In order to create a fine work of art, the artist must have the best tools. Just as a painter cannot create a masterpiece without proper brushes, the creation of beautiful music starts with a high-quality instrument.
Unfortunately, a good instrument doesn’t come cheap.
The cost of old string instruments has become largely unaffordable, says Don Wright Faculty of Music Professor Annette-Barbara Vogel, noting they can easily cost in the six-digit price range.
Don Wright Faculty of Music professor Annette-Barbara Vogel plays the 19th century Italian Ceruti violin, one of the many violins in the String Bank collection.
Many musicians depend on collections to be able to play such instruments.
To help keep young musicians inspired, the faculty has a String Bank to give students access to more than 40 fine Italian, French and English instruments and bows. The collection, managed by Vogel, gives students the unique opportunity to try it before they buy it.
“The instruments we have here are very fine instruments,” Vogel says. “It’s been a wonderful recruiting tool. By being able to offer this to talented students that might not have the resources for a good instrument on their own, it can attract people to come here.”
The University of Western Ontario is believed to be the only university in Canada to have such a string bank collection.
Having an exceptional instrument drives a musician to reach their full potential, she says.
“The better you get, the better your instrument has to be ultimately,” Vogel says. “Really good old instruments tend to have a much more variety of sounds and they tend to inspire more.”
One of the highlights of the collection is a 19th century Italian Ceruti violin. Although it is one of the most valuable pieces, it is in desperate need of restoration so it can be put back into circulation.
Many students will purchase a modern instrument and delay the purchase of an older model until after graduation. But knowing they have access to a collection of fine instruments at the university takes some of the pressure off students worrying about the price tag. “They basically buy themselves time,” Vogel says.
Due to the limited number of string instruments in the collection, students must apply to borrow the violins, violas, cellos and bows for the academic year. A teacher’s signature is also required.
The String Bank offers a workshop at the beginning of the academic year to educate students and local musicians about how to care for a string instrument. This lecture is mandatory for any student intending to apply for the String Bank instruments or bows for 2010/11. It is also open to the public.
This year, the string instrument care lecture will be held on 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 in the Music Building, Room 345. Quentin Playfair of Toronto will host the information session and discuss maintenance and repairs of string instruments and bows to help musicians keep their instrument in the best condition possible.
The String Bank application deadline is Sunday, Sept. 12 at noon. All submissions should be made to Vogel. E-mail applications are preferred and completed forms must include a scanned teacher’s signature. Applications can also be dropped in the designated folder on the Strings Bulletin Board.
The application can be found at https://www.music.uwo.ca/about/stringBank.html.