At the February Sunday meeting we introduced The Nashville Number System's format for chord charting for chord/ rhythm back-up musicians with two exceptions: we will use the letter chord names rather than the number (because we do not change key signatures mid-session) and we will use tab numbers for individual notes when called for for the back-up part (instead of using note numbers).

As a test, we will e-mail the Brush Arbor chord chart as an attachment using Microsoft Word word processing software, with notes to recipient on how to add on the printout whatever freehand symbols are required. The goal is to eventually build a collection of chord charts for active and inactive club songs as well as for the "maybe we'll play this someday" songs, and we'll need a large number of volunteers. Constructing the chord chart takes about an hour to do a half-dozen but the problem is in proofing the effort afterward. Perhaps this will be an excuse to revisit a lot of songs we haven't played in years. But first we need to work out the bugs.

Lee introduced David's and Rick Roberts' Brush Arbor as interpreted by Lee. Lee once again used "learn by ear" by phrase. The notes are not hard, but there are timing issues with a variety of dotted notes, half-and whole- measure rests, etc. Lee encouraged us to sing along as we learn the melody and to try the chord back-up. Both Brush Arbor and Starry Lullaby cry for a vocal part for the Dulcimer Day performance, which will include Donna as soloist on Starry Lullaby and all of us singing Brush Arbor. Other Dulcimer Day songs are Fisher's Hornpipe, which we practiced again at "David's speed," Amazing Grace, Gray Cat on a Tennessee Farm, Brush Arbor, Starry Lullaby and Wildwood Flower.

Sandy has the CD Dulcimers for David for sale ($15), a collection of songs by various artists including some recordings of David which have not been previously released. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the CD's will be used to buy dulcimers for kids. This project is headed by Debbie Porter, and you can find more information at http://www.debbieporter.net/catalog/dulcimers_for_david.php . Sandy will also attempt to have as many as she can find of David's CD's for sale at Dulcimer Day.

Last Monday night we worked on arrangements for the Dulcimer Day songs. We'll finalize it all at the April meeting, but in the meantime, anticipate this:

Starry Lullaby: we play the intro, then play softly, either chords or melody, two verses and one chorus while Donna sings then one verse and one chorus instrumental at full volume, then one verse and one chorus softly while Donna sings. We finish it with a tag at the end that's the last line "and sing you a starry lullaby" at full volume. Led by Lela, several played the Tull Glazener harmony parts and it certainly added to the piece. You can retrieve this tab from www.tullglazener.com.

Fisher's Hornpipe: one person will play the intro, and we'll play it three times through, at "David's" speed. We need to work on coming in on the slide very forcefully and playing it with David's enthusiasm. If you miss out, keep strumming the open frets until you reach a familiar part, then jump in. Practice with the intro so you'll get the "jump in" timing down.

Brush Arbor: we will all sing, that's three times through unless we add an instrumental to it somewhere. To make it easier to sing, we experimented with alternative tunings, but decided to explore that idea somewhere else, not here. Lee says that David played it in G and sang even lower.

Also expect us to reconfigure ourselves (which may number fifty) on the stage away from last year's long two rows and into some sitting on the floor of the stage and some sitting on chairs on the ground so as to be able to hear each other. Lee will hold the baton. Donna will need to sit near an open mic. We'll plan seating for the rest of us before the day arrives so we can do it quickly.

It's coming together nicely. You'll be proud of the performance.

• Congratulations to Judy Beier!! Judy has been nominated by Skyline Medical Center for the annual Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer of the Year Award. Judy plays her dulcimer for patients at Skyline Medical Center and has been chosen for this very special honor because of her generous gift of music and spirit to the hospital patients and staff. Also, Judy encourages others to do the same and has recruited another friend to play at the hospital with her. We're proud of you, Judy!!
• MTSU Workshops-from Lela Hollabaugh - On Saturday, Mar. 24th, Sarah Elizabeth presented a good workshop for beginners covering 3 of her favorite hymns. Gary Gallier taught a fancy flatpicked version of Whiskey Before Breakfast. Both workshops were worthwhile. The evening before, Sarah, Gary and Les Gallier, and performers from MTSU presented a terrific concert.
• Janita Baker Workshop and Concert
  
  
  Janita Baker's workshop on March 10 introduced fifteen of our club members and several out-of-town guests to her special style of fingerpicking the mountain dulcimer. She built our skill and our repertoire!! On Sunday, March 11, she performed in concert at the Blair School of Music as the first visiting artist in the Blair dulcimer program. She treated the audience to music from her "favorite composer of music for the mountain dulcimer" - Scott Joplin!! We appreciate Janita's traveling from California to share with us, and our club members made her feel right at home! Thanks to Lee Rowe who opened the concert with his original pieces and (to the delight of the crowd) some special pieces from his childhood! One participant summed it up this way ... "Janita showed us a widening horizon... there's more than one way to play a song, stuff you can do, and ought to be able to do some of, so you can better choose which way you'll play it... what sounds best for you. You missed out if you weren't there, better not miss the next one!"
• Dulcimer Dandies
  
  
  (Above left)The Dulcimer Dandies played for the Lions Club International on February 22, 2007. We dressed in reds and whites for Valentine's Day.
  (Above right)The Dulcimer Dandies played at the Donelson Senior Center on February 28, 2007. Judy Beier's four-year-old granddaughter, Jade Elizabeth, joined us.
• Ohio Valley Gathering
  
  The 21st annual Ohio Valley Gathering was held March 2-4 at the Four Points Sheraton in Lexington, KY. There were workshops, jam sessions, and performances. Several Grand Old Dulcimer Club Members attended the festival, including Judy Beier, as shown here with her daughter, Karen Milliner and her friend, Tammy Allison. Judy and Nancy Seifert played on stage, as did Lee Rowe and Stephen Seifert, who joined Debi Fields from Elizabethtown, KY to perform a touching song called I'm Back that Debi wrote after recovering from a serious illness. And, Stephen Seifert and Butch Ross closed the show Saturday night with a wild rendition of Old Joe Clark.
• Stephen Seifert's Mountain Dulcimer Folk Podcast - The Monday, March 5 show featured dulcimer player, author, teacher, and composer Lee Rowe. You can check out this show by clicking on the PODCAST tab at Stephen's website (stephenseifert.com) and selecting Show #009 03-05-07. You can also listen to the previous 8 shows by scrolling down and selecting them. You will need Macromedia FLASH PLAYER (a free download) to see the video/audio player button to play the show.

• April 28 - The club will play for the Music City Marathon and cheer and encourage the runners. Bring your own chair and meet at 2402 Belmont Blvd., the home of Lindsay and Mark Moffitt, no later that 7 a.m. Runners will be passing by as early as 7:00. This has been a tradition for the past several years and the runners will be looking for us. We have as much fun as they do and they even cheer for us and take our pictures!! Belmont Blvd. will be closed and you need to come to Belmont from the 12th Avenue South side or you will be on the opposite side of Belmont and you can't cross because of the runners. You can park on Beechwood or any of the side streets that go between 12th and Belmont and walk up to Belmont. You can also check the newspaper for street closings.

• March 31-Three Rivers Dulcimer Association, Waverly, TN, day of jamming, open stage, and song swapping, 8-4. Waverly Junior High School, 520 East Main St. Breakfast & Lunch Available, Open Stage, Lots of Jamming on Saturday, accommodations, campground nearby, dulcimers and all acoustical instruments welcome. E-Mail Denise Borens for more information.

• March 24 - Renaissance Center, Dickson, TN, Stephen Seifert workshop will be offered on Saturday, March 24, from 10 am - 4 pm. Learn intermediate fingerpicking technique with a number of classic hymns. Fingerpicking your dulcimer can make it sound like a harp. Discover some of the prettiest sounds this instrument can make. Class will break for lunch 12-1 p.m. Cost $55. Student limit 12. Register at the Renaissance Center, 855 Highway 46 South, Dickson, TN 37055. 615-740-5533. www.rcenter.org.
• March 31-Three Rivers Dulcimer Association, Waverly, TN, day of jamming, open stage, and song swapping, 8-4. Waverly Junior High School, 520 East Main St. Breakfast & Lunch Available, Open Stage, Lots of Jamming on Saturday, accommodations, campground nearby, dulcimers and all acoustical instruments welcome. E-Mail Denise Borens for more information.
• April 3 - Tune in to Live in Studio C with Will Griffin on Tuesday, April 3 at 11:00 on WPLN radio (90.3 FM) to hear the Nashville Dulcimer Quartet, Sarah Elisabeth and Butch Baldassari share their music and remember David Schnaufer.
• April 14 - Annual Appalachian Concert at the Blair School of Music, Ingram Hall. This year's concert will be a tribute concert celebrating the life and career of David Schnaufer.
• April 21 - Renaissance Center, Dickson, TN, Stephen Seifert workshop will be offered on Saturday, April 21, from 10 am - 4 pm. Flatpicking on the Mountain Dulcimer. While strumming is using the pick to hit two or three strings at the same time, flatpicking is using the pick to hit one string at a time. Whether you want to add filler picking to slow tunes, play bluegrass fiddle tunes at top speeds or emulate banjo rolls, Stephen will show you this technique from the ground up. Expect a number of old-time and bluegrass arrangements. Class will break for lunch 12-1 p.m. Cost $55. Student limit 12. Register at the Renaissance Center, 855 Highway 46 South, Dickson, TN 37055. 615-740-5533. www.rcenter.org.
• April 28 - Nashville Dulcimer Quartet in concert in the Rebecca Johnson Theater in historic Rugby, TN, 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Call 1-888-214-3400 for information and tickets.
• May 5 - Maureen Sellers, from New Albany, Indiana will be in Chattanooga for novice and intermediate mountain dulcimer workshops followed by a concert on Saturday, May 5, 2007 - Where: Trinity Lutheran Church, 5001 Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, TN - Cost: $15 for one workshop, or $25 for both (pay that day) Members of Dulcimers and Accompaniment will teach a FREE workshop for beginners from 10:00 until 12:00. We have dulcimers to lend for anyone who needs them. So that we can have enough workshop materials, please register for workshops by April 30. To register or for more information contact: Becky Shelton, (423) 396-3050, email beckyshelton@centurytel.net or Judy Gass (423) 236-5294, email apisonjudy@comcast.net
• May 19 - Lee Rowe will teach some of David Schnaufer's original music in a 5 hour workshop (noon until 5:00) at the Blair School of Music. Limit 20 participants. Cost $50. Pre-registration required. Contact Sandy Conatser at sandyc@usit.net for information or to register.
• June 1-2 - Yellowbanks Dulcimer Festival will be held "On the Banks of the Ohio" at English Park, 25 Hanning Lane, Owensboro, Kentucky 42301. The event consists of FREE concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings and also FREE workshops Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. Concert performers/workshop instructors are: Russell Cook, Stephen Seifert, Joe Collins and Sweet Song String Band. Instruction on various instruments (mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, bowed psaltery, clawhammer banjo, banjo, mandolin and tin whistle) from beginners to advanced, children to adults will be available. Basket making and clogging will be available. Handmade crafts, music vendors and food in a park setting add to the festival atmosphere (bring your lawn chair). We have limited R.V. space (self-contained reservation required). For overnight lodging call Sleep Inn 270-691-6200, a block of rooms are reserved for our guests, mention Yellowbanks. For more information contact Thelma Newman, Festival Coordinator at yellowbanks@bellsouth.net.
• June 24-29 - Kentucky Music Week, Bardstown, KY. Info: Nancy Barker, Box 86, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004. http://www.kentuckymusicweek.com/.
• July 28, 29 - Kentucky Music Weekend, Iroquois Park, Louisville KY. http://www.kentuckymusicweekend.com/.
• October 18-21 - Dulcimer Chautauqua on the Wabash, Hotel: 1-800-782-8605, ask for Sherrie. E-Mail Maureen Sellers at maureensel@aol.com.

I grew up in a musical family. Everyone played an instrument, or sang, or enjoyed music in some way. My mother had been a professional singer in her youth, and she and dad both sang in the church choir. She was a mezzo-soprano and he had one of the loveliest tenor voices I've ever heard. A fond childhood memory is my parents, brother, sister, and I around the piano singing. I learned to read music and play piano starting at age 5 and was accompanying the school chorus by junior high years. I began playing ukelele and guitar when I was 13 or 14, and have always been interested in American folk music. When I first saw the Lomax books, many of the songs they collected were ones my family had always sung!

I fell in love with the dulcimer in the late 1960s, but didn't buy my own until I was travelling in California in 1972. I couldn't believe my good fortune to meet someone selling his handmade dulcimers. I purchased the teardrop model purely for financial reasons---it was $35 and the hourglass model was $50. Luckily a songbook came with the dulcimer, and I was off and running!

I once dreamed of supporting myself with music, but that was not the path I was placed upon. I have worked for Metro Parks since 1977, first at Fort Nashborough and lately at Two Rivers Mansion. This career has allowed me to support muself and five children, and has been very satisfying and tons of fun. I've never thought a person should work at a job that is not fulfilling and enjoyable, and I have been truly blessed to have been led to the parks of Nashville. Once I dreamed of owning every type of instrument; I haven't achieved that by any means, but we have guitars, mandolins, piano, pump organ, accordion, hurdy-gurdy, brass instruments, flutes and recorders, many percussion instruments, and a huge collection of early 20th-century sheet music!

My next dream is a retirement home on the land in Eastern North Carolina that has been owned by my family since 1741. There I plan to spend the rest of my life enjoying music, working on all the handcrafts I love, teaching some classes in arts and crafts, and just enjoying my family and the land. Oh, and llamas. And alpaca.

When I first heard dulcimer music coming out of the shop at Opryland in the early 1970's I was smitten. I loved the sound. Years later my dear friend Betsy Babb, a beautiful dulcimer player, told me that I must buy a dulcimer the next time I went to the mountains. It had brought her such great joy. So in the summer of 2000, as we passed a dulcimer shop in Townsend, Tennessee, I declared to my husband that we must stop and buy me a dulcimer. And we did. When I returned home I called a friend to find out how I was going to learn to play this new thing. Mary Lawrence Breinig came over, retuned me to DAD, gave me my first lesson and helped me find Steve Seifert and David Schnaufer at the Blair School of Music.

As long as I can remember there was always a lot of music in my home. I played the clarinet and oboe for eight years in school and sang in school and church choirs. I doubt I could do either of those now, but I did learn to read music and that has been a great help in playing the dulcimer. I have been playing handbells in church for 20 years and David often told me it had helped my dulcimer playing.

I love all kinds of music; folk, Irish, jazz, Spanish guitar, classical. I have learned to play and love the mountain music that at first was so unfamiliar to me but I am mostly fond of finger picking sweet melodies.

I feel so fortunate to be in a place now where there are so many enthusiastic dulcimer players. I cherish my six years of lessons with David as he generously passed on his skill and passion to me. Though Betsy and David are gone, I hope to continue learning and playing and passing on my love of dulcimer music. A couple of years ago one of my Indiana cousins told me that my grandmother played the dulcimer--she died in 1927. Destiny.

In partnership with Metro Parks, The Grand Old Dulcimer Club sponsors Grand Old Dulcimer Day each year in May at Two Rivers Mansion. Don't miss our NINTH annual Grand Old Dulcimer Day on May 20!

The club and its members perform at festivals and civic events and often take their music into special needs facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities.

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