I began working as Doug’s business manager on January 2, 2008—the exact moment that the bottom fell out of the violin market. The financial meltdown of 2007-2008 was well underway. What had been a vaguely predictable pace of business evaporated,…
¡Santiago de Cuba!
We traveled to Santiago de Cuba with a group of 21 New England artists & musicians. Of our fellow travelers, more than half are musicians, but our group also included a printmaker, a piano technician, teachers, and a film maker.
The “Ivory Ban”
and what it means for traveling musicians Here are a few updates from recent Washington Post issues: From Arts & Style Section, January 1, 2016: Ivory, at the tip of a complex issue for traveling orchestra members Letter to the…
Shopping Advice
Posted by Laurie, Doug’s Business Manager. We frequently hear from prospective clients who express their frustrations, and sometimes unhappiness, with the process of shopping for an instrument. As a reluctant fan of the TLC reality TV series “Say Yes to…
Playing In New Instruments
When a new violin or viola, cello or other instrument is first set up, we photograph it, audio-test it, measure it and describe it. When these things are done we put a chin rest on it and play it a…
Mystery Fiddler
Spied on San Francisco Street We recently received this email message from a client in San Francisco: “Hi Doug & Laurie, I came across this fabulous player today outside my office in downtown San Francisco. Her sound filled up the…
Musical Instrument Insurance
We recently had a conversation with our insurance carrier, being in the unhappy position of having to file a claim for two violins damaged during shipping. I have spoken with many instrument owners who are un- or under-insured and I thought I would share what I have learned.