The art of making string instruments is in danger of disappearing. The only degree course in the UK dedicated to this craft is set to close.
The Newark School of Musical Instrument Crafts, run by Lincoln College, announced it will stop accepting new students. This includes those currently on foundation courses.
String instrument making—called luthiery—covers instruments like violas, cellos, double basses, and guitars. The word comes from the French ‘luth’, meaning lute.
A campaign has started to try to reverse the decision. This follows a warning from the Heritage Crafts Association, which recently published a ‘red list’ of over 90 traditional crafts at risk of vanishing.
Daniel Carpenter, executive director of the Heritage Crafts Association, told The Guardian, “There is a real chance this skill will become critically endangered and appear on the next red list. With so few places teaching this craft, losing one will threaten its future.”
A petition on Change.org has gathered almost 14,000 signatures. Supporters have left messages urging Newark College to rethink the closure.
Chris from Market Drayton wrote, “Our musical culture is one of our finest exports. It would be a great loss if we had to import all our instruments and technicians because we stopped training our own. Please help save this important course for young people who want practical skills.”
The college said it had to close the course because of low student numbers. Only 17 students had been accepted for next year. The course also ran at a financial loss for three years.
Benjamin Hebbert, former chair of the British Violin Making Association and a volunteer lecturer at Newark for 15 years, explained why luthiers matter beyond just professionals.
“We’re not only fixing instruments for great soloists. Without luthiers, there will be no music in schools or communities. School music rooms, concerts, and gigs will all fall silent,” he told The Guardian.
Melanie Watson, assistant principal at Newark, said the college might offer a privately funded course instead. But this would mean students cannot get student loans, and international students would not qualify for visas.
She told The Guardian, “After the degree course ends this September, we want to work with partners, staff, and students to create a new programme. We aim to support what is clearly an important institution for many people.”
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