Hammered Dulcimer Festivals
The hammered dulcimer is a traditional folk instrument that is commonly played throughout the Appalachian region. The name dulcimer comes from the Latin and Greek words "dulce" and "melos." Together, these words mean "sweet tune," which describes the calming sounds made with the dulcimer. The hammered dulcimer is played with a mallet, opposed to the mountain dulcimer, which is plucked. Dulcimer festivals are fairly common through the Midwest and Appalachian regions.
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Gebhard Woods Dulcimer & Traditional Music Festival
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The Gebhard Woods Dulcimer & Traditional Festival highlights the hammered dulcimer, as well as the mountain dulcimer. This festival has been keeping the traditions of the dulcimer alive since 1987. During this two-day event, which is held each June, visitors have the opportunity to listen to dulcimer concerts, meet performers and learn to play the dulcimer. Throughout the concert, there are 21 workshops offered on how to play the hammered dulcimer. There are workshops available for both beginners and advanced learners.
Bayou City Old Time Music and Dulcimer Festival
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This festival, which started in 2003, is held in July each year at the First Baptist Church of North Houston in Houston, Texas. It is a three-day concert, and it includes workshops, organized jam sessions and evening concerts. The cost to attend this festival varies. Single-day admission is $35 for players and $25 for non-players, with a $70 maximum for families. Three-day admission is $65 for players and $45 for non-players, with a $130 maximum per family.
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Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival
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This festival is held in August, in Fort New Salem, which is a representative log house settlement located in Salem, W.Va. The dulcimer festival includes player workshops for both the hammered and mountain dulcimer. There are workshops designed for both beginner and advanced musicians. There are also concerts held on Friday and Saturday evenings of the festival.
The Gateway Dulcimer Music Festival
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The Gateway Dulcimer Music Festival is held the second week of August at Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois. The 2011 festival will feature the music of hammer dulcimer musicians Cathy Barton, Guy George and Rick Thum. The festival will include workshops held throughout the day, concerts each night, open stage and jamming sessions, multiple vendors and raffles. To attend the evening concerts only, tickets are $10 per evening. Contact the festival organizers for additional information and prices on the workshops and all-day attendance.
Dulcimer Day in Duluth
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Dulcimer Day in Duluth started in 2001 in Duluth, Minn. This one-day event is held the first Saturday of May and offers a full day of classes and concerts. Among the many performers in 2011 will be Princess Harris. Harris has been recorded several albums and was the 1991 Hammered Dulcimer Champ.
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