Trinity College of Music is pleased to announce the establishment of the Kathleen Roberts Vocal Scholarship, which will be awarded to postgraduate students from the academic year 2010/11.
The annual scholarship has been created as a fitting legacy to the memory of the late Kathleen Gertrude Roberts (1919-2009) who was well known as a light opera singer in Romford, Essex, appearing in over 100 productions at the The Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch and the Royal Liberty School, Romford. The scholarship will enable talented vocal graduates to continue their professional development on a postgraduate programme at Trinity.
Kathleen Roberts was born in 1919 and grew up in East London before moving to Harold Wood, Essex to live in a house built by her father. During the Second World War she joined the Romford Civil Defence Operatic Society, where she met Wesley Tee, who, by 1944, was producing and directing the Society's productions and helping Kathleen to develop her voice to a level not far short of professional. Their association went on for a number of years, with Kathleen playing the lead soprano in musicals and garnering praise for her natural acting ability in dramas. In 1952, when she played Anne Ward in Roger Quilter's Love at the Inn, the composer himself congratulated the Society "on one of the best performances of his opera he had been privileged to see".
Off stage Kathleen became Wesley Tee's secretary and Company Secretary of the magazines Motor Sport and Motoring News. She also became a life-long friend of his large family. Wesley’s youngest grandchild, Louisa Tee, completed a postgraduate vocal studies course at Trinity.
A family friend says: “Kathleen was an elegant lady who always dressed for the occasion. She would have felt perfectly at home in Trinity's elegant surroundings”.
Derek Aviss, Principal of Trinity, says: “We are very grateful to the family and friends of Miss Roberts for their kindness and generosity in funding this scholarship. Their valued support will help gifted vocal postgraduate students to achieve their full potential”.
For more information, images or interviews, please contact Miranda Harris on 020 8469 9549 or at mharris@trinitylaban.ac.uk
