 After preliminary lessons with W. S. Rockstro and Frederick Bridge, Holst was granted his wish to study composition with Charles Villiers Stanford.To support himself during his studies Holst played the trombone professionally, at seaside resorts in the summer and in London theatres in the winter.His daughter and biographer, Imogen Holst, records that from his fees as a player "he was able to afford the necessities of life