Links to Violin and Bow Making Schools

This page will include new information as I receive it. Information about schools that are not listed here or corrections to what I do have listed will be welcomed. E-mail: dvz@vanzandtviolins.com

Updated 27 March, 2008


Violin Making Schools in the United States


The Bow Making School of America

A 2 year, full-time course including French bow and frog making, wood selection, theory of making, violin, viola, or cello playing, and bow and instrument history.


The Chicago School of Violin Making

A full-time, 3 1/2 year program (7 semesters), in violin making, repair, technical drawing, history and theory to an INTERNATIONAL student body. The school is under the direction of Master Violin Maker Tschu Ho Lee. Master's Certificate with German Government in 1968.


The Chimneys Apprenticeship Program

A full time four year course in violin making and repair and restoration. As taught by Edward C. Campbell at the THE CHIMNEYS VIOLIN SHOP
For more information:
E-mail: edwardcampbell@sprintmail.com
Telephone: (717) 258-3203
Fax: (717) 258-3201
The Chimneys Summer Workshop Program


Violin Making at Indiana University

The degree program includes several hours a day in the violin shop. The instruction is a combination of group lectures and individual teaching by Professor Tom Sparks and his assistant. In addition to this time in the shop, degree candidates study the his tory of violinmaking, music theory and history, and instrumental performance. These courses are coupled with the liberal arts requirements of the University.

Degree candidates must fulfill the basic academic requirements for matriculation at Indiana University.


Phone: (812) 855-7998
FAX: (812) 855-4936


Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical

One year course in violin repair and maintenance starts in mid-August and ends in mid-May. The main course provids a good foundation in basic repair techniques and principles. Courses include Hand Tools, Power Tools, Ebony Work, Violin Varnish, Violin History, Bow Repairs, Bow Rehairing, Bridges and Soundposts, Violin Repair, and Introduction to Violin Playing.  A violin construction component of the course is optional . This course runs outside the other classes and can be taken with them or separately, but students must take Hand and Power Tools concurrently or as a prerequisite.


New World School of Violin Making

3 - 3 1/2 year courses in construction of violin family instruments.  Instruction is individualized and mainly self-paced.

North Bennet Street School

A 3 year, full time program


Violin Making School of America

A 3 - 4 year, full time program


Violin and Bow Making Courses in Canada


Ecole Nationale de Lutherie

in collaboration with 3-year courses in violin family making and maintenance

 

Violin Making Schools in Italy


Cremona


The Violin Making International School of Cremona was founded in order to create a center of high professional qualification in the stringed instrument field, respecting the classical tradition of Cremona. There are two programs at the school: the three-year course of violin making and the two-year course of violin making. In addition, the school provides opportunities to work along side professional violin makers in their workshops.


Civica Scuola di Liuteria

A 4 year course in instrument making. Bowed or plucked strings


Parma


A three years course in violinmaking and varnish, mostly practical, with
some theoretical lessons in technology of the wood, design and
accoustics physics. Optional two years of specialisation.



Violin Schools in England


London

Entrance by interview.  2 years full-time courses (some adult returners may not need to attend full-time) in musical instrument technology, leading to a degree or diploma.


Newark

A three-year course in violin making and repair; also, a one-year basic course in violin making.


West Dean

West Dean has courses in viol and lute making on a three year apprenticeship scheme as well as short courses on instrument making.


Merton College

Musical Instrument Technology, Violin Making and Repair.  Three years full time ( part time available), accepting students of all ages and backgrounds.

Cambridge Violin Makers Workshop

The Violin Workshop, based in Cambridge UK and run by The Cambridge Violin Makers, offers one week summer courses in Violin Making and Bow Making for students of all ages and professions. Evening and daytime classes in violin making have been run by The C.V.M for over forty years. In 1990, Bow Making was added as an option for both evening classes and summer courses.
 


Violin Schools in Belgium


 

Dagopleiding Viool- en Gitaarbouw van de Provincie Antwerpen

A 3 year course, full-time education, for making stringed and plugged instruments with theoretical lessons such as: technical drawings, acoustics, history, technology of all subjects related to instrument making.

 


Violin Schools in Germany


Klingenthal

A 3 year course of education of violin makers, bow makers and other instruments. Admission of 5 students for each trade, each year. Classes start in fall (August /September).


Markneukirchen


Mittenwald


Other Schools Around the World


Finland

2-4 year courses in string instrument making. 24 student to 2 teachers. School founded in 1984. Entrance by examination. Also short summer courses.


France

A 2 - 3  year course in instrument making and repair.


Norway


Scotland

Stringed Instrument Repair and Construction at Anniesland College

One year National Certificate and one year Higher National Certificate in violin/guitar repair and construction.


Switzerland


The swiss school of violin making in Brienz (Geigenbauschule Brienz) is the only school in Switzerland specialising in violin making.
The four-year course of study allows students sufficient time to learn the skills that will enable them to develop individually as craftsmen and later on as professional violin makers.
 


If you have any information about these schools or ones I have missed, please e-mail me at: dvz@vanzandtviolins.com with more information.

 

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