Violist retires after 44 years with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has said farewell to its longest-serving musician who has retired after more than 44 years.

Jacoba Gale played her final concert as Principal No.3 Viola with BSO at Poole's Lighthouse on Wednesday.

She was congratulated by chief conductor Kirill Karabits, who is also stepping down after 15 years.

The orchestra's chief executive, Dougie Scarfe, said Ms Gale was "loved and respected".

She has been with BSO for 44 years, four months and nine days, a spokesperson said.

Mr Scarfe said: "Jacoba Gale has been a passionate advocate for musicians throughout her extraordinary career at Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and she is loved and respected for it.

"Life in the BSO won't be quite the same without her.

"Jacoba is the longest-serving BSO musician in living memory, and we are sure the many hundreds of visiting artists and conductors - and the hundreds of thousands of audience members - that she has shared music with will join us in wishing her all the best for her retirement."

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