JAVS Fall 2007

In Memoriam Dr. Donald Herbert Sandford, 89, succumbed to an acute bout of pneumonia in June, 2007. A longtime AVS member, Sandford earned degrees from Wayne State University, and the University of Michigan. He served 34 years as a faculty member at Northwest Missouri Stare University in Maryville, where he taught music history and strings. During this time he performed as principal violist with the Sr. Joseph Symphony Orchestra, wirh whom he often soloed. He often played recitals with his pianist wife of 62 years, Mary Jane. He is survived by his wife, rwo daughters and their families. £

Martha Hughes ofGilbert, Ariwna and was told rhe instrument was still for sale if interested. While visiring her aunt Hazel DeLong-Zwicker in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Melanie relayed the story of her interesting internet find. Upon hearing the viola was for sale, Hazel excitedly contacted Ms. Hughes in hopes of purchasing the instrument as her son Burpee C. DeLong is the namesake of the viola's crafter. Her hopes were met, and the viola arrived in Nova Scoria in lareJuly, 2007. Hazel DeLong-Zwicker is thrilled that the viola returned "home" to its DeLong roots and it is current ly displayed in her music room.

Burp~~ C D~Long, gr~at grandnephew of viola's maker.

Viola Comes Back To Its Roots A viola, hand crafted in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1932 by Burpee E. DeLong recencly returned to irs maker's roots in Nova Scoria, Canada. Burpee E. Delong, born in Barss Corner, Nova Scoria in 1880, was a fine carpenter by trade. He was also a violinist and amateur photographer. Burpee E. DeLong moved from Barss Corner to Worcester in 1919 and in 1932 crafted the viola for his daughter Frances who became a professional musician. The instru ment was later traded for services provided to Frances by a foot doc tor. Frances DeLong died in 2004 and rwo additional stringed instruments, believed ro be craft ed by her father, were donated to a university music department in Spokane, Washington. Melanie Mader (great-niece of Burpee E. DeLong) while surfing the internet for DeLong family genealogy, happened upon an advertisement in the American Viola Society Newsletter for the sale of a 1932 viola with the label

- Melanie Mader

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reading Burpee E. Delong. Melanie contacted the seller

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