Memories of Ailie Kerrane
by Peter Syrus & Elizabeth Dodd
Anyone who knew Ailie will be shocked and deeply saddened to learn of her recent death. Although I was fortunate enough latterly to sing with her in various enterprises in south Manchester, my most enduring and endearing memories go way back to NWEMF summer schools in Ambleside. Ailie was at the heart of a dedicated cluster of regulars from the Hebden Bridge and Todmorden area. For one session I picked a quintet from their number for a one-voice-per-part exploration of Monteverdi madrigals. I forget which we sang. If ‘Quel augellin’ wasn’t one of them it should have been. On a hot afternoon in the Beehive (ah, how evocative is that?) we flung the windows and doors open, inviting participation from the ‘real’ birds. Ailie was one of the two sopranos weaving their way deliciously through this little masterpiece, and I can still recall her sunny face and bubbling enthusiasm. Ambleside was like that. Ailie was like that. Both were special, and both are sorely missed.
Peter Syrus
Like Peter I knew Ailie from the Ambleside Summer School. But also, in 2014 I took over the role of tutor organiser on the Norvis summer school in Durham and was surprised and delighted to find Ailie’s name on the list as a harpsichord student. Part of the job was to organise groups for the second session of the day and to assign students to different ensembles. It was good to know that whichever trio-sonata group I put Ailie with she would be an asset. She continued for a further two years and added her lovely personality to the course.
Elizabeth Dodd
Published in June 2025 Newsletter
