Raymond Schryer

Last November, I was pleased to finish a cello in time to participate in the 23^rd International Violin making competition held by the Violin Society of America (VSA) in Cleveland.

Among the 68 cellos presented, my instrument was awarded a Double Certificate of Merit :

-a Certificate of Merit for Tone by judges and cellists Dane Johansen, Jeffrey Solow and Brian Thornton.

-a Certificate of Merit for Workmanship by judges and violin makers Ulrike Dederer, Antoine Nédélec and Raymond Schryer.

It was a great achievement and honour to be rewarded for my work in this way. For a violin maker it is significant and meaningful to receive such distinction at this international level and to see the results of years dedicated work acknowledged and encouraged.

This event is also an excellent opportunity to acquire a representative overview of global contemporary instruments which were, in my opinion, quite remarkable in quality. It also gives to participants the opportunity to discuss their individual work with the judges. Thank you and congratulations to everyone who took part in it!

I also wanted to personally thank Paul Marleyn, Rachel Mercer, and Raphael Weinroth-Browne for their time and useful feedback while adjusting the cello.

This 2018 Dequincey Cello has a body made of Canadian poplar and spruce. The maple neck and pear wood scroll are sourced in Europe.

I wanted to extend my warmest thanks and share with you some highlights from my experience gained through the Chalmers Professional Development Grant, which was granted to me by the Ontario Arts Council in 2015.

The grant allowed me to attend this year’s violin making workshop in Oberlin, Ohio for two weeks. There, while working on a violin, I was able to attend great lectures given by colleagues coming from all over the world and discuss various making techniques and the latest technological developments. Additionally, I had a chance to study the Jackson Stradivari violin (1714) and I was able to show my work and discuss it with my peers.

I also went to Sault-Ste-Marie for one week of study with Raymond Schryer in the fall. We discussed the use of wood, in particular Canadian species and studied the classical design and arching of Stradivari’s golden period (in particular the P form). I got to see and use his methods of making, which was a very valuable experience for me.

Those experiences allowed for me to see many different approaches and consider ideas which in future years can only be beneficial to my work as a violin maker. Thanks again,

Charline Dequincey

Tag: Raymond Schryer

Cello Awards

A Thank You to the Ontario Arts Council

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