‘Milton Violin’ Presented to Orchestra Leader Samuel Kane

Armagh violinist Samuel Kane

‘Milton Violin’ Presented to Orchestra Leader Samuel Kane

Nineteen-year-old violinist, currently studying at the Royal Northern College of Music, will have 1780 violin as leader of the Ulster Youth Orchestra.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has presented nineteen-year-old violinist Samuel Kane with the ‘Milton Violin’ for his tenure as leader of the Ulster Youth Orchestra.

The violin, made in 1780 by Neapolitan maker Joseph Gagliano, was donated to the Council in 1980 by Professor Alan Milton, a former board member, and in the past has been used by the Leader and principal players of the Ulster Orchestra.

Kane, from Loughgall in County Armagh, is in his first year at the Royal Northern College of Music studying with James Clark. Following auditions, he has just been announced as leader of the Ulster Youth Orchestra

Commenting on the news, Paula Klein, General Manager of the UYO, said:

We are delighted that Sam has been awarded the position of leader in 2019. We heard Sam recently playing one of his own pieces on the Milton Violin and both the delicacy and the power of this beautiful instrument will be such a great help to him in his developing career.

Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music in the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added:

The Orchestra has become a vibrant and creative force in the musical life of Northern Ireland… Thanks to the generosity of Professor Milton, we are able to provide this exceptional instrument to generations of our best young violinists. We are delighted by the appointment of Samuel and have no doubt he will put this very special opportunity to great use.

The Ulster Youth Orchestra’s next concerts are on 23 and 24 August in Derry and Belfast respectively. For full details visit www.uyo.org.uk

Published on 3 May 2019

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