Luthiers Team Up to Create Viola to be Auctioned for Violinmaking Scholarships

October 23, 2015, 3:31 PM ·

A group of luthiers have come together to craft a viola that they have donated to the Violin Society of America (VSA) to benefit the VSA Scholarship Program. The online auction went live on Friday and will conclude at at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13. All bidding will take place online, and the public is invited to click here to place a bid.

The VSA Scholarship Program offers financial assistance to violin making, bow making and restoration students in the United States. Last year the program provided eight scholarships.

The viola is modeled after the Girolamo Amati Viola in the Galeria Estense, and made by the luthiers with the Scrollavezza/Zanre book as a reference. Specific details about the Girolamo Amati Viola Copy can be found on the Auction website.

The viola is the brainchild of VSA member, Dwight Brown, who brought together members on an online forum to create an instrument that could be auctioned for the benefit of student makers. Brown donated the books, tonewood, and case for the viola, and many other members of the forum donated other items. Seven luthiers participated in the creation of the viola:

Ernie Martell: Templates & prepping the form
Catalin Quercinola: Rib Structure
Christopher Jacoby: Top and Back Plates
James M. Jones: Scroll and neck set
Matthew Noykos: Neck shape
Joe Robson: Varnish
Matthew Noykos: Setup

The Violin Society of America is a non-profit organization created for the purpose of promoting the art and science of making, repairing and preserving stringed musical instruments and bows. This year's VSA Convention takes place November 12-14 at the Hunt Valley Inn near Baltimore, MD. Click here for more information.