The Secret Life of Cello Strings

Caroline Bosanquet, who passed away on January 20 2013 after a valiant struggle with ovarian cancer, was an indispensable part of musical life at Anglia Ruskin for over forty years.

She was an energetic and inspirational member of the full time music staff at Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology and was instrumental in establishing a music graduate diploma course on the Cambridge campus long before the evolution of our higher education degree programme in music and the arts. At the same time she was a passionate advocate of music education at all levels ranging from setting up a vibrant junior music school to adult evening classes in music appreciation.

But her greatest love was teaching the cello and her success as an instrumental teacher was reflected in the stream of students (from CCAT/Anglia Ruskin and beyond) gaining Grade VIII distinctions. Indeed her wide network of pupils and their families extended to academics, heads of houses, scientists and physicians who became friends, attracted by her warmth and eccentric humour.

Her ground breaking work on harmonics, The Secret Life of Cello Strings: Harmonics for Cellists revolutionised the playing and notation of cello harmonics. As a composer her works were selected as Associated Board examination pieces.

Caroline remained a popular member of the Anglia Ruskin University instrumental staff until retirement in Autumn 2012. She will be greatly missed.