert is being held for a woman who taught generations of musicians in a long career as a music teacher.
Therese Kearton was a talented and well-loved teacher, as well as a big part of the Bolton Music Centre over the years.
She died aged 70 in September 2018 after battling amyloidosis–– a rare blood disorder.
Born in Dundee, Therese lived all over the UK, including in Bradford, Crewe and Middlesbrough, before settling in Bolton in the 1980s as she “loved it there” according to her daughter, Liz.
Liz added: “She is very much missed and was an inspiration to everyone who met her.
“When she died we had a number of requests for people to sing and perform at her funeral which is why we decided to put on a concert — although it has taken a bit more time than we had hoped.
“She was a huge mover and shaker in the North West amateur music and schools music scene and I understand that she had a waiting list of people wanting piano lessons from her.”
The tribute concert is set to celebrate and showcase some of the students that she taught over the years, with a mixture of solo performers and ensembles including primary and secondary schools over the years.
Theresa taught from the 1970s at several schools in Salford, as well as a stint at Bury Grammar School.
She became well known for her involvement with MAPAS (Music and Performing Arts Services).
Therese also played with many amateur groups and brass bands, including in Farnworth and Walkden, as well as other groups across the town.
Liz added: “She’d always loved animals and towards the end of her life became a vegan and was very involved in the vegan activists scene in Bolton and Manchester, often going on protests and hosting vegan dinners.
“She was completely unforgettable and intent on leading as full a life as possible.
"She was genuinely completing booking forms for a cruise from her hospital bed shortly before she died and many people are still in shock at her death.
“As a teetotal, vegan we are pretty sure that she is absolutely furious to be no longer with us and so we thought a celebratory concert was important to try and continue some of her work and to celebrate what she did do.”
The concert is set to be held on Saturday, March 7, at Moorside High School in Swinton.
Tickets are £5 on the door and all proceeds are going to MAPAS. For info email Tina.Parsons@scll.co.uk
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