Additional Information -- Questions answered

Some people who are considering registering for the class have asked some questions recently. Here are some answers.

Start time on Wednesday, October 13: 11am. In order to accommodate participants who are coming from out of the area, we will not be doing any building until 11am. Starting at 9am, we will set up and distribute materials. So if you would like to help with set-up, you are welcome to appear any time between 9 - 11. Otherwise, we will expect everyone to be there at 11.

Payment: to me. I realize it might be awkward to be asking people to make checks out directly to me. Normally, I would have had people pay NLAA (our fiscal agent for the Donald Gardner grant), but Cecelia is on leave from now until the end of October, and there are class expenses I will need to cover before then. I am keeping meticulous records, and they will be available for anyone to look at after the class. Please email me for my address. If anyone doesn't feel OK with this arrangement, please feel free to make the check to NLAA.

Playing class: no extra charge. I am also advertising a players-only class for Saturday afternoon. This class might be for people who already have a kantele and don't know how to play it, or it could be for people who are thinking about ordering a finished one from Gerry, for people who are too busy to attend the building workshop, or for people who just want to try it out. For those of us who are building, we will incorporate playing classes into the building workshop (for example, we might play while we wait for glue joints to dry). So by Saturday afternoon, you will already know everything we plan to teach in the "Intro to playing" class. You might use this time to take a stroll in the woods or we might be stringing our newborn kanteles! At any rate, the builders are not expected to attend this class, and you certainly don't need to pay extra even if you choose to sit in on it. Feel free to spread the word among your friends. The $15 fee will also include a light meal between the class and the concert, so it is really a pretty good deal.

Open house and Concert: You may have seen on the posting that we are planning an open house. Don't let this scare you away! We are thinking of it more like a party, with refreshments, just like they would do in Finland. Gerry will play, and I think I have convinced Eli to grace us with his presence and play the jouhikko (the kantele's companion ancient instrument) which he built. I would like it if those of us who build kanteles would play an easy tune or two, but this will by no means be the centerpiece of the concert, and I don't want anyone to feel intimidated. A friend of mine says, if we don't celebrate what we have done, we minimize what we have accomplished.

Lunches: Just a reminder, lunches will be provided. If anyone has dietary restrictions or preferences, please let me know.

Evenings: One of our class participants is Duluth-based singer-songwriter Robi Meyerson. Weather permitting, she has offered to facilitate an evening campfire singalong. Very Finnish, it seems to me! (Songs will be in English). We are planning this for Thursday evening, but we will keep an eye on the weather forecast as the time gets closer. Should be a fun time!

Please keep those questions coming -- I am happy to answer.

LynnAnne
lavesper@gmail.com

Class information posted around Ely

Who Wants to Build a Kantele?

(Additional opportunities for those who do not wish to build a kantele are listed below.)

What is a kantele?

A kantele is the national folk instrument of Finland. Ten strings are stretched over a wood sound box. It produces a pleasing harp-like sound. Basic instruction on playing the kantele will be included in the building workshop.

The strings are tuned as the white keys of the piano, so it is easy to learn to play.

Do I need to have prior woodworking skills to participate?

No! The instructors will ensure that everyone is able to complete a quality instrument, regardless of experience or skill level.

When and where will it take place?

October 13 – 16, 9am – 5pm, at YMCA Camp DuNord

How much does it cost?

$150 per person includes materials, tools, instruction, and lunches. Housing in modern cabins at the camp is available for an additional cost of $60 for the session. (The lead instructor estimates that the instrument which each participant creates will be worth about $200.)

Who will teach the class?

Gerry Henkel will be the lead instructor for the class. He lives near Duluth and has been building kanteles for about 20 years. Learn more about him at his website: www.kantele.com. LynnAnne Vesper will assist with teaching. She has studied folk music in Finland.

How can I register?

Send an email indicating your interest to lavesper@gmail.com. Registration and payment is due by September 24, 2010. Participation is limited to the first ten registrants, so don’t delay!

Don’t want to jump in with both feet?

Save the date! On October 16, additional opportunities will be available:

Playing workshop: An introduction to playing the kantele will be held Saturday, October 16 from 2 – 4pm at Camp DuNord. Participants are encouraged to stay for the concert following the workshop. A light meal will be included. Cost for this workshop is $15, and the fee will be collected at the door. Preregistration is requested by indicating your interest to lavesper@gmail.com.

Concert: The builders’ and players’ workshops will conclude with a concert and open house on Saturday, October 16 at 5pm at YMCA Camp DuNord’s Morning Glory Program Center. Admission is free.

These activities

are supported by the

Donald G. Gardner

Humanities Trust.