Dan Salini, Salini Violins 1609 S. Park Street
Salt Lake City , Utah 84105 By appointment: 801-949-6174 salini(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)xmission.com

https://www.saliniviolins.com/

How long have you been in Utah?

I have been in Utah for for 27 years, I moved here from Minneapolis in 1995. There were other many local makers to work alongside, and an environment of youthful, energetic creativity. The viola was the first instrument I made here in SLC!

What services does your shop provide, and is there an area that you specialize in?
I provide violins ,violas and cellos.

I make new instruments, and provide adjustments , bow rehairs and repairs. I have been doing my trade for 30 years and continue to learn each day. I consider myself very lucky to have worked with some of the best.

I have been told by many that I have a knack for adjusting and setting up instruments to reach the personal preference of the musician. I am a player myself and grew up in a family of musicians, so my goals is to communicate with my clients about ideas and concepts of sound, and then find the right playability for the individual.

Do you have a particular sound or concept that you are aiming for when you make violas? What do you love about the viola?
The sound and concept of my violas are to provide an instrument that is easy to play and have a character to the sound which both projects and has warmth.
I find the recent model I am making liberating in that I am playing with dimensions and wood choice. The basic model is that of an Amati. After I make my alterations it has deviated into my own personal model. So far it seems to be working quite well.
I love the viola because it can have so many variations in size sound and style.

Do you play music yourself?

I play steel guitar , guitar and fiddle (maybe I will switch to jazz viola). I have been lucky to know so many great musicians locally and nationally. These days I enjoy playing at home with the occasional gig out on the town.

Do you have hobbies or interests away from music and instruments?

I enjoy the mountains, and the wild west. I practice Tai Chi and enjoy casual bike rides. I feel like I need another century to scratch the surface of what this state has to offer. I really appreciate feeling a part of this community.

Dan’s newest viola is almost ready, and it’s going to be amazing! At Viola Day, you’ll be able to hear and play a locally-owned instrument, made from the same striking wood.

Carrie Scoggins, Violin Maker
By Appointment Only
7644 S Twin Lake Cir, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121
(801) 943-0496
scogginsviolins.com

How long have you been in Utah?

I first came to Utah in 1987 to attend the Violin Making School of America. I graduated in 1983 then taught at the school for four years before opening a shop near Liberty Park in 1988.

What services does your shop provide, and is there an area that you specialize in?

I focus on new making of violins, violas and cellos. Mainly violas and cellos.  I am also available for repair work.

What do you love about the viola, and do you have a particular sound or concept that you are aiming for when you make violas?

I grew up studying  the violin but started playing the viola in college and loved its’ deep, rich sound. When I started making violas here in Utah I built a number of them for David Daltons students at BYU. I learned a lot from those instruments and following the players through the years. What I focus on is building an instrument that is even across the register, speaks quickly, has a wide dynamic range, and colour to the voicing. Can you play pianissimo and still have clarity and be heard? A viola that is just loud, without colour to its voicing, is boring to me. A viola that can stand up to chamber music work must have character!

Do you play music yourself, and do you have hobbies or interests away from music and instruments?

Currently I play violin in the Salt Lake  Symphony. Outside of my work I love hiking and mountain biking.

Carrie will be bringing two beautiful, new instruments to Viola Day, pictured below!

In addition, she’ll be bringing a large viola made by Michael Scoggins in 2003, measuring in at 17 5/8!

8:45-9:30: Check in (Front entrance, Thompson Hall)
9:30-11:30: Guest Artist Masterclass with Toby Appel
11:30-12:15 Pizza Party and Alto Clef Cookies!
12:15: Instrument Showcase with Utah Symphony Principal Violist Brant Bayless
1:00: Meet Your Maker – play all the violas!
2:00: Guest Artist Recital – Toby Appel, viola, with pianist Rieko Tsuchida and the Fry Street Quartet
3:00-3:30: Guest Artist Conversation, “My Friend, Rebecca”

PROGRAM
Johannes Brahms – Viola Quintet in F Major, Op. 88
Joaquin Turina – Scene Andalouse
Rebecca Clarke – Sonata for Viola and Piano

4:00: Bonus Event! Violist Alicia Valoti in Recital, Presented by the University of Utah*

*We have previously announced this event at 4:30. The correct time is 4:00.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The elevator in the Gardner Building is out of service. Dumke Hall (venue for masterclass, guest artist conversation, and recitals) will only be accessible by stairs.

Attention alto clef enthusiasts!! We are pleased to announce our focus for this Viola Day: the viola champion Rebecca Clarke! Our guest artist Toby Appel has a wonderful presentation to share on Viola Day about his relationship with Rebecca Clarke and her music, entitled “My Friend, Rebecca.”

Check out this superb recording of Toby Appel and Emmanuel Ax from 1976, playing the Rebecca Clarke Viola Sonata, which was relatively unknown at the time – what a gem!! Below is the link and some time stamps for your convenience:

https://www.wnyc.org/story/rebecca-clarke-90th-birthday/

8:00 Rebecca Clarke talks about composing the sonata for the Coolidge Competition.
12:00 Toby Appel and Emmanuel Ax perform the sonata, which they learned specifically for this broadcast celebrating Rebecca Clarke’s 90th birthday!
41:00 Toby and Emmanuel’s thoughts on the piece follow the performance.

And remember to mark your calendar for Viola Day on November 18! Schedule details coming next week!

We are incredibly fortunate to have Toby Appel joining us for Viola Day this year! He is a renowned performer and faculty at The Juilliard School for more than 30 years. Fun fact – he is also a fantastic chef! Dr. Appel will be teaching a masterclass and performing a recital along with Rieko Tschuchida, piano, and the Fry Street Quartet. 

Toby Appel was born in Elmer, N.J., and was a winner of Young Concert Artists and has appeared throughout the U.S. and abroad as a recitalist, concerto soloist, and chamber musician. He was a former member of the Lenox, Audubon, and Tashi quartets and has appeared at the Angel Fire, Marlboro, Mostly Mozart, Chamber Music Northwest, Ravinia, Santa Fe, Seattle, and Great Mountains (Korea) festivals among others.

Appel is a frequent commentator for National Public Radio’s Performance Today program and he has recorded on the Columbia, Musical Heritage, Delos, Desto, Opus 1, and Koch International labels. He was formerly on the faculty of the State University of New York—Binghamton, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, University of New Mexico—Albuquerque, and Carnegie Mellon University. He trained at the Curtis Institute of Music with Max Aronoff and Joseph DePasquale and has been on the college faculty at Juilliard since 1990 and on the school’s Pre-College faculty since 1999.

Check out these YouTube videos to hear Dr. Appel’s incredible playing in the Turina piano sextet (the same piece that will be played at the viola day recital!), and to watch him cook an amazing meal while discussing the connection between food and music. Also be sure Viola Day is marked in your calendar for November 18, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Fall ASTA Workshop

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2023

8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

UVU NOORDA CENTER

The UVS will be continuing its partnership with Utah chapter of the American String Teachers Association and sponsoring a viola masterclass with the amazing John T. Posadas of the Utah Symphony! UVS members can register for the full workshop at the special rate of $25, so don’t miss out! Learn more

Viola Day!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2023

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, GARDNER HALL

Join us for Viola Day with renowned performer and faculty at The Juilliard School, Toby Appel! Events include guest artist masterclass + recital, instrument showcase, and pizza lunch. More information to come!

Alicia Valoti Artist in Residence Recital

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2023

4:00 PM

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, DUMKE HALL

Come for this free event at University of Utah’s Dumke Hall (immediately following Viola Day!) and hear a performance from Central Michigan University’s Professor of Viola Alicia Valoti! She will also be teaching a masterclass on Friday November 17 at 3:30 in Dumke Hall, free admission.

Tabea Zimmerman with the Utah Symphony

FRIDAY, FEBRAURY 23, 2024, 7:30 PM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2024, 7:30 PM

ABRAVANEL HALL

Save the date! Legendary violist Tabea Zimmerman will be playing with our own Utah Symphony! Learn more.

November 18 @ University of Utah

The Utah Viola Society returns on Saturday, November 18, with all of the events that you’ve come to know and love, including a guest artist masterclass + recital, instrument showcase, and pizza lunch!

This year, we are thrilled to welcome Guest Artist Toby Appel, renowned performer and faculty at The Juilliard School for more than 30 years.

Please mark your calendar, and stay tuned for more details, plus information on many other viola events that will be happening this year!