This week presents the best in mountain dulcimer and hammered dulcimer music and instruction, with many of the world’s best dulcimer musicians. Both of these instruments provide an easy and accessible welcome to new players and challenge and enrichment for experienced players. Dulcimer Week offers carefully-planned classes and a supportive and engaging social community in a setting of mountain beauty and comfort. You can sign up for classes in one or both instruments. Based on last year’s strong population of hammered dulcimer players, we have increased the number of afternoon courses to six. Class sizes are limited to allow for individual attention to our students. All participants get three 75 minute class periods a day, providing over 18 total hours of class instruction. Beginners in both instruments remain with their instructors to comfortably build a solid playing foundation. Our participants often tell us that they learned as much at Swannanoa’s Dulcimer Week as in six months of study at home! Our after-lunch Communal Gatherings are a favorite, and feature a new “close-up” performance each day by our instructors. Evening activities include a Sunday night Welcome Celebration at which you will meet other participants and the staff. On Monday night our exciting Staff Concert runs the gamut of dulcimer versatility and talent. There will be a Students’ Open Mike for participants to share their music, and Thursday night’s exciting Old Farmer’s Ball is a great opportunity for some dancing. Evenings are also the time to hone your skills in playing with others at our “slow” or “moderate” speed jam sessions, led by staff members. Informal jams continue into the wee hours and are legendary for their fun and lively music. We will have a special “Percussion” session led by Dan Landrum; please bring along any rhythm “toys” you have! Since last year, we have had more of the campus facilities and spaces to ourselves, and it has led to more classes and more fun! Another great addition this year will be the return of Swannanoa Gathering founder and Warren Wilson President Emeritus Doug Orr and his dulcimer-playing wife Darcy. They will be leading sing-alongs and adding to other events. Some of our favorite evaluation comments from last year’s participants:“It was like being in ‘Brigadoon’ for a week. Never saw a frown on a face – everyone always smiling, polite, helpful.” “Excellent instruction with very accessible teachers in a highly inclusive atmosphere.” “The schedule was really convenient. I always felt like I had enough time to get where I needed to be with room for socializing and jamming.” “The evening and mid-day concerts alone were worth the price of admission – truly, I loved it all.” You can view classes here as well as staff bios.
Or go directly to an individual instructor’s bio by
clicking one of the names to the right.
|
