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Get Rhythm At The Red Hill Music Festival

This year's Red Hill Music Festival promises to be a good one.

Jerry Pacholsky  /  September 29, 2011  /  Views: 113  /   No Comments

Once again, the acoustic music world will focus on Sumner on Saturday, October 8, when the sixth annual Red Hill Music Festival takes place. Students from as far as Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee have already sent their registrations to attend the one-day festival, which is garnering a national reputation, not only for its hometown hospitality, but the quality of its instructors.

The free concert, which begins at 3:45 p.m., will feature the instructors. All classes and the concert will be held at Sumner United Methodist Church, 400 S. Christy in Sumner.

"A woman from Ohio, who trained as a classical violinist and plays in a bluegrass band, told me she was just so impressed with the quality of the festival," said Jeanne Borden, member of the Red Hill Dulcimer Society, which sponsors the event.

Classes begin at 9 a.m. (Central), and students of instruments as diverse as the hammered dulcimer, guitar, fiddle, Irish whistle, ukulele, mandolin and mountain dulcimer will have a chance to study with nationally-known instructors like Tull Glazener, Rick Thum, Molly McCormack, Danny Shepherd and Jon Hall, who teach at acoustic music festivals, or "gatherings," all over the U.S., from Key West, Florida to Denver, Colorado.

But, local talent from the area also is represented. Doug Hawf, owner of Doug's Music Shop in Mt Carmel, has taught at all six festivals. This year, he will teach mandolin, fiddle and jamming theory. His versatility would make him an asset to any festival.

Classes will be offered to students of all levels. People who are curious about learning, or who just want to listen to an instrument before committing to lessons, are urged to sit-in on a class. More experienced players will have the opportunity to pick-up advanced techniques from master musicians. Registration for the day's classes is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Youth are free.

Lunch will be provided by the United Methodist Youth in exchange for a free-will donation.

A special highlight of this year's festival will be the "folk percussion" class offered by Danny Shepherd. A native of Hopkinsville, KY, Danny retired after a career in the Army. He attained the rank of first sergeant and performed as a percussionist, soloist, instructor and bandleader with the Army band. He returned to Kentucky where he teaches music to elementary school students. He is the author of "Mountain Dulcimer for Children (And the Young at Heart)," a manual which uses the techniques he has developed to teach music theory.

The folk percussion class will offer those who want to "get rhythm" a chance to learn to tap-out the music in their soul, using spoons, bones, washboards, sound boxes, bohdrans and any number of homemade or household objects. This is one of the first festivals to offer a percussion class.

"Our instructors are nationally known. Danny Shepherd is one of the best. It's a treat for him to offer this new class at our festival," added another Society member, Brenda Dickerson. "Teaching children and beginners that they can make music is one of the goals of our club. We put on the festival each year to thank the people and the communities who have supported us."

The public is invited to the free concert, held in the sanctuary of the United Methodist Church beginning at 3:45 p.m. (Central). Past attendees have been amazed at the variety and versatility of the music.

"Our teachers are the best" said Bill Minton, guitar player. "I've been to almost every state in the U.S. and some foreign countries. You won't find better instructors or entertainers. At the least, people should come to the concert. Just because its free, doesn't mean you won't get top-notch entertainment."

For more information, visit www.rhdulcimers.com. The festival is listed at http://everythingdulcimer.com and on community billboards, or phone Jerry at 618-943-5610.

The Red Hill Dulcimer Society was founded in 2005 and is a non-profit organization. They have performed at schools, church services, historical societies, libraries, nursing homes, civic events, and music festivals all over the tri-state area. Bookings are available by calling 618-943-5610. Membership is open to acoustic musicians.

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