Joel
Thompson
Submitted:
April 8, 2015
Awarded
: $
800
Contact Information:
Joel
Thompson
2933 Bob-o-Link Rd
Flossmoor
IL
60422
USA
937-750-0998
Reference 1:
Linda Shortridge
Reference 2:
Kathleen Merfeld
Summary of Submitted Materials:
Submitted Documents:
Submitted Recordings:
Committee Notes:
For whatever it's worth, I know Joel a little and agree that he is a highly qualified applicant. But this doesn't help for a fair comparison since I don't know all the others - only Pedro.
Project Description:
Bass viol bow
Andre Algre
VG470
Ironwood, 750€
http://www.archets-baroques.fr/english/baroqueuk/bass.html
Request Amount:
$
800
Total Project Cost:
$
Budget and Additional Funding:
Qualifications:
Hello,
As far as qualifications go, I can't say that I'm an active professional on the viol. Though I have been very active in the playing community for the past few years. I have my BM in cello performance and have been playing the viola da gamba for about seven years. Until just recently I was in an apprenticeship under Linda Shortridge building viols while working with Kathleen Merfeld as a custodian of vdgsa rental instruments.
To make a long story short, I moved to Chicago this past January to study at the Chicago school of violin making. Up until this point I had been using society rental bows to practice and perform on. Just when I find myself in an environment thick with early music, I'm a student again and without a bow.
Assistance from the GIA program would be very helpful. I'm looking forward to hearing back!
Best Regards,
Joel
Letter of Reference 1:
Reference from: LINDA SHORTRIDGE
4/8/15
Hi Marie, I highly recommend that VdGSA grant Joel Thompson the $800.00 for the purchase of a new bow. I have never met such a conscientious person Joel’s age, hard worker and talented individual. He is very serious about his place in the stringed instrument world. Please give him the grant.
Thanks, Linda Shortridge
lindashortridge@aol.com
Letter of Reference 2:
Reference from: KATHLEEN MERFELD
4/8/15
Dear Marie,
It is with great enthusiasm and appreciation of Joel Thompson that I write this letter in support of his application for a grant to purchase a bow.
A couple of years ago, Linda Shortridge introduced me to Joel. Linda had him apprenticing with her in her viol making activities. She also tutored him while he made his own viol.
At that time, I was looking for a custodian for the rental program and Joel agreed to work voluntarily for the rental program. Joel has been invaluable to me as a custodian. He knows how to take care of the viols because of his experience with Linda. He has always responded promptly to any of my requests, especially of shipping a viol to a renter, which has helped to make the rental program run smoothly. I trusted that anything he did was done right and well.
Joel has done other work for the VdGSA as one of the custodes at Conclave last summer. I felt fortunate to be able to meet with him there and get to know him a little better.
Joel is presently attending violin-making school. I think it is beneficial to have someone who makes viols also be a viol player. Joel is a young person and I know he will be associated with the VdGSA for a long time in the future as a viol maker and a player.
Awarding Joel a grant to buy a bow would be an excellent way to show our gratitude for all the work he has already done for our organization.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Merfeld