JULIA DE ROOY - APPALACHIAN DULCIMERS
Article written for CACE by Patti Drake
The dulcimer, in various form and shapes, dates to the Middle Ages in Europe. However, the Appalachian Dulcimer, also known as the "mountain," "lap" or "fretted" dulcimer is very much an original creation of the craftsmen and musicians of the Appalachian mountains.
Listening to Julia de Rooy play "Cumberland Gap", the simple but stirring melody evokes memories of other days; of rough hewn cabins, stone fireplaces and a people as strong as the mountains they call home.
A decade ago, Julia de Rooy and Mary Pollard founded the Cumberland Dulcimer Club and were joined by many others who were already conversant with the instrument or wished to be. Unlike many other stringed instruments, the dulcimer has a very simple keyboard, is easily learned, but requires dedication to truly master. A beginner can produce a pleasant and recognizable melody in a short time without the nerve-jarring squall of, for instance, a beginning violin.
The dulcimer itself is as graceful and beautiful as the music it produces. The finest are created from precious woods such as Koa and ebony, crafted with the same sensitivity and attention to tradition as an Amati violin. A nearby crafter is Bill Lawson of White County, Tennessee.
There are several dulcimer groups in Cumberland County, not in competition with each other, but each with different gathering times and purposes. The Cumberland Dulcimer Club meets the third Sunday of each month at the First Methodist Church in Crossville. Divided into skill levels for the first hour, then for a group session the second hour, this group’s goal is education and instruction. A contact for the Cumberland Dulcimer Club is Julia de Rooy, 931-788-5003.
The Dulci-Mores are a performance group which has added acoustic instruments. Meeting every Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Fairfield Glade Methodist Church, the contact is Judy Salo, 931-707-9232. A second, smaller performance group is Mountain Laurel, with the purpose of promoting traditional Appalachian music.
The Pleasant Hill Noters meet each Wednesday morning in the Heritage Hall of Uplands Village in Pleasant Hill. Coordinator, Mardelle Bourdon, 931-277-3980, welcomes new persons to its group. Several years ago, the Noters purchased 35 student dulcimers and met with students regularly at the Pleasant Hill Elementary School for classes and performances.
