Violinmaking: Tradition and Art – An Evening with Chris Jacoby

Artistry and craftsmanship combine for an evening of learning and entertainment when Chris Jacoby of Jacoby Fine Violins joins us to discuss the fine art of violinmaking. Chris will explain how and where the violin family emerged from the tradition of lutemakers in Italy at the beginning of the sixteenth century, and how it has morphed into the world’s favorite instrument over the following 475 years.

Chris will bring wood, tools, and plaster casts of famous instruments for the audience to look at, as well as instrument parts and instruments in the process of being built. In an age when our email tries to write responses for us using AI, Chris will discuss why it is important to build things and follow traditions that are largely unchanged over centuries of human and societal development.

Chris Jacoby is a former board member of the Violin Society of America. As Chair of Publications, he launched their membership magazine The Scroll and served as editor for four years. He has lectured and presented at international conventions on the subjects of instrument construction and social media presence for luthiers. Chris is a longtime contributor to industry publications such as the London-based The Strad and Strings Magazine (Oakland, California), where he was the “Ask the Expert” columnist for years. After working in the United States and Europe building copies of the great Italian masters, and managing high-end restoration and repair workshops, he is happily running his own violin shop in Alton, at 11 E. Broadway, in the historic “Maker’s District.” His instruments are played by professionals around the world.

To register, please call 1-800-613-3163. Limited seating is available.