Famous Huddersfield violin teacher, musician and conductor researched by Paul C Wade.
Arthur William Kaye (1880-1945) was "a rarity" because of the range of his activities. Born 3rd February, 1880, to George and Anne Kaye (nee McGowan), he was known as 'Arthur Willie. His father was a labourer, and despite being from a family of limited means, Kaye became a distinguished violin teacher with pupils from all over Britain. As a boy he played in local orchestras, including the Lockwood Philharmonic Society and Longwood Philharmonic Society. Kaye studied under Adolphe Brodsky at Manchester as well as the distinguished Otakar Ševčík at his private school in Písek, Czechoslovakia.
Kaye began his teaching career at the Leeds College of Music, whilst also playing in the Leeds Orchestra. He taught at the Huddersfield School of Music. Several of his pupils went on to lead ensembles including the Hallé Orchestra and BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra. His pupils included Laurence Turner (leader of the Hallé), Reginald Stead, Jessie Hinchliffe (later Mrs. Rawsthorne), Douglas Mosely and Raymond Mosely.
Kaye became the leader, and later conductor, of the Huddersfield Symphony Orchestra and the Huddersfield Permanent Orchestra, as well as leading the Arthur W. Kaye Orchestra and A. W. Kaye Band.
Kaye died in February 1945, and was survived by his wife Daisy M. Kaye. Sir John Barbirolli, amongst others in the classical music world, paid tribute to him in letters to the editors of various newspapers.
