The Burns Violin

The Burns Violin

by | May 20, 2015 | History

For a number of years, Wallace Galbraith has been the resident Fiddler at the Bachelors Club in Tarbolton where Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, attended, learning the arts of social intercourse including dancing. At that time, the dancing master was William Gregg who , as well as instructing his pupils in dance steps, would accompany on the fiddle. Burns, a capable fiddler himself, would have undoubtedly played on the Gregg Violin. The instrument was handed down through the generations but, as no members of the immediate family were interested in playing, the violin fell into disrepair and obscurity. In 1995, Wallace became aware of the violin’s existence at the farm near Mauchline of the then Chairman of the Bachelors Club, Major John Weir. He gave the instrument to Dr David Martin of Ayr, a retired lecturer at the Scottish Agricultural College at Auchincruive and talented violin restorer, who lovingly brought the violin back to its former glory. The Orchestra gave the violin to the National Trust for Scotland who now keep it in safe custody at Culzean Castle near Maybole. Wallace plays it at the Annual Burns Supper at the Bachelors Club every January and the National Trust has allowed the Orchestra to take it with them on some of their International...
South Africa 2015

South Africa 2015

by | May 20, 2015 | International Tours

In July 2015, the Orchestra will embark on its tour of South Africa, bringing Scottish music to the tip of Africa, and experiencing the excitement of southern African Music. Starting as guests of the Grahamstown International Festival of the Arts on 3 and 4 July, the 80-strong Orchestra will then travel down the Garden Route to George for their next performance. In Cape Town, the Orchestra are delighted to be guests of the Hout Bay Music Project for a day of workshopping leading to an exciting joint concert. On 9 July AFO will round off its trip to the Cape performing in concert with the Cape Town Youth Orchestra. In Johannesburg, concert highlights are a performance at the Linder Auditorium with the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra, and joining the service at Regina Mundi in Soweto. And when not performing and rehearsing, players will experience some of the many wonders of South Africa; highlight include Kariga game reserve, Robben Island, Table Mountain, the Cradle of Mankind and the Elephant Sanctuary. See the South Africa 2015 blog here...