For promising violin students age 18 and under, this grant pathway provides a performance grade, hand-built violin for use at no cost until the player’s 19th birthday.
“Loanership” grants are intended for serious younger players considering music school or a professional career, but are open to any young violinist whose progress in the craft is limited by the quality of their current violin.
“Loanership” grant applications are generally initiated by a student’s music teacher or music program director, though we also love to hear directly from a student or parent. Because every violin we loan is a unique, full-size, hand-built instrument, there is a limited number available. Appropriate student applicants would be those who have shown a remarkable aptitude and sustained dedication to the violin and who cannot afford to upgrade to a more responsive instrument.
There is no application fee, and we do not ask for audition tapes or financial information, but just a simple, honest referral from a caring adult. The only financial obligation attached to the grant is the cost of safely returning the instrument at the end of the grant period, or at any time if the violin needs repair or adjustment. One way of encouraging young musicians is to show interest and support, and to that end we do ask for occasional “check-ins” with the student and teacher via a “Zoom”-type video meeting, when the student can meet directly with the violin maker to discuss any instrument related issues, ask and answer questions, and perhaps give a little demonstration of ways their Crispin/Hammer violin has improved their playing.
All violins available through the “Loanership” grant program are full-size, performance quality, hand-built instruments with a current market value between $3000 and $15,000. Grantees are expected to be responsible individuals capable of appropriate use and care of the instruments. In return, they will receive a valuable opportunity to practice and perform on a violin that will not limit their creativity.
The best way to find out if a young violinist would be an appropriate recipient of a “Loanership” grant is to contact us directly. Go to “Contact” in the menu above or below, and send us a message with information on how we can best reach out to you. We will be in touch shortly. There is no application deadline, and applications are reviewed as they are received.