Prizes Awarded at Violin Society of America’s International Makers’ Competition

The competition prizes have been announced at the 2018 Violin Society of America International Instrument and Bow Making Competition

The competition prizes have been announced at the 2018 Violin Society of America International Instrument and Bow Making Competition, in Cleveland - with coveted dual gold medals, for both ‘Violin Tone’ and ‘Violin Workmanship’, being awarded to the Berlin-based luthier team of Mira Gruszow and Gideon Baumblat.

A double gold award was also presented to Albuquerque-based double bass maker Christopher Savino.

Gold medals in the violin category were awarded to makers Justin A Hess, David Leonard Widmer and Philip Ihle.

Gold medals in the cello category were awarded to makers Hayato Nagaishi, Damien Gest and David Leonard Wiedmer.

Gold medals in the bow category were awarded to Yongje Song, Lucie Martinie and Victor Bernard.

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

The VSA have indicate that over 350 instruments and 100 bows were entered for consideration in this year’s competition.