Bow Making

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

Click here for 2008 availability
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 2008 at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

Course will take place from July 7 through August 2, 2008.

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

July 7 - Aug 1, 2008.

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:

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

Weeks One, Two and Three Course cost $2950 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

RESTORATION WEEK

August 4 - 8. 2008

Bow rehairing, Restoration and Maintenance.
Advanced Bow Repair and Restoration

A comprehensive hands-on course designed for the shop that services bowed instruments.

45 hours of practical training
Maximum enrolment is 9.

Eligibility

Open to professionals and those working in the music industry who are seeking to improve their skills in bow works. This week is also recommended for those taking the bow-making weeks. Priority enrollment is given to those who are registered for weeks "One" through "Three".

What you will learn;

The most common item needed by the string player is the bow rehair. This course will consist of five days of intense concentration on bow rehairing, the common care, maintenance and adjustments of all the bows of the violin family . This is a hands-on course that will prepare you to apply your skills in any shop dealing with bowed instruments. You will also be exposed to techniques in restoration and preservation of bows of great value.

Course content will include:

	Butt bushing.
	Button bushing.
	Frog bushing.
	Fractured head restoration.
	Worn shaft repair.
	Frog restoration
	Cheval.
	Crack repair.
	Replacing metal underslide.
	Fabricating metal replacement parts.
	Use of special space-age materials in restoration.
	Head restoration techniques.
	Bow rehairing techniques.
	Recambering shafts.
	Replacing the face plate.
	Balancing the bow.
	Windings.
	Polishing.
	Eyelet and button repair.
	Leather grip replacement, butt lapping.
	Silver soldering and repair techniques.
	Gold soldering and repair techniques.
	Replacing pearl slide.
	Replacing pearl eyes.
	Renewing French polish.
	How to safely remove the impossible slide.
	Minor repair techniques to frog and shaft.
	Shop safety standards.
	Tool sharpening methods and maintenance.
	Recommended fee schedule for work performed

Week Four Course cost $975 Canadian funds, includes material but not tools*.

*Tools will be supplied for the duration of the course only. Supplies include face plates, ebony frog material, sterling silver sheet material, hardware, finishing polishes, horse hair, etc.

Priority is given to students registered for the first three weeks.

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

ENTIRE BOW MAKING COURSE

All Four weeks

The entire course is highly recommended for those who wish to finish a bow. This course is also recommended for the technicians in violin shops and music stores who deal with bowed instruments. It will provide a better understanding of the needs of quality bows and the needs of musicians who use them.

Full four-week course $3,700 Canadian funds.

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

Click here for video of school