VSA - Oberlin Workshops

Since 1986 the VSA has sponsored workshops in conjunction with Oberlin College in Oberlin Ohio. The workshops, offered every summer, offer an outstanding and important opportunity for violin and bow makers to learn methods and subtleties associated with fine stringed instruments and bows. The original Restoration Workshop was created by the noted restorer Vahakn Nigogosian. Today there are six programs held during the summer, which offer in-depth instruction by a distinguished faculty supplemented by renowned luthiers. The current programs are: Violin Making (advanced level); Bow Making (advanced level); Bow Restoration and Repair; Instrument Restoration and Repair; Acoustics; Bass Setup, Repair and Acoustics.

2010 Schedule

The schedule of the courses is:

Acoustics
June 5 - June 12
George Bissinger, Joseph Curtin, Fan Tao, Sam Zygmuntowicz, Evan Davis, George Stoppani and others
Contact: Fan Tao (631) 439 3270 Fan.Tao@daddario.com
The acoustics workshop brings researchers and violin makers together for a week of talks, presentations and experiments.

Bass Workwhop, director James Ham
June 5 - June 12

Violin Making
June 13 – June 26
Contact: Chris Germain (215) 545 2500 info@germainviolins.com
Graduate level, with students and teachers sharing expertise and new developments

Bow Making
June 13 – June 26
Contact: David Forbes (352) 375 2609 forbows@bellsouth.net
For experienced bow makers to share techniques and expertise

Bow Restoration
June 27 - July 3
Workshop description: Techniques of bow repair and restoration addressed will include frog chevals; head splines; tongue grafts; stick and frog bushings; rail replacement; head grafts; silver replacement.

Also covered will be all aspects of bow setup, including windings; thumb leather; camber; pearl slides; screws; eyelets; ivory tips; rehairing. For more information, as well as pictures of work performed by the teaching staff, HERE.
Contact: Jerry Pasewicz (919) 858 0429 bowrestoration@tristrings.com

Violin Restoration, director David Burgess
June 27 - July 3

Instrument Restoration and Repair
Sunday June 27 - Saturday July 3
The Oberlin Instrument Restoraion and Repair Workshop will be across the hall from the Bow Restoration Workshop, and will run at the same time, making it convenient for participants in either to learn a little about the other.

Backgrounds of the teaching staff include the London Beare shop, Weisshaar, William Moennig, Carl Becker, and Kenneth Warren and Son.

For more information, as well as pictures of work performed by the teaching staff, click HERE.

For general information:
Anna Hoffmann, Oberlin Program Office
(440) 775 8044 anna.hoffmann@oberlin.edu

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