“The Singing Tree”
a short film by
Rolf Parker-Houghton

"The Singing Tree"

View the film on Youtube by clicking this link. It features the fantastic fiddling of Ruthie Dornfeld. We have DVD copies of this fun little film; let us know if you would like one.

Showings

Visitors are always welcome at the studio in West Brattleboro. Call before making the drive to be sure that Doug will be there.

Brattleboro included in "The 20 Best Small Towns in America"

The arts are a major contributor to the quality of life in Southeastern Vermont - and we've been noticed by Smithsonian Magazine.

Boston 2012

May 12, 2012, I will have my last office hours of the school year at New England Conservatory, on the 3rd floor of 295 Huntington Ave.Room 308, 9 am - 3 pm.
Call (802) 257-1024 or email for an appointment.

Harmonious Forge Park BenchA Musical Park Bench for Academy School

In March, the Windham Orchestra - our community orchestra - performed a soundpainting work for orchestra, audience, a band of schoolchildren playing home-made instruments, audience and musical park benches. The piece, titled "Music for Windham," was composed by Jacob Mashak and was conducted by him, and by Hugh Keelan, the WO's music director.

Shortly thereafter, one of the two musical park benches - shown here - was installed at the Academy School, West Brattleboro's elementary school. It was introduced to the students at the morning all-school sing, and then placed outdoors where it was immediately surrounded by school children.

In mid-May, there will be a performance of "Music for Academy School," which will include instrumentalists from area schools, the children and adults of Academy School, and various others. The benches were developed and built by Garry Jones and Erik Newquist of the Harmonic Forge.

Anna KankkunenA Conversation with a
Young Researcher

Anna Kankkunen, a 6th grade student, visited with Doug in Boston during his January visit. She is doing a research project on violins, and she had some very good questions, which Doug took the time to answer.

Read the conversation here.

 

Joel Savoy and David Greely visit Cox ViolinsNovember 2011 brought a visit from David Greely and Joel Savoy, Cajun fiddlers from Breaux Bridge and Eunice, Louisiana.

This is Cajun fiddling at its exquisite best. The GreelySavoyDuo played a concert at our local Open Music Collective on Friday November 18, and led a fiddling workshop on the Saturday in Saxtons River at Main Street Arts.

David and Joel came to the studio and played on any number of fiddles, and took one with to play for the concert on Friday night. It was great to see them here and we look forward to having them visit again.

Here is a link to a concert in Brooklyn, NY, in January 2010.


Ron Karpius "Viola" Weathervane

The Weathervane

Our neighborhood is filled with many unusual and interesting artists. One of them, Ron Karpius, has created a weathervane for the peak of the studio building. Ron is a member of Brattleboro-West Arts, the group that joins together for the September Studio Tour. Click here to learn more about Brattleboro-West Arts.

The weathervane was installed as planned on Monday, May 23, 2011. A local forester brought his truck, complete with man-lift, and it took about 2 hours in a constant drizzle.

We've created a photo album on the facebook page, so pay a visit there, unless you can come and see it in real life.

Swedish Fiddlers invade Cox ViolinsSwedish Fiddlers at Cox Violins

On a beautiful Sunday in October, 2010 we had a visit from a group of Swedish Fiddlers. The brought fiddles, fiddle tunes, and the Swedish National Instrument, the Nyckelharpa or Keyed Fiddle. A fine fun afternoon.

Photo, Left to Right:
Andrea Larson
lydia ievins
Stefhan Ohlström
Margie Baron
John Hall
Bob Mills