The Violinabox Project needs many kinds of players
The Violinabox is a self sustaining project run by volunteers. To let Violinabox work its magic there are a number of roles that must be filled. These require a commitment of between just a few minutes to a few weeks.
The fuel for the project is the collecting and sharing of videos showing a broad range of music played in diverse settings.
We need Musicians, either solo or ensemble, to make recordings with the violin
To orchestrate the operation we need violin shops to Host the violin, to reach out to local musicians and to oversee short loans of the violin to musicians.
We expect to gain a lot of attention for the project and will use that attention to raise money for a Partner Charity
There are more details of each of these roles below. If you think that you would like to participate in anyway please contact us.
Flow
- Keep the posts coming, keep our audience engaged. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good.
Quality
- The quality of the video should be similar to what you normally use on your social media. It doesn’t have to be highly edited and produced. A single take from a cell phone is usually sufficient.
Context
- We are interested in location, avoid plain, blank backgrounds .
Content
- While we are mostly focused on the music, videos that relate to your location and the Violinabox project and our fundraising efforts are also of interest.
- In the comments, note the player’s name and the piece they are playing. Or ask the player to introduce themselves and the piece on the video.
Posting
- Post on your social media, (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) and we’ll repost onto ours. Contact us if you want us to post the material directly.
As a musician you would
- Collect the violin from the Local Host and return it after a few days
- Record and post videos of the violin being played your own social media accounts. We will repost your content onto our Facebook page and later will make an entry on the Where in the World? page on this site.
- Appear personally in the first video that you post to explain who you are and what they are doing.
- You can feature your own music but can also feature other friends playing the violin. These recordings would be posted on your own or your friend’s social media.
- A diversity of genres and styles is encouraged
If you are interested making videos with the Violinabox, email us! : info@violinabox.org
Video Guide
Content
Think of your videos as creating a snapshot of your location and your musical world. The feel of the videos is casual, local, homemade, backstage.
Your first video should include a short introduction: your name, your location, the Violinabox project, the song/ music that the musician will be playing.
We are as interested in your location and the story behind the music as we are in the music itself. Where do you play? Who do you play with? What is the event?
Most videos will feature music but might also include short dialogue with audience, or other musicians. / supporting musicians / other support crew. Anything that reveals an interesting aspect of your musical life
You are free to record other musicians playing the Violinabox. Either in the video or in the comments; Please name these musicians, say where they are from and what song they are playing. These videos can be posted on your own, or your friends social media
Technique
To help show the context in which the music is being played, avoid using only close up shots of the musician, or blank backgrounds.
We prefer Horizontal format, but vertical is OK, Whichever you would normally use on your social media.
Publishing
Post the videos on your own Facebook, Instagram or YouTube account and we will repost onto our Facebook, Later we’ll make a summary post on the Where in the world? Map
In the post comments mention the name of the musician (if its not you), your location, the name of the song played. Mentions of the Violinabox project and the fact that we are raising money for Luthiers Sans Frontiers-USA are also appreciated.
Encourage people to “follow” the project
Check out our Facebook for examples.
A Local Host would be someone with a broad connection to their local musical communities. A local violin shop is a natural fit, We hope that the Host would publicize the visit of the Violinabox, drawing attention our project and our Partner Charity, as well as to their own business.
Commitment: 2-4 weeks. Cover the cost of shipping to the next Host
Responsibilities
- Publicize the upcoming visit of the Violinabox
- Receive the violin, ensure that it is in good playing condition
- Find a diverse range of music in your area. Loan out the violin for 2-3 day periods to local musicians
- Report to the Violinabox committee, Get the committee’s direction or approval on transferring the violin to the next Local Host.
- Pass the violin safely on to the next Local Host
Costs
The main expense to the Violinabox Project is shipping and violin maintenance. We rely on the Local Host to cover this. In return we will:
- Feature the Host on our social media for the duration of the stay
- Promote any event that you have involving the Violinabox
- List your logo and a link to your business on our website
Application:
- Introduce yourself to us via email: info@violinabox.org
Before the Violinabox arrives:
- Publicize the Violinabox visit. Use your social media, Newsletter etc
- Contact your local press / media. Use our website and Media Resources to explain the story.
- Contact and schedule likely musicians. The violin can be loaned out for 2-3 days.
Chose a diverse range of musicians and musical styles
Pick musicians that you trust to handle the violinabox responsibly. Use your usual violin loan-for-approval documentation
Make a short video for us to share about your business: location, history, main interests etc.
Ship the Violin with the set up off and the soundpost down.
Are you a charity that supports community music? This is an unparalleled opportunity: For 1 year we will promote your work and will direct all of our fundraising efforts directly to your charity.
Commitment: 1 year
To qualify you must:
- Be a music related cause, likely to benefit from the attention we will bring.
- Have an active Web and Social Media presence
- Have the ability to receive funds online
Responsibilities:
- Use the occasion of the Violinabox partnership to promote your cause while also mentioning ours. As appropriate, mention our partnership on your website, social media , newsletters, press coverage etc.
- Create a short video describing your work and mentioning Violinabox
Application:
- Introduce your charity to us via email
Any organization, business or individual supporting the Violinabox Project with services, time, materials or in-kind donations will be appreciatively featured on our website with their logo and a link.
Financial donations should go directly to our Partner Charities. Please visit their sites to support these wonderful organizations and their work.