ABSTRACT
The Women’s Institute was founded in Britain in the autumn of 1915, although the roots of the organization can be traced to Canada. Music featured in the Social Half Hour, a section at the end of the Institute meeting allocated to the promotion of the educational value of leisure activities. Although the Sub-Committee was responsible for setting and ensuring the implementation of music policy within the organization, the Executive Committee made most of the important decisions regarding the national music events. The Music Sub-Committee often sought advice from outside the organization, whether from individuals or organizations. There are a few references to individuals being approached. The Music Sub-Committee also liaised with the Rural Music Schools Association, an organization founded in 1929 by Mary Ibberson to promote the teaching of mainly instrumental music (although choral music may have also featured as part of training in musicianship) to amateurs in rural Britain.
