Overview

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UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute

July 8 - August 2, 2019

General Information

The UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute carries on the tradition of luthiers, dating back to the 16th century European craft guilds. Karl Roy founded the Institute at UNH in 1974. UNH's Institute is one of the oldest string instrument repair programs in the United States. Current internationally renowned instructors at the UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute are respected masters of their craft.

Who May Attend
Repair shop employees, string instrument teachers, musicians, and professionals from any background with a passion for woodworking and music looking for a second career, a source of of income or to study the craft. All levels of experience will learn the trade from our accessible and knowledgeable instructors. You must be 18 years or older to attend.

Institute Location
All workshops take place at Putnam Hall on the University campus. UNH is located on 156 wooded acres in Durham, New Hampshire and is a 90-minute drive from Boston, Massachusetts; 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean; and 40 miles from the foothills of the White Mountains National Forest. The historic seacoast town of Portsmouth is 10 miles east of Durham.

Transportation to the Institute
Limousine and bus services are available from either Boston’s Logan International Airport or from Manchester (NH) Airport. The AMTRAK train runs service from Boston, MA to UNH in Durham, NH.

How to Register

Online:
The UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute registration system prompts you to create your own student login and password. It is important to save your user name and password so that you may register for future events and view a historical record of your participation. If you attended in 2018, register using the same user name and password.

  • Visit the web site: https://training.unh.edu/violin

  • Pull down the “enroll now” menu for each section by clicking on the + sign. Add one or more workshops to your cart. Check out and pay using a credit card.

  • You will be prompted to complete an "application form" which is only a means to collect information required for attendance, including acceptance of the waiver form. This information must be completed prior to your arrival.

By Phone: Call (603) 862-7380. Download the brochure in advance of your call.

By Mail: Download the brochure, complete the registration form and mail, along with full payment or a $100 deposit for each week you plan to attend, to UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute, Room G50, 11 Garrison Avenue, Durham, NH 03824.

By Fax: Fax the registration form and credit card info to (603) 862-7381.

Tuition, Discounts & Related Costs
Tuition is $1025 per week with a 5% discounts applied for multiple weeks. To qualify for multiple week discounts, register and check out for multiple weeks in one registration session. Use code VI-Multi at check out.

Policies and Important Information

Full Payment or a Deposit
To reserve your space in a workshop, you must make either full payment or a $100 deposit per week of instruction at the time of registration. The deposit is non-re- fundable (see “Refund Policy”). Space is limited in each workshop, so REGISTER EARLY TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE!

Housing and Meals are Separate from Tuition
Housing and meals are not included in the tuition. It is the participant’s responsibility to arrange housing and meals. A majority of participants stay on-campus. On-campus air-conditioned housing, including breakfast, is available for an extra charge at a reasonable rate. Participants who choose to stay on campus must register with the University Conference Office. Call (603) 862-0863 or (603) 862-1900 for housing reservations. You will find information and a reservation form on our web site under “Travel & Site Information.” Scroll down to “Room and Board,” download the housing forms and follow the procedures and deadlines outlined.

Final Payment Deadlines
Registration and full payment deadline is May 1, 2018, for all workshops. If you do not make the full payment by the due date: 1) You will be charged an administrative late fee of $50 and 2) If others are on the waiting list, you may lose your place in the program and forfeit your deposit.

This policy has been adopted in fairness to students on waiting lists. All participants must be registered and paid in full before attending the first day of class. Walk-ins are NOT ACCEPTED.

U.S. Currency
All deposits, tuition, registration fee, and payments to housing, if any, are payable only in U.S. currency, by credit card or by checks in U.S. funds.

Refund Policy
The $100 per week tuition deposit is non-refundable. Tuition refunds, less the $100 per week deposit, will be given if written cancellation is received by May 1, 2018. No tuition refunds will be made after May 1.

NOTE: Please check with the University Conference Office at (603) 862-1900 for their housing refund policies.

Responsibility Clause

The Violin Craftsmanship Institute is located in the State of New Hampshire and is subject to New Hampshire law. The terms and conditions of the Institute shall be enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New Hampshire, and all Agreements relating to the Institute are deemed to have been made in the State of New Hampshire. In the event of litigation regarding the terms and conditions of the Institute, the parties expressly submit to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in New Hampshire. All attendees must adhere to UNH rules, Institute rules, and University Conference Office policies. A signed participant waiver is required for attendance.

For More Information

UNH Professional Development & Training
Email: luthiers@unh.edu
Call: (603) 862-1739
Write: Violin Institute, UNH Professional Development and Training, Room G50, 11 Garrison Avenue, Durham, New Hampshire 03824

Campus Housing & Meals
Email: conferences@unh.edu
Call (603) 862-0863 or (603) 862-1900
Write to: University Conference Office, Stillings Hall, 20 Ballard Street, Durham, NH 03824

Please note: Audio and/or video recordings of Institute classes are not permitted.

What You Will Learn

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UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute

  • New Instructors - Todd Goldenberg and Jay VandeKopple

  • New Workshops - Cello Set-Up and Bass Set-Up

  • New Guest Speaker - Philip J. Kass
    Historical Overview of Stringed Instrument Making
    Saturday, July 14 & Sunday, July 15
    FREE  for 2018 Violin Institute Participants
    A limited number of seats are available for purchase.

Schedule:

  • Bow Rehairing
    Offered twice: June 18-22 and June 25-29
    Instructor: Lynn Hannings; Teaching Assistant: Amanda Kapousouz

  • Bow Repair I
    July 2-6
    Instructor: Lynn Hannings; Teaching Assistant: Amanda Kapousouz

  • Bow Making: with a Focus on Historical Preservation
    Offered twice:     July 9-13 and July 16-20
    Instructor: Lynn Hannings; Teaching Assistant: Mike Brough

  • Bow Making & Repair - Independent Study
    Bow Repair II, Tool  Making, Frog & Button Making & Bow Finishing
    July 2-6
    Instructor: George Rubino; Teaching Assistant: Kevin Curry

  • Basic Violin Set-Up I & Tool Use
    June 18-22
    Instructor: Francis Morris; Teaching Assistant: Mike Daddona

  • Violin Set-Up II, Adjustment & Basic Repair
    June 25-29
    Instructor: Paul Wiessmeyer; Teaching Assistant: Randy Kellogg

  • Intermediate Violin Repair & Sound Adjustments
    July 2-6
    Instructor: Paul Wiessmeyer; Teaching Assistant: Randy Kellogg

  • Cello Set-Up & Tonal Adjustments
    July 9-13
    Instructor: Paul Wiessmeyer; Teaching Assistant: Randy Kellogg

  • Violin & Viola Building
    Offered twice: July 9-13 and July 16-20
    NEW Instructor: Todd Goldenberg; Teaching Assistant: Claire Curtis

  • Bass Set-Up
    July 16-20
    NEW Instructor: Jay VandeKopple; Teaching Assistant: Keiran O'Hara


Tool Sharpening Workshop (FREE)
Offered twice: June 17 and June 24
June 17 - Teaching Assistant: Mike Daddona
June 24 - Teaching Assistant: Randy Kellogg

Small Business Workshop (FREE)
July 17
Instructor: Richard Grogan

REFUND POLICY

The $100 per section deposit is non-refundable. Tuition refunds, less the $100 deposit, will be given if written withdrawal is received prior to May 1, 2018. No tuition refunds will be made after May 1, 2018.

HOUSING & MEALS 

Housing & Meals are not included in cost of tuition. Housing and meals are arranged at your own discretion, you have the option of reserving on-campus housing including breakfast at a reasonable rate. Download our housing form.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please contact luthiers@unh.edu or call the Professional Development & Training office at (603) 862-7380.

Travel & Site Information

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UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute

University of New Hampshire
Putnam Hall - Workshop LocationPutnam Hall
34 Sage Way, Durham, NH 03824

Handler Hall Dormitory - Residence Hall
5 Demeritt Circle, Durham, NH 03824
Check-in Sunday nights from 4-8 p.m.

Institute Location

The University is located on 156 wooded acres in Durham, New Hampshire and is only a 90-minute drive from Boston, Massachusetts; 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean; and 40 miles from the foothills of the White Mountains National Forest. The historic seacoast town of Portsmouth is 10 miles east of Durham.
Download a campus map.

WEekend travel alert - allow extra time on route 95 - summer traffic creates delays

Travel Information

Local airports:  Boston’s Logan International Airport or from Manchester (NH). Limousine service and bus service are available from either airport. AMTRAK also runs service from Boston, MA to UNH in Durham, NH. If you are flying into the area, we recommend selecting an airline with a flexible refund or ticket change policy in the event of unexpected circumstances.

C&J Bus service from Logan Airport to Portsmouth or Dover, NH. You will need to take a taxi from the end point to Durham.
C&J tickets cost $23 one way.

AMTRACK Downeaster-Train Service from Boston North Station, MA, to Durham, NH.
You will need to take transportation from Logan to Boston North Station.
AMTRAK tickets one way cost $19.
The Durham train station is a short walk to the Putnam Hall workskhop location. The walk from the train station to the dormitory, Handler Hall, is a little more than a 1/5 mile.

Room and Board

On-Campus Housing

Housing and meals are not included in the tuition. However, on-campus air-conditioned housing, including breakfast, is available for an extra charge. Housing reservations can be made by calling (603) 862-0863 or (603) 862-1900. For more information, please download the following forms:

Off-Campus Housing

  • Holiday Inn, Durham, NH
  • Three Chimney's Inn, Durham, NH

For More Information about Housing

Dining

On-Campus

Holloway Commons Dining Hall Hours

Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Breakfast is included with on-campus housing. Participants may also eat meals in the UNH dining hall on a pay-as-you-go basis. UNH Dining Services will be closed July 3rd and 4th. Participants here at that time will be given alternative available dining options. Dining hall hours may be subject to change.

Off-Campus

Durham has a market and several restaurants to serve your dining needs.

Mail

Deliveries (packages/letters) may be sent to:

“Your Name” c/o UNH Violin Institute Stoke Hall, Room G50
11 Garrison Avenue
Durham, NH 03824

Mailing Packages Home:

Main Street Mailing and Copy - UPS & FedEx
54 Main St.
Durham NH 03824
(603) 868-1002
Hours: M-F, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Closed weekends

US Postal Office
2 Madbury Rd
Durham, NH 03824
(603) 868-2151
Hours: M-F, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

UNH (Durham, NH) Parking and Transportation

Everyone with a car needs a parking permit. Participants with a car must request a parking permit  as a part of registration and will receive their permits upon arrival. Parking permit fees are included in the registration. Parking permits will be given to registered participants who requested one at the dorm Sunday night in the housing packet or Monday, the first day of class.

Wildcat Transit, the UNH bus service, runs Monday – Friday 7:20 a.m. – 5 p.m. Dispatch Phone: (603) 862-2328. CALL THE DISPATCHER WITH ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT UNH BUS SERVICE.

Bus stops for service between Handler Hall and Putnam Hall are located in front of Kingsbury Hall (near Putnam) and Main Street (@Field House & Mast Road). The Service Connector runs every 20 minutes. When you get off at Main Street, you will need to walk down Mast Road to Putnam Hall.

The UNH Wildcat Bus Service if FREE on campus. For service to Portsmouth it cost $1.50. There is no weekend bus service during the summer.

If you don’t have a car and don’t want to take the bus, walking around campus is easy and good exercise!

Additional Options

Campus Recreation

Whittemore Center

The 104,425 square foot Whittemore Center provides the University community (inclusive of summer studies students) with the latest recreational sports facilities, equipment and a new outdoor pool. There is a per day rate for an adult guest pass to the recreation center. The guest pass may be obtained at the service desk located at the Whittemore Center on Main Street. A daily pass is $11. Guests under the age of 19 are only permitted during designated family programs. A driver’s license is required to show proof of age. Summer hours are scheduled for Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the facility is open from noon to 5 p.m. The CRC will be closed July 4th. For updated information on the CRC, please call the service desk at 603-862-2031 or visit the campus recreation website.

Mendum’s Pond

For summer recreation, swimming, and boating, Mendum's Pond recreation area is just seven miles from Durham. Visit the campus recreation website, click on the “facilities” tab and view hours and information about Mendum’s Pond. There is no lifeguard on duty, so do not go swimming alone.

Medical Care

Health Services

Located at 4 Pettee Brook Lane in Durham, across Main Street from Holloway Commons. Students have access to Health Services. Services are provided on a fee-for-service basis. Health Services will bill your insurance company if you present your insurance card. If you do not have a card, payment must be made at Health Services at the time of service. Heath Services is open M–F, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. It is closed on weekends.

For more information regarding Health Services, please call (603) 862-9355.

Medical emergency

Call *911 (from a campus phone) or 911 (from a non-campus phone)

Getting Medical Care When UNH Health Services is Closed

What to do when you need medical services and Health Services is closed? You have the following options available:

  • Medical Emergency: For a medical problem requiring immediate assistance, call 911 to get an ambulance.
  • Minor Illness & Injuries: If medical treatment is not urgent but you are not sure treatment can wait until Health Services is open, call Health Services at (603) 862-WELL (9355) and press 2. You will be automatically connected with a medical call center, where staff will conduct a phone assessment, and make suggestions for additional care options, including a visit to an urgent care center or hospital, if appropriate.

Nearest Hospitals

Wentworth Douglass Hospital, 789 Central Ave, Dover, NH 03820, (603) 742-5252

Portsmouth Hospital, 333 Borthwick Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801, (603) 436-5110

Security

Campus Security: 2-1427 (from Campus phone) or (603) 862-1427 (from a non-campus phone)
Emergency Contact: Dial *911 from campus phone or 911 for non-campus phone

Tools & Materials

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UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute

Material and Tool Lists for Summer 2018 Violin Institute violin as 45th year logo

Bow Rehairing
Lynn Hannings
Click here

Bow Repair I
Lynn Hannings
Click here

Bow Making
Lynn Hannings
Click here

Bow Repair II & Tool Making
George Rubino
Click here

Frog & Button Making
George Rubino
Click here

Bow Finishing
George Rubino
Click here

Basic Violin Set-up I and Tool Use
Francis Morris
Click here

Violin Set-up II, Adjustment and Basic Repair
Paul Wiessmeyer
Click here

Intermediate Violin Repair & Sound Adjustments
Paul Wiessmeyer
Click here

Cello Set-Up & Tonal Adjustments
Paul Wiessmeyer
Click here

Violin & Viola Building
Todd Goldenberg
Click here

Bass Set-up
Jay VandeKopple
Click here

Instructor Bios

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UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute

  • Lynn Armour Hannings

    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 business people 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.

  • Philip J. Kass

    Philip J. Kass is a respected expert, appraiser, consultant and writer on fine classic stringed instruments and bows. From 1997 until 2002, he was an associate of William Moennig & Son, Ltd. of Philadelphia where he handled many of the world’s great stringed instruments. He was trained under William Moennig III, William Moennig Jr., and Dario D’Attili. Mr. Kass supplemented his education through his own independent travels, inquires and exploration. He is an acknowledged expert and author of many articles, speeches, auction reports and book reviews over a career spanning nearly three decades. Published work by Mr. Kass appears in many industry publications and professional venues. Many of these publications have been based on his independent research into English and French bow making and the violin makers of Piedmont, Cremona, and the Amati family. A member of the Violin Society of America since 1975, Mr. Kass has served on the Board of Directors in multiple leadership roles since 1985. Today, Mr. Kass is an independent expert working with clients out of Havertown, Pennsylvania.

  • Francis Morris

    Francis Morris is a 1974 graduate of the world-renowned violinmaking school in Mittenwald, Germany. Subsequently he worked with Fritz Baumgartner in Basel, Switzerland, and at the shops of Hans Weisshaar and Robert Cauer in Los Angeles. Since opening his own shop in 1984, he has provided his customers with high quality instrument restoration, fine sound adjustments, and the sale and service of instruments and bows. He won an award for tone at the prestigious Violin Society of America’s 2002 competition. He is a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers and the Violin Society of America. He currently lives and has a shop in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, nestled in the Berkshires near the Tanglewood Summer Music Festival.

  • George Rubino

    George Rubino studied with William Salchow as a student and teaching assistant at the UNH Violin Institute for many years. He has been in the forefront of American bow making for over 45 years. At the 1982 Violin Society of America Salt Lake City convention, Mr. Rubino was awarded a Certificate for Eminent Playability for a viola bow.

    Many of the finest string players play Rubino bows, and bows made by his students, worldwide. Mr. Rubino’s interest in the French tradition of bow making, quest for knowledge and musicianship, facilitates his ability to make bows known for their fine aesthetic quality and capability to produce everything the music demands. He shares his knowledge and experience with students through teaching. Since 1988, Mr. Rubino has been a bow making and bow repair instructor for the UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute. Mr. Rubino has also taught numerous bow workshops in the US, Europe and Australia. Several of his students are employed working professionals and/or successful shop owners.

    Mr. Rubino studied double bass at the New England Conservatory, and taught double bass at Dartmouth College. In addition to maintaining his own shop in Pownal, Maine and working at the Institute, he has been a member of the Portland Maine Symphony double bass section for over 50 seasons.

  • Jay VandeKopple

    New Instructor - 2018
    Julius J. VandeKopple has had a bass shop in northern New Jersey since 1979. He studied bass repair and restoration from 1978 to 1982 with Joseph Cilecek of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, luthier to many of New York's finest bass professionals; and violinmaking with Karl Roy at the UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute during the summers of 2003 to 2008. Julius is an accomplished bassist as well as a luthier, performing as principal bass in New Jersey's Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and Adelphi Chamber Orchestra. He earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics with a thesis in musical acoustics, and served on the Board of the Catgut Acoustical Society, sitting as President at the time of its merger with the VSA (Violin Society of America) in 2004. He continues as Chair of the CAS Forum and as CAS representative on the VSA Board, and is Director of the VSA/Oberlin Bass Workshop. Julius, known to colleagues and customers as Jay, specializes in setup and repair and emphasizes development of an instrument's optimal sound. He has given presentations at VSA and ISB (International Society of Bassists) conventions on these topics.

  • Paul Wiessmeyer

    Paul Wiessmeyer graduated from the world-renowned violinmaking school in Mittenwald, Germany, in 1981. Subsequently he worked at the shops of Hans Weisshaar and Robert Cauer in Los Angeles before opening his own shop in LA in 1986. Since 1991, he has owned and operated Paul Wiessmeyer Violins in Boston, Massachusetts, a full-service shop specializing in repair, service, sound adjustments, and sales of violins, violas, and celli. His clients include symphony players, professional musicians, conservatory students, and schools. He is a member of the American Federation of Violin & Bowmakers and the Violin Society of America. Paul has won several gold medals for his instruments at the H. Wienawski competition and the violin making competition of the Violin Society of America. In 2016, he was selected to judge the Violin Society of America’s making competition.
  • Todd Goldenberg

    Todd Goldenberg

    Todd Goldenbberg’s path to becoming a violin maker began with a degree in botany from the University of New Hampshire. Todd began to pursue his passion by moving to Portland Oregon where he studied with guitar maker Rob Ehlers. A move to Chicago was intended to expand his training in guitar-making, but, once there, Todd was hired at Bein and Fushi and he has been a violin maker ever since.

    Todd next moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where he began a nine-year tenure with Shar Products Company. Working closely with David Burgess. In 1987 Todd settled in North Berwick, Maine and opened his own violin studio in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Todd has taught violin making at the North Bennett Street School in Boston. He was part of a co-operative group of violin makers in Waltham, Massachusetts where he worked alongside other New England makers. Finally, in 2003 Todd built a violin shop across the road from his lakeside home. Here he works as a violin, viola and cello maker. Todd has been awarded a silver medal for cello tone In V.S.A sponsored international competition in 2006 .Todd has served two terms on the board member of the Violin Society of America.

Testimonials

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UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute

Bass Set-up

Arnold Schnitzer

I have had the pleasure of knowing Jay VandeKopple for about two decades; first as a colleague, and more recently as co-facilitator and director of the Oberlin/VSA Bass Workshops. Jay was instrumental in forming that group, and has done an admirable job of running it for the last several sessions. Jay’s background in music, mathematics and acoustics makes him uniquely qualified to assess and adjust the tone and playability of string instruments, especially the string bass, his own personal instrument. He is an excellent teacher with many years experience, and approaches his instructing in a hands-on, no-judgement manner. He is extremely organized, a trait which has served the Oberlin workshop (and previously, the Catgut Acoustical Society) well. Personality-wise, he is both decisive and likeable, a rare and desirable combination in an instructor.

Arnold Schnitzer ⋅ AES Fine Instruments, NY

Violin Set-up

My first week at the Violin Institute changed my life. A life-long strings player, I’d started working at a violin shop months before, doing basic set-ups and often learning as I went. When the opportunity to learn in a classroom setting presented itself, I jumped at the chance. Under the tutelage of Francis Morris and Michael Daddona, what had begun as an occupational curiosity bloomed into a full-blown obsession. Mike and Francis were patient, informative and personable. Their course was masterfully laid out, comprehensive and I found myself experiencing an excitement not unlike the early pangs of falling in love. I am beyond grateful for the skills gained, interests piqued and friendships forged through this course. I can’t speak highly enough of both Francis and Mike, their expertise and their talent for teaching. Through example they instilled a respect for the craft and the eagerness to enter a lifetime of learning.

MorganEve Swain ⋅ McCarten Violins, Rhode Island

String Repair Shop

While working as a string repair employee for a company deeply involved with school music programs, I was approached about rehairing and repairing some bows for a particular school. Not being familiar with the processes I purchased a book and attempted to rehair a bow. After too much time and a poor result, I realized I needed to look elsewhere. Having seen the ads for the UNH program I spoke with my boss and expressed my interest in attending pointing out that this would be another service we could offer our customers. He saw this potential and worked out an agreement with me to split the tuition, which I repaid with small deductions from ensuing paychecks. I also collected my regular salary while 'working' at the UNH class. The first year I got involved with the rehair process but also developed an intense curiosity about bows. Over the years, my boss saw the benefit of the program and I continued to study at UNH expanding to repairs and eventually making. The skills learned at UNH improved my company’s business prospects but now, in retirement, I can give my attention to making and selling bows. It is a great transition from a very enjoyable career to a very enjoyable retirement.

Kevin Curry ⋅ New York

Bow Rehairing

David Rhodes, participant

As a repair luthier with over twenty years of experience, I can honestly state that the bow rehairing workshop taught by Lynn Hannings was the most incredible and informative week of instruction that I have ever received. Her classroom demonstrations are comprehensible and always followed by one on one instruction that is tailored to each individual. Lynn graciously shares invaluable knowledge that most could never obtain without taking this course. She genuinely cares for the health and happiness of musicians and provides a wonderful model for future bow makers.

David Rhodes ⋅ Fuller's Music, North Carolina

Exceeding Expecations - Developing Career Skills

Charles Wolf

The UNH Violin Craftsmanship Institute is the right place to go if you are looking to learn the basics, or achieve the highest level of skills training to repair/make a stringed instrument or bow. The expert faculty at the Violin Craftsmanship Institute teach skills exceeding the expectations you would experience at a vocational technology school. At UNH, you will find the right combination of high-level standards for career professionals and individual attention for novices. Both students who simply want to learn basics of string instrument repair & bow rehairing or professionals advancing their abilities, develop valuable career skills under the patient guidance of the instructors. Any level of learner will gain practical work experience under the true master instructors at the Institute.

Charles Wolf ⋅ All Four Strings, CA

Violin Repair

Joe Fili playing a violin

While it goes without saying that Paul Wiessmeyer is a master luthier (every piece of wood he touches is transformed perfectly), he also is a gifted teacher. He presents his lesson plans clearly and generously devotes equal time to each of his students.

Joe Fili ⋅ New Jersey

Frog Making & Bow Finishing

Kirk McLendon

I have had the good fortune of studying Frog Making and Bow Finishing with George Rubino at UNH. George runs his classes in a very organized and systematic way with numerous demonstrations throughout the class, which include proper use of tools to ensure the best outcome. Frog Making follows a systematic outline that helps students avoid making mistakes by doing things in the wrong order, as it is very precise and detailed work. Emphasis is placed on functionality as well as aesthetics. In Finishing Bows, we learned a systematic approach to graduating the stick to optimize the playability of the finished bow. Students entering this class know how to make bows but Finishing Bows fills in gaps at the end of the process that improves the students’ work greatly. George also shares relevant stories from his experience that give insight to the career of bow making. Each year I have been very happy to see my work improve dramatically after returning home. I recommend the UNH bow making classes to anyone interested in learning this craft and career. In particular, I recommend George’s classes to those who have advanced through the beginning and intermediate stages of the process.

 

Kirk McLendon ⋅ North Carolina

Professional Musician

Karen Pinoci

Even though I am a professional musician, most of us in the field have very little knowledge about bow rehairing. I thought it would be useful to know more, and signed up on a luthier’s recommendation. Little did I know that our “Prof,” Lynn Hannings, would make this very challenging work so interesting and enjoyable. She is a master teacher with her enormous knowledge and years of experience, but also in the manner she organized and paced the class. With our class size – small enough for individual attention yet large enough to learn for fellows’ trials and errors – we received a great deal of information, not just by seeing her do it, but by guided hands-on practice at our workbenches. Lynn and her assistant were very helpful and encouraging to each of us, no matter what our levels (very mixed) – they clearly wanted us to succeed. Lynn’s love for this bow work was infectious, and I went home not just with a very useful skill and knowledge, but the “bug bit me” to do this – and my workbench has seen quite a few student bows since July. Thank you for having this Institute, and for having master teachers like Lynn Hannings sharing their gifts with us! Note: Sadly, Dr. Pinoci passed away this year (April 2018). We were fortunate to have her as a participant at the Institute. She will be missed.

Dr. Karen Pinoci ⋅ New Jersey

Violin Institute

Violins on display

It was a great experience in all respects. There were participants from every background and part of the country, each with a different reason to be there. The instructor somehow made it all work by setting the highest possible standards for precision while taking a flexible and supportive approach to helping participants go as far as they could in achieving that standard. It opened up a world of understanding that I probably could not have gained any other way.

Bill Duncan ⋅ New Hampshire

A New and Successful Career

The Violin Craftsmanship Institute was a life-changer for me. It opened the door to a new and successful career. The instructors are top-notch professionals in their field and they are committed and capable teachers. My four summers at the University of New Hampshire were instrumental in starting my training as a luthier. I am indebted to Lynn Hannings and Horst Kloss for their guidance and professionalism. 

Carolyn Foulkes ⋅ Perrin and Associates Fine Violins - Baltimore, MD
2018 Violin Craftsmanship Institute Brochure
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