Lewis Penrose (Year 10) has an ambition to become a luthier. A luthier is someone who makes or repairs string instruments. On Tuesday, Mr Frank & Mrs Janet Lyons donated their son Ian’s luthier equipment to Lewis.

Ian Lyons was a St Thomas old boy who ran ‘Ian’s Violin Shop’ in Courtenay Place, Wellington, where he repaired and restored fine violins, violas and cellos. Ian was the lead cellist with the Wellington Chamber Orchestra (WCO) and had previously been the president of the orchestra. He always went the extra mile for WCO, recording their concerts and producing the CDs afterwards. He was also the orchestra's official photographer. In July this year, Ian died suddenly aged 45 years, following a short illness.

When St Thomas’ began its orchestral programme in 2013, we were unable to find enough instruments to cover the classes. Ian helped out by providing us with beautiful instruments which we now save for our most dependable and highly achieving students, as Ian’s instruments are very special.

Those interested in finding more out about Ian Lyons may like to listen to this interview on Radio New Zealand.

http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/upbt/upbt-20150713-1445-greg_squire_on_ian_lyons-064.mp3