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Born in Preston, Lancashire, towards the end of the war, Anne Collis became the only successful female percussion player in London, playing with nearly all the major orchestras, ballet & opera companies, and on television and radio. A female percussionist being something of a curiosity, she was often in the news until in 1984 she fell over a barrier in a local Post Office and seriously damaged her left elbow and wrist.
Her playing career virtually over, she sued the Post Office for damages and after 10 years (!) won her case in the High Court, receiving acceptable, if not over generous compensation.
She still plays with the NSO, being allowed by the Principal Percussionist to play certain of the less technically demanding percussion instruments, such as the triangle and the bass drum! She has been a Director of the National Symphony Orchestra for many years.
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As a composer (under the pseudonym Christie Collis), her first composition for full symphony orchestra Historia del Torero is available on the NSO CD, CURTAIN UP AT ABBEY ROAD, (CDTES 6001). Available from the NSO, call 01252 792315. It is a short story ballet dedicated to the memory of Francesca Dallaglio, who was a founder member of DANZA ESPANOLA (for whom it was written), who died tragically at the age of 19 on the Marchioness, the Thames river boat that sank during a party in 1988.
It is very dynamic music, full of the fire and passion of Spain, to whose culture Anne feels very strongly drawn. To hear it, click on the title above, then enter Anne Collis into the search box on that site and click on ’See Music’. You will see a selection of photographs taken by Anne of the NSO in various different guises, while Historia del Torero plays. It lasts about 12".
Since then she has set Laurence Binyon’s For The Fallen to music (as a "tribute from a war baby to those who gave us our todays"), and has written a march for 899 Squadron, Sea Harriers, Fleet Air Arm. She still continues as General Manager and Joint Artistic Director of the National Symphony Orchestra.
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