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News from Garfield Farm |
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News from Garfield Farm |
“Hands On” Dulcimer Workshops at Garfield Farm
CAMPTON HILLS, IL — Garfield Farm Museum will host two mountain and
hammered dulcimer workshops in April. The April 6th workshop will serve
as a basic introduction while the April 13th workshop will cover more
advanced techniques. Musician Dona Benkert will provide the instruction
on these unique stringed instruments. She will have some instruments on
hand for individuals who do not have their own. During each workshop,
there will be a 1 pm mountain dulcimer session and a 3 pm hammered
dulcimer session. There is a $25 donation per session. Reservations are
required and can be made by contacting the museum at (630) 584-8485 or
info@garfieldfarm.org.
The Mountain Dulcimer is often considered the
only real American instrument. On April 6th, visitors can discover the
origins and evolution of this traditional, easy to play instrument.
After learning the basic right and left hand techniques, participants
will try playing some easy traditional melodies. No experience is
needed. The April 13th session is for individuals that can play a basic
melody. They will learn full richer sounding chords, strum variations,
and more right and left hand techniques.
The Hammered Dulcimer is among the most
beautiful sounding and oldest instruments. The fore-runner to the
piano, it is a trapezoidal instrument played by striking the strings
with hammers, much like climbing inside a piano to play. On April
6th, visitors will explore its history and learn basic playing
techniques and a few easy tunes. No experience is needed. The April 13th
session is for individuals that have played some before. They will learn
easy melodies, focusing on tune and chord structure, and then add
embellishments that will make their music more exciting.
Dona is the owner of Folk-Lore Center music
school in Warrenville and founder of Warrenville Folk Music Society. She
is an accomplished hammered and mountain dulcimer artist and winner of
the 2003 Studs Terkel Humanities Award. She is on staff at the
renowned Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago as well as DuPage Girl
Scouts as a music and dance badge program facilitator. Her arrangements
are rooted in the traditions of the British Isles, New England Country
dance music, Appalachian fiddle tunes, and the music Irish harpist
Turloch O’Carolan. She enjoys sharing her love for traditional
music and helping to preserve our musical heritage.
Garfield Farm Museum is located 5 miles west of
Geneva, IL, off of Illinois Rt. 38 on Garfield Road. Garfield Farm is a
former historically intact 1840s prairie farmstead and teamster inn that
is being restored as a working 1840s farm.
Questions or comments about this web page: rjan@galleonslap.net
