Sales Position

January 2026

Givens Violins, in downtown Minneapolis, has a full-time sales position open.   Preference is for a violinist or cellist.

This is the perfect position for a string player who wants to stay within the music world without the pressures of performing or teaching.  It is an opportunity to learn about the business world, the history of violinmaking and fine craftsmanship plus work with great musicians daily and the families of young players.

There is the potential to be earning more than $50,000 within a year based on success.

Please forward this posting to all who you think might find this to be an interesting job.  Thank you very much for your consideration.

Responsibilities:

• Sales work including developing new clientele.
• Preparing violins, violas, cellos and their bows for showings.
• Helping maintain the instrument and bow inventory –tuning, dusting and maintaining order.
• Front counter work – selling accessories & repair intake and invoicing
• Administrative responsibilities
• Possible Out-of-town deliveries and exhibits.

Qualifications:

• Must be an accomplished player.
• Sales experience
• Well organized
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Basic computer skills
• Willing to travel
• Driver’s license and excellent driving record

 Hours & Benefits:

Hours are 9:00am to 5:30pm Tuesday – Saturday.  Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Good benefits including paid vacation, holidays, sick time, health insurance, disability insurance, and cafeteria plan.

 

For consideration send resume to:

 cgivens@givensviolins.com

– OR –

Claire Givens Violins, Inc.
1201 Marquette Avenue, Suite 150
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403, USA

Instrument Restorer Position in the Givens Violins Workshop

January 2026

Claire Givens Violins, a well-established violin shop in Minneapolis’s city center, is hiring an additional full-time Instrument Restorer to work as part of our team.

We seek a graduate of a violin-making school or someone with equivalent experience and advanced training. Ideal candidates are curious about the field, trustworthy, collaborative, and interested in a long-term position. Givens Violins serves serious musicians across the five-state region and beyond and maintains a large collection of new and historic instruments. The shop does not offer rentals.

Workshop responsibilities include setting up violins, violas, and cellos for sale, as well as handling more complex restorations. Additional responsibilities include crack repairs, peg bushings, neck sets, fingerboard and bass bar replacements, edge grafts, varnish retouching, and tonal adjustments. Computer and playing skills will be an asset.

Additional job training We offer an opportunity to develop and hone advanced restoration skills. Doug Lay, the workshop manager, mentors and oversees the workshop. As one of the most experienced and meticulous restorers nationwide, he works on or supervises the restoration of significant historical instruments.

Andrew Dipper operates a workshop at Givens Violins. Dipper Restorations focuses on historic instruments and bows. Andrew is a published historian and scholar and a member of the International Entente of Violin and Bow Makers (EILA), the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers (AFVBM), the Violin Society of America (VSA), and the American Musical Instrument Society (AMIS). His work is held in many international and national museums and private collections. The Dipper workshop specializes in the conservation and restoration of significant historical examples of musical instruments, including those by G.P. Maggini, Jacob Stainer, and Barak Norman, amongst many others.

Further study: Givens Violins recognizes the importance of further study and supports it by paying for coursework tuition and related transportation costs.

Compensation and benefits include an hourly wage, as well as quarterly bonuses based on the success of the instrument and bow sales effort. There is also a monthly bonus for customer repairs completed and billed. Hourly pay is commensurate with experience and results. Benefits include paid vacation, holidays, sick pay, health and disability insurance, a cafeteria plan, and employee discounts.

The hours are from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

For consideration, send a resume to:

cgivens@givensviolins.com

– OR –

Claire Givens Violins, Inc.
1201 Marquette Avenue, Suite 150
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403, USA

Minneapolis stands out as a vibrant cultural hub in the region, with a lively arts scene that includes the famous Minnesota Orchestra and, in nearby St. Paul, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. The city also hosts two wonderful youth orchestras, GTCYS and MYS, and is home to top-notch museums and a bustling live-music scene. Sports fans will love the sense of community, fueled by several championship teams that energize the city’s lively atmosphere. Plus, Minneapolis is full of beautiful green spaces, scenic parks, lakes, and excellent biking trails, making outdoor activities easy and enjoyable. For musicians and artists, there are countless opportunities—from renowned institutions to grassroots efforts—that help create a supportive, thriving artistic community open to everyone eager to be part of its rich musical tradition. And the best part? The cost of living here is quite reasonable, especially compared to the big cities on the East or West Coast.

 

Minneapolis, MN, has a cost of living that is approximately 10.70% lower than the national average, with specific savings in housing and transportation costs compared to many other cities.

 

Overview of Cost of Living in Minneapolis

Housing Costs: Housing in Minneapolis tends to be about 20.86% lower than in many other major cities, making it an attractive option for those looking to save on rent or mortgage payments.

Transportation: The cost of transportation is also lower, with expenses being around 5.87% lower than the national average. This can include savings on public transit and fuel costs.

Utilities in Minneapolis are about 6.44% cheaper than in other cities, enhancing affordability. Moreover, the miscellaneous category, which includes groceries and other daily expenses, is considered when evaluating the cost of living (Forbes).