Gayland Matley was a small man. He stood only 5 ft 2 inches tall. He passed away nearly 10 years ago leaving behind a wife named Carmen and a house full of instruments. He had a heart as big as the blue skies of Montana and a passion for bluegrass that was just as big. With his passing Carmen followed his wishes to donate his instruments to the North Valley School of Music to help put music in the hands of those who want to play. 

    The instrument they couldn't use was a Do-it-yourself violin Kit he won in raffle some ten years prior.  As it came with no instruction or even a label to inquire about it, Gayland never got around to putting it together.  Carmen heard about my raffle and gave it to me as an item.

   Upon inspection, It appeared it would be quite an endeavor to put it together even though all the pieces were right there in the case.  I decided to find someone who would be willing to take the time to build the violin.  

  A friend recommended I reach out to Griffin Browne, first chair cello for the Glacier Symphony and widely known for repairing bows and various instruments in the string family.   

   Since his 13 yr old son,  Austin, had began to take an interest in woodworking, Griffin though it would a great way to way to bond with Austin in a joint project.  They worked on it for two months,  applying what Griffin already knew and what they learned from books and videos in the art of violin making.  

  The kit came with some pieces decorated with beautiful abalone inlay and a very nice case.  The pictures are a log of the journey Austin, Griffin and his mother, Cindy took to turn random pieces of wood into a beautiful instrument of music.