1 mins
FIFTY YEARS YOUNG
September 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the UK’s Newark School of Violin Making. Originally based at the Mount School, it moved to the heart of the town in 1977. The school’s young graduates quickly found work in the country’s leading violin shops, bringing the institution a reputation for high-quality craftsmanship. Here we look back at some of the landmark events in the Newark School’s history
The Newark School of Violin Making’s current home at 38 Kirk Gate, Newark-on-Trent
PROGRAMME COURTESY ADAM WHONE
Programme for the grand opening of the Newark School at its new premises, on 11 April 1978. The site was opened by Yehudi Menuhin, who gave a recital at the opening. Menuhin and violists Lionel Tertis and Bernard Shore were among the original honorary advisors to the school.
The school’s first director Maurice Bouette (left) with Glen Collins, one of its longest-serving teachers. Although the courses were originally based at the Mount School in Newark, they moved to the school’s current home in Kirk Gate in 1977, largely down to Bouette’s efforts. The annual student intake grew to twelve per year.
Newark’s very first violin, completed in February 1973 by American-born John Molineux (right), now a celebrated folk fiddler. It was played to a public audience of around 100 guests on 1 March 1973 at Newark Parish Church.
Judges at Newark’s 1978 violin making competition. Left–right Unknown, Maurice Bouette, Eric Wileman, Charles Beare, Dietrich Kessler and Robert Payne (the school’s second director after Bouette).
RUMENTS PHOTO ROBERT CAIN. PRINCE CHARLES PHOTO COURTESY OLN COLLEGE.ALLOTHERPHOTOSCOURTESYADAMWHONE
The 1977–78 class included several luthiers who went on to be regular writers for The Strad, including John Dilworth, Roger Hargrave, Helen Michetschläger and Anne Houssay.
In1982 a cello was made for and presented to Prince Charles as he visited Newark Technical College to mark its centenary and open a new library. Modelled on a 1790 Stradivari, the cello was decorated by Paul Harrild. In 1984 another ‘royal’ instrument, made by Glen Collins, was presented to Princess Diana as a gift for Prince William: a scaled-down version intended for a child.
Instruments made by Newark students and tutors for the ‘Scrapheap Orchestra’ in 2011. Made from cutlery, plumbing materials and pieces of guttering, the instruments were used to play Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture at the BBC Proms.