MCLA is very proud to be offering this program in the beautiful Berkshires. Given the small class size and the hands-on nature of these programs, you'll find information gained practical and rewarding.

Mr. Nebel's advanced programs are built on an eight-part-cycle which offers a different topic each year. Topics included in coming years:
Fitting new upper & lower block; rib & lining repair; crack repair & crack reinforcements; edge repair and edge replacements & edge doublings; correcting misshapen archings & fitting of patches; resetting of neck, neck graft and retouching of varnish.

Hans J. Nebel, master craftsman and internationally known violin restorer, is the fourth generation of violin makers and a graduate of the Bavarian State School of Violinmaking in Mittenwald. Mr. Nebel started his professional career at Rembert Wurlitzer, Inc., in New York City, where he worked for 18 years. He became a long term disciple of Maestro S.F. Sacconi, the universally acknowledged dean and originator of modern repair technique and restoration. On suggestion of Dario D'Attili and Maestro Sacconi, he was appointed head of the restoration department at Wurlitzer, a firm that was considered the Mecca of the violin business in the United States.

Since 1974, Mr. Nebel has headed his own business in New Jersey, where he specializes in major restoration and the sale of quality stringed instruments and bows. He accompanied the New York Philharmonic on its tour of the Far East as a caretaker of their fine instruments, and was recently invited by the Liuteria Parmense to teach Master Class courses in Violin Restoration in Parma, Italy.

For 35 years he has taught violin repair at several universities and is happy to continue his efforts at MCLA. He is a founder member of the American Federation of Violin and Bowmakers, a Founder of the Violin Society, and a member of the International Society of Violin and Bowmakers.

For more information, please review the registration form or call (413) 662-5543.

Summer 2009

Week I Seminar/Workshop
June 1-5, 2009
Introduction to Proper Violin Set-up (including minor exterior repairs) as well as Basic Violin Identification/ Recognition.

Week II Seminar/Workshop
June 9-12 2009
Introduction to Interior Violin Repair (including proper graduation, fitting bass bar and crack reinforcement) as well as Basic Violin Identification/Recognition.

Week III Workshop
June 15-19, 2009
Workshop in Advanced Violin Repair
Replacing upper and lower block, by pullin-in ribs at back and fitting new upper and lowere blocks on an often warped-worn/croocked instument. 

Week IV Workshop
June 22-26, 2009
Workshop in Advanced Violin Repair
Rib Repair, to include straightening Rib (damage caused by warpage due to chinrest), repair rib cracks/worm damage, extending length of rib or raising rib height and to include lining repair.

Accommodations at MCLA

Information on housing will become available soon.