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News from Garfield Farm |
“Hands On” Dulcimer Workshop
CAMPTON HILLS, IL Garfield Farm
Museum will host two “Hands On” Dulcimer workshops on
Sunday, April 10th. During each workshop, musician Dona Benkert
will give instruction on these unique stringed instruments. No
experience is needed. Dona will have some instruments on hand for
individuals that do not have their own. The 1 pm session will cover
mountain dulcimers and the 3 pm session will cover hammered dulcimers.
The mountain dulcimer is often considered the
only real American instrument. Visitors can discover the origins and
evolution of this traditional, easy to play instrument during the 1 pm
session. After learning the basic right and left hand techniques,
participants can try their hands at playing some easy traditional
melodies.
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. The 3 pm
session will explore its history, and visitors will learn basic playing
techniques and a few easy tunes.
Reservations are required as the class size is
limited. Reserve early as there are a limited number of instruments
available for use during the workshops. There will be a $25
donation for each session and refreshments will be provided.
Reservations can be made by contacting the museum at (630) 584-8485 or
info@garfieldfarm.org.
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.