Trophies put Anna-Louise in tune with her grandad

Apr 10 2009 by Yonnie McInnes

WINNING the Sandy Lyle and Royal Burgh of Ayr trophies at the 84th Ayrshire Music Festival recently brought back poignant memories of her much-loved Papa for Anna-Louise Burns.

Anna-Louise, 21, from Troon, and a former Queen Margaret Academy pupil, won the trophies playing on the 17th century German violin gifted to her by her late grandfather, George Fitzsimmons, when she was only 11 years old.

She explained: “I was still at primary school but, having seen how much playing the violin had meant to my papa, during my early childhood, I had gradually become interested in learning to play.

“I started learning when I was eight and was so thrilled when papa gave me his violin, which, unfortunately, had a crack on the back.

“I just had to get it restored, so I ended up spending £400 of my own money before I could actually play it.”

George spent his entire working life in Ayrshire as an electrical engineer and car sales manager.

However, he was also a talented violinist.

Anna-Louise said:”He simply didn’t have the opportunity to do what I’m now doing, as he was living in very different times.

“An Annbank miner’s son he won a gold medal in the intermediate grade (VI) aged 16 at the examinations in music held by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, London, for gaining the highest marks in Britain in that grade.

“What was really exciting for me was when I learned how he had personal connections to both of the trophies I’ve just won.

“Winning them meant so much more to me after discovering that The Royal Burgh of Ayr Trophy (open violin) was gifted in memory of Rae Welsh for his contribution to strings in Ayrshire. He was my great-grandmother’s first cousin and a violin teacher who taught my grandfather at the time he won his gold medal.”

George was a music student with Sandy Lyle, they knew each other well and played violin together many times.

Anna-Louise added: “I stopped playing the violin for quite a while after papa died when I was 13. I played at his funeral and found it was too much for me emotionally to continue playing on his violin.

“However, 18 months ago I began to play again and have gone from Grade V (distinction) to about to take my Grade VIII standard exams in a relatively short time, thanks to my teacher John Stevenson of Irvine. He’s worked wonders, but I’ve worked hard too.

“I’ve also just auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow where I hope to study.

“My ambition is to play in an orchestra and eventually become a soloist.

“I’d also like to compose orchestral music for films.

“At the moment I’m teaching violin and piano to a small group of nine to 14 year olds.

“And I’ve also discovered that Nicola Benedetti won the same two trophies in 1996 - so I’m definitely in good company.

“I just want to make my papa proud. I’ll be playing two of his old music pieces for my Grade VIII exams in June in his honour. It’s thanks to his enthusiasm for playing that I’m about to make music my career.”

Anna-Louise’s proud grandmother, Phyllis Fitzsimmons, of Troon, and mum Mary-Anne Pugsley, will no doubt be giving her plenty of support and encouragement along the way.

Keeping it strictly in the family, her aunt, Angela de Gomez, herself a music teacher, also accompanied Anna-Louise on the piano during her Ayrshire Music Festival appearance.