WCU Mountain Dulcimer Week thanks all those who have helped support these scholarships. We welcome contributions toward scholarships in memory of loved ones or just to help encourage seniors, youth, dulcimer teachers, traditional playing, dulcimer builders, contemporary playing, etc. To sponsor a tax-deductible scholarship for Mountain Dulcimer Week contact Lois Hornbostel, P. O. Box 907, Bryson City, NC 28713 for details.
*New This Year: Dulcimer Building Scholarship! – The craft of building the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer has been passed from one person to another since the construction of the first instruments. Example: J. Edward Thomas taught Jethro Amburgey who taught Homer Ledford who taught Robert Mize who taught John Huron who will teach the recipient of this scholarship. That individual should have an interest in learning the traditional construction techniques of the instrument, carrying on the craft of building Mountain Dulcimers and hopefully someday sharing the skills they’ve learned with others. Experience levels may range from complete novice to someone who has put together a couple of his/her own dulcimers.
Sponsored by WCU Mountain Dulcimer Week and its 2008 participants, this scholarship applies to applicants wishing to take our “Build Your Own Dulcimer” course, which takes place mornings & afternoons, Monday through Friday.
It covers the week’s tuition of $310. Scholarship recipient pays for room, meals and his/her other expenses including the $200 to cover all the materials to build the dulcimer (this is paid to John Huron on the first day of class. Apply with a letter giving your complete contacts (including email address if you have it), pointing out why you are a good candidate for this scholarship and mail it to Lois Hornbostel, P. O. Box 907, Bryson City, NC 28713. Apply early…Firm Deadline – applications arriving after April 1, 2009 cannot be considered.
The Jo Ellen Hudson Memorial Scholarship - Jo Ellen was a retired teacher and counselor who loved the time she spent at this event. She was an enthusiastic learner, an extraordinary friend, and a dedicated teacher who took special time and care to nurture an interest and love of the dulcimer in those who were new to it. Her generosity of spirit has inspired those who knew her to share her passion with a beginning student, providing an opportunity for them to fall in love with it as she did and to grow and thrive in this nurturing dulcimer environment.
This scholarship, sponsored by friends of Jo Ellen, is for a beginning player and covers the week’s tuition of $310, which will specifically include the Beginner Playing Skills course. Scholarship recipient pays for room, meals and his/her other expenses. Apply by writing a letter to Lois Hornbostel, P. O. Box 907, Bryson City, NC 28713. Apply early. . .Firm Deadline – applications arriving after April 1, 2009 cannot be considered. List your complete contact information (including e-mail address if you have it), and explain why you are interested in learning to play the dulcimer and what this opportunity would mean to you.
The WCU “Appalachian Dulcimer Traditions” Scholarship – Sponsored by Mountain Dulcimer Week and its 2008 participants, this scholarship applies only to applicants wishing to take “Traditional Music for the Mountain Dulcimer” as their morning course, and covers the week’s tuition of $310. Scholarship recipient pays for room, meals and his/her other expenses. Apply with a letter to Lois Hornbostel, P. O. Box 907, Bryson City, NC 28713. Apply early…Firm Deadline – applications arriving after April 1, 2009 cannot be considered. List your complete contact information (including e-mail address if you have it), your achievements, and your plans with regard to traditional mountain dulcimer music and history research.
The Sally George Scholarship for Dulcimer Teachers – Josie Wiseman sponsors this scholarship in memory of our friend Sally George, who was a well-loved dulcimer teacher and performer. Josie encourages dulcimer teachers to apply, especially those who require some financial assistance to be able to attend. The scholarship covers the week’s tuition of $310, which includes a playing course. Scholarship recipient pays for room, meals and his/her other expenses. Apply by writing a letter to Lois Hornbostel, P. O. Box 907, Bryson City, NC 28713. . Apply early…Firm Deadline – applications arriving after April 1, 2009 cannot be considered. List your complete contact information (including e-mail address), your mountain dulcimer teaching experience, your future plans to teach, and how you will use the knowledge you acquire at Western to teach and promote the mountain dulcimer to others. Make sure to include in this letter your 1st and 2nd choices of morning courses.
The Statland Scholarship for Dulcimer Teachers – Alexandra Statland sponsors this scholarship to encourage dulcimer teachers, especially those who require some financial assistance to be able to attend. The scholarship covers the week’s tuition of $310, which includes a playing course. Scholarship recipient pays for room, meals and his/her other expenses. Apply by writing a letter to Lois Hornbostel, P. O. Box 907, Bryson City, NC 28713. Apply early…Firm Deadline – applications arriving after April 1, 2009 cannot be considered. List your complete contact information (including e-mail address), your mountain dulcimer teaching experience, your future plans to teach, and how you will use the knowledge you acquire at Western to teach and promote the mountain dulcimer to others. Make sure to include in this letter your 1st and 2nd choices of morning courses.
The Ron Cyr Memorial Scholarship for a “Super Senior” Dulcimer Player – Ron was a longtime enthusiastic participant in many of our weeks and was loved by the many friends he made here. He passed away in 2006. The Waterbound Dulcimer Club and his family and friends sponsor this scholarship in Ron’s memory. It is awarded to an enthusiastic Senior Citizen dulcimer player (age 65 or over) who exemplifies continuing to learn even though not a kid, enthusiasm for mountain dulcimer playing, and encouraging others to play. The ideal applicant is a senior player that younger folks want to grow up to be like! The scholarship covers the week’s tuition of $310, which includes a playing course. Each scholarship recipient pays for his/her own room, meals and other expenses. Apply with a letter to Lois Hornbostel, P. O. Box 907, Bryson City, NC 28713. . Apply early…Firm Deadline – applications arriving after April 1, 2009 cannot be considered. List your complete contact information and your email address, your achievements, and your plans with regard to your mountain dulcimer playing. Make sure to include in this letter your 1st and 2nd choices of morning courses.
The Deborah Lubicich Memorial Scholarship – Deborah was a friend who attended several of our weeks. She passed away recently and her family and friends are sponsoring this scholarship in her memory to encourage and help a “young woman player to learn dulcimer.” It covers the week’s tuition of $310, which includes a playing course. Each scholarship recipient pays for her own room, meals and other expenses. Apply with a letter to Lois Hornbostel, P. O. Box 907, Bryson City, NC 28713. . Apply early…Firm Deadline – applications arriving after April 1, 2009 cannot be considered. List your complete contact information, your achievements, and your plans with regard to your mountain dulcimer playing. Make sure to include in this letter your 1st and 2nd choices of morning courses.
Youth Scholarships – So far our event has awarded approximately 65 Youth Scholarships. We are grateful for our many participants, staff, vendors, and outside donors whose generous contributions have made it possible for us to encourage these new dulcimer playing generations. Our Youth Scholarships are awarded to talented and motivated young people (aged 12-20) who would like to learn more about the heritage and playing of the instrument. We expect Youth Scholarship recipients to go by the following guidelines:
1. Write and send in your scholarship letter (see below) EARLY, because if it arrives after April 1, 2009 it cannot be considered.
2. Parent/adult guardian of the Youth Scholar 18 or under is expected to be responsible for the Youth Scholar’s safety, location and conduct, and that the Youth Scholar attends the following:
a. All sessions of the morning and afternoon classes covered by the scholarship.
b. Attend Sunday night banquet and welcome session.
c. Attend evening concerts Mon., Tues. and Wed., and Thurs. Open Stage.
d. Take part in rehearsals with other Youth Scholars and Laura Phillips for Friday’s Farewell Session performance. Youth Scholars help on drawings for fundraising for ’10 Youth Scholarships.
e. Help out as “greeters” at our evening concerts.
Youth Scholarships cover the recipient’s $310 tuition (for all morning, afternoon and evening classes and events).
Youth Scholars staying on campus at Norton Hall also receive a meal pass for Sunday night banquet through Friday breakfast, plus half a double room in Norton. If they are 18 or under they must be accompanied by a parent or parent-designated guardian. Our Youth Scholarship Fund does not cover any of a parent/adult guardian’s expenses, nor tuition for them to attend classes. This adult pays for a nonparticipant pass (see Costs section for what this includes), and for his own meals and half of the double room.
Youth Scholars staying off-campus and commuting also have their $310 tuition covered, in addition to their meals (Sun. banquet through Fri. breakfast). Parent/adult guardian needs to give us a cell phone number and one other contact should we need to reach them in emergency.
Please apply EARLY by letter to Lois Hornbostel (P. O. Box 907, Bryson City, NC 28713). Firm Deadline – applications arriving after April 1, 2009 cannot be considered. Please answer all the following questions in your letter:
1. That you and your parent/adult guardian agree to go by the guidelines listed above.
2. Your date of birth and age as of June 21, 2009.
3. Your mailing address, your e-mail address, and telephone number.
4. Emergency contact or parent/adult guardian’s cell phone.
5. If you will be 18 or under as of June 21, 2009, put the address of your parent or the adult guardian your parents appoint to stay with you (including their cell phone). (Parents please note that we expect you to supervise and be aware of your youngster’s location and conduct.) If you will be under the supervision of a guardian your parents have to write us a letter naming the guardian and all his/her contacts, to go with your application.
6. List what you have done so far playing the dulcimer, and why you like it. If you don’t play yet, tell us why you want to learn.
7. What you would like to learn at Dulcimer Week.
8. If you and your parent/guardian will be staying off-campus or in one of our residence halls.
9. Your 1st and 2nd choices of morning playing courses.
10. The name, e-mail address and mail address of a dulcimer teacher or knowledgeable player who can witness to your interest and/or achievements in dulcimer playing.
Make sure to read about DEADLINE above. Thanks!