14 Facts About Peter Prier

Peter Paul Prier was a German-born American violinmaker, music teacher and businessman.

Peter Prier founded Peter Prier and Sons Violins.

Peter Prier founded the Bow Making School of America.

Peter Prier was born 27 February 1942 in Schlesien, Germany in 1942, the youngest of four children.

Peter Prier's remaining family moved to Bavaria in 1945 to escape the advancing Soviet forces.

Peter Prier then attended a violinmaking school in Mittenwald, graduating four years later.

Peter Prier served an enlistment in the United States Army before marriage and his 1965 founding of a violinmaking shop, the Violin Making School of America, where he made violins, cellos and violas.

Peter Prier later expanded this instruction to the fabrication of violin bows, with the founding of the Bow Making School of America.

Peter Prier continued in these endeavors until his 2006 retirement, at which time he sold the school to a former student, Charles Woolf.

Peter Prier was survived by wife Kay and their six children: sons Daniel, Martin and Paul; daughters Tres Prier Hatch, Tamara Prier Stewart, and Kris Prier Edwards.

Peter Prier was a staunch advocate of the musical arts, supporting music programs in local schools and universities, and making his studio available for recitals.

Peter Prier was quoted in a local newspaper after Prier's death, stating that Prier's work was "the gold standard" in the US and throughout the world.

Peter Prier's instruments spoke volumes of his wonderful artistry as a violinmaker and his importance as a teacher.

Peter Prier was a man of extraordinary integrity, really highly regarded by everybody that he came in contact with.