The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra will auction a Chanot violin made circa 1900 to raise money for Terry Ross, who has Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia and is awaiting a bone-marrow transplant. An anonymous donor offered the sale of the violin to help Ross, who is technical director for the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science in Sioux Falls and is the father of AmberRose Ross, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra’s administrative assistant. The violin, which has a guitar-like shape and a scroll carved in the shape of a lion’s head, is valued at $1,000 and described as suitable for collection, decoration, or playing. The violin is branded “Ermelinda Silvestri” both inside and outside; the Silvestri workshop was located in Sicily. All proceeds from the auction go directly toward paying Ross’s medical expenses. Bidding started on December 14 and will end on December 23 at 5 p.m. More information is available at sdsymphony.org, by emailing sarah.mcquade@sdsymphony.org, or by calling 605-335-7933.
Posted December 22, 2009
