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Learn to Play the Appalachian Dulcimer

Program Number: 5123RJ
Start and End Dates:
9/8/2013 - 9/13/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Ripley, West Virginia
Price starting at: $487.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Music Participation; Crafts
Meals: 15; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Vegetarian    

A truly American musical instrument, the Appalachian dulcimer is often the core sound at the center of folk and old-time harmony — and there’s no better place to explore this musical tradition than in the heart of West Virginia! Bring your own dulcimer for an expert-led immersion into the techniques, chords and rhythms that bring the “mountain” dulcimer to life. Even novice musicians will learn to play old favorites and classic American folk songs.




Highlights

• Learn to play dozens of familiar songs — and their alternate tunings — with the help of professional and experienced dulcimer musicians.
• Consider the history of the Appalachian dulcimer and how this simple instrument became a cornerstone in American folk music.
• Enjoy the scenic beauty of West Virginia as you learn about local life and the importance of music in the region.



Activity Particulars

Minimal walking to classrooms; a few stairs.



Coordinated by Cedar Lakes Crafts Center.




Ripley

Nestled in the Appalachian foothills of the Ohio River Valley in the western part of the state, the county seat of Ripley features a historic downtown and theater and easy access to nearby areas of natural beauty, abundant wildlife and hiking trails.
Accommodations
Conference center in tranquil, natural surroundings. Air-conditioning; nonsmoking. Home-style cooking in dining hall.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Heidi Muller
Heidi Muller is an award-winning singer-songwriter, mountain dulcimer player and guitarist. She has taught dulcimer lessons and workshops for over 20 years, and has performed and taught at folk music festivals from coast to coast. Described by Dulcimer Players' News as "one of the dulcimer community's best songwriters and performers", she has recorded six CDs including "Seeing Things" with multi-instrumentalist Bob Webb, and has written several dulcimer songbooks.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Cedar Lakes Conference Center
  Ripley, WV 5 nights
 Cedar Lakes Conference Center
Type: Conference Center
  Contact info: 82 FFA Drive
Ripley, WV 25271 USA
phone: 304-372-7860
web: www.cedarlakes.com
  Facility amenities: There is an outdoor swimming pool on premises.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $65 a night for private room. We have lodging before and after program when available. Must have reservation in advance.
  Check in time: 2:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $65 a night for private room. We have lodging before and after program when available. Must have reservation in advance.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
5:00 PM Dinner in Dining Hall & Orientation 7:00 PM. You will be staying at Cedar Lakes Conference Center that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after lunch at 12:30. You will be staying at Cedar Lakes Conference Center the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Parking is free for the length of the program.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Ripley, WV
  Nearest city or town:  Ripley, WV
  Nearest highway: I-77
  Nearest airport:  Yeager Airport in Charleston, WV
  From End of Program
  Location: Ripley, WV
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Ripley, WV

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
Cedar Lakes Conference Center
phone: 304-372-7860
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$40
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

40 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

40 miles
   

Need to call in advance to request airport pickup from Yeager Airport in Charleston, WV.
 
Driving Directions
  If you are traveling from the east. Cedar Lakes Crafts Center is located about 3 miles off I-77 near Ripley, WV, south of Parkersburg, WV and north of Charleston, WV. If you are traveling from the east, consider I-68 and Route 40 through Cumberland, MD to Morgantown, WV, south on I-79 to Clarksburg, west on Route 50 to Parkersburg, and south on I-77 to Ripley. Many of the by-ways off the interstate are quite scenic, but they can tend to slow your progress (especially Route 33 East, despite AAA recommendations).
  If you are traveling from the west. Cedar Lakes Crafts Center is located about 3 miles off I-77 near Ripley, WV, south of Parkersburg, WV and north of Charleston, WV. If traveling from the west, drive through Columbus, OH on I-70 and south on I-77 to Ripley. From Louisville, KY, travel on I-64 to Charleston and north on I-77 to Ripley. Many of the by-ways off of the interstate are quite scenic, but they can tend to slow your progress (especially Route 33, East, despite AAA recommendations).
Equipment Requirements: Students need to bring their dulcimer. If you have access to a portable tape recorder and a tuner, be sure to bring those.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Registration/Arrival/Orientation
(Sunday, September 8)
   
 Afternoon: Arrive for program registration.
 Dinner: Dinner is served 5:00-6:00 p.m.
 Evening: Program orientation will take place at 7:00 p.m.
   
Accommodations: Cedar Lakes Conference Center
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Class/Entertainment
(Monday, September 9)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is served in Lakeview dining hall from 7:30-8:15 a.m.
 Morning: Class starts at 8:45 a.m.
 Lunch: Lunch is served at Lakeview dining hall from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
 Afternoon: Class starts at 1:15 p.m and ends at 4:30 p.m.
 Dinner: Dinner is served in Lakeview dining hall from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
 Evening: Evening program begins at 7:00 p.m.
   
Accommodations: Cedar Lakes Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Class/Open Studio
(Tuesday, September 10)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast is served in Lakeview dining hall from 7:30-8:15 a.m.
 Morning: Class starts at 8:45 a.m.
 Lunch: Lunch is served in Lakeview dining hall from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
 Afternoon: Class starts at 1:15 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m.
 Dinner: Dinner is served in Lakeview dining hall from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
 Evening: Open studio begins at 6:30 p.m.
   
Accommodations: Cedar Lakes Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Class/Entertainment
(Wednesday, September 11)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in Lakeview dining hall from 7:15-8:30 a.m.
 Morning: Class starts at 8:45 a.m.
 Lunch: Lunch will be served in Lakeview dining hall from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
 Afternoon: Class starts at 1:15 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m.
 Dinner: Dinner will be served in Lakeview dining hall from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
 Evening: Evening program begins at 7:00 p.m.
   
Accommodations: Cedar Lakes Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Class/Review of All Projects
(Thursday, September 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in Lakeview dining hall from 7:15-8:30 a.m.
 Morning: Class starts at 8:45 a.m.
 Lunch: Lunch will be served in Lakeview dining hall from 12:00-1:00 p.m.
 Afternoon: Class starts at 1:15 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m.
 Dinner: Dinner will be served in Lakeview dining hall from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Banquet
 Evening: At 6:30 p.m. we will do a walk through the class rooms to see what participants accommplished during the week.
   
Accommodations: Cedar Lakes Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Final Class/Departures
(Friday, September 13)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in Lakeview dining hall from 7:15-8:30 a.m.
 Morning: Class starts at 8:45 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m.
 Lunch: Lunch will be served in Lakeview dining hall from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The program ends after lunch.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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