QuaranTUNE Dulcimer Festival Mission Statement

One of the many tragic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic is the nearly universal paralysis of the arts.  An important segment of the artistic community includes the dulcimer community. 

QuaranTUNE Dulcimer Festival was formed for two purposes.  First, to provide an online venue for those who love the music, friendships, and sense of family so unique to dulcimer festivals. And second, to show love and support for dulcimer professionals who are facing ongoing financial hardships due to the cancelation of most festivals and workshops.

Our Story

In February and March of 2020, as talk of shutting down much of the American economy began to grow, Master Works founder Russell Cook became increasingly concerned for the fate of the dulcimer community.  As talk of shutting down the perennial summer and fall dulcimer festivals and workshops for 2020 became stronger and more certain, Russell began to consider a virtual, online festival as an alternative that would provide dulcimer professionals a venue to teach lessons, and more importantly, an opportunity for the dulcimer community to come together and enjoy the unique fellowship and sense of kin so typical of dulcimer gatherings.

In mid-March, Russell called Jess Dickinson to ask what he thought of the idea.  When Jess responded that he thought it was a great idea, Russell said, “why don’t you take the idea and run with it?”  Jess agreed.

Organization of the festival began when Jess contacted a few dulcimer instructors known for teaching online lessons.  The name “QuaranTUNE Dulcimer Festival” was suggested and agreed by the early planners.

Committees were formed to handle administration, promotion, and technology.  Everyone enthusiastically pitched in and contributed countless hours of planning and preparation, and the instructor list exploded to over thirty top dulcimer instructors agreeing to take part.

The group formed a website and Facebook page and scheduled the festival for the first weekend in June.  Festival T-Shirts were ordered and, as promotion of the event began, response was overwhelming.  For instance, our Facebook group—which now has several thousand members—attracted 1,000 members in the first week!

Following QuaranTUNE’s enormous success and acceptance by the dulcimer community, Jess, Russell, Katie Moritz, Mark Alan Wade, and Stephen Seifert formed Virtual Dulcimerfest LLC to continue the operation of QuaranTUNE festivals.  While everyone did not always agree on everything, they all did agree on two things: The late nights, early mornings, thousands of emails and text messages, hundreds of phone calls, and Zoom meetings were well worth it; and the first QuaranTUNE Dulcimer Festivals have been a huge success.

Planning for more QuaranTUNE festivals is underway, and they will continue to be bigger and better!  Your suggestions are always welcome!