It is with great sadness that we have to announce the sudden death of Lila Hallett on 2 January at the age of 86.
Lila devoted her life to participating in and involving others in the field of music, particularly young people. From the age of 17 she was a piano teacher and accompanist, as well as a music teacher in four Chester schools for 20 years, and a lifelong accompanist for concerts, examinations, and ballet classes.

For nearly 40 years she was a committee member of Chester Competitive Music Competition, for 13 years accompanied Brymbo Male choir, for 25 years she was a committee member and adjudicator for the Lakewood scholarship which sent Chester Based Musicians to Lakewood to represent the best of Chester.
Over the years, she has organised numerous musical events for fund raising activities for charities such as The British Heart Foundation, Friends of the Phil and the Breast Care Unit at the Countess of Chester hospital.

Lila was instrumental in proposing the Young Musician of Chester competition and, as accompanist and supporter, in enabling the Chester Music Society Youth Choir to become established in 1988. She continued as a committee member of both Showcase and the Celebrity Concerts up until her death.

She was delighted to be awarded the Outstanding Contribution to the Arts award at the first Cheshire West Voluntary Arts awards in 2015. In 2016 she was awarded the Lady Hilary Groves Award by Making Music in 2016 for her outstanding contribution to Music in the community.

Lila was warmly open and welcoming to all members of the community regardless of their disabilities or background. She had an intense musical ability, with high standards, an unbridled enthusiasm and a passion for including others in music. Her knowledge and life long experience of the musical world enabled her to contribute in an extensive way to the musical culture in the area. She provided a wide range of people with an opportunity to experience and enjoy music whether participating as a player or listener.

Her involvement as a music teacher and various committee activities enabled her to have a finger on the pulse for up and coming musicians. She has always ‘gone the extra mile’ in devoting far more time and energy than expected to enable people to achieve their absolute best.

David Woods