Lute-making
Summer Workshops
The 10th International course in lute making will take place in David Van Edwards’ workshop in Norwich, England,
8th August - 16th August 2009.
Currently this is fully booked but, if you would like to be put on the waiting list, please me.
The Workshop
The view of Norwich from the back garden!
The central idea of these workshop courses is to work together as a group to produce a lute for the English Lute Society to use as a hire instrument. Each year a different original instrument is chosen to make. No previous experience is necessary and each course member will be able to try out, and contribute to, each of the processes involved in making the lute.
Previous workshops, where we have made ten different instruments for the Lute Society, were great fun, with a nice lute resulting from each week’s work. So I know it can be done! If you’d like to get a flavour of what previous years’ courses were like, click on these links:
1999, where we made a 6 course renaissance lute
2000, where we made a 13 course German baroque lute.
2001, where we made a 14 course theorbo
2002, where we made a 6 course bass lute
2003, where we made an 11 course baroque lute
2005, where we made a 7 course tenor lute.
2006, where we made a 14 course liuto attiorbato
2007, where we made a 6 course mandora
2008, where we made a medieval lute and gittern
In 2009 The course will consist of a joint endeavour to make a pair of renaissance lutes..
These will be given to the Lute Society of England as hire instruments on completion and will be used in Norfolk schools to introduce children to the lute as part of a project run jointly by the Lute Society and the Norfolk County Music Service. I will have pre-prepared some of the boring parts, such as planing the ribs to thickness, but essentially we will be making the complete lutes in the week and everyone will have a chance to take part in all the processes involved.
The workshops are obviously quite intensive; though there is time to explore the historic city and for group music-making in the evenings. All tools and materials are provided. Morning and afternoon coffee, a light lunch and a very good evening meal with wine are included in the cost. As with last year I will also provide a printed woodworking apron as a useful memento of the course. Accomodation is in nearby bed and breakfast establishments, a list of which will be sent to those who express an interest. You should therefore make your own arrangements to stay with one of these.
The cost for next year will be £320 per person, excluding accomodation.
If you are interested in taking part next year or would like further details, please do email me,
Copyright 2008 by David Van Edwards
On 15th August, the last Saturday of the week, we have arranged a lute concert of renaissance music played by Jacob Heringman in the King of Hearts, one of the finest medieval/Tudor buildings in Norwich. Details will appear here when we've finalised them.