Brian
Bishop
Submitted:
August 15, 2025
Awarded
: $
2000
Contact Information:
Brian
Bishop
2087 Six Branches Drive
Roswell
GA
30076
United States
7703642743
Reference 1:
Martha Bishop
Reference 2:
Jacob Bitinas
Summary of Submitted Materials:
Deeper introduction to who I am as a musician and my general history, some repeated points, but more expansion on them if interested.
Submitted Documents:
Submitted Recordings:
Committee Notes:
Project Description:
I would love to have a new bow to work with. After a hiatus of about 15 years on the viol due to a brain injury, I borrowed a tenor viol from a local ensemble (Lauda Musicam) and I was really struggling with it, it became especially apparent when I would borrow an instrument of another individual, all the things (e.g. phrasing, subtle nuance, etc.) that I was struggling to do just happened effortlessly. I have since upgraded to an instrument from the VDGSA viol rental program and it is an upgrade instrument wise, but the bow I still struggle to do much with. Chrissy Spencer recommended I apply for the Grant in Aid for a new bow to help me propel myself forward.
I have had the pleasure of trying out some of the bows by Louis Bégin and I feel rather drawn to them. Currently Sarah Peck has a rather weighty tenor bow that I tried when it came through Atlanta before Conclave that I think would work well also on bass (so articulate, it would be wonderful for divisions), as well as two short bass bows that I hope to also try and see if they might be a good fit, as I expect to get back into playing bass again soon and would like a versatile bow to help me learn. It became clear when I was working with Louis' bows that there was so much there to learn and grow with, so much more available to me than I had previously felt with other bows.
Request Amount:
$
2000
Total Project Cost:
$
2300
Budget and Additional Funding:
I have set aside some money here and there and would be able to take the cost of shipping and insurance for the bows back and forth from Sarah.
I have reached out to Louis directly in this process, explained my interest and experience with his bows and he seems rather keen for me to have a bow of his to work with, even if it means that I can’t pay for it all up front. He wants to perhaps work out a deal that would not put too much burden on me financially that I might purchase the bow via a payment plan if need be, the details of which he said we would sort through if the time came.
Though I am very touched by this offer, I don’t think I’d be able to handle that commitment without some outside help with a large chunk of the bow price. However this does provide me with a possibility to make a partial grant to work for the bow that I am requesting if need be.
Qualifications:
I am a multi-instrumentalist. Though my only formal training was on the oboe I have always played many other instruments on the side (woodwinds, bowed strings, keyboards, singing too). I spent my high school years (1994-1999) at Interlochen Arts Academy. I first discovered the viol via the movie Tous les Matins du Monde at age 15 or so and was immediately enamored (my CD collection began to reflect it deeply).
Around the age of 20 I finally got my first experience with the viol. I took some lessons with Martha Bishop and we worked my way through her books, eventually I just began to work on my own. I had a passion for the music of Marais and recall rather vividly performing some movements from his suite in F major (book 3) with a harpsichordist for a wedding. I enjoyed the solo repertoire of the bass, but in consort music I was drawn to the inner lines, shifting into high positions on the bass was second nature for me. I would often play tenor lines with my pinky on the “C” above middle “C” and just play in that position on all the strings at times for the fun of it when reading.
Age 24 things shifted dramatically, I had a brain injury that took me out of commission for many years (1yr to walk and talk, 10 to drive, another 5 to read at previous levels, and a few more to write/type some). It’s only been in the last 4-5 years that my musical skills have begun to return. After they did so, I borrowed the tenor and began to play in ensembles around Atlanta performing some with Lauda Musicam for a brief while before moving on.
Now my regular playing partners include: Chrissy Spencer, Martha Bishop, Jacob & Catey Bitinas, Liz Thomas, and Greg Armijo. Though we mostly just read for the fun of it, I am inclined to push us towards a project in the coming year hopefully. I think it might be a good idea to really zoom in on a collection of pieces and perform them. I had been thinking also about recording some, perhaps the lesser known [and to my knowledge no recordings exist of the] Fantasias by Thomas Ford.
So, although my skill at the viol is currently rather limited and humble, I hope to really grow in time to being a good player, but feel somewhat limited by my current bow.
I am limited in the amount I am able and capable to work/earn due to the brain injury and complications related to it. I get by on a very modest income, mostly from disability and the generosity of friends and family. Without a grant, a bow such as one of Louis’s is simply not a possibility for me.