The third edition of our set-up course at Halsway Manor in Somerset, for violin makers at the beginning of their career.

During the week at Halsway we will concentrate on the set-up of a violin, particularly the sound-post and bridge.

Tutors Andrew Fairfax and Kathrin Hügel will talk through every single step before applying the theory in practice with practical demonstrations.

Do you have a restoration project that has been hanging around your workshop for a while and you still haven’t got round to it? Are you restoring an instrument or bow but feel that you would benefit from guidance? Then this is the course for you!

With world class tutors, this is our highest level of professional development course. We have booked the whole Manor for 12 days, which will be our longest course ever, but if you can’t escape for this long then there is an option to come for just half of the time.

SOLD OUT

Jutta Walcher will be joining Tim Baker for this January course at Halsway Manor. This course is aimed at those who already have good hand skills and would like to be able to do more work on bows.

With many bow rehairers now retiring, there is a serious shortage of people able to work on bows, creating a great opportunity.

SOLD OUT

This course is aimed at those who already have good violin making skills and would like to be able learn or improve upon their varnishing skills. A very successful method of varnishing and also antiquing will be taught by Antoine Nédléc, Executive Director of the Chicago School of Violin Making, and Jeff Phillips, Associate Director of the same school. Uncounted competition winners, including of course both of them, have used the varnish method they teach and they have taught it at Oberlin for years too.

BVMA Instrument and Bow making workshop October 8th-20th 2023 Halsway Manor.

Click HERE to sign up now!

If you are a violin or bow maker looking to work with others and complete your own project, the BVMA are excited to offer you the opportunity to attend this workshop.

Cost for 12 day workshop between £700 - £950 which includes all food and accommodation.

Pack up your tools and project(s) and find a bench waiting for you at Halsway Manor www.halswaymanor.org.uk/your-visit/location/ for an incredible twelve days of immersion in all things violin related.

Limited number of places available so book soon to avoid disappointment. Too much fun to miss!

We look forward to seeing you there.

Sold Out!

BVMA Course: Set up 25th – 30th June 2023, Halsway Manor

The second edition of our set-up course in Halsway, for violin makers at the beginning of their

career. During the week in Halsway we will concentrate on the set-up of a violin, especially the

sound-post and bridge, as these are the most crucial elements. Andrew Fairfax and Kathrin Hügel

will talk you through every single step before applying the theory in practice.

This course is primarily aimed at those with some experience and who enjoy learning through watching and chatting in a workshop situation. There will be a maximum of 9 places.

There will be no teachers as such, but rather a small group who will be working on their own work and helping participants as well.

This course is designated for our more experienced members and will be taught by Damien Sainmont and Catherine Janssens. Participants will bring their own set-up instruments, which will then be assessed. Instruments will be looked at from different aspects, such as architecture of each individual instrument, resonances and their impact on the instrument’s parts, as well as comfort of playing.

For 2022 the BVMAs main course will be very similar to our previous courses at West Dean, with the

same tutors as 3 years ago.

The course starts on Sunday at 4pm with the practical element finishing before lunch on Saturday.

This is followed by a 1 1/2 day BVMA conference on wood and sound, a concert and party.

A set-up course in Halsway, aimed at violin makers at the beginning of their careers. During our week in Halsway we will focus on the set-up of a violin, especially the sound-post and bridge, which are the most important aspects. Andrew Fairfax and Kathrin Hügel will talk you through every single step before putting the theory into practice.

Iris Carr is a violin restorer specialising in major restorations of violins, violas and cellos.

Her Retouching course covers all aspects from completed woodwork to finishing the varnish, including the treatment and staining of wood, filling cracks and joints, creating texture, retouching and patina.

With Jutta Walcher, Derek Wilson and Tim Baker

Jutta is an award-winning bow maker, with 25 years’ experience repairing and rehairing bows. In her rehairing demonstrations, she will be highlighting the importance of this part of bow making by bringing to the fore not only the practical stages of the job, but also the essential preparatory work that should always be carried out.