An ex-violin teacher met up with a ‘star pupil’ from around 45 years ago at a recital in her care home arranged through the Winchester Chamber Music Trust.
Auriol Whitworth, who lives at Colten Care’s Abbotts Barton, was full of ‘excitement and anticipation’ ahead of the visit and said later she ‘loved the whole afternoon’.
The recital featured two musicians due to play in the forthcoming Winchester Chamber Music Festival, cellist Kate Gould and her violinist son Oren Lester.
Kate’s sister Lucy was taught violin by Auriol when she was a peripatetic music teacher in Hampshire schools in the early 1980s.
And so Auriol was doubly thrilled when Lucy came along to watch Kate and Oren play, joining her and fellow residents at the Worthy Road home.
The recital featured duets and solos from composers such as Bach, Schumann and Strauss.
After the concert, Auriol was only too pleased to catch up with Lucy and talk music with her, Kate and their mother Sue who also came along.
Auriol recalls the family from years gone by, especially teaching violin to Lucy and another sister, Claire.
Auriol said, “I attended a concert at St Bede Primary School as an accompanist and was asked to listen to the choir singing first. There was one girl in the front row who clearly had a talent and joy in music. That was Kate. I asked the music teacher if I could take her as a pupil the following term, but he said that she had already decided to play cello. However, I did go on to have the pleasure of teaching violin to Lucy and Claire. All three sisters were very talented.”
Reflecting on the Abbotts Barton recital, Auriol said: “I had been so looking forward to seeing these star pupils again. I loved the whole afternoon.”
Abbotts Barton Companionship Team Leader Sarah Kingston said: “It is more than 45 years since Auriol taught Lucy. She clearly recalls the moment when she first heard the girls play and recognised their talent. She was so excited and full of anticipation when she heard Kate was coming to play and that Lucy would be there too.”
Sarah added that the care home is arranging a minibus trip for residents to see the finale performance of the Winchester Chamber Music Festival in May. “It will be lovely for Auriol to watch Lucy and Kate perform side by side,” said Sarah.
The Winchester Chamber Music Festival takes place at various venues in the city from Friday 1 May to Monday 4 May 2026. For more information, visit www.winchesterchambermusic.com.
