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Violins Online Newsletter! |
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September 2009 |
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Following an all-too brief vacation last month, we returned to what we affectionately call "Rental Season" at Vermont Violins! Schools are starting up and we are now in the throws of another dynamic month, watching students embark on a musical adventure as they commence their work on strings. First though, a bit of context: We have been renting instruments since 1992 and most of the instruments that go out on rental are going to beginner players. This represents thousands of rental clients over the years, and that is thousands of Vermonters, New Yorkers and New Hampshirites that have been introduced to the world of violin playing. We are extremely proud to have been a part of that long tradition and as we approach our 15th year anniversary, we can look back with great pride at the host of players past and present that have passed through our doors. Of course, not all these people are still playing but I bet virtually every one of these players, young and old, have an appreciation of these instruments un-equalled by non-players. |
| Appreciation of concerts (of all musical genres, classical and traditional) is enhanced by having played an instrument and if having played an instrument encourages someone to attend a concert they might not otherwise have gone to, this experience has added literally thousands of people to audiences throughout our region. And we are thrilled to see some of our one-time rental clients move on to professional level playing too! Starting a rental for school or home use may just be a part of that "back to school" experience for you, but for us it's a lot more...it's the action that creates a musical community enriched by the practical experience of playing. Welcome to Vermont Violins! |
Helping Your Child Get Started!
This is the season of fresh starts for violin playing throughout our community and we are meeting a lot of parents who are assisting their children as they embark on this new adventure. For many of you, violin playing (or musical instrument playing of any sort) is new to you and while you want to help, you're not sure how. Here are a few thoughts to help out.
Of course, your job is not to teach violin, only to offer the opportunity for success. The violin is different from many instruments in that it starts hard and gets easier. Children begin by trying to figure out the "bow thing" and posture and where is that F# anyway? Actually creating a tune, even a simple one, takes a bit of time to work up to generally. Of course, once a child has been playing for a while things get much, much easier, but that initial period is critical and requires quite a bit of parental support. Be positive, provide a lot of great reinforcement, take a video and constantly complement. I'm sure that Yo Yo Ma and Midori both started out one day and sounded then very much like your child does now!
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As you get into the academic year, there will be more and more competition for your child's time. Homework demands, sports demands all increase as the year goes on and your child needs to keep up with the daily practicing regime. We found that incorporating practicing into the morning routine was very helpful: our son would practice as we prepared his breakfast. Ten to fifteen minutes was fine at that age! And this was far preferable to waiting until the afternoon when there were other demands for his time and his energy level was far lower.
Concerts for grandparents or friends (or family, with all stuffed-animals present!) work well too for young players. Make a video to send off to Grandma or Grandpa making sure this is a Big Event! Celebrate his milestones, however minor they might be: finishing a tune or "book one" with chocolate receptions or an overnight with friends.
Finally, encourage your child to bond with his or her violin. For many little girls, the violin becomes a surrogate doll or pet: it gets a name, is "put to bed" in the case and handled very much like a kitten might be: with all the tenderness and affection a pet might require. Their attachment to the instrument is part of the motivation!
All this adds up to one thing: keep it positive. Don't fight over practicing, don't make "dying cat" jokes. It's a small percentage of rental clients that go on to conservatory -- all have a rewarding experience that enhances their appreciation of music in general and many (most?) gain a musical training that has dividends throughout the player's entire life!
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Vermont Violins Welcomes New Teachers to the Community
Several new teachers have moved into the neighborhood and we are happy to welcome them all! Here is a list of names, instruments and phone numbers. We don't know them all well enough to offer endorsements, but if you are looking for a teacher we recommend you give them a call! With studio space so scarce, it is wonderful to have some new options. Oh: and if you are a new teacher and we forgot to mention you, please send us your information and we'll mention you next month!
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Mary Theodore (violin). Burlington, Vermont area 414-477-7547
Andy Johnson (cello). Burlington, Vermont area: 414-477-7547
Jessica Zehngut (violin) Central Vermont: 802-888-4634
Ariel Kennedy (Suzuki Violin & Viola). Upper Valley Music Center: 603-448-1642
Karen Svirsky (Cello). 914-274-8848 (leave message) or karsvirsky@yahoo.com |
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Green Mountain Youth Symphony Comes to the Upper Valley!
In conjunction with the Upper Valley Music Center, the Green Mountain Youth Symphony is pleased to have commenced its first season in the Upper Valley. Under the baton of Musical Director, Robert Blais, this organization has grown to a one hundred member organization with three active orchestras in Montpelier, Vermont. Friday evenings the orchestra meets at the home of its host: the Upper Valley Music Center, as it launches its first season in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Although rehearsals have begun, opportunities to participate continue. For more information, call the UVMC at 603-448-1642
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Vermont Violins Offers On Site Repairs
This past year, we have spent many weeks and weekends visiting conferences, music camps, residential orchestras, summer camps and other musical gatherings to provide on-site lutherie (violin repairs). We work on a fee-for-service basis, so there is no fee to simply have us come and present ourselves. We bring instruments, accessories, tune books, bows and of course our talented luthiers to offer quick repairs, bow rehairs and other services to keep your participants playing! If you have an event coming up and would like us to come, please give us a call at 603-298-7198 and speak with Oren. |
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This Month's E-Discount:
Note: Sale prices extend through October 31, 2009. You must mention this Email to receive your discount.
All Electronic Tuners and Metronomes: 10% OFF. |
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Parents of new players will be psyched to know that tuning can be achieved easily and cheaply with the Korg CA-30 Electronic Tuners. These palm-sized devices essentially tunes your instrument for you with a highly sensitive sensor that hears and identifies pitch perfectly and offers instructions on how to tune the violin. Normally $21.95 E-Mail Sale Price: $19.75. |
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The Zipbeat 6000 by Sabine is the most versatile metronome going. Offering an easy-wheel control, a wood-block tone, sweeping 8-LED light indicator and down-beat accenting. Normally $30.00 E-Mail Sale Price: $27.00
Many other electronic tuners and metronomes are also available at discounted prices!! |
| Irish Workshop Coming Up in Montpelier |
"Fine Tuning Your Irish Session Engine, A Style, Etiquette, and Rhythm Check-in for All Traditional Style Instruments"
The Summit School , in partnership with the Monteverdi Music School, is pleased to offer a series of music workshops at the Monteverdi School on Barre Street in Montpelier. On Sept 18 at 4:30 pm, Matt and Shannon Heaton will present a workshop entitled: "Fine Tuning Your Irish Session Engine, A Style, Etiquette, and Rhythm Check-in for All Traditional Style Instruments" For more information, call 802-917-1186
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Upcoming workshops:
10/10: Woodbury Strings Old Time and Contra Dance
10/25: Nikola Ivanov: Bulgarian and Balkan with a concert
11/7: Sarah Blair, David Saurette and Jeremiah McClane
12/12: Miss Tess: Jazz/Improvisation and concert
5/1/10: Notorious: Cutting-edge folk and contra dance |
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| Featured Instruments |
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Leon Mougenot Violin
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This month we feature a fine violin by Leon Mougenot. Mougenot represents a wonderful French craft tradition and was a leader in the Mirecourt traditions of the early 20th century. This violin, crafted in 1912, is of a burnt-umber color over a yellow ground with moderate figure in a two piece maple back. This violin just sings! Mougenot was born in 1874 and grew up in the workshop of his father, Georges Mougenot. He worked for Blanchard in Lyons, Jombar in Paris and Hill and Sons in London before establishing independently in Mirecourt in 1899. This violin bears the brand and signature of the maker. Please call for price. |
We are also featuring an outstanding violin for the advancing player: a replica of a Francoise Lupot violin. This may be one of the most popular violins we have ever introduced: it's dark tone is resonant and complex and has an expression that is remarkable, especially given its low price. It could easily be the finest Chinese advanced student instrument we've seen yet and if you are on a budget it's a tough violin to match tonally! We are offering these violins at only $1200.00, well below the list price. |
Help Wanted
We are looking for full or part-time assistance with front end and administrative responsibilities. Player preferred.
Please send a resume by email to: info@vermontviolins.com No phone calls please. |
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| Cash-in During Recessionary times! |
Financing Available! |
Vermont Violins Workshop Bows |
Found a fiddle in the attic?
Have a second fiddle that you no longer use? Don’t want to pay for a violin’s repair? We buy old instruments and bows. Bring them by and we will evaluate their fit into our collection and write a check for anything of interest. |
With all the bad news we've been hearing about the banking industry, we were very pleased to learn that our financing partner, Wells Fargo, had a stellar year. So far this year, I'm pleased to report that so far, not a single application for credit has yet been declined!
Vermont Violins offers interest-free, no money down 12 month financing for all of its violins, bows, and major repairs. Customers have used this opportunity to upgrade their instruments and bows, pay for repairs, buyout their rental contracts and even pay for cello cases! For more information, just give us a call! |
Vermont Violins' workshop has been busy hand-crafting bows and violins for sale. We are pleased to have a selection of violin and cello bows now available. These bows are crafted from select Pernambuco wood (finely chosen from one of our favorite bowmakers own collection) and hand-made to our exacting specifications by Eben Bodach-Turner. We are pleased to be able to offer these bows at extremely competitive prices -- far below what hand-made bows would normally cost. A great investment for players looking to upgrade their equipment, but wanting to minimize their investment. |
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Return to our website at www.vermontviolins.com
All inquiries should be directed to info@vermontviolins.com |
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