Jobs available
Two Vacancies will be available at Hansell Violins in September 2012. Interviews will take place in early July. Early application is recommended. If you would like to apply for a position at Hansell Violins please contact the workshop by email with a CV and photographs of your work. We are seeking two people to fill the roles of violin maker and fittings finisher respectively. Instrument varnishing is also a key part of the job and could be part of either position according to skills. There will also be general workshop duties and these tasks are performed by the ‘best person for the job’ at the time. We welcome applicants of any nationality but all applicants must have a good grasp of English.
About Hansell Violins
Hansell Violins is known as a workshop of exacting quality, producing some of the most remarkable instruments today. We do new making and are known especially for exquisitely varnished antique facsimiles. Our client base is world wide and we do business in Europe, Australasia, North and South America and, of course, here at home in the U.K. Our fittings are used by leading makers and famous violin houses and we take great pride in their production. Some of the worlds’ most exceptional instruments are adorned with our fittings, including great Strads such as the ‘Titian’. Our standards are the highest and meticulous attention to detail is sought in every aspect of our work.
Violin Maker
Skills Required We are looking for a mature and confident maker who is motivated to work alone or as part of the team, as necessary. You will have a good musical ear and working knowledge of an instrumentalists’ needs.
Duties You will make instruments using information from plaster casts and photographs. We do also sometimes have original instruments in the workshop to copy. You will prioritize your work according to the deadlines. You will work closely with clients on new instrument adjustment. You will accompany me to orchestras and on business trips where appropriate.
Hours per week To be discussed; our previous makers have worked 36 hours over four days, usually Monday to Thursday, and this has suited both parties well, allowing them to continue with their own making at home and giving me a ‘free’ office day.
Pay To be discussed. Pay will be adjusted according to skill level and work hours agreed etc
Fittings Maker
Skills Required We hand finish all our fittings and are looking for someone uniquely suited to this skilled and detailed work. A good eye is essential and attention to detail crucial. We use the latest technology as well as traditional lathes and tools so engineering skills would be useful but these can be taught.
Duties Choosing wood, cutting blanks, using a lathe and various specialist machinery. Finishing fittings to specific deadlines. Keeping the order book up to date Answering telephone enquiries from fittings clients where appropriate. Guidance and training will be given ‘on the job’ where necessary.
Hours per week To be discussed. Our fittings orders have increased significantly in the last few years and with it the number of hours we require an assistant. This has been a fairly flexible position with assistants usually working for 36 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, over four days.
Pay To be discussed. Training will be necessary and after this period remuneration will be increased to match skill levels.
If you wish to apply for either position, please email roger@hansellviolins.com with a current CV and photographs of your work. The closing date for applications is 31st May 2012.