Bow Making Course

A Summer Course In Making And Restoring Bows Of The Violin Family
Our 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 , 2006, 2007, 2008 and  2009 courses were fully subscribed.
We are now taking registration for


Click here for class photo album

Click here for video of school

The next course in bow making, repair and restoration will be held summer of 2012 at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

This clinic is held in one of the most beautiful cities in the world at one of the finest Conservatories in Canada.

Although it is the height of the tourist season, booking early can result in reasonable rates for accommodation. We will be happy to assist you in booking rooms. Economical accommodations are available at the Student Residences at the University of Victoria. Click here for details.
  
 

Instructor, Michael Vann*, 
Renowned Canadian Bow Maker.
Winner of 17 International awards.  
       
*Michael Vann is a member of 
The American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers. Click here for his web site. 

Click here for the The American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers web site.

  

Photo Denise Izzard



900 Johnson Street
Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3M4  Canada

For full detail on the Conservatory, click here

"I must tell you that I really enjoyed your clinic. It was the most valuable school I have ever intended. I have attended IBM courses and various computer software clinics and yours was by far the most organized and productive. You did an excellent job teaching and conveying to us the techniques of bow repair and making. Thank you for devoting so much of your time this summer to conduct the clinic. I know it was a tremendous sacrifice for you, and I appreciate your efforts. You can be sure that I for one, will apply a great deal of your teachings, and I suspect that many of the other students will do the same. "Janet Freeman, Tulsa, OK

Click here for class photo album
Click here for video of school

Minimum required skills

All applicants will be required to meet minimum standards of skills and experience in working with fine woodworking tools, both hand and power. We will not have time in our classes to teach these skills. Work experience in violin shop, cabinet making or other fine handcrafting will be an asset. Those who do not possess these skills may be left behind in the work load.


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FOUR WEEK BOW MAKING COURSE

Basic Bow Making in the French Tradition

Frog design and making, both in classical and baroque

These two weeks are dedicated to stick making, design, functionality.
Both the baroque and modern bow will be completed during these three weeks.

Maximum enrolment 9.

135 hours of practical training.

Eligibility: 

Basic knowledge of hand tool handling will be a great asset in this course.  Minimum acceptable age is 18 years. Open to anyone who wishes to get a start in hand-crafting bows for all instruments of the violin family. Minimum skills required include experience with sharp hand tools including knives and chisels. Student must be prepared to submit a list of projects completed.

Course content will include:
 

bullet Shop safety standards.
bullet Shaft design and roughing out.
bullet Understanding the properties of pernambuco.
bullet Bending techniques.
bullet Frog making.
bullet Fitting face plate, pearl slide, pearl eyes, metal underslide.
bullet The secrets of a good playing bow.
bullet Bow and frog wood will be supplied.
bullet Tools will be provided for the duration of this course.
bullet Silver and goldsmith techniques.

 

Four week course course cost $3700 Canadian funds, includes material but not tools*.

*Tools will be supplied for the duration of the course only. Supplies include blanks of pernambuco and or exotic woods suitable to baroque bows, mastodon face plates and finishing polishes, etc. Students are not discouraged to bring their own tools when possible.

Priority enrollment is given to those who are registered for the entire course.

A non-refundable $85 deposit is required at time of application. Refunds will only be given if application is rejected.

Click here to enquire            Housing              Transportation       Application Form     Pay on-line

 

 Click here for video of school

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