Hughes Violins

Attention Orchestra Teachers in Caddo Parish Public Schools,

I wanted to reach out before everyone begins purchasing music folders for the new school year.

Hughes Violins is donating approximately $1,000 worth of new, large-format music folders to the Caddo Parish orchestra programs. The folders have already been ordered, and I’m working on getting everything ready for distribution as quickly as possible.

This is simply something I wanted Hughes Violins to do for our local orchestra programs. Teachers already have enough to worry about at the beginning of the school year, and if we can take one expense off the list while making sure students have good folders for their music, I’m happy to do it.

Please hold off on purchasing folders for your orchestra students until you hear from us regarding distribution.

I’m looking forward to another great year for strings in Caddo Parish.

Thank you,

William T. Hughes

I got tired of guessing.

If a violin feels heavy in the hand, the scale only tells you how much it weighs. It doesn’t tell you where that weight is.

So I built this.

A simple balance fixture that lets me physically locate the instrument’s center of gravity and document exactly how that balance changes as I remove weight from the pegbox, scroll, neck, fittings, or anywhere else.

No eyeballing it.
No “that feels about right.”
No carving blindly and hoping for the best.

Measure it. Change one variable. Measure it again.

I’m working through the final details of the Shadow model right now, and at this point I’m not interested in making a violin that is simply light. I want one that feels balanced in the player’s hand.

Sometimes a few grams in the wrong place matter a hell of a lot more than a few grams on a scale.

This is how we make the next one better than the last one.

Measure everything. Guess nothing.

- William T Hughes

Welcome Dr. Pessoa... we are lucky to have you!!!

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Rodrigo Pessoa de Almeida will join our faculty as our new cello teacher! We’re thrilled to welcome him to our program and look forward to all he will bring to our musical community.

Dr. Rodrigo Pessoa is a Brazilian cellist, conductor, and music educator who has dedicated more than two decades to inspiring young musicians. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance from Texas Tech University and a Master’s degree from the University of New Mexico.
A dedicated Suzuki educator, Dr. Pessoa has taught students of all ages in Brazil and across the United States, from beginning cellists to advanced orchestral musicians. His career has included teaching, conducting, masterclasses, music camps, and community programs, always with the goal of helping students grow in confidence, musicianship, and love for music.
Now based in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dr. Pessoa is excited to continue sharing his passion for the cello and classical music with students and families in his new community.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PSA FOR STRING PLAYERS & PARENTS

THAT IS NOT ROSIN.

What you're seeing in this picture is evidence of what musicians commonly call “bow bugs” or “bow mites.” They’re typically carpet beetle larvae, and they can absolutely destroy the horsehair on a bow.

They love dark, undisturbed cases — which means an instrument that has been sitting closed all summer can be the perfect environment for them.

Before school starts, OPEN YOUR CHILD’S INSTRUMENT CASE.

Look for: • Broken or loose bow hairs
• Strange dust or debris around the bow
• Shed insect skins or larvae
• Hair that appears to have been mysteriously “cut”

If you find evidence of them, keep that case away from your other instruments and bows. The bow will likely need to be rehaired, and the case should be thoroughly vacuumed and cleaned. Opening the empty case and exposing it to strong sunlight/heat can also help.

At my shop, anything suspected of having bow bugs gets kept far away from my bows, instruments, and especially my supply of bow hair. An infestation is something you absolutely do not want spreading.

School orchestra season is here. Take 30 seconds and check those cases before sending your kids back with their instruments.

PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH ORCHESTRA PARENTS, STUDENTS & MUSIC TEACHERS.

A simple inspection now could save a bow — and a whole lot of headache later.

William T. Hughes
Hughes Violins

Houston is always an adventure…

Another order filled, another run in the books. Now, onto the next.

But first… apparently we need to spend an entire day getting the tools back in order.

😂

And by “we”… I mean me.
Back to the bench.

— William T. Hughes

Just in time... as always. 😅

Every school season we all hold our breath waiting on the truck... and every year it rolls in right when we need it.

The bows are here.
Now it's our turn.

Time to inspect every one, prep every order, and make sure students and teachers receive equipment that's ready to play from day one.

School season has officially begun at Hughes Violins. Let's get to work.

Another Hughes Violin 118 has found a new home!

Thomas, thank you for trusting Hughes Violins. We hope you enjoy your new instrument for many years to come!

We also have a big announcement...

Because of the incredible support from our customers, we will officially be phasing out the Hughes 118.

We have only four instruments remaining at our current pricing:

Violin only: $400
Complete outfit: $500

After nearly two years of development with our factory, we're excited to introduce its successor...

The Hughes Shadow.

Our goal wasn't to build the cheapest instrument—it was to build the most consistent one. Every Shadow is designed to deliver professional-level setup, playability, and reliability at a price that's still accessible to beginners and advancing students.

Available in 1/2 through 4/4 sizes, with cellos and basses available by special order.
School season is almost here, and the Shadow will be priced at:

Violin only: $500
Complete outfit: $600

The official launch is coming soon... and we can't wait to show you what we've been working on!

Been working on more guitars on our day off from Taylor's to Banjos....

Almost finished with a few of these ....

Others obviously need more attention ...

Thank you for your patience and trust in us as we work to get your instruments back!!!

Today another truck pulled away loaded with instruments headed to schools and musicians across the country.

What most people don't see are the nights behind these shipments.

The pallets. The labeling. The setups. The quality checks. The repairs that have to be right the first time.

The late nights when everyone could have gone home but chose to stay until the work was finished.

None of this happens because of one person.
It happens because a group of people care enough about the craft to keep showing up for each other, even when the days get long.

To my team—thank you.

Every instrument leaving this shop carries your time, your patience, and your pride in the work.

Florida, your shipment is on the way.

On to the next one.

— William T Hughes
Hughes Violins

Mitch Moehring Quinterrian White Will Hughes Marcus Juneau