State vocational school programme

Programme objective and career prospects

The state vocational school teaches practical training as well as theoretical knowledge in the areas of modern and historical bow making.
This education is meant to accompany and complement the everyday training which the apprentice recieves in his or her workshop. The journeyman exam in bow making takes place at the end of the dual training programme. The exam is held by the Chamber of Crafts.
Bow making journeymen either work as employees in bow making workshops or become self-employed. They also qualify for taking the master craftsman exam as well as achieving an instrument making diploma.

Programme structure

The standard programme is 3 years, of which 32 weeks are classes at school divided into two blocks per year. The remaining time is spent in workshops as apprentices. Entry requirement: the apprentices’ workshop must register him or her annually before September 10th. After this date, the school will accept no more registrations. It is not possible to register for, or cancel specific educational blocks. There ist no tuition fee.

Professional technical tuition

Making of new bows for string instruments, varnish techniques, making bows ready for playing, repair methods an restoration techniques, bow rehairing, construction of bow frogs and bow legs, instruction in the use of woodworking machinery. Material an raw material knowledge, making of bow designs, making of templates and special tools. Acoustic measurement techniques, specialized English, calculation of product cost, marketing, vocational- and company presentation.

General education

German, social studies, sports.

Chamber Examinations

The intermediate exam takes place after the fourth vocational school period. The sixth period ends with the final vocational school exam.