Introducing Expedition Dulcimer: Stone Mountain Manor! March 28th to 31st, 2024

Experience the magic of Expedition Dulcimer: Stone Mountain Manor - Stone Mountain, Georgia - March 28th to 31st, 2024

Are you an intermediate dulcimer player looking to take your skills to new heights? Join Expedition Dulcimer, an extraordinary music education workshop series led by Bing Futch. Explore enchanting venues across the United States.  Engage in tailor-made masterclasses to refine your abilities through technical exercises, repertoire-building, and improvisation techniques. Delight in on-site accommodations and delectable meals prepared by Jae Futch, leaving ample free time to unwind in picturesque surroundings. Embrace the unique themes of each location, integrating local culture, natural beauty, and historical significance. This captivating experience begins with Expedition Dulcimer: Stone Mountain Manor!

Discover Stone Mountain, Georgia

Nestled in DeKalb County, Georgia, in the southern region of the Appalachian mountains, Stone Mountain is a charming city with a population of 6,703. Named after the geological formation it lies near, Stone Mountain has a rich history dating back to Native American tribes. It once thrived as a major travel center and later became famous for its granite quarrying industry, providing stones for iconic structures. Today, the city offers a blend of arts, culture, and leisure activities, with its historic downtown frequently used as a filming location for movies and TV shows. Stone Mountain is a place where heritage meets modern charm, making it an ideal location for Expedition Dulcimer.

Our home for four days is Stone Mountain Manor, an eight-room boutique bed and breakfast that promises to recharge and indulge. The Manor offers a large open floor plan, allowing guests to relax in the dining room, sun porch, and sitting area upstairs. Enjoy the stunning sunset on the grand front porch or sip wine in the outdoor gazebo.  The pool is a fine reflective meditation space, and there are plenty of hideaways for the purpose of relaxation.

Wednesday Evening - Arrival/Check-In/Welcome

Thursday, March 28th - Day 1:

7:30 am - Kitchen Demo - Breakfast Prep

8:00 am - Breakfast 

8:30 am - Exercises: Building the Musical Toolkit (MD 2 hrs)

10:30 am - Reflection (breakouts)

12:00 pm - Kitchen Demo - Lunch Prep

12:30 pm - Lunch

1:30 pm - Exploration (free time)

3:00 pm - Chord Progressions for Improvisation (MD 1 hr)

4:30 pm - Repertoire - Quickly Learn a Fiddle Tune (MD 1 hr)

  

6:00 pm - Kitchen Demo - Dinner Prep

6:30 pm - Dinner

8:00 pm - Jam

Friday, March 29th - Day 2:

7:30 am - Kitchen Demo - Breakfast Prep

8:00 am - Breakfast 

8:30 am - Repertoire: Modern Music on Mountain Dulcimer (MD 2 hrs)

10:30 am - Reflection (breakouts)

12:00 pm - Kitchen Demo - Lunch Prep

12:30 pm - Lunch

1:30 pm - Exploration (free time)

3:00 pm - Melodic Improv (MD 1 hr)

4:30 pm - Exercises - Focus on the Right Hand  (MD 1 hr)

  

6:00 pm - Kitchen Demo - Dinner Prep

6:30 pm - Dinner

8:00 pm - Open Stage

Saturday, March 30th - Day 3:

7:30 am - Kitchen Demo - Breakfast Prep

8:00 am - Breakfast 

8:30 am - Improvisation: The Secret to Flying By the Seat of Your Pants (MD 2 hrs)

10:30 am - Reflection (breakouts)

12:00 pm - Kitchen Demo - Lunch Prep

12:30 pm - Lunch

1:30 pm - Exploration (free time)

3:00 pm - Discovery Jam (MD and other instruments 1 hr)

4:30 pm - Repertoire - Working With Lead Sheets to Create Arrangements  (MD 1 hr)

  

6:00 pm - Kitchen Demo - Dinner Prep

6:30 pm - Dinner

8:00 pm - Concert

Sunday, March 31st - Day 4:

7:30 am - Kitchen Demo - Breakfast Prep

8:00 am - Breakfast 

8:30 am - The Art of Practice: Getting the Most Out of Your Time (MD 2 hrs)

10:30 am - Reflection (breakouts)

12:00 pm - Kitchen Demo - Lunch Prep

12:30 pm - Lunch

1:00 pm - Sunday Afternoon, Coming Down: Musical Reflections Q & A

There will be some planned activities during the wind-down on Sunday, including an easter Supper

Pricing and Booking Information

Registration pricing is all-inclusive (you pay only travel.)  All lodging, meals, and workshops are included in the price.  Bing will coordinate with guests on dietary needs and restrictions.

• Per Person: $1399 (with a $699 deposit)

With spouse (sharing a room): Add $400

• Share a room with a participant: $999 (with a $499 deposit)

Deposits are non-refundable but can be rolled over to future events.  Balance is due by February 14th, 2024. 

Expedition Dulcimer: Stone Mountain Manor promises to be an invigorating, relaxing, and uniquely educational experience.  Not only will you elevate your dulcimer skills, but you'll also immerse yourself in the charm and history of Stone Mountain.

This journey will refresh your spirit, energize your mind, and empower your musicality. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the premiere event for this series of workshop retreats created especially for this community of music lovers.  Create cherished memories, set new personal goals, and embrace the joy of playing the dulcimer in beautiful locales. Secure your place now, as space is limited to 15 registrants, and join us for this captivating and unforgettable musical adventure!

4/2/24 UPDATE: See how it went here!