A collaboration between Chen’s practice app Tonic and Kennedy Violins will reward 100 players who accumulate the most practice hours between 18 to 25 March

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Violinist Ray Chen

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Violinist Ray Chen has announced a unique practice challenge, promising to give away 100 violins from Kennedy Violins, a supplier of student and professional string instruments.

This follows an entertaining video of an event at the Colburn School, where Chen challenged students to a unique competition. Participants attempted to outplay the virtuoso on specially modified violins (with configurations such as reversed strings and abnormal tunings) to win a prize of $50 or a $1500 Kennedy violin.

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The competition will take place on Chen’s app, Tonic, starting 18 March. Tonic users have a seven-day window to accumulate practice hours and listening XP (experience points). The top 100 users displaying the most dedication between 18 and 25 March will each receive a violin from Kennedy Violins.

The practice app Tonic was founded in 2020 by Chen. The platform is designed to transform the solitary practice sessions of musicians into an engaging and communal experience. It aims to make classical music more accessible and enjoyable, connecting musicians in a worldwide community. The app allows users to host live practice sessions, participate in community events, and engage with a global network of music enthusiasts.

With this giveaway, Chen aims to highlight his commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians, as well as illustrate Tonic’s role in building a supportive music community. Over one million live Studios have been created on Tonic since its inception, with users from over 130 countries contributing to its lively atmosphere.

Players are invited for the chance to win one of the 100 Kennedy violins by downloading the Tonic app. The competition runs from 18 to 25 March 2024.

Watch Ray Chen’s Colburn School challenge in the video below:

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