Now that I've returned from the VSA Convention in Atlantic City, there's more work than ever awaiting me in my office and workshop. I'm working on content for the new web site, which work is going well but not quickly. I'm also continuing to update this site and trying to put more on the octavivo.org site as we move toward the creation of a non-profit corporation that will take over the octavivo site at some point. If you visit here from time to time, I'd much appreciate hearing from you about the kinds of things you'd like to see on either site.
After a few further delays, including almost two weeks when the files for my new web site were kidnapped by my off-site spam filter, I'm finally getting to put some actual content into the new pages. The layout is different, so I have to readjust my thinking to some extent. We're also finding a bug here and there that has to be worked out, but on the whole the major reason for delays now stems from not being able to find enough time to edit all the pages. I now have to decide whether to take the old site down and put the new one up in a single evening, or have a period of time when both old and new sites are available. Oh, the agony! :-)
I'm still waiting for the last of the templates for the new web site, and then after that comes the job of putting content into them. In the meantime, I have begun editing a great store of media material I've been collecting over the year. The first video is up on YouTube (the link is to the left), or you can see it here on the embedded player.
The Archus String Trio is the first video, but in the coming weeks we'll have some video of a jam session at the 2009 New Directions Cello Festival, a splendid video of a bass quintet performing on some of my instruments at the 2009 Convention of the International Society of Bassists, a video that introduces the instruments of the New Family, and last, but not least, selected videos of the 2009 New Violin Family Orchestra in live performance. Please let me know how you like the videos, and send suggestions for future video topics using the "Contact Us" link in the menu bar.
My apologies for the delay in posting the items after April 28. There have been some recurring problems uploading to the web site server that I'm trying to get worked out.
The website revamping project has resumed now that a couple of key people have returned from obligations out of town. I have seen the first mock-ups of the primary and secondary page designs, and I can tell you that designer Michael Rider has done a terrific job. With luck, I should be able to start putting content into the new pages this month. When there is enough to warrant it, I'll put up the new site. I am leaning toward the idea of having both the old and new sites up concurrently until the new site is completed. Once that is done, I'll start work on the Octavivo web site, which is where a lot of the information about the octet and new family performing groups will be available. The rational for this decision can be found in the entry for August 6, just below.
The project to revamp the web site has morphed into a much larger project than I first envisioned. We're splitting the site into two separate sites based on feedback from visitors, friends, and professional website designers. This site is getting too large to be maintained by a single individual, and it is also getting somehwat schizophrenic as I try to strike a balance between the educational and commercial aspects of my life's mission. This site is being completely redesigned, so I am suspending alterations here as we build the new version in the background. The site will continue to be updated, however, until we are ready to debut the new site this fall.
This site will remain as singingwoodsviolin.com and will be focused on the construction and sale of instruments both conventional and of the new family. We are looking at a better and clearer presentation of the instruments, and we are also contemplating an online store for your convenience in shopping for the unusual items we offer. We will expand our selection to include such things as strings and cases for the octet family of instruments, and in general serve as a clearinghouse to get the best possible instruments in the hands of players at the most affordable prices. Trimming our site now will give us the room we'll need later to expand.
Our sister site will be Octavivo.org, and will eventually serve as the site for a not-for-profit organization with the mission to promote the new family and integrate it into the musical mainstream. Much of the media offerings pertaining to a more educational focus will be moved to the new site, and it is there you will also find much of the historical writings found here as well as audio and video clips, media resources, and links to the growing community of players using the new violins. We'll also be posting concert listings on the Octavivo site and the newsletter, too. The site promises to be one of a kind, so look for us this fall.
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