I love to see old traditions passed on to our youth. I am a retired school teacher, who did something similar at my elementary school years ago. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to offer dulcimer instruction to all the students because of the availability of dulcimers. I introduced the mountain dulcimer in my own class, had several inquiries about obtaining a dulcimer and learning how to play, and ended up with an after-school dulcimer club of some six to eight students. These were students whose parents were willing to invest in an instrument. Some bought new dulcimers from Elderly Instruments, a couple bought used dulcimers, and some of the others invested in one of the inexpensive foreign-made dulcimers available for approximately $70.00 at the time.
The local dulcimer club in Toledo, Ohio gave us an opportunity to play for an audience at one of Toledo's Metroparks. The elementary student club lasted for three or four years, basically until all the students had grown older and moved on to our middle school where they joined the band, signed up for sports, acted in the plays, and took advantage of other opportunities.
The students ranged in age from 8 to 11. The best player in the group was an 8-year old 2nd grader, who has kept in contact with me for over 30 years now. She's an elementary teacher and still owns the dulcimer her parents purchased for her in second grade, a Folkroots model, by the way.
Nice article, David. It's great that the dulcimer is being introduced to young kids. I'm interested in how Jerry and Louise are conducting the program.
I'm looking forward to seeing you and Karen in Berea in May. Nina
I love to see old traditions passed on to our youth. I am a retired school teacher, who did something similar at my elementary school years ago. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to offer dulcimer instruction to all the students because of the availability of dulcimers. I introduced the mountain dulcimer in my own class, had several inquiries about obtaining a dulcimer and learning how to play, and ended up with an after-school dulcimer club of some six to eight students. These were students whose parents were willing to invest in an instrument. Some bought new dulcimers from Elderly Instruments, a couple bought used dulcimers, and some of the others invested in one of the inexpensive foreign-made dulcimers available for approximately $70.00 at the time.
The local dulcimer club in Toledo, Ohio gave us an opportunity to play for an audience at one of Toledo's Metroparks. The elementary student club lasted for three or four years, basically until all the students had grown older and moved on to our middle school where they joined the band, signed up for sports, acted in the plays, and took advantage of other opportunities.
The students ranged in age from 8 to 11. The best player in the group was an 8-year old 2nd grader, who has kept in contact with me for over 30 years now. She's an elementary teacher and still owns the dulcimer her parents purchased for her in second grade, a Folkroots model, by the way.
Nice article, David. It's great that the dulcimer is being introduced to young kids. I'm interested in how Jerry and Louise are conducting the program.
I'm looking forward to seeing you and Karen in Berea in May. Nina