Western Carolina Mountain Dulcimer Week

Nestled in the Appalachian mountains of western North Carolina, Western Carolina University is the setting for another week-long exploration of musical growth and learning, this one focused on the mountain dulcimer.  I've been blessed to teach and perform at this festival several times in the past, but this one was a very special blend of teachers and students.

Larry & Elaine Conger, Steve, Janita Baker, Sarah Elizabeth,
Jim Miller, Marsha Harris, Dave Haas & Joe Collins

The faculty concert on Thursday night was another highlight of this year's Mountain Dulcimer Week at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. 

Mount Jackson / Just a Sliver

After watching Dave Haas' video from a David Schnaufer 1999 concert in West Virginia the night before, I felt like I was channeling David when playing this uptempo medley in DAC tuning.
A finger-picked Girl from Ipanema was in the 2nd set, accompanied by shaker and vocals from Elaine Conger and vocal percussion from the audience.

Lil Plumer, Dan Grimm, Julie Elman

Of course my Master Class delved deeply into the music behind the performance, the tools and techniques for setting that music on the dulcimer, and the necessary preparation and polishing for performing those songs and tunes.  They graciously and openly received, supported and critiqued their own arrangements and performances (and mine, too!), developing a special bond of trust that inspired them to further growth as musicians.

 I was delighted to play with and be the guest conductor of the Dulcimer Ensemble Class with Larry and Elaine Conger.  

We shared trio arrangements of Holy Manna, Rock-A-My-Soul and the Finale of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.  

They did an excellent job of learning to play independent parts, while not necessarily seated beside people playing the same parts, playing rests, adding and remembering to play dynamically, utilizing staccato skills and had a very strong finish!  After only 3 short days of rehearsal—I am so proud of them!

My soul-tank returns home full from this one!

(Thanks to Larry Conger & Mr. Deadwyler for photos I didn't take.)

Playing the Special Dulcimers of Special People

Within the past year I've been blessed to have the opportunity to play some special dulcimers previously owned and played by famous people.

DULCIMER 1:

This weekend, Maria Hubler let me play the dulcimer made by Terry Hennessy (of New South Wales, Australia) for Mimi Fariña on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the organization she founded, Bread and Roses.

Headstock of Mimi's Terry Hennessy
25th Anniversary dulcimer

I had just completed a Bread and Roses gig for the North Bay Children's Center in Novato, California, when I stopped by offices of this amazing organization, whose tagline is "Hope and Healing through Music."

This instrument is gorgeous with a sensitive touch and rich responsiveness.

This hat trick completed a trifecta that I didn't even know I was trying for!

DULCIMER 2: 

While visiting Robert and Janet Force in their Port Townsend, WA home last summer, 

I was able to play an instrument that Albert d'Ossche had built, which had returned to Robert recently.  

He also pulled Al's touring instrument out from under the bed and I strummed it and he told great stories!    

Here we are jamming on Robert and Janet's  back porch in the Saturday sun after the Port Townsend Market Day!

DULCIMER 3:

2006 National Mountain Dulcimer Champion, Jeff Hames, graciously invited me to sit in with him for a couple of blues tunes in his mini-concert set at the Western Carolina University Mountain Dulcimer Week (July 2010)

In doing so, I was able to play the black mountain dulcimer that his teacher, the late David Schnaufer gave to him.

We always have great fun playing together, but this time was special because of the special instrument from a special mentor.

Musicians often joke about other people "putting tunes into instruments" when someone else plays it.  I love to join in that one, too, but in this case, I found inspiration to play in each instrument.  

And that IS special.