Guitar-building class completes projects

The Sisters Adult Summer Guitar Class has completed another season of creating hand-built guitars. Seven students devoted hours of exacting work on many a warm summer evening under the instruction of Bill MacDonald, master luthier.

The construction of the six-string dreadnought guitars used select exotic woods such as Indian rosewood, African bubinga and flame mahogany. The students also learned to install signature inlays of colorful abalone and mother-of-pearl to further personalize their beautiful instruments.

The Sisters Country Americana Luthier Program, Breedlove Guitars and Sisters High School all contributed to the success of the adult guitar class.

Five years ago the Sisters High School woodshop teacher, Tony Cosby, and Breedlove Guitars Master Luthier, Jayson Bowerman, offered guitar building as part of the high school curriculum. The response of the students and the community was overwhelming.

Already an accomplished woodworker and inspired with a love of music, Bill MacDonald soon joined the ranks as an instructor for both the high school and the Americana Project.

The word "luthier" comes from the French word "luth" which means "lute." A luthier is someone who makes or repairs stringed instruments and "lutherie" is the age-old art of doing so.

The luthier program keeps blossoming and will soon be offering both Sisters Middle School and Sisters High School students the opportunity to build custom ukuleles.

"The ukulele is fun to play and a little less intimidating for beginners to undertake," MacDonald said. "It strikes another chord for the growing musical renown of our Sisters Country and I'm honored to help students build lifetime memories around a keepsake instrument along with their confidence and self-esteem."