Marcy Prochaska: Hammered Dulcimer

New Dulcimer Preview

This is the dulcimer Jerry Read Smith is building for me! The rosettes, corner scrolls, and bridges are just lying on top to show what the finished instrument will look like.

When I decided I wanted something larger, more chromatic, and more rich in tone than my first dulcimer, Jerry Read Smith and Dusty Strings were my top choices. My teacher Tim played a Dusty Strings D-600, and Williamsburg Gathering co-organizer Anne Robinson played one of Jerry’s, so the three of us got together to let me compare them side-by-side. I’d also been asking Jerry lots of questions by email, which he patiently answered. It was a tough choice, but though the D-600 is boomier in the bass range and has dampers available, Jerry’s is prettier, has a greater range, uses closer string spacing, and offers twin extra bass bridges allowing the player to reach those notes with either hand.

At the end of November, I drove down to the Song of the Wood workshop to place my order. As we chatted downstairs about what I was looking for, Jerry realized he might have just the thing upstairs: a finished body, ready for soundhole rosettes, corner scrolls, bridges, pins, and stringing. How wonderful — that would cut the waiting time in half! Of course I said I’d take it. Meanwhile, I asked him to make custom rosettes for me, using his standard outer ring and my own design inside (see the Rosette page for more details). For those interested in woods, the body has a mahogany top and bottom, maple pin blocks, and walnut rails. The corner scrolls are laminated bubinga and purpleheart. The rosettes are bubinga on the inside, ebony on the outside, and paduak in between. The bridges are ebony with maple and purpleheart markers.

The WoodSong duo performs for a holiday reception

Tom Abernethy and I had the opportunity to play for a hospital’s holiday staff reception at the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, December 1. Tom brought his harp, guitar, and dulcimer, and I had my dulcimer and my newest instrument, a recorder. “Silent Night” on recorder and guitar is lovely, especially with the intriguing chords Tom does.

WoodSong Weddings

The WoodSong Trio formed in September to do ceremony music for a wedding at West End Presbyterian Church. The trio included Carolyn Huff on the flute and Tom Abernethy on classical guitar, Celtic harp, and dulcimer.

Just a few weeks later, the WoodSong Trio performed for Trey Wickham’s wedding, this time at Salisbury Presbyterian Church. Trey’s bride Jen, Carolyn, and I were part of Trey’s worship team at WEPC, so it was great fun to help out with their wedding music. The trio provided music for the prelude, seating of mothers, attendants’ processional, and postlude. An organist played the bride’s processional and the recessional, and Tim Toy led the hymns with the help of Kim Forquer, Kate, Carolyn, and I. After attending the rehearsal at the church, the trio reconvened at my home for dinner and more practice.

Fall Retreat

Each year the middle school youth group I volunteer with goes on a fall retreat for a weekend. Saturday afternoon found me sitting on the steps of the meeting hall, playing guitar and making up songs about the kids with me. What a fun way to do music!

Anniversary Concert

To celebrate the first anniversary of the day I got a dulcimer, I presented a solo concert; once at the home of a friend, and again at the church. It was a wonderful way to celebrate this incredible year. Carolyn even brought flowers!

(See the Profile and Recordings pages to read more about this first year and how the concert developed into my debut CD, No Loose Threads.)

Summer Coffeehouse

West End Presbyterian Church held another coffeehouse in early August. These events include a wide variety of musical and poetic performances, each act doing just a handful of pieces.

My set was somewhere in the middle of the evening’s performances. I played some of my own pieces, a few Baroque things, and a few tunes written by friends.

WoodSong Trio member Carolyn Huff and one of her flute students played two classical duets, and Kevin Greene, assistant to the pastor, played some fingerstyle guitar pieces he’s been working on.

The Upper Potomac Dulcimer Fest

The festival was held at the historic Hilltop Hotel in Harpers Ferry, WV. The weekend’s activities included dulcimer classes, jam sessions, and a concert. During meals there was also an open mic for teachers and students; I played during two lunches.

I took the advanced beginner class with Rick Thum. He taught droning, chord spelling and patterns, and some techniques for arranging. We also learned a couple of tunes, including “Uncle Joe” and “June Apple.”

While I was in class or jamming, Mark was walking around in Antietam or on the Appalachian Trail.

WEPC Christmas Coffeehouse

I was one of several performers at West End Presbyterian Church’s Christmas Coffeehouse in December.

First, I accompanied Cary Haskins singing “Silent Night.” She began with an a cappella verse in Latin, then switched to English while I added dulcimer chording.

Then I played “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” with violinist Marcus Pendleton.

My final piece was “Cold Frosty Morn” with guitarist Jon Toppen and bassist Karl Kuder.

New Year’s Eve

Our friends have a small party every New Year’s Eve. They invited me to play a few pieces for everyone.