A blue plaque on Church Langton School dedicated to Eric Pinkett, founder of Leicestershire County School of Music and Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra. One of 47 Blue Plaques for BBC Music Day (
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"Eric Pinkett O.B.E. (1910–1979), was the founder of the internationally famous Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra. He established the Leicestershire County School of Music in 1948 and continued to conduct the orchestra (as well as being the county's principal music advisor) until his retirement in 1976.
His memoirs were published in 1969 by way of a 21st anniversary tribute to the LSSO in a book called Time to Remember.
A regular visitor to the recording studio, Eric Pinkett conducted works by Havergal Brian, Malcolm Arnold, Bryan Kelly and David Bedford with the LSSO for the CBS, Unicorn, Pye, Argo and Virgin record labels.
During his involvement with musical education in Leicestershire, he was known as "Mr Music".
In April 2007, a new housing development by Rippon Homes was opened in Thurmaston on the site of Eric Pinkett's family home. The new development has been named Symphony Gardens in his honour."
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"The late county music teacher Eric Pinkett should go down in history as “Leicestershire’s Mr Music” for, as reader Katharine White explains, this talented conductor started a music service that has so far inspired a quarter of a million county children.
“I have been very disappointed at not finding any reference in the Mercury to the unveiling of the blue plaque to Eric Pinkett at Church Langton School, near Market Harborough, last month,” writes Mrs White, of Oadby.
“Eric Pinkett, having been demobbed from the RAF, was appointed as the inspirational music master at King Edward Grammar School, Melton Mowbray.
“He made such a positive impression on the music (and sports) at the school, that he was very soon given the post of music adviser to Leicestershire County Council, by the then director, Stuart Mason. Eric quickly established the Leicestershire County School of Music and drew children from all over the county on a Saturday morning to Elbow Lane School, in Leicester, soon to be moved to Birstall.
“We either had an instrument already, with (very) basic ability to play, or if children seemed at all interested in playing an instrument, Eric somehow waved a magic wand and found them an instrument!
“He used to visit all the county schools for potential musicians and, I think, searched any cupboards to look for instruments!
“Eric’s first Leicestershire County School of Music concert was at Church Langton School, hence the positioning of the plaque.
“Eric was responsible for the musical and personal development of hundreds of Leicestershire children, many of whom became professional musicians and others skilled amateurs – and I, as a founder member out of those hundreds have many reasons to thank him – not least because my husband Michael White was a violinist!
“Having started the orchestra in 1948 – he took us to all ends of Leicestershire schools for performances almost immediately – but in 1953, just after the war, he took us to Germany to perform.
“Then, in 1954, he took us to Holland; in 1955, he took us to Denmark, where we did a full stage performance of Mozart’s Magic Flute and in 1956, to Norway. I then had to leave Leicestershire for college – a pity.
“On Thursday, June 15, some of the children of Church Langton School gave a wonderful disciplined performance on Japanese drums at the unveiling to a few old – yes, old! – members of the Leicestershire County School of Music.
“Eric’s daughters and grandchildren travelled some distance to witness such a wonderful family occasion. I was able to chat to them about Eric’s children, Cherry and Nigel and their grandmother, who only just missed a telegram from the Queen by a few days.
“I also directed them to Beaumanor Hall, at Woodhouse, where there is a wonderful painting of Eric in full flow, conducting. It is still there in the entrance hall – I saw it yesterday.
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