Violin Making Apprenticeship Program

THE CHIMNEYS VIOLIN MAKING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

VIOLIN MAKING, Apprenticeship Program, The Chimneys

Edward C. Campbell

Edward C. Campbell is a Master Violin Maker, a three time gold medallist in violin making with 11 certificates of merit and 16 grand prizes, and has had one of his instruments on display at the Smithsonian Institution..

Your instructor has over 35 years of experience in violin making, at the same location, and believes in teaching by the "hands on" theory. You will gain the "feel" for the wood and the texture of the instrument. You also have to make mistakes in order to become proficient. We at The Chimneys allow you to work on your own instrument from the start.

Lee R. Dunfee

(On the right below) assists Mr. Campbell with instruction at the school. He has over 20 years experience and has won several awards for violin making.

craft of violin making

SKILLS TAUGHT FROM CENTURIES PAST

traditional method

Starting with just a few hand tools, you will begin the exciting craft of violin making. This craft has been practiced for many centuries, but the mysteries of violin making were known by only a select few.

Even today the art of this craft is enjoyed by only a select group of skilled craftsmen. You too could be a part of this exciting and rewarding career by joining us at "The Chimneys Violin Making Apprenticeship Program." Here you will begin handcrafting your first violin in the traditional method.

You will learn how to properly sharpen carving tools and how to create a mold for the ribs of the instrument. You will delve into the theory of the instrument and learn to work within tolerances of less than one millimeter, while carving and tuning the top and back plates. After all of this, there is much more. You will begin to study varnish and actually make your own varnishes. Then when the warm sun of spring breaks through you will begin to apply varnish for the final steps, which will complete a beautiful instrument.

During the four years you are enrolled here, you will make approximately 18 instruments, which will include 1 viola and 1 cello. You will learn the technique of rehairing and maintaining bows, and the art of instrument restoration, while learning other violin shop skills to make you an even better craftsman when you graduate.

traditional method

If you think you would like to become a part of this select group of special craftsmen, please contact:

The Chimneys
614 Lerew Road
Boiling Springs, PA 17007-9500
Phone: 717-258-3203
Fax: 717-258-3201

Ask for Edward Campbell or Lee Dunfee and set up a personal interview to show you the shop and the people with whom you would be working.

Care and patience is important:

traditional method

The art of violin making is not limited to males. Across the country we are seeing more and more women taking an interest in violin making. Women can handle the tools with the same care, patience, and concentration as a man.

So, men and women, if you have a desire to enter into this exciting profession, please contact us at the address below and we will answer any questions you may have on our Violin Making Apprentice Program.

Varnish Making

Displayed here is a varnish making session. When the varnish is applied to a violin it takes the warm summer sun to dry the varnish. More than 12 coats of varnish are usually necessary to complete the process. Hand rubbing between each coat gives us the most beautiful varnish attainable.

The Chimneys Violin Shop
614 Lerew Road
Boiling Springs, PA 17007-9500
Phone: 717-258-3203
Fax: 717-258-3201

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