A violin bow
Donation protected
Hi! I’m Sarah and I am creating this fundraiser to buy a much needed violin bow. It is time to level up. I am a sophomore at Purchase Music Conservatory studying violin performance, with a love for performing as well as film scoring. I started learning the violin at the age of 2 with Leslie Fayette in Wading River. This music journey is my path, my inspiration and my purpose.
When I purchased my first ever violin at a size 1/16, I didn’t exactly have to worry about the sound the bow produced- because a violin that small is more like a christmas ornament rather than an instrument. For ten years, my violin got bigger and bigger and in 2013, I purchased my full size violin, which was a BIG! DEAL! I remember going to The Long Island Violin Shop absolutely ecstatic because I had picked out the perfect violin for me! Til this day, my instrument has brought me such joy with the rich, beautiful tone and liveliness of it’s sound. It’s brought me through years of solo performances, orchestra festivals, recording sessions, and most importantly, growth and improvement.
My instrument supports me and my talents and I could never be more grateful for the beautiful instrument that I have. Most importantly, I can never thank my parents enough for supporting me along my journey for nearly 2 decades. Their encouragement and love for me has made me strive as a student and performer.
For the past eight years with my current bow, I have had the opportunity to discover so much about playing. My bow has stuck with me through 8 incredible years of Mannes Prep College and 2 years of school at Purchase, where I lived and breathed rehearsals with some of the most amazing musicians and professors. I learned what it was like to balance in a chamber ensemble, or in front of a microphone behind a singer. I learned how to blend and be a part of a symphony, as well as being the featured soloist of the symphony. The flexibility and engagement of my bow served me well in all of these different settings. The bow is the steering wheel to a violin, and learning that over the past year has made its mark. It is time for me to upgrade. As my playing matures, I need the intricate nuance that a more sophisticated bow will provide.
Choosing a violin bow is tricky, because of the fact that bows are so unique. It is important that I choose the bow that matches the tone and musical color of my violin. A bow I may find compatible could be the total opposite for someone else and their instrument. They’re just that different! From the piece of wood they are made of, to the balance on the instrument, to the texture and tone it produces off of the strings. The process is very intricate, as well as purchasing…
I am writing this with a smile from ear to ear, so excited and thrilled to be taking this next step in my musical career. I feel blessed and honored to have even come this far - because learning to adapt to a musician’s lifestyle has not always been a breeze. There have been very early mornings of travel and hours of practice all through the night. I’ve worked hard to be where I am now and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
I am inviting my friends, family, classmates, neighbors, dogs, cats, and last but never the least, the music community that spreads unconditional love, to help me take this next step. A new bow would grant me all the grace and growth I strive for, and I will continue to do what I love, with the people and community I look up to most. I have been auditioning new bows in Huntington with Charles Ruffino. When I place these more high quality bows to my instrument, I could instantly feel the fire of improvement.
I am proud of where I am today and am so grateful for all of the opportunity, experience and love I’ve been given by so many. I share music with my friends, my future colleagues, family and students. It is so fulfilling to guide my own young students onto a musical path. I’ve always enjoyed sharing the collective love and high energy of music and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you can help:)
When I purchased my first ever violin at a size 1/16, I didn’t exactly have to worry about the sound the bow produced- because a violin that small is more like a christmas ornament rather than an instrument. For ten years, my violin got bigger and bigger and in 2013, I purchased my full size violin, which was a BIG! DEAL! I remember going to The Long Island Violin Shop absolutely ecstatic because I had picked out the perfect violin for me! Til this day, my instrument has brought me such joy with the rich, beautiful tone and liveliness of it’s sound. It’s brought me through years of solo performances, orchestra festivals, recording sessions, and most importantly, growth and improvement.
My instrument supports me and my talents and I could never be more grateful for the beautiful instrument that I have. Most importantly, I can never thank my parents enough for supporting me along my journey for nearly 2 decades. Their encouragement and love for me has made me strive as a student and performer.
For the past eight years with my current bow, I have had the opportunity to discover so much about playing. My bow has stuck with me through 8 incredible years of Mannes Prep College and 2 years of school at Purchase, where I lived and breathed rehearsals with some of the most amazing musicians and professors. I learned what it was like to balance in a chamber ensemble, or in front of a microphone behind a singer. I learned how to blend and be a part of a symphony, as well as being the featured soloist of the symphony. The flexibility and engagement of my bow served me well in all of these different settings. The bow is the steering wheel to a violin, and learning that over the past year has made its mark. It is time for me to upgrade. As my playing matures, I need the intricate nuance that a more sophisticated bow will provide.
Choosing a violin bow is tricky, because of the fact that bows are so unique. It is important that I choose the bow that matches the tone and musical color of my violin. A bow I may find compatible could be the total opposite for someone else and their instrument. They’re just that different! From the piece of wood they are made of, to the balance on the instrument, to the texture and tone it produces off of the strings. The process is very intricate, as well as purchasing…
I am writing this with a smile from ear to ear, so excited and thrilled to be taking this next step in my musical career. I feel blessed and honored to have even come this far - because learning to adapt to a musician’s lifestyle has not always been a breeze. There have been very early mornings of travel and hours of practice all through the night. I’ve worked hard to be where I am now and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
I am inviting my friends, family, classmates, neighbors, dogs, cats, and last but never the least, the music community that spreads unconditional love, to help me take this next step. A new bow would grant me all the grace and growth I strive for, and I will continue to do what I love, with the people and community I look up to most. I have been auditioning new bows in Huntington with Charles Ruffino. When I place these more high quality bows to my instrument, I could instantly feel the fire of improvement.
I am proud of where I am today and am so grateful for all of the opportunity, experience and love I’ve been given by so many. I share music with my friends, my future colleagues, family and students. It is so fulfilling to guide my own young students onto a musical path. I’ve always enjoyed sharing the collective love and high energy of music and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you can help:)
Organizer
Sarah-Anne Fried
Organizer
Wading River, NY