Epoch Musical Instruments -

...you don't say.....
some early Epoch stories

Great Balls of Fire

Sidni Monroe, who lives in Alice Springs, one of the hottest spots on earth, gave us permission to use this story.

"You know, when I talked to you at the Suzuki Pan Pacific Convention, what appealed to me most about your violin is its ability to handle temperature extremes, which is a real issue here in Central Australia (Alice Springs).

On April 27 your violin stood the test of all tests!

We had a house fire and the front one third of our house was burned. When we were able to get into the house, we found the violin between the piano and the buffet which held the phone/fax machine. The piano was a total loss...coming apart at the seams, keys bubbled, varnish scorched. The phone/fax machine had melted down to approx 2 inches tall (about 5cm). I picked up the violin case and brushed the cinders off. When I opened it, it looked brand new! The strings were intact and it was even in tune! You made a believer out of us here in Alice...I am not afraid to leave this violin in the car, or ANYWHERE anymore!

By the way, immediately after this fiasco, we had the Eisteddfod competition and my son won first in his age group for violin. In addition to his performance, the judge was impressed that he wore a blue vest that was an exact match to his (blue Epoch) violin.

Says he: "In music these days you need a gimmick to stand out in the crowd, and this is a good one."

Thanks...We are very happy with our Epoch".

Sidni Monroe

Let's have an orchestra of epochs

The St Cecilia School of Music, based in Launceston, but expanding to the mainland, is a great supporter of the Epoch Violin for students. Director of music Matthews S Tyson was good enough to provide this testimonial:-

"The St Cecilia School of Music, through its extensive teaching and examination network, has been successful in developing the full musical potential of many hundreds of students. Our string teaching programme in particular is recognised throughout the world.

In order to allow for the best possible development, the string teachers at the St Cecilia School of Music ensure that their students are well equipped with appropriate instruments. To date, most students possess good quality instruments that they use for solo public performances, orchestral and chamber music playing, as well as examinations.

I have been pleased to be part of the development of the new Epoch Violins and have provided many opportunities for their use within our school. I am very keen to establish an orchestra made up entirely of these unique instruments and would see this as an exceptionally good marketing strategy.

The St Cecilia Music Examinations system actively encourages the use of Epoch violins for the purpose of examinations and believes that Epoch instruments actually enhance the student's skills as well as their enthusiasm.

As a musician, teacher, and administrator, I fully endorse the development and promotion of Epoch violins and wish to see them become amongst the mainstream instruments of the future."

Matthews S Tyson

St Cecilia School of Music

17 May 1999

Tasmanian Industry Audits- a shared vision.

Report published by the Department of State Development, Tasmania

"A MUSICAL REVOLUTION"

Vision combined with inventiveness has produced a revolutionary new violin.

Its development represents perhaps the most exciting prospect of all for the arts in capturing and developing products based on the knowledge and experience of artists, arts administrators and teachers.

The Epoch violin is such a product.

Hailed as the most significant revolution in violin technology for 400 years, the violin stems from respected Tasmanian violinist Jan Sedivka's frustration that he could not get decent, robust and affordable violins for his students at the Conservatorium of Music. Fortunately, he had someone at hand, David Sugden, who could share his vision with the inventiveness to take it forward and 'convert his passion and mastery of music into an engineering proposition.'

The result of this partnership is the Gondwana Music Company. The product is an instrument that can take a bashing in schools yet can be played by students to the advanced stage of concert standards and meet the quality of violins at a purchase price of a few hundred rather than a few thousand dollars. The violin was launched into the Australian market recently. Its international market potential is as yet untapped."

One of the first coloured Epoch violins ever made was sent to a young lady called Cherith in South Africa. She sent this enthusiastic response.

"A few minutes ago I returned home from a Uni orchestra practice. We are playing the Suite from Pyre Gynt, Grieg and Haydn's 2nd symphony. These are exciting works.
Thank-you SO, SO much for my new violin. I like the colour, shape and sound of the violin. I have enjoyed playing on it in the past 2 weeks. My little music students like it very much and think that it's very 'cool' that their violin teacher has a red violin.
About two weeks ago, I showed the violin to my Professor (Prof Salamon). He is impressed with the violin and played many pieces on it. He says the violin is 'very playable' and 'does everything that you want it to do' such as playing spiccatto (when bow jumps off string), legato (smooth bow) or martele.
He is happy with my violin. A few people I know who study with me are interested in finding out more about your range of violins. "