Important Announcement: 2022 UNH Violin Craftmanship Institute will be held online.
Please note: This course is offered more than once. Please be sure to select the appropriate week section in the right-hand column when enrolling.
This hands-on workshop focuses on studying bowmakers and techniques of the French school of bow making; bows appreciated for their playability as well as artistic beauty. Whether restoring a bow or making a new one, it is important to learn the history, the time-honored techniques and the aspects of playability that meet the needs of modern musicians.
You will work on your bow sticks independently at your own pace with personalized guidance from the instructor. The one-on-one instructional format is designed to maximize your time and talents. Frog and button making are not covered in these courses.
You may attend one or two weeks, although two weeks is recommended to finish a stick. All skill levels are welcome from beginners to those who return to refine their skills. It is helpful but not mandatory to take Bow Rehairing in advance of this class.
Materials and Tools
A complete list of tools and supplies needed may be found at lahbows.com. If you have any questions about preparation for this workshop, please contact Lynn Hannings at lynnh@lahbows.com.
Register by May 31 and save! $999 if registered by May 31, $1,099 afterward.
While in High School, Lynn studied bow rehairing with John Roskoski of Wurlitzer, New York. Attending New England Conservatory as a bassist, she began her bow restoration and bow making studies with William Salchow, focusing on cello bows. In 1982, Ms. Hannings was awarded a Certificate for Eminent Playability for a Cello bow by the Violin Society of America. After private instruction both in NY and at the UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute, Lynn became Mr. Salchow’s teaching assistant at the Institute for ten years before taking over classes upon his retirement.
She received her degree of Journeyman from the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers in 1984 and was elected to membership in 1985. In 1989, Ms. Hannings was granted both a Fulbright Scholarship and an Annette Kade Fellowship for the Advanced Study of the French School of Bowmaking in Paris, France with Bernard Millant. Lynn became a member of the Entente Internationale des Maitres Luthiers et Archetiers d’Art in 2000. In 2011, she received the International Society of Bassists Special Recognition Award for lutherie. Ms. Hannings has studied musician’s injuries and received a degree from the University of New England to better serve her clientele. As a conservatory trained musician, performer, trained bowmaker and restorer, she has both the perspective and expertise to work with individual musicians from around the world to meet their unique playing requirements.
At the UNH Violin Craftmanship Institute, the focus in bow classes is on training students in time honored methods in an atmosphere of support and encouragement. With hands-on class experience as well as individual attention in Rehair, Bow Repair I and Bow Repair II, students can, with practice and refinement of skills, provide for their musical communities either as self-employed businesspeople or by becoming valuable assets to professional shops.
Ms. Hannings operates a thriving bow shop in her home in Freeport, Maine, splitting her shop time between making and restoration. She is also a member of the Portland Symphony Orchestra.
Mike Brough started his bow making journey as a double bassist curious about how his equipment worked. That journey began at the UNH VCI as a beginner when Lynn Hannings said “great, no bad habits”. Since then, he has been a student then a Teaching Assistant for the last 10 years at UNH. He is currently living in New Brunswick Canada teaching and freelancing as a double bassist as well as a bow maker.
