Violin, viola auctions raise funds for Cd'A Symphony

The Coeur d'Alene Symphony's unique Instrument Auction fundraiser was completed earlier this month with the successful auction of a custom-built viola on eBay Charitable Giving.

The winning bidder, Andy Osborn of Coeur d'Alene, purchased the viola for his son, Luke. The Osborn family members are all musicians who have been making music in the Coeur d'Alene area for many years.

Mike and Betsy Bullard of Coeur d'Alene were the successful bidders on the custom-made violin. Betsy Bullard has played violin in the Coeur d'Alene Symphony for 22 years.

The viola and violin were custom built specifically to help raise money for the symphony by Jay Prior of Custom Strings in the Spokane Valley (www.customstrings.net).

With a history of more than 30 years of performing classical and popular music, the Coeur d'Alene Symphony works to promote and perpetuate the appreciation of classical and semi-classical music in the community and to provide opportunities to experience this music in an annual series of concerts.

The symphony - a local nonprofit with a broad base of corporate and individual sponsors - draws its audiences and musicians from Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding inland northwest area.

For more information, visit cdasymphony.org.