Weddings
For those seeking something out of the ordinary, the hammered dulcimer is a perfect instrument for wedding ceremonies and receptions. In Ken's capable hands, the hammered dulcimer can be played to produce a wide variety of moods. Most typically for wedding ceremonies, Ken performs solo on the hammered dulcimer but, if desired, Ken works with many other wonderful player partners such as Scottish National Fiddle Champion Elke Baker, Irish fiddler Jim Eagan, flutist Chris Norman and various harpists, guitarists, mandolinists and other first-rate musicians. As a multi-instrumentalist, Ken often varies the mood of the ceremony with his violin and the hammered mbira. Currently, Ken is one of a handful of players of the hammered mbira which is a cross between a hammered dulcimer and the African mbira. It is capable of various tonal qualities depending on the mallets used to play it. The sounds produced range from something like a steel drum sound to quiet church bells to the African mbira.
Ken's vast repertoire includes light classical music, many originals, and traditional music from around the world (Celtic, Appalachian, Swedish, etc.). For the reception, he often teams up with other player partners but is happy to play solo as well. Ken estimates that he has performed for over 300 wedding ceremonies and receptions over the last 30 years. For sound samples, the "sound samples" page has a wide variety of music. Pieces on this page that might be played for a ceremony include "Summer's End," "Hush My Babe (I Shall Arise)," "Rolling Waves," and "Walking Stones/Caspian Lake." However, there are many hundreds of pieces in Ken's active repertoire including pieces commonly played at weddings such "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," Pachelbel's "Canon in D" etc. Ken can email an MP3 of any piece if desired. |