Show Your Love of Kirkland Arts and Henry Bischofberger Violins!
Nominations Accepted for CACHET Award
Nominations due January 23; awards ceremony March 5

Do you know of a person, business, or organization who is actively engaged in the arts, culture, and/or heritage of Kirkland? Would you like to recognize their efforts? Submit your nomination for the Kirkland CACHET (Collaboration of Arts, Culture, Heritage, Education, and Theatre) Award by January 23, 2012 at 4 p.m. Nomination forms are available online at www.kirklandwa.gov (search: Cultural Council), or at the Kirkland Public Library, and Parkplace Books at 348 Parkplace Center.  The form can also be requested by emailing kirklandcachet@gmail.com. Kirkland Mayor Joan McBride and the Kirkland Cultural Council will present the CACHET Award on Monday, March 5, 2012, 5:30 p.m. at Creation Studios, Northwest University, Barton Building, 11220 NE 53rd Street, Kirkland.

Ask a Violin Maker!

Q: How often should my strings be changed?

A: Changing your strings depends on how much you use them and wear them out. So if you practice for about 3-4 hours a day, you should probably change them every 6-12 months. If you practice less than an hour or so per day, you could change them every 12-24 months. If your strings are fraying, unraveling, or bumpy they should be changed. There is no need to change the whole set at once. 

Have you got a question you would like answered here? Reply to this email and ask! Include your address and we'll send you a Free 4" Violin Magnet if we use your question in a future newsletter!

Clean Your Instrument Regularly

Some players claim a layer of rosin on their fiddle’s top and fingerboard helps their tone, but it’s rarely the best decision for the instrument’s well-being. (It also means that they’re probably using too much rosin) That cool-looking dusting of rosin might also make your fiddle buzz. So, if you have a rosin buildup and your instrument is buzzing, try removing as much rosin as you can before you ask your luthier to track down that buzz. The best way to do this is with a soft cloth such as microfiber. Some families just use a piece of an old t-shirt. If you wipe the instrument down regularly you shouldn't need anything other than a cloth for cleaning. You may find that a decent cleaning wipes away that buzz. If the buzz is still there after cleaning, it’s probably something else and your repairer might be able to help locate and stop the unwanted sound.

Find a Teacher!

Here are a few more of our great teachers listed on our Find a Teacher page! The addition of a private teacher is an integral part of learning to play the violin, viola, or cello. Click the name to email the teacher.

Emmy Hoech I teach at Foothills Music Academy in Duvall.  I teach violin and viola from beginning to the intermediate level and beginning cello and teach both kids and adults. I work with orchestras in the Northshore Schools and have worked with Cascade Youth Symphony's summer camps along with being a long time member of Orchestra Seattle.

Mannfried Funk Cello lessons with former Seattle Symphony cellist, beginner through professional. Learn the secrets of how to direct your learning while also developing a completely natural physical approach to the instrument. (Credits available through North Seattle Community College).

Old vs New Instruments, is Stradivari overrated?

In blind tests, 21 expert violinists preferred new and old instruments at roughly equal rates; where there was a difference, new won out.

The violinists were recruited at an international competition. While masked, they considered six violins, including two by Antonio Stradivari and one by his revered contemporary, Giuseppe Guarneri. The Stradivari fiddles have been used by acclaimed violinists, and the Guarneri is considered one of his best. Their combined value is $10 million.

In short head-to-head tests, five instruments were preferred at roughly equal rates and one was distinctly disfavored: a Stradivarius. In a more unstructured comparison, the same Stradivarius was again voted the worst, and four got equal ratings. But this time a preferred model arose: a new one.

-- from The Wall Street Journal

Add your event to our Current Happenings Page!

If you have an Event you would like to broadcast, put your information into the form on our Current Happenings page.

If you have any questions or concerns give us a call to find a good time to come by to talk to Henry. We have high quality instruments in all sizes and price ranges for rent and purchase. Bring your music and try out some instruments!