Orchestra leader and music teacher Jean Mary Horsfall, who arranged music lessons across Wiltshire for over 40 years, has died aged 90.

As director of the Wiltshire Rural Music School, founder of the Wiltshire Youth Orchestra and the county’s musical advisor, she dedicated her life to nurturing young talent and encouraging musical participation at all levels.

She was born in Minchinhampton in Gloucester-shire in 1923, and went to school in Badminton.

She was briefly evacuated to Devon during the Second World War, before studying music at Oxford and entering teaching.

She co-ordinated music lessons in her home county for several years, before moving to Trowbridge and becoming director of the Wiltshire Rural Music School in 1953.

A gifted cellist and teacher, it was her responsibility to arrange music in all the county’s secondary schools, and she once arranged 30 carol concerts in one year, in all corners of the county.

In 1953 she became conductor of the Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra, and ran regular summer schools and chamber music recitals.

Miss Horsfall retired as the county music administrator in 1972, but continued to play well into her eighties.

In 1992 she was given a civic award from Trowbridge Town Council in recognition of her contribution to the musical life of the town.

David Price was associate conductor of the Trowbridge Orchestra under her leadership.

He said: “She was a fantastic boss because she knew the really basic questions that some administrators would think were beneath them, like how long can a group of seven-year-old recorder players last before they need to use the lavatory, or where to find 30 music stands at short notice?

“She was enormous fun, not deadly serious, and she had a great sense of humour.

“So many people owe so much to her.”

A keen gardener and dog lover throughout her life, she died on April 4 at her home in Trowbridge.

Her funeral will take place at West Wiltshire Crematorium at 3.15pm today.

Donations in her memory can be made to The Young Artists’ Fund at the Wiltshire Rural Music School, via CS Bowyer Funeral Directors, on (01225) 768846.