Hutchinson Mountain Dulcimer Players

The Hutchinson Mountain Dulcimer Players are an off-shoot of Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance (similar to the Gospel Sing-A-Long group led by Jim & Toni Warren). As this group grows and becomes more active, and GPDA's membership extends to the south-central Kansas region, we are working to develop better methods of communication to keep everyone "in the loop". Nancy has re-iterated that everyone is welcome to attend Hutchinson Mountain Dulcimer Players practices/jams at any time. If you would like to join them for a playdate, please try to attend at least one or two rehearsals and be sure you know their current playlist. They learn different music every season, and their playlists reflect that. For more information about the Hutchinson Mountain Dulcimer Players, contact Nancy Maes-Simonetti at alicia_jb@yahoo.com or 620-727-2123 (text or call).

May has been a pretty busy month with many playdates. We just finished playing Waltzes for the Grandmother - Granddaughter Tea; over 105 people were all dressed up. It was so fun! We also played a two-hour set at the Annual Art Fair. Lots of music. We did a specialized playlist for each of our five May playdates.

On May 16th we played for a group of Japanese Ambassadors at the Salt Mines. We were sure to include "Home on the Range" and "You Are My Sunshine" - two songs they could sing in English. Then we played for the Seniors at Mennonite Manor that same night.

In June we are going to all tune to DGD to learn tunes in the key of G - one of our Summer Goals. Plus we are having an Irish Party at Karen's in McPherson to learn new Irish tunes (a goal for 2020 is a performance of all Irish/ Scottish/Celtic tunes). There is a rumor that there might be fudge involved again at Karen's house just saying.

July will be our preparation practices for playing our annual church playdate. There will be new songs to learn. Plus a church South of McPherson wants us to consider helping them get started with Mt. Dulcimer Music after harvest.

In August we'll play at the annual church playdate at Trinity UMC in Hutchinson. And of course, we'll play August 31st for the annual "Play on Your Front Porch Day," our international event. We have a couple front porches agreeing to sponsor us already. We look for shade from the sun in the morning, an important survival thing in August in Kansas.

Last, we are discussing having a Slow Jam at the Hutchinson State Fair due to many people who don't make it to Winfield and it is much more affordable to go one day to the State Fair. We hope to meet with the Board soon. We will keep you posted.

This is our schedule thru the first part of September. Of course, we are including the awesome Warm Up Picnic in September. Just hoping we don't have to swim there!!!!

-Nancy Maes-Simonetti

Hutchinson Mountain Dulcimer Players Regular Meetings:

Thursdays 1:00-4:00 pm Meet at Hutch Library for practices (Conference Room 2)

1st & 3rd Tuesdays 2:30 pm Delos Senior Center for Beginners Class

1st & 3rd Tuesdays 5:30 pm Elmdale School practice/jam

2nd & 4th Tuesdays 12:30-2:30 pm Delos Senior Center for Intermediate Class

2:30-4:30 pm Delos Advanced Beginners Class

5th Tuesdays 5:30 pm Elmdale School - anything can happen!

Last Sunday 1:00-4:00 pm Elmdale School - Old Time Fiddlers & Pickers welcomes dulcimers

(run by Dale Conklin)

Students can join any class - call Nancy if you want help knowing which class to attend. Elmdale's jams are open to all levels

.