Instrumental Gifts

Queensland Symphony Orchestra Young Instrumentalist Competition is an opportunity for promising young musicians to take part in a formal audition process that culminates in the winner performing on QPAC's Concert Hall stage with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

In 2010 two exquisite instruments were donated by Mr Brennan Keats and the National Instrument Bank and Anthony Camden Fund which were awarded to the selected participants.

QSO acknowledges Mr Brennan Keats and the National Instrument Bank for the generous loan of a Smith Violin for the 2010 QSO Young Instrumentalist Winner.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SMITH VIOLIN MADE DURING 1961.

When Horace Keats youngest son Brennan turned 23 he had been associated with the Musica Vive Younger Group for many years and decided, due to his association with so many string players, to undertake violin studies, firstly with Margaret Berriman and later with David Jackson both of whom were members of the Viola section of the then ABC Orchestra, later to become the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. 

Late in 1960 he made the decision to buy a Smith Violin and duly ordered one from their shop.  The waiting time for a Smith in those days was at least three years and imagine his surprise when some months later he received a phone call from Mr. Smith to say that his violin was "in the white" and could be seen at the home of Smith's son in law, Ernest Llewellyn.  He asked Mr. Smith why the order seemed to have "jumped the queue" and Smith replied: "Because your father Horace Keats (when he was an ABC conductor) did my daughters great favours on more than one occasion.  I'm taking the opportunity to repay the favour".

The instrument at the time of writing has had some orchestral experience, with thanks to Marina Marsden, and has been kept alive by regular tuning ever since.

 Brennan Keats December 2009