The Slater three-quarter violin was kindly donated to the orchestra by Barbara Slater so that young aspiring violinists who are not quite yet ready to graduate to a full-size instrument would be able to use the violin to bridge the gap for a year.

Each year, the violin is loaned to a different student and, this year, for the first time, students had to audition for the use of the instrument.

Andy, who is currently studying violin with CSO Principal Second Violin Emeritus Iryna Ionenko, was the recipient of both the Medbury and Cathedral Grammar Schools’ music scholarships in 2021. He performed as deputy principal first violin in the Christchurch School of Music Festival Orchestra and as first violin in the School of Music’s string quartet.

“Andy is a talented boy with great potential,” says his teacher Iryna. “He works very hard and always pays attention. When he studies new skills and pieces, he always shows great passion.” 

Andy plans to take both the ABRSM Grade 6 and the Trinity Grade 7 exams on the Slater Violin.

Congratulations, Andy!