Anice Paterson
Anice Paterson, a leader in music education, recently passed away due to cancer at the age of 74. Paterson was devoted to supporting music teachers. She was an adviser for Leicestershire in the late 1980s and early 90s. As a music adviser, Anice led a team that provided professional development for primary school teachers. She begun courses for trainees at Leicester University and oversaw the publication of teaching resources.
Paterson was extremely active in community music. She conducted the Charnwood Choral Society and ran choral workshops. She was also a large driving force in the founding of the Helix Ensemble, a semi-professional chamber orchestra with an unusual repertoire. The youth theatre work she did ensured high quality performances at the Edinburgh festival and during tours of mainland Europe in addition to performances in Leicestershire.
She played a key role in establishing the National Association of Music Educators when she served on the executive board for many years and as chair in 1999-2000. Anice focused on the quality and content of their design when helping to develop the association’s publications.
When Anice retired, she and her husband moved to Cumbria. She began research at Bath Spa University and was an additional inspector for Ofsted. There she was awarded a Churchill scholarship to investigate primary music education and professional development for teachers in Australia. While there, she became a member of the board of trustees of the Brewery Arts Centre and was chair for five years. Retiring for Anice did not mean sitting back and doing nothing. Her leadership skills and ability to listen made her voice respected, as she was able to give great advice. She had strong values and was considered well informed.
Anice was born in Stonethwaite, Cumbria but grew up in Manchester and Brimingham. Her mother was an educational psychologist and her father was a university administrator and later the first vice-chancellor of Aston University. Growing up, Anice studied music and French at Durham University, where she met Bruce Paterson. They were married in 1963. After teaching in Bristol and then Ghana, they moved to Loughborough and raised their three children.
Anice Paterson was always admired for her warmth and welcoming spirit. She was known for her down-to-earth approach and her intense desire to improve education of young people. She will remain a lasting legacy in the music education world.