A Note To Our Teaching Community…
Vermont Violins is so honored to be associated with such a fine community of string instructors both locally and around the country. We are gratified by the support you have show us and we want you to know that we are always there to support in any way we can the wonderful contributions of your studio. You are dedicated educators all and in this turbulent world, we can all find joy in music: it’s universal and it represents the finest aspects of humanity. The world is in your debt.
This page brings you some news of specific programs that Vermont Violins is running to support your studio and your students. If there are other ways we can assist, please let us know.
This past year, our owner and founder, Kathy Reilly, joined the Board of Governors of the International Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers for Endangered Species” an international organization dedicated to reducing the music industry’s impact on scare natural resources. The Alliance-USA is a non-for-profit international organization dedicated to support policies, projects and rules that conserve precious natural resources used in the violin-making trade for the future.
“Membership on this Board is a tremendous opportunity for me both personally and professionally…it’s an opportunity to really connect with other violin makers, teachers, dealers and players to make a difference!” says Reilly.
The violin making trade has historically used materials that are no longer environmentally sustainable. Some of these materials, like ivory tortoise and whalebone, have already been restricted. Concern today rests with Pernambuco (a rare wood used in bow making that is grown in the Brazilian coastal forests) and ebony (a dense, black wood that is extremely threatened or endangered).
Vermont Violins has already implemented several changes to avoid these rare materials. “None of the violins we make use ebony fingerboards or tailpieces,” Reilly remarked, “And we’ve already ceased to import new Pernambuco bows from Brazil in recognition of their government’s work to clamp down on the illegal wood trade. All the bows we sell come from legal sources and we are encouraging our customers to consider wood-alternatives, like carbon fiber.”
International governmental bodies have set the stage for a lot more restrictions coming soon to both Pernambuco and ebony. Plus, the added pressures of global warming are putting pressures on traditionally common species like maple and spruce. “As an industry, we need to work harder to educate on the environmental impact of what we are using to build our wonderful instruments. Making great music should not come at a cost to the planet,” says Reilly.
Kathy Reilly brings years of experience to this field. “My interest in our natural world predates my involvement in the violin trade” says Reilly. “Before I even started teaching violin, I was shoulder-deep in conservation issues. I studied the effects of Colonialism on natural resource conservation in Kenya during College, worked for the Friends of the Earth on tropical timber issues, earned a Masters in the Field Naturalist program at the University of Vermont and even worked for several years with the Nature Conservancy. Bringing this background to my current work at Vermont Violins and the Alliance is a perfect full-circle for me” she adds.
Vermont Violins is the maker of the V. Richelieu ™ line of violins and violas. “We make them to sound and look beautiful, but we avoid ebony. We are using alternative materials now: Sonowood and Gaiawood – perfect all-natural materials made from compressed wood and compressed paper.” As the North American distributor for Sonowood, Vermont Violins has been introducing these materials to makers and shops around the country—with wonderful reception.
“The violin making world is pretty conservative” says Reilly. “Makers are often reluctant to move away from the traditional materials used. But the increasing rarity of ebony, recent restrictions in the trade of Pernambuco, and the overall rising costs of these materials (not to mention just a desire to do the right thing) is creating movement and change. The Alliance is another way I can contribute: working side-by-side with some of the leading dealers and makers in the world to introduce alternative materials and a more realistic approach to materials resource planning. It’s a great honor and I can’t wait to get started!”
Vermont Violins is excited to announce the latest addition to its V. Richelieu lineup of fine instruments. Based on a fine instrument by Gasparro Da Salo, this viola has been outperforming all expectations both here at home and nationwide! Da Salo was of the Italian Brescian School which created a design that developed independently of the more common Stradivari/Cremona school and its sweeping curves and high-profile design offers unique viola harmonics. Of course, like all V. Richelieu instruments, it is made from scratch, right here in our Vermont workshops with fine aged wood, hand tuning and a luxurious, hand applied oil varnish.
Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity to upgrade your students' instruments and give them the chance to shine. Contact us today to discuss the possibilities and discover how the Da Salo Model Viola can transform your students' musical experience. Available for purchase only (rental option currently not available).
Vermont Violins Practice Club
EARLY BIRD SALE ON CASES
Vermont Violins is excited to be expanding our School Delivery Services! This Fall, we have added the Orchard Valley School and the Montpelier Public Schools to our roster of deliveries. If you work for a school and would be interested in exploring having us make on-site deliveries for your students, please let us know by emailing.
All our premier rental instruments come with wittner finetune pegs. These pegs are perfect for keeping your instrument stable in any season.
Wittner Finetune pegs are easy to turn as well, putting no strain on the wrist. These make Wittner pegs perfect for anyone struggling with wrist injuries or arthritis.
It’s now easy to own a V. Richelieu and bows
24 easy monthly payments
Benefits of the Accelerated Ownership Plan (AOP)
Pay only the first month’s installment and delivery upfront.
No security deposit.
Ownership after 24 months
Stop anytime…or buy out early and save!
No commitment. We will purchase the instrument/bow back anytime during the 24-month term for the outstanding balance on the instrument/package.
Ebony, historically used for violin fingerboards, tailpieces, pegs, nuts, saddles and chinrests, is under extreme pressure in our world of diminishing resources. Development, roads, agriculture and logging have depleted ebony reserves in natural forests. We believe that making music should not come at the cost of our environment!
To this end, V. Richelieu™ has sourced two eco alternatives. Options that are beautiful, all-natural, and fully functional as ebony alternatives. Sonowood™ stock is manufactured in Switzerland, is made from compressed wood of sustainable species: spruce, maple, and beech. Sonowood is 100% natural, 100% sustainable and aesthetically attractive! Sonowood provides the strength and tonality fingerboards require and planes, chisels, and sands similar to ebony. Sonowood fingerboards and tailpieces are milled in Vermont.
V. Richelieu™ is also using a post-consumer paper product to create the GaiaTone violin fittings. GaiaTone fingerboards are visually nearly indistinguishable from ebony and yet are made from 95% post-consumer paper waste bound with bio-resins. GaiaTone fittings are petroleum free.
There are multiple options to buy or rent a V. Richelieu. These high-quality instruments are affordable and sound great. The ebony alternatives make them usable for the next-gen with a high focus on sustainability. We would love to have these instruments played by students across these events. We also offer fractional violas starting at 11 inches.
BENEFITS:
NO PRICE INCREASES FOR TWO YEARS!
AT THE END OF THE 2 YEAR TERM, WE’LL OFFER A RENEWAL THAT STARTS AT 5% BELOW CURRENT PRICES
NO INFLATION!
FLEXIBILITY TO CHOOSE ANY STRINGS OR COMBINATION OF STRINGS
FLEXIBILITY TO CHOOSE ANY FREQUENCY FOR DELIVERY
FREE SHIPPING
KEEP YOUR INSTRUMENT SOUNDING GREAT! NEVER FORGET TO ORDER NEW STRINGS!
CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE ANYTIME!
Teachers supporting VV and their students get exclusive 20% OFF Musafia cases. Offer valid until April 30, 2023. Use code “EXCLUSIVE20” while placing custom order requests.
