Spring 2010

Becky Elliott teaching drawing class, March 2010

CSVM hosted a "Thank You Donors"party at the end of the term in April 2010.  The faculty and students provided food for the buffet lunch. The Student Ensembles, under the direction of Music Director, Daria Horodyskyj.  performed several music selections.  The school's two student quintets also performed, and were coached by cello instructor, Steven Houser.  The "Po River Boys", featuring Evan Collins, banjo and vocal; Dan Gillespie, violin and vocal; Jeff Yonkus, violin and 'tub' bass; and Royce Dixon guitar, performed traditional tunes and provided a fun finale.

Thank you to the Board Members who attended and helped in our efforts.  We hope to make this an annual event.

(pictures coming soon)

Becky Elliott attended the AFVBM meeting in Montreal in May.  Two students also attended, at the invitation of the AFVBM.  CSVM graduate, Petio Kostov, was voted in as a full member at the meeting.  Congratulations Petio! 

Becky visited with  Philip Risacher (12/07), his wife Katie, and infant daughter, Evelina, and Laurence Sevrin (12/97) and her husband and son, while in Montreal.

Katie, Evelina (in stroller), Becky, Philip

December 2009 graduate, Aaron Brown, will attend the Oberlin bass workshop in June, and will take the completed  CSVM bass with him.

Two students will graduate on Friday, August 13, 2010.   Grads and 'friends' of CSVM in the area are invited to attend.

 Double Bass Makes Debut

The CSVM double bass, modelled after Dan Armstrong's Camilus Camilli (and affectionately dubbed "Camilli Vanilli") made its public debut at the December 18 graduation.  Still in the white, but set up and playable, the bass was a center of attention.  Dan, who, as previously noted, was the guest speaker for the ceremony, was happy to finally be able to try the bass.  He pronounced it very similar to the original in feel, and thought it sounded quite good.  CSVM students Megan Travers and Sung Jong Noh also had an opportunity to play the instrument.

The scroll, drilled for tuning machines.

Some of the final steps in construction of the bass differed slightly from standard CSVM practice.  The top was permanently glued to the rib assembly first, the neck mortise was cut, and the neck fit and glued before the form was finally removed and the back glued to the ribs.

Aaron Brown cuts the neck mortise.

The neck heel is trimmed after gluing.

Dan Gillespie (Dec '11) and Arsenios Corbishley (Aug '12) trim the blocks.

The bass was set up with Sloane tuning machines, an Aubert Luxe 150mm bridge and Bel Canto strings.  Varnishing should commence in January.  Watch this space for photos of the finished instrument!
 

Becky Elliott (May '89) applies propolis.

Megan Travers (Aug '10) plays Camilli Vanilli.

Check back here soon for other news!