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Colin Maki Violins

Colin Maki on the 50th Anniversary of the Violin Society of America

The 2024 VSA convention also hosted the 25th edition of the string instrument and bow competition

 

The Violin Channel recently sat down with Colin Maki, dealer and consultant in fine stringed instruments in New York City and newly appointed President of the Violin Society of America to discuss this year's big anniversary convention.

 

Tell us about the Violin Society of America (VSA)? When was it founded and what is its main mission?

Founded in 1973, The Violin Society of America (VSA) is a non-profit organization created for the purpose of promoting the art and science of making, repairing, and preserving stringed musical instruments and their bows.

 

The VSA is celebrating its 50th anniversary at this year's annual VSA convention, here in Indianapolis. What special events are you planning to mark the celebration?

In commemoration of our 50th Anniversary, we collaborated with the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis (IVCI) to host a stunning recital by the formidable Augustin Hadelich. The Violin Society of America had never in its history sponsored a concert with an artist of this caliber and indeed it was a stunning success. The VSA and IVCI are two venerable American institutions each with a broad international reach. Both organizations have helped to launch the careers of young violinists and violinmakers alike, and we were thrilled to further our collective bond.

 

Tell us about the different elements of the conference taking place this week. What can people expect to see here, this year?

As usual, our docket of lectures featured some of the most distinguished experts in our field. The subject matter included historical studies of the Amati family, dendrochronology, restoration and making techniques, bow expertise, commercial insights from experienced business owners, and other discussions relevant to our trade today.

Our New Instrument Exhibit, hosted by Itzel Ávila, has shown unprecedented growth in recent years and we were pleased to have more contributors than ever before. It has also expanded to include concerts as well as evening chamber music and orchestral reading sessions.

Bruce Babbitt and Brandon Godman curated a wonderful and expansive exhibit on German violin making. They also released an accompanying reference book for The VSA titled ‘Artistic Violins and Bows: The Music Region of Markneukirchen and Shönbach’. The exhibit and its publication feature instruments and bows by noteworthy makers of this region as well as those who trained there and established themselves elsewhere. Other contributors to the text include Arian Sheets, Gerald Pfretzschner, and Enrico Weller.

At our member’s luncheon, Marilyn Wallin formally announced the ‘Francis Kuttner Fellowship’. This extraordinary contribution from the Kuttner family is one of the largest donations that The VSA has ever received and will play a large role is furthering our mission of providing scholarships that will promote the art of violinmaking for generations to come.

 

This year, you are showcasing an exceptional collection of fine Amati stringed instruments. How did the VSA manage to assemble such a collection? Are they open for the public to view up close? 

When I began curating the Rare Instrument Exhibit some years ago, my goal was to make it more programmatic in nature. I have worked with our programming committee to weave the exhibit into the fabric of the convention with lectures that directly relate to the instruments on display. After a successful exhibition on the Guarneri family in 2022 and the Turin School last fall, I thought focusing on the Amati family for our 50th Anniversary would be particularly special. I featured 21 representative examples that included each member of the family and reflected the evolution of this important dynasty of makers. The Rare Instrument Exhibit was available for viewing by our membership and is one of the very few opportunities to handle exceptional examples in a heavily controlled environment. I am grateful to The National Music Museum, The University of Saskatchewan, and several distinguished private owners and colleagues for their gracious contributions.

 

This year’s edition of the VSA also presents the 25th edition of the instrument maker's competition. Tell us about the importance of this event.

Our biennial violin and bow making competition is one of our flagship events and gives The VSA perhaps its broadest international reach. No fewer than 25 countries were represented this year, and the number of applicants (450) was also without precedent. Our competition remains one of the most important of its kind in the world.

What do you think the judges will be looking for in the prize winners? And what criteria are they assessing? 

The competition is judged on both artisanship and tonal merits and our jury always consists of makers and performers at the top of their respective professions.

 

How can someone become a member of the VSA? What are the benefits of doing so?

The VSA membership is open to anyone that shares our mission and entitles each member to attend our annual conventions, regional gatherings, invitations to special events and private viewings of important collections, and access to our regular publications. One can register for membership at vsaweb.org.

 

upcoming events

february 2025

07febAll Day17International "Franz Schubert and Modern Music” Chamber Music Competition(All Day) Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz, Leonhardstraße 15, A-8010 GrazEvent Type :competitions Event TagsInternational "Franz Schubert and Modern Music” Piano Trio Competition

14febAll Day22Jascha Heifetz International Violin Competition(All Day) Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, Aušros Vartų g. 5 Vilnius, LithuaniaEvent Type :competitions Event TagsInternational Jascha Heifetz Competition for Violinists

16febAll DayChicago National Chamber Music Competition(All Day: sunday) Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall, 201 St Johns Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035, United StatesEvent Type :competitions Event Tagschamber music,competition

march 2025

15marAll DayMusic Teachers National Association (MTNA) National Conference(All Day: saturday) Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Ave. Event Type :conferences & tradeshows Event Tagschamber music,Chamber Music America,Conferences,Music Teachers National Association National Conference

18marAll DayJohansen International String Competition(All Day: tuesday) Calvary Baptist Church, 755 8th Street, NW, Washington, DCEvent Type :competitions

19marAll DayAmerican String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conference(All Day: wednesday) HYATT REGENCY ATLANTA, 265 Peachtree St Event Type :conferences & tradeshows Event TagsAmerican String Teachers Association,American String Teachers Association National Conference,ASTA,conference

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