On December 16, 2024 Princeton Violins and group of violin and viola teachers gathered for a cozy brunch at the historic Nassau Inn, right at the heart of Princeton. 

The main goal of the gathering was to bring together local teachers and musicians. We shared delicious meal, had conversations about experiences in teaching and performing, discussed differences between various string brands and gave our guests an opportunity to try some of our instruments and bows.  

We presented over forty fine bows and more than eighty instruments from our collection, including violins and violas made by old masters as well as new instruments commissioned by us from luthiers in Italy and Poland. 

 All instruments were well catalogued, making it easy for everyone to find what they were interested in. There were some surprises  - new favorites that maybe some of us did not expect to find.   

It was delightful to see professional, accomplished musicians trying out instruments with enthusiasm and joy comparable to kids in a candy store! The beautiful Witherspoon Room of the Nassau Inn was filled with the music of  excerpts from violin concertos, Paganini Caprices and Bach's Solo Partitas and Sonatas.

Part of the event was reserved for comparing various string brands. One of our guests - Eric Wyrick, the concertmaster of New Jersey Symphony, graciously accepted the challenge to play on five of very comparable, new violins of the same make, each set up with different label string set. The brands of the strings included Pirastro - Evah Pirazzi (Green label), Pirastro - Evah Pirazzi Gold, Thomastik - Rondo Gold, Larsen - Il Cannone and Thomastik - Dynamo.  Although everyone may have had different tastes and needs, we all benefited from this side-by-side strings comparison. 

    The exhibition was very successful in bringing together the community of violin and viola teachers and performers, allowing them to make new connections and giving an opportunity to see old friends. Thank you to all who were able to join us, despite the caprisciuos winter weather. We are planning to make this an annual event, so stay tuned!