History of The SLRO - The 1970s
Beginnings (continued)
Posters were put up advertising the formation of the new orchestra and instrumentalists already known to the Genins were contacted. Bill Jenkins, the Liverpool Education Authority Music Adviser and founder of the Merseyside Youth Orchestra, was invited to be leader (though he often preferred to play his cello), under Eugene's baton. Bertha and Eugene's sister, Winifred (member of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra), both played in the viola section; Catherine Byrne, the Genin' s only daughter, played the timps (her principal instruments being piano and oboe); son-in-law and one of Eugene's recent outstanding pupils, Leo Byrne, sat with Bill Jenkins and often took the lead, playing an instrument of his own making. Quite a family affair! One player recalls that on the first night the Orchestra met, all the violinists were lined up against the wall and called out in turn to take their seats where Eugene had decided. (I have absolutely no recollection of this. I was an unknown to the Genins, having moved into the district from elsewhere and in any case, I was too shocked by the shear force of the Conductor's personality to know clearly what happened and to be able to remember!)
There were no auditions for the South Liverpool Symphony Orchestra but incompetence and lack of concentration were not welcome. Some players were indeed quite frightened of Eugene, feeling once again like school children incurring teacher's wrath! However, Mr. Genin, as all of the (non family) members felt obliged to call him, was always encouraging and loved to share his own enthusiasm for the repertoire.