The 23rd annual spring seminar for violin makers in pictures
The Lutherie Day was founded to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, for meeting friends old and new, and for student violin makers to interact with professionals.
The 2023 conference, which was held on the 29 April 2023, celebrated the first 50 years of Newark School of Violin Making.
The speakers included: William Castle, Daniel Kogge, Lorraine Bitaud, Victor Bernard and Niall Flemming who are all former students from different eras, representing the range of skills and interests of Newark alumni.
The evening of Friday 28 April held a buffet at Newark Town Hall offering the opportunity of a reunion for former Newark students.
A Student Forum was also held in the daytime to offer support and networking possibilities for students and recent graduates. This is the first time such an event has been held, and is an initiative on behalf of the Lutherie team to continue their aim of putting students at the very heart of what we do.
Paul Fremantle, who attended the forum, said:
"The day started with the tool sale. The RAB trust has many donations from retired luthiers and the prices were reduced by half for students. There were a lot of smiling faces with bargains and there was even a bag of free stuff which contained some surprising finds.
"Daniel Kogge, founder of Kogge Gateau in Berlin, and alumnus of Newark, gave a 'set up clinic'. His expertise in dealing with both modern and historic violins, violas and cellos was clear as he talked through the steps of set up and sound adjustment. Thijs van den Broek from Newark bravely submitted his instruments to Daniel’s exacting eyes and got some very useful feedback.
"After lunch there was a round table organised by Libby Summers of Stamford Strings. Alongside her were Phillip Brown, Lauri Tanner, Sarah Padday and Sam Brouwer, all professional bow and violin makers, with varying levels of experience and different roles from makers, repairers and business owners. One theme that came through in all the answers was the importance of personal skills. For example, Phil was asked about hand skills, and he gave the surprising answer that he didn’t care how long it took someone to do a task - he is more interested in willingness to learn, patience and the willingness to “muck in” and do what is needed in the workshop. The panel kept coming back to skills such as self-organisation, communication, ability to ask questions and take feedback.”
Attending the Lutherie day on Saturday 29 April, Ceris Jones, added:
"So pleased that Rob Cain’s Lutherie Day has been continued after his retirement and revived after Covid by Helen Michetschläger, Tim Southon and Nicky Terry; it’s an inspired idea and format and as good this time as ever. The Town Hall provides such a grand venue for this event, the Georgian ballroom where the talks are held is stunning, and the adjoining rooms and bar overlooking the town square provide plenty of space for congregating and browsing the trade stands. Good to have some traders there too, viewing and handling items in person has become a bit of a treat since Covid, and ordering from Europe is so difficult since Brexit.
"There was also a fabulous collection of old photographs on display dating back to the very beginnings showing Maurice Bouette with the first tutors and students. Many of the photos are included in the book Helen Michetschläger has put together to celebrate the first 50 years. A very interesting and comprehensive read on the school’s history with photos through the decades, memories from ex-students, timelines of students and staff, media and musical events and life after Newark. It’s still available to order at LutherieUK.
"So thank you again to all the contributors including speakers William Castle, Daniel Kogge, Lorraine Bitaud, Victor Bernard and Niall Flemming, a weekend to remember with plenty to think on. There’s a lot of history held in those 50 years both professional and personal that stays with us for ever. I hope the school can continue to be the most amazing place. So much effort and goodwill has been given by so many over its 50 years, the amount of information, associated knowledge and expertise shared by all those who have passed through is joyous! "
The below image gallery kindly taken by Daniel Lane.
The below image gallery kindly taken by School of Musical Instrument Crafts Alumna, Sandrine Osman.
