In March 2025 I organised a working weekend on behalf of Olympias Music Foundation, to repair and renovate their collection of violin family instruments, which are loaned to the children who benefit from their free music lessons. Read here: Behind the Scenes at the Museum … [Read more...]
Writing and Talks
Sharing information with players and other makers is an important part of my work. I’ve been invited to give talks at conferences, and written articles for specialised publications. In 2015 I published a book of the writings of the late Koen Padding, whose expertise about violin varnish was recognised worldwide.
Violin Varnish: notes and articles from the workshop of Koen Padding
Koen Padding was well-known through his company, Magister, which produced historically-informed varnish products for violins. After his death in 2012, I decided to collect and publish the information he had made available in his lifetime. This book contains the articles that Koen Padding wrote for specialist publications, the notes he provided with his products, information he gave to users of his products, details of materials left in his workshop on his death and the orders he made from specialist suppliers, and chemical analysis of some Magister products. The book is a nonprofit venture and proceeds from the sale have benefited musical and aid charities. The book was published in 2015.
Newark School of Violin Making under threat
In the Spring of 2025, the unwelcome news broke that the courses at Newark School of Violin Making would close to new students as of September 2025. I was asked by The Strad magazine to write a piece about the school. The latest news is that as of September 2025 the current three year degree course has been replaced by unfunded one year courses. Watch this space... Read here: End of an era? Conscious that the future of the school might well be in doubt, I edited and produced a booklet … [Read more...]
