A COMMISSION from the Royal Oman National Orchestra had David Vernon from Fern winging his way to the Middle East recently.

David, who is a well-known string instrument maker in Angus and a member of Brechin Rotary Club, was delighted when asked to make a viola for the leading viola player of the Omani orchestra.

The Sultan of Oman, who formerly served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, is an avid listener and promoter of classical music and has created a western orchestra.

“His idea was to have the orchestra consist entirely of Omani players and have them coached by musicians, mainly from this country.

“A friend of mine who teaches has a viola I made and the lead viola player in the orchestra was so impressed that he decided he wanted one for himself—one that was a bit special.”

David has always been a restorer of musical instruments and had a shop at Old Trafford, Manchester, until 20 years ago when he settled in Angus to concentrate on making violins, violas and cellos.

He has made many instruments for musicians throughout the world but said this latest commission was special.

It included delicate decoration, an intricately embossed Crown of Oman in gold leaf and even the varnish had to be adjusted to take into account the likely effect on the instrument of Oman’s hot, dry climate.

During the commission David visited Oman three times and has had Omani instrument repairers staying with him and his wife, Olga, so they could work alongside and learn practical skills to go alongside their theoretical knowledge.