Leading violinist offers ‘surgery sessions’ for local musicians

Tuesday 22 February 2022
Violinist Michael Foyle stands against a black background holding a violin. He is wearing a black jumper.
Michael Foyle

A leading Scottish violinist is to lend his expertise to local musicians following his upcoming concert at the University of St Andrews. 

Michael Foyle, one of the foremost Scottish musicians of his generation, will perform at the University’s new Laidlaw Music Centre on Friday 4 March and, the following morning, will host a free and informal ‘Violin Surgery’ for violinists of all ages and abilities. The sessions will allow members of the public to seek help on specific technical or musical questions and spend one-to-one time with Michael. 

Foyle, who was recently appointed the youngest-ever Professor of Violin at the Royal Academy of Music in London, gives his concert as part of the St Andrews Concert Series, presented jointly by the University’s Music Centre and the St Andrews Music Club. 

Music Centre Head of Programming, Chris Bragg, said: “Michael Foyle and pianist Maksim Štšura form a formidable musical partnership and the opportunity to present musicians of their calibre in the stunning McPherson Recital Room is one we have looked forward to for a long time.  

“Michael’s violin surgery is an idea he’s hosted elsewhere and is a great opportunity for players at any level to receive help from a world-class performer in a friendly and informal setting. We hope very much that violinists young and old will sign up and join in.” 

Foyle’s programme includes sonatas by Poulenc and Richard Strauss as well as the UK premiere of Saltimbanques (Five Acrobatic Displays for Violin and Piano after Marc Chagall) by Philip Cashian.  

Tickets for the concert at 7.30pm on Friday 4 March are available from the Byre Theatre. Violinists keen to take part in the Violin Surgery on Saturday 5 March are invited to email [email protected] to book a ten-minute slot. Participation in the Violin Surgery is free of charge. 


Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office. 

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