Agnes Duncan

Her life was steeped in music, particularly choral music. Her mentor, Sir Hugh Roberton of Glasgow Orpheus choir fame, once said of her: ''Agnes knows the choral game upside down, never misses a move. She can rise from the ashes of a diminuendo to a flame of forte with phoenix-like authority.''

Agnes Duncan was born in Alexandria in 1899 and at the age of 10 embarked on her life in music when she became the youngest member of the then famous Vale of Leven children's choir. Agnes often related the story of how she was able to join at such an early age when the official starting age was 12. Her sister Jenny had passed her audition the previous evening and after the choirmaster had been impressed by Agnes's singing he asked her age. Twelve, she said, to which the choirmaster said: ''So you and your sister are twins.'' ''No,'' she replied innocently, ''my sister is a few weeks older than me.'' The choirmaster smiled - and let her in.

By the time she was 20, Agnes was a soloist with the Glasgow Orpheus choir, and from 1935 principal contralto with the Glasgow Cathedral choir. She was a great defender of the Orpheus choir especially the quality of its performances in the 1920s. As it happens, when I was making a television documentary a few years ago about its conductor, Hugh S Roberton, I discovered a hitherto unknown film shot in 1928 (now in the national archives) which conclusively proved her point.

Possessing a rich contralto voice and impeccable musicianship, Agnes was soon singing as a professional soloist with all the major choirs in the country. But soon she was to find her true calling, as a choral conductor. After a few years in charge of Cowlairs junior and ladies' choirs in Springburn, Agnes took the decisive step in 1943 of forming her own choir. Starting with 60 girls, and music bought on credit, she started the Scottish Junior Singers, and within a few years they had become the foremost junior choir in Britain.

They swept the boards at the Llangollen Eisteddfod, had a standing ovation at the Royal Festival Hall in London, and became the first junior choir to appear at the Edinburgh International Festival. Their regular appearances at various music festivals throughout Scotland were eagerly anticipated, as were their sell-out concerts at the St Andrews Halls in Glasgow. Now 300 strong, they made many broadcasts on both radio and television - Fireside Sunday School; Melodies and Memories; White Heather Club; Songs of Scotland and a memorable In Town Tonight with the legendary American folk singer, Burl Ives.

Her choirs were in huge demand and the Scottish Junior Singers provided children's choruses for the Scottish National Orchestra and Scottish Opera, and Agnes was always keen to learn from Ian Whyte, Boult, Del Mar, Davis, Gibson, and all the other famous conductors she counted it as a privilege to work with. They also appeared regularly at the Glasgow City Chambers entertaining the city's dignitaries and guests. At the height of their fame the Scottish Junior Singers achieved a unique double when in 1959 and 1961 under Agnes's inspired guidance they won both the youth and children's classes in the international radio singing competition ''Let the People Sing''.

International artists of the calibre of Kathleen Ferrier and Isobel Baillie complimented Agnes on her choir's purity of sound, their clarity of diction, and stunning musicianship. When asked what her secret was, Agnes replied: ''Commitment and service without seeking reward, although that commitment and service inevitably brings reward.'' What qualities do you need to possess to be a successful choir trainer? Unerring musicianship; personality; a sense of humour; an ability to discipline without regimenting; a love of people. Agnes Duncan had them all in abundance, plus one other important asset - an ability to look forward, never backwards.

In 1967 Agnes was awarded the MBE for services to music. When she retired from conducting, Agnes continued adjudicating at festivals and mods, and encouraging music-making through the Glasgow Musical Festival of which she was honorary president. She also presided in that capacity with my own choir in Bearsden, where her regular visits and advice were very much appreciated by the choristers. Her pre-concert pep talks were legendary, and she was the master of the musical sound bite - ''Never sing louder than lovely'' was a favourite one.

In 1992 Agnes was thrilled to be invited to St James's Palace in London to make a presentation to Her Majesty the Queen on behalf of the British Music Festivals Association. She was an ideal choice. Not only was she the Association's oldest member, she had been part of the music festival movement for over 80 years. During her long life Agnes Duncan introduced the joy of music to countless young people, many of whom went on to become professional singers and musicians.

Agnes Duncan was the wife of the late Matthew Nisbet, and is survived by her daughter, Kathleen, and her husband, Grant Carson, and their children, Clare and Mark, all enthusiasts for music. All who were touched by her honour her memory, for through her ''We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams'' . . .