Dwight Diller Itinerary and Class Dates

2010 Itinerary

Quickly here is possible itinerary for 2010

Most all classes will be centered on learning good rhythm. As I said, I have been teaching for 40 yrs now and almost never ever ever have a student who has rhythm that works. Often lots of tunes and right hand technique is not good at all. So rhythm will be main emphasis; no proper rhythm, no music - period. Can know a thousand tunes, but without proper rhythm, they mean nothing.

Most weeks students arrive late afternoon Sunday and get settled in. Class runs full day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday morning. Thursday afternoon students take a short tour throughout county. Evenings there is generally nothing planned, but some conversations will be carried on. Might be about the music, the context, some historym etc etc

Friday morn the students depart. For some of these weeks there will be a state music gathering which is free to the public . One on WV capitol complex sponsored by the state; another is the WV State Folk Festival at Glenville, WV. Either or both are important to attend

I might have a small 4 day class beginning april 11 or 18 and running until follwing Friday. I will just see if any folks are coming here in these mountains when spring has sprung. Mountain flowers, new leaves on the trees, the mounain leeks ["ramps] are in season. Days cool and nights often cold.

All classes have single room, meals, and instruction. All 4 day classes total cost is $495. Again, I do not want more than 4 students here for instruction.
May 23 Sunday late afternoon until first thing Friday morning May 28th it will be more work on rhythm technique to try to grasp what is needed fo really learning for the long haul. Trying to avoid "damn-dable short cuts." Three are no short cuts, just hard work for a period of time.

Vandalia gathering at the state capital begins Friday afternoon. It will run until Sunday evening. Lots of music, dancing, food, crafts, etc. etc.
June 13 Sunday afternoon until Friday morning june 18th. This week will run basically the same as the previous one. As I said, I have found over all these years, if I use the word "intermediate" foliks will state they are intermediate but when they show up, especially the new students for my classes, they do not have good rhythm. And often will be really angry if I point out they need help on rhythm technique. So is far better to just say beginner to advanced beginner.. Then if someone happens to be farther along than advanced beginner, I can help them.

Then on June 18 afternoon and evening, the West Virginia State Folk Festival begins in Glenville WV; it has been running since the 1940s. It is really geared for local folks with parade and outdoor square dancing. They are big time dancing folks. Streets are blocked off. There are also small concerts and contests up at the small college auditorium at the top of the hill. Often a good time is had by all!!!
July, sometime around the middle of the month - 2nd or 3rd 4 day week, I am thinking of having a 4 day fiddle class for folks who are familar with what fiddling I do. Let me know if any of you happen to be interested in a fiddle class 2-3 students [single room, food, instruction]. I do have a CD of my fiddling.

BTW, my facility sits in highlands of Allegheny plateau, surrounded by wooded steep hills and thousands of acres of national forest for hiking if you are so moved.
August - I haven't planned anything yet for August. Can see if there is any interest in banjo instruction.
Sept - last year I had a 2 person 4 day fiddle class and it worked well.
October - first full week - Oct 3 Sunday afternoon until *Saturday morn* Oct 9th, students depart. This will be a full 5 day week. The students can make a decision whether they want to tour for 1/2 day or want to traipse around for a full day. And can be divided up however. Either way, it would be on Thursday unless the weather was so bad that Friday might suit better.

One of the famous local attractions is the Cass log trail which takes folks up on Cheat Mountain. But up there at 4500'-4900' it will snow, sleet, frost all months of the year. My university prof said it was same climate as "400-500 miles into canada"

There are close to a half million acres of national forest plus 8 WV state parks and forests.
For quite a number of years, I have been traveling to Pittsburgh PA to teach first weekend in Dec. It is held at Cindy Harris' home. This year that will be December 4-6. Write to her and she can tell you all the details.

Anyone with questions, please feel free to email . Sometimes I am available for a phone call but not as regular as email: 304-799-4965