Lutherie School
Environmental Curriculum Program
Program Development & Timeline
2019 | Envision bringing information to schools about environmental needs and alternative solutions for traditional materials, starting with ebony
2023 | Curriculum developed by top international makers, teachers, and scientists
2024 | Program expanded to include an in-school Alliance instructor in Europe to work with the students in the workshops, answer questions, discuss tooling, and reinforce the importance of adapting to our changing world
2025 | Curriculum presented in an increasing number of schools; we now also provide tools and alternative ebony fingerboards
Steeped in tradition, schools had little exposure to (or budget for) this ever-evolving subject. Our program is a collaborative effort which builds upon each school’s existing curriculum and continues to evolve through feedback from participants; additional lessons are under discussion and will be added below when complete.
There are many ways you can help us grow this valuable program—expanding its reach and expanding its content—including requesting to bring the curriculum to your school and donating to the Alliance!
Lesson 1
Ebony: Environmental Concerns
& Alternatives*
Goal
To assist lutherie schools internationally in the introduction of ebony alternative fingerboards in their curriculum.
Overview
Provide expert in-person instruction, high-quality curriculum, specialized tools and glues, fingerboards, nuts, and saddles—all provided free of charge to the students and schools. Promo brochure: English | German | Italian
Lesson Files | Ebony: Environmental Concerns & Alternatives [in 2 parts]
English | French | Italian
*Lessons began with three test schools and has now grown to include the following lutherie schools: Chicago (Chicago Violin Making School), Cremona (Istituto di Istruzione Superiore Antonio Stradivari and Cremona International Music Academy), Markneukirchen, Mirecourt (Lycée Jean-Baptiste-École Nationale de Lutherie de Mirecourt), Parma (Accademia Scrollavezza), and Québec (École Nationale de Lutherie), with additional schools on the waiting list as funds become available.
Lesson 2
Regulations: Illegal Logging, Climate Change & Endangered Species
Goal
To move the next generation of luthiers towards best practices and compliance with environmental regulations.
Overview
Familiarize lutherie school teachers and students with relevant regulations and conventions that control the sourcing and international trade of instruments and their parts.
Lesson Files | Regulations: Illegal Logging, Climate Change & Endangered Species
English | German | French coming soon | Italian coming soon
Lesson 3 (coming August 2026)
Sustainability
Goal
To develop best practices when purchasing tonewood and to be in compliance with EUDR and other regulations.
Overview
Provide a series of 12 podcasts which look at the definition of sustainability on paper and in practice in our search for tonewood supplies.
Lesson 4 (coming in 2026)
Digital Product Passport
Goal
To give lutherie students a path for the comprehensive traceability, legality, and sustainability of the materials they are using in their instruments and bows.
Overview
Provide a series of step-by-step guides on how to use the various passports.