Douglas Cox
Encyclopedia
Douglas C. Cox is a contemporary American violinmaker. He has been building instruments since 1981, and has made over 700 violins, violas and cellos.
Cox received his early training at the State Violin Making School in Mittenwald, Germany. He spent ten years as head of the repair department and chief restorer for the firm of J. Bradley Taylor, Inc. in Boston before establishing his own studio in Brattleboro, Vermont
in 1985.
His instruments have received awards from The Violin Society of America
, and are owned and played by many professional musicians, including classical players Jaime Laredo
, Daniel Panner, James Buswell, the late Eric Rosenblith
, the late Marylou Speaker Churchill of the Boston Symphony, and the late Robert Koff of the Juilliard Quartet; jazz and contemporary players such as Todd Reynolds, Ralph Farris
, Mat Maneri
, Eugene Friesen
; baroque players such as Laura Jeppeson and Daniel Stepner of Boston Baroque
, and by such institutions as Indiana University
, Oberlin Conservatory, Ravinia Festival's Steans Institute, the United States Marine Band
, University of North Texas
, the National Music Museum
, and Lawrence University
Many of his instruments are close copies of unusual and noteworthy master instruments. Techniques he uses to analyze the acoustic properties of violins include audio spectrum analysis, density testing, and materials modification.
His publications include “The Baroque Violin” and “Copying the Harrison Stradivari.”
Cox received his early training at the State Violin Making School in Mittenwald, Germany. He spent ten years as head of the repair department and chief restorer for the firm of J. Bradley Taylor, Inc. in Boston before establishing his own studio in Brattleboro, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
in 1985.
His instruments have received awards from The Violin Society of America
The Violin Society of America
The Violin Society of America is an American organization devoted to makers and dealers of violins, violas, and cellos . It is based in Poughkeepsie, New York and was founded in 1973....
, and are owned and played by many professional musicians, including classical players Jaime Laredo
Jaime Laredo
Jaime Laredo is a violinist and conductor. Currently the conductor and Music Director of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, he began his musical career when he was five years old. In 1948 he came to North America and took lessons from Antonio DeGrass...
, Daniel Panner, James Buswell, the late Eric Rosenblith
Eric Rosenblith
Eric Rosenblith, is an Austrian-born American violinist. He is the former concertmaster of the Indianapolis and San Antonio Symphony Orchestras, and has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout North America, Europe, and Asia...
, the late Marylou Speaker Churchill of the Boston Symphony, and the late Robert Koff of the Juilliard Quartet; jazz and contemporary players such as Todd Reynolds, Ralph Farris
Ralph Farris
Ralph Farris is an American violist, violinist, composer, arranger, producer and conductor. He specializes in new music and is a founding member of the string quartet ETHEL....
, Mat Maneri
Mat Maneri
Mat Maneri, born on October 4, 1969 in Brooklyn, New York is an American composer, improviser and jazz violin and viola player, specifically derivatives such as the five-string viola, the electric six-string violin, and the baritone violin...
, Eugene Friesen
Eugene Friesen
Eugene Friesen is an American cellist and composer.Friesen is a graduate of the Yale School of Music. He has been a member of the Paul Winter Consort since 1978, and performs with Howard Levy and Glen Velez as Trio Globo...
; baroque players such as Laura Jeppeson and Daniel Stepner of Boston Baroque
Boston Baroque
Boston Baroque is the oldest continuing period instrument orchestra in North America. It was founded in 1973 by the American harpsichordist and conductor, Martin Pearlman to present concerts of the Baroque and Classical repertoire on period instruments, drawing on the insights of the historical...
, and by such institutions as Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
, Oberlin Conservatory, Ravinia Festival's Steans Institute, the United States Marine Band
United States Marine Band
The United States Marine Band is the premier band of the United States Marine Corps. Established by act of Congress on July 11, 1798, it is the oldest of the United States military bands and the oldest professional musical organization in the United States...
, University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
, the National Music Museum
National Music Museum
The National Music Museum: America's Shrine to Music & Center for Study of the History of Musical Instruments is a musical instrument museum in Vermillion, South Dakota, USA. It was founded in 1973 on the campus of the University of South Dakota...
, and Lawrence University
Lawrence University
Lawrence University is a selective, private liberal arts college with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, in Appleton, Wisconsin. Lawrence University is known for its rigorous academic environment. Founded in 1847, the first classes were held on November 12, 1849...
Many of his instruments are close copies of unusual and noteworthy master instruments. Techniques he uses to analyze the acoustic properties of violins include audio spectrum analysis, density testing, and materials modification.
His publications include “The Baroque Violin” and “Copying the Harrison Stradivari.”