Violins and More of Lynchburg Enriches Local Music Scene with Expertise and Emphasis on Connection
By: Jeremy Angione / Photos By: Ashlee Glen
Tucked away into an unassuming storefront is Violins and More of Lynchburg, a local hidden gem that has been a haven for musicians all over Virginia. Owner Rachel Love says that her father, Allan Heer, took ownership of the store about 20 years ago.
After a stint in teaching, Love decided to join Heer as owner in 2019. Both father and daughter have a rich history in music. Love is a singer, choir director, and has been on the board of the Lynchburg Symphony for six years. Her father is an organist.
“My dad is very philanthropic and he loves music. One of the things that he loves to do is to go play piano for all of the concerts that the Lynchburg City Schools do,” Love said.
The storefront is small but tightly packed with stringed instruments, supplies to care for them, and everything in between.
As you navigate further into the shop, the space opens up into a large common area with several branching rooms that serve unique purposes.
There are a few rooms that are dedicated to violin lessons taught by local teachers who rent the shop’s space. Violins and More has a directory of local teachers available for lessons on their website.
In another more spacious room is a workshop clad from floor to ceiling with the bodies of violins in various stages of repair. The workshop is home to Sam Howell, Violins and More’s resident luthier.
“A luthier is a woodworker who specializes in stringed instruments. Stringed instruments are made of very old, dry, thin pieces of exotic woods connected together under extreme tension,” Howell said.
According to Howell, luthiers are an “odd mix of artist and engineer.”
While there are several schools that specialize in producing luthiers, Howell received his education through a collection of experiences including historical reproduction, custom millwork, furniture building, and his own musical acumen as a longtime cello player.
Howell considers his work to be more than just repair; he sees it as artistry. The look and feel of a violin is just as important to Howell as its primary function. The unique and delicate ingredients of lutherie, including the horsehair violin bow, all over Howell’s workshop make it apparent how much skill is required to do his work and why he is so sought after in Central Virginia.
“He [Howell] is one of the only luthiers in Central Virginia,” Love noted.
Love says that Howell’s luthier services currently have a three month waiting list. Violins and More supports the growing ecosystem of string players in the area.
All instruments are “rent to own,” which helps longtime students grow with their violin, from youth player to adult artist.
“A lot of these kids, who are dynamite little players—their parents aren’t ready to invest in an expensive instrument for them, but they have a really nice instrument that they can rent from us,” Love said.
According to Love, as a child player physically grows, it becomes necessary to fit them for a bigger violin. In her time owning the shop, Love has seen many young players grow in skill and into a full-sized violin, which she cites as one of the most rewarding aspects of her work.
Violins and More is a proud supporter of the Lynchburg City Suzuki Strings Program. The program offers free Suzuki Violin lessons in Lynchburg City Schools.
“It’s an amazing program that not very many cities in Virginia have. This is putting Lynchburg on the map,” Love said.
Violins and More helps to provide the students in the program with their instruments, making the shop a vital part of the life and growth of the program.
“This program is growing and growing.
We have the kids who come up through the City Schools playing violin, and then they have this amazing opportunity to play in a youth symphony,” Love stated.
While support for the Suzuki Strings program is a large part of Violins and More’s business, the shop also welcomes the musical community at large into the shop.
“Beginner’s Luck” is an ensemble program for adults who have some experience, but perhaps no grander ambition to play in a symphony or in other professional venues.
On Tuesday evenings, Violins and More hosts a free Talent Night for kids and adults to come into the shop and play musical pieces of their choice.
“Those are some nice ways we reach out to the community,” Love said.
Ultimately, Violins and More keeps the artistry of string music alive by engaging with its community of players.
“If you do rock climbing, marathon running, or biking, you can find your group in Lynchburg. There is an incredibly large community of string players in Lynchburg, but if you don’t play, you wouldn’t really know it,” Love said. As an owner of a family-run business, Love recognizes the role of family in supporting the arts.
“I love the people who come through the door. I feel like I’m part of their family. I feel like I have a service that can really benefit them. Being in partnership with my dad has been an amazing season of life,” Love said.
Currently, Love says that her hope is to help the Suzuki Strings program expand into neighboring counties so that students who don’t have the opportunity to play can receive free string instruction in school.
To learn more about Violins and More, visit violinsandmoreoflynchburg.com.
