Winners of the 2023 ISB Maker's Competition

The tenth biennial International Society of Bassists Maker's Competition was held June 5-7, 2023 at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Dustin Williams served as chair of this year's competition, which attracted 26 entries from four countries.

In an addition to the 2023 ISB Maker's Competition, tone judge Mark Morton played competition basses from behind a curtain for audience voting during the first-ever sound-off event. Photo by Jeff Dunn

2023 ISB Maker's Competition Results

Silver Medal for Workmanship

Evan Davenport, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Zachary Martin, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Mason Weedman, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Silver Medal for Tone

Pete Lampe & Eric Marks, Portland, Oregon
Robbie McIntosh and Helen McIntosh, Cambridge, New York
Joey Naeger, Katy, Texas
Aaron Reiley, Jenison, Michigan

Certificate for Workmanship

David Briggs, Edgewood, New Mexico
Trevor Davis, Austin, Texas
William Lakeberg, Cincinnati, Ohio
Sam Morel, Brooklyn, New York

Certificate for Tone

William Lakeberg, Cincinnati, Ohio
Zachary Martin, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Mitch Moehring, Kilgore, Texas

Convention Favorite

Evan Davenport, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Convention Favorite Honorable Mention

Trevor Davis, Austin, Texas
Seth Kimmel, Eugene, Oregon
Joey Naeger, Katy, Texas
Aaron Reiley, Jenison, Michigan

Sound-Off Event Top 5 (Alpha by last name with one tie vote)

Trevor Davis, Austin, Texas
Mitch Moehring, Kilgore, Texas
Joey Naeger, Katy, Texas
Keiran O'Hara, Brewster, New York
Aaron Reiley, Jenison, Michigan
Tetsu Suzuki, Tokyo, Japan

Thanks to Our 2023 Competition Judges

Workmanship Judges

• Daniel Hachez of East Wenatchee, Washington
• Antoine Nedelec, Director of the Chicago School of Violin Making
• Peter Seman of Seman Violins in Skokie, Illinois

Tone Judges

• Brian Casey of Greeley, Colorado
• Mark Morton of Lubbock, Texas
• Derek Weller of Ann Arbor, Michigan

Thanks to Our 2023 Competition Sponsor

Robertson & Sons Violin Shop, Inc.