Piano technician and violinmaker swap Newark for Kosovo as part of charity project with music project with Luthiers sans Frontieres-UK

Two musical instrument repairers have been making an impact on the music scene in Kosovo.

Piano technician, Frances Overbury, of Coddington, and Violinmaker, Rob Cain, of Newark, teamed up with the Kosovo Music Project Charity in June and July to provide training for local musicians in repairing their instruments.

Frances said: “Finding a Piano Tuner in Kosovo is impossible.

“I was asked to go over to tune and service a multitude of pianos in a music college, schools, concert venues and private homes.

“I was shadowed by two trainees who learned some basic tuning techniques and repairs along the way.

“It was hard work with pianos being in varying states of repair and an unusually hot climate.

“It was an incredibly rewarding experience with the warmest welcome and most kind, appreciative people. I've previously been on similar tuning commissions to Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe.”

Rob said: “Kosovo was at war with Serbia just 20 years ago and is still establishing itself as an independent country.

“They have had a tough time but music is a way of helping people rise above the struggles of everyday life, and it really works.

“The players we saw were at an incredibly high standard but they had no way of getting their instruments serviced or repaired.

“Myself and colleague, Sarah Beaton took about 50Kg of tools and spare parts, enough to get a professional workshop established.

“We set up a pop-up workshop in a local high school in Ferizaj, southern Kosovo. We trained four local music teachers to re-hair bows and make adjustments and repairs to violins, violas and cellos.”

This is the tenth project Rob has been on with Luthiers sans Frontieres-UK (www.LSF-UK.org)

He’s been to Afghanistan, Haiti, Malawi and the Philippines.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see people using their newly-learnt skills to help their community,” he said.

Rob will stay in touch with the trainees, providing support via on-line tuition. Another visit is planned for 2024. The trainees are already building a permanent workshop so they can carry on the work.