The Sarah Marie 16 inch viola was completed July 15, 2002. The viola is modeled after a contralto viola made by Giovanni Paolo Maggini, one of his early works.  The double purfling, distinctive F-holes (with the upper eye larger than the lower eye), expansive arching, and scroll with 1/2 less turn are all typical of Maggini's work. 

The top, bass bar and sound post are all from red spruce taken from the Windsor, Vermont covered bridge built in 1866.  The back is one piece of red maple harvested in upper Michigan in 1990.  Thurmond made the viola in memory of his dear friend, Sarah Marie Kinsley.   
 The Sarah Marie Viola is now owned by Danielle Sarah Baasch, a violist and harpist in Rutland, Vermont.