English Conductor

Grace Burrows was a distinguished violinist who played a pivotal role in Leicester’s musical landscape for three decades. She was instrumental in establishing and leading the Leicester Symphony Orchestra (LSO), serving as its concertmaster for 20 years. A champion for women in music, Grace actively supported their advancement through her leadership in the pioneering British Women’s Symphony Orchestra.

Born and raised in the Highfields area of Leicester, then a newly developed neighborhood for affluent families, Grace grew up in a musically rich environment. Her parents were both accomplished musicians and educators. Her mother, Mary Elizabeth (née Gray, 1867), known as Elizabeth, was a highly skilled pianist, while her father, Benjamin Harper Burrows (1864–1915), played violin, viola, and later cello.

Grace and her brother, Benjamin Burrows (1891–1966), inherited their parents’ musical talents in abundance. By the age of 20, Grace was widely regarded as the finest violinist in Leicester. She was chosen by George Tebbs to lead the De Montfort Orchestra (DMO), the city’s premier ensemble, which made its debut at the opening of De Montfort Hall in 1913. Grace held this position for over a decade, while also performing as a soloist.

Following her father’s passing, Grace took over his teaching practice, inheriting around 40 students whom she taught at her home on Highfield Street. Dedicated to education, she published a series of exercises for violin and piano to support students in their learning. She also founded a Pupils’ Orchestra, which rehearsed regularly in the Edward Wood Building (now Fraser Noble Hall) and attracted young musicians from Leicester and beyond.

Grace was a prominent figure in Leicester’s musical community, serving as the leader of several key ensembles, including the Leicester Glee and Madrigal Society. She also established and conducted her own “Grace Burrows Orchestra,” as well as a string quartet and a string orchestra. While details about these groups are sparse, they appear to have had an educational focus, as she frequently conducted “Lecture Concerts,” combining performance with instruction.