The Williamsburg Regional Library and Williamsburg Youth Orchestra have completed the first year of their M3loDy Makers Initiative, a program that provides 3D-printed violins to students. The collaboration aims to make music education accessible to students who lack access to private lessons. The program recently received the Unique Outreach award from the Virginia Public Library Directors Association.
Ben Strohm, the library’s Program Services Director, produces the instruments using an altered version of the free-use Hovalin design. The violins consist of a printed neck and fingerboard as one piece, with the body printed separately, plus a sturdy rod inserted for rigidity. Only the strings, tuning pegs, and bow are conventional components, while everything else, including the bridge, is 3D printed.
The manufacturing process required significant experimentation to achieve acceptable sound quality. “What you want for a violin is something that’s reasonably sturdy, because obviously, kids are going to be banging on them, but you don’t just want a plastic that’s tough, you want one that’s stiff,” Strohm explained. Approximately ten prototypes were tested before settling on the current version.
The pilot program at Waller Mill Elementary School serves nearly 25 students, providing each child with two violins—one for home and one for school. This arrangement eliminates transportation concerns and ensures consistent practice opportunities. Students will showcase their progress during a concert for parents in May.
With continued donor support, the program plans to expand next year. Strohm also hopes to refine the violin design to improve upon the current model. For Strohm, seeing students play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” on their printed violins was particularly meaningful, demonstrating the program’s positive impact.
Source: wydaily.com