From its beginnings as a private institution (1944) the school gradually expanded under the directorship of Adolf König, until his retirement in 1973. For a short time Frans van Dijk assisted him as a specialist teacher. During this period the curriculum covered a wide range of both plucked and bowed instruments. In 1952 it was turned into a state school.

In 1974 Ulrich Zimmermann took over as director and under his guidance the emphasis shifted to making modern bowed orchestral stringed instruments. Hugo Auchli was specialist teacher from 1972 until 1986 when Simon Glaus replaced him.

The present director Hans Rudolf Hösli has been here since 1996. In that same year the future of the school was thrown into doubt by the threatened removal of state subsidies. Following much local debate a group was formed with representatives from arts and education, politics and the professional association to fight to save Switzerland's only violin making school.

In 1998, as a result of these efforts, the «Stiftung Geigenbauschule Brienz» was established. A board of trustees administers it, and with funding from public and private sources as well as from many individuals, the future of the school is now firmly secured. Today teaching continues with a very firm emphasis on the instruments of the violin family. Style, design and construction are informed by the work of the great makers of the baroque, classical and modern traditions.