This will be the second chromatic dulcimer gathering for both mountain and hammered. (although we're having a hard time finding hammered dulcimer players who have and use linear chromatics or piano dulcimers) We have a GREAT location; Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Lebanon, TN, just outside of Nashville about 20 minutes or so. A group called Friends of the Park will take registrations, provide food for sale, and support us in other ways. There's a lodge, nice cabins, rustic cabins, RV hookups, and tent camping. We get full use of two nice, large buildings for classes, performances, and cooking/eating.

Before we make a decision about who to hire and how much to charge participants, we need to pick a date. The first gathering was this past October. It was cool to enjoy a fire in the cold weather, but I wonder if Spring of 2011 would be a better time for the next gathering. I wish we could do something sooner but the park is pretty much reserved until this time.

So, any ideas? Would you guys help me pick a weekend? Something that doesn't conflict too much with other events? If you want to join the discussion, please head over to http://everythingdulcimer.com/index.php?option=com_community&view=groups&task=viewgroup&groupid=8&Itemid=120. (You will need to be a member of Everything Dulcimer to post.)

I'll VERY SOON post the dates for the 2010 Chromatic Dulcimer Gathering. Please join the mailing list to receive updates.

Updates on the way including photos and video. A link to the handouts has been emailed to the participants. Visit the GALLERY for more pics. Thanks for a GREAT weekend! - Stephen

The 2009 Chromatic Gathering, this weekend, October 16-18, 2009, will only have classes for chromatic mountain dulcimer players. There will be no formal classes for hammered dulcimer. Out of the small number of folks in the world that play linear or piano chromatic hammered dulcimer, it looks like none are coming to this year's gathering. In light of all this, Dan Landrum will not be attending the event. He IS interested in next year's gathering.

Whatever your instrument or interest, I'm really looking forward to seeing you this coming weekend. The jamming, sharing, chatting, teaching, and learning will change us all for the better. Some really amazing things are bound to happen. See you at the park on Friday!

Stephen

If you're planning on coming this weekend, please send us the following information AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:

Full Name
Best Way to Contact You
Teacher Choice (Stephen - Chromatic Mountain Dulcimer OR Dan - Chromatic Hammered Dulcimer)
Exactly what instrument you'll be getting chromatic on. (We love details!)
When You'll Be Arriving

Just email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thanks,
Stephen

*Please let us know if you are or aren't coming? (Just shoot one of us an email. THANKS!)

We're getting closer. If you're coming to this or have questions, please contact me, Stephen Seifert, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To register and/or pay ahead of time, please contact the Friends of Cedars of Lebanon. You can also pay the day you arrive but it helps us a great deal if you can let us know ahead of time. If you're bringing someone that won't be attending classes, the non-participant fee is $15. 

This event is the first of it's kind. If you want to come, we want to see you here and will help in any way we can. 

Stephen Seifert

(Please register by contacting the Friends of Cedars of Lebanon.)

For folks who want to learn more about playing the chromatic mountain dulcimer, the linear chromatic hammered dulcimer, the piano dulcimer, or any zither that's got "all the notes." The dates are October 16, 17, and 18 of 2009. The event will be held at Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Lebanon, TN, just East of Nashville on I-40. While there's plenty of nice hotels and RV parks in the area, we're hoping you'll make reservations to stay at the park. There's a number of very nice cabins. Camping is available on a first come first served basis. There's plenty of room for classes, jams, vendors, and concerts. (The park manager builds chromatic mountain dulcimers and is very excited about this.)

Whether you're a player, a teacher, a vendor, or just along for the ride, everyone is welcome. The participation fee is $75 for the whole weekend and includes all workshops, jamming, and the Saturday night concert. The park is handling cabin reservations and the Friends of Cedars of Lebanon will handle participant registrations.

All levels of players are welcome. Considering there has never been a chromatic dulcimer event like this before, it's hard to decide who's a beginner verses who's advanced. One student might have advanced technical skills on the dulcimer but perhaps little to no understanding of chromatic music theory. Another student might have a music degree but very little experience with the dulcimer. If you're wondering about the content and degree of challenge in each workshop, think intermediate to advanced. If you want to learn more about chromatics at a dulcimer event, this is your best chance so far. (Have questions or concerns? Shoot us an email at either This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)

As far as what the workshops will cover, expect a good dose of music theory and how it is applied on the instruments. While we will work through some chromatic arrangements, the greatest emphasis will be on giving you a plan and specific methods for doing whatever it is you want to do with these instruments. On these chromatics, Dan and Steve have played everything from hymns and fiddle tunes to Classical and Irish to Blues and Jazz. This isn't just about learning tunes, it's about becoming a better musician.

Here's the schedule:

Friday, October 16, 2009

2:00 to 5:00 PM - Event Check-In
5:00 to 7:00 - Dinner Off-Site
7:00 to 8:00 - Welcome Assembly and Demonstrations
8:00 to 9:30 - Participant Introductions and Show-and-Tell (Let's meet each other and share our knowledge and instruments.)
9:30 to Midnight - Jamming

Saturday

9:00 to 10:15 AM - Music Theory Crash Course/Refresher - ALL INSTRUMENTS - Dan Landrum and Stephen Seifert Instructing
10:30 to 12:00 - Dan (hammered) and Stephen (mountain) will be teaching in separate rooms.
12:00 to  1:30 - On-Site Lunch
1:30 to 3:00 - Dan (hammered) and Stephen (mountain) will be teaching in separate rooms.
3:30 to 5:00 - Dan (hammered) and Stephen (mountain) will be teaching in separate rooms.
5:00 to 6:30 - Dinner Off-Site
6:30 to 8:00 - Open-Mic (One to two tunes per act, time permitting.)
8:00 to 8:15 Break
8:15 to 9:30 - Main Concert with Dan Landrum, Stephen Seifert, and guests.
9:30 to Midnight - Jamming

Sunday

9:00 to 10:00 AM - Send-Off (Bring your instruments.)

Expect and email and an update in the next seven days. 

Stephen Seifert

Would you like to learn more about playing the chromatic mountain dulcimer, the linear chromatic hammered dulcimer, the piano dulcimer, or any zither that's got "all the notes?"  Maybe you've got something to share with the rest of us? It's time to get our heads together. Announcing the first ever all chromatic dulcimer gathering! (Any 1-3-5ers out there? Let us know.)  

The dates are October 16, 17, and 18 of 2009. The event will be held at Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Lebanon, TN, just East of Nashville on I-40. While there's plenty of nice hotels and RV parks in the area, we're hoping you'll make reservations to stay at the park. There's a number of very nice cabins. Camping is available on a first come first served basis. There's plenty of room for classes, jams, vendors, and concerts. (The park manager builds chromatic mountain dulcimers and is very excited about this.)

There's no schedule breakdown just yet, and besides Stephen Seifert and Dan Landrum, we don't know who will be there. So, calling all interested parties, please contact at least one of us and tell us you MIGHT be interested. Even if you know you can't make it, we'd still like to know you're out there. It's also important to join the mailing list so we can let you know what's happening.

Whether you're a player, a teacher, a vendor, or just along for the ride, everyone is welcome. We haven't settled on a participation fee, but we're working on it. (The park office will soon handle cabin reservations and the Friends of Cedars of Lebanon will handle the class reservations.) We'll know more details about everything after surveying who might come and what their interests are.

We're putting together a list of links for all things chromatic dulcimer, including mountain and hammered. Send us what you have and we'll post it so others can check it out. (builders, performers, instructional materials, online video/audio/photos, etc.) You must be a member of the mailing list and logged in to use the SUBMIT LINKS in the menu.

Be a part of history! A lot of what happens at this event depends on your interests and ideas. Don't be a stranger!

Ready to Roll,

Stephen Seifert