About

Dulcimer:
"Dulcis-Melos"
Latin + Greek meaning "Sweet Sound"

Two dissimilar instruments share the name "dulcimer."

The Hammered Dulcimer

dates back several thousands of years to the Middle East. A forerunner to the piano, it once enjoyed popularity in the U.S. as a parlor instrument and was prominent in Henry Ford's Orchestra. Though at one time at risk of becoming a dying art, the instrument again found favor in many acoustic music circles. Trapezoid in shape, it has a wooden soundboard upon which numerous strings are stretched. The player strikes the strings with lightweight wooden mallets, or hammers.

Mountain Dulcimers
(Also called Fretted or Appalachian Dulcimers)

are notably characterized as one of the few American-born instruments, developed by early Appalachian settlers. Usually hourglass or teardrop shaped, they have three or four strings that are strummed or plucked, producing a distinctive sweet, mellow tone.

Sherri Farley

Sherri Farley began playing the hammered dulcimer in 1991, performing since at numerous festivals and concert venues including Chicago’s Museum Campus opening, historic Sandwich Opera House, Chicago Botanical Gardens, and WTTW Channel 11. She has recorded and guest-recorded on several CD’s, and passed the artform along to hundreds through workshops and lessons.

Fun with Old Photos

Sandwich Opera House Joy (Sittig) Ortiz, Dan Hoehn, Sherri Farley, Skip Sittig at the Sandwich Opera House (2001)	The Trio Skip Sittig, Sherri Farley, Joy (Sittig) Ortiz	Sandwich Fair With Skip Sittig at the Sandwich Fair 2010	New Salem Bluegrass Festival Dan Hoehn, Joy (Sittig) Ortiz, Sherri Farley on stage at the New Salem IL Bluegrass Festival
Harding Bluegrass Jam Always a fun time at the Harding Bluegrass Jams (2007)	Jim Johnson Joining us at the Sandwich Fair 2007	Chris Never too young to start!	WTTW Center Stage What fun to be featured on WTTW Chicago's Center Stage! Wtih Jim Johnson, Joy (Sittig) Ortiz, Sherri Farley, Skip Sittig.
Dana Student Dana Drew at the Kendall Co. Fair talent contest in 2008	CD Release Party Jam Jamming with friends in 2007	CD Release Party Celebrating our second CD, "This Place in Time."	Duet with Joy At the 2007 Reddick Library Christmas Program