Ellington

Two of the nation’s most renowned dulcimer players have set up shop in the Mountain Arts Community Center, and will be sharing their talents through workshops and a performance at the MACC Saturday, April 7.

Hammered dulcimer player Dan Landrum and mountain dulcimer player Stephen Seifert will conduct a full day of classes on their respective instruments followed by an evening concert in the MACC theater at 7 p.m.

“It is going to be incredibly awesome to be able to take advantage of two world-renowned dulcimer players right here on Signal Mountain,” said MACC Executive Director Barb Storm. “They are both such fine performers and the level of energy is so high, they’ll engage the audience for the entire concert.”

Cost to attend the performance is $10 for individuals, and a discounted price price of $25 for a family of three.

“We headline dulcimer festivals all the time and it’s nice to be able to play in our hometown,” said Landrum, who publishes the national Dulcimer Players News and met Seifert on the festival circuit.

Storm said Landrum’s technique on the hammered dulcimer is very unique.

“It’s not your traditional hammered dulcimer music, which tends to be bluegrass; it’s much more of a pop and contemporary music style,” she said. “As far as I know, Dan is the only one who’s done that and he’s developed the style.”

Seifert recently relocated to Signal Mountain, where Landrum has lived since 2001. The pair began renting space in January at the MACC, where they hold private lessons as well as produce their online dulcimer school for students all over the world.

They plan to hold regular workshops at MACC, and those on April 7 are designed for the experienced beginner to intermediate hammered or mountain dulcimer player, but all players are welcome, said Landrum.

The morning session will be from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by a lunch break from noon to 1:30 p.m. Participants can bring their own lunch or visit a local restaurant before returning for the evening session from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Landrum will be teaching budding hammered dulcimer players melodies such as “Ode to Joy” and “Irish Washerwoman.” He said participants will learn these familiar tunes as well as how to create interesting variations.

On the mountain dulcimer, Seifert will be focusing on techniques applicable to a variety of skill levels, such as how to play backup and read hands in the way some musicians read sheet music. Participants will learn some of Seifert’s most popular arrangements and how to generate their own harmony parts.

The cost of the workshop is $45 for the day, and students should bring their own instrument. Last-minute walk-ins are welcome, but advance notice by email is appreciated.