Meet the Makers: Violin Shop Tour

As a benefit of their membership level, Patron & Benefactor members were invited to join President of the FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra, Mary Sumners, for a private tour along with her husband, violin & cello maker Greg Sumners, who is managing director of the Violin Guild of America. They were guided by Greg and master luthier Will Bartruff through the VGA's full-scale violin shop and school in downtown St. Paul. Attendees saw up close how violins and other stringed instruments were carefully handcrafted by skilled luthiers.

Mr. Bartruff walked members through the entire process, including how wood is selected for optimal resonance and then hand-carved using the same kind of tools that have been used for centuries. He shared stories from his five decades of instrument-making and explained why Renaissance masters like Stradivari and Guarneri were so renowned for their instruments. The evening concluded with a wine and cheese reception.