String instrument program

Intensive 5-day clinic where participants bring their own instruments to work on under the guidance of skilled repair specialists. July 27-31.

Instruction is offered in four different tracks. Instrument repair (levels 1 and 2) for violin, viola, and cello; fretted instrument repair; and bow repair. All sessions are based on hands-on instruction, and participants are expected to bring their own projects and tools. Specific equipment lists will be sent upon registration.

Although all participants are not necessarily expected to do all of the repair procedures, they will be able to work on their own repair project with our skilled clinicians and will observe multiple repair projects over the five-day period. The clinicians are extremely flexible, proceed at the pace of the majority, and are happy to discuss appropriate class placement prior to registration.

Both string instrument repair levels will emphasize the importance of proper set up of instruments, including peg fitting, fingerboard resurfacing, how to make, installing and adjusting a soundpost, making a new bridge, and knowledge of glues and common gluing procedures. All of procedures will be demonstrated by clinicians.

Participants should bring with them an instrument in need of set-up. Participants will be sent a list of required tools upon registration, and are strongly urged to prepare and sharpen all tools prior to attending classes. Without sharpened tools, participants will not be able to accomplish many of the procedures.

String instrument repair level 1

Presumes minimal or no background—just a desire to learn when a repair is needed and to recognize if a repair is properly done. The class covers topics including simple instrument adjustments, seam and crack repair, and the fitting of pegs, bridges, and soundposts. Instructor: Christopher Moore (see faculty page for bio).

String instrument repair level 2

Requires prior repair experience and knowledge of tools and sharpening. This level provides a thorough overview and more advanced techniques for the most common violin family repair techniques, including proper tool handling and maintenance, gluing, sound adjustment, crack repairs, proper top removal and regluing processes, as well as instrument set-up techniques, including bridge and soundpost and peg fitting. Instructor: Christopher Germain (see faculty page for bio).

Bow repair

Designed to encourage a professional approach to bow repairing through a combination of demonstrations, hands-on work, and plenty of individual consultation and instruction. Basic repairs are covered, while more advanced techniques can be addressed individually, depending on each participant's experience level. Beginners should concentrate on rehairing—the most important single aspect for the player, and for the health of the bow. More experienced participants can focus on more advanced repairs as well. Plan on bringing several bows to work on, and materials and tools suitable to your projects. A suggested tool supply list will be sent upon registration. Instructor: David Orlin (see faculty page for bio). Feel free to email David with any questions prior to the clinic.

Fretted instrument repair

Presumes no background beyond a basic knowledge of fretted instruments and an interest in their adjustment and repair. However, participants with some prior experience will be accommodated. The class focuses first on evaluation and set up for best playability, then proceeds to basic and intermediate structural repairs. Exact topics covered depend to some extent on the instruments brought to class, but include fundamental techniques common to most typical repairs, such as action adjustment, leveling and recrowning frets, replacement of nuts and saddles, bridge resets, and fabrication of replacement bridges. Additional topics are covered as time and circumstances permit. Instructor: Wil Bremer (see faculty page for bio).