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About Us Officially formed in 1992, the South Suburban Dulcimer and Folk Music Society gathers in friendship to further the playing of dulcimers and other traditional folk instruments and to heighten the general public's appreciation of folk music. 
Though the group was formed for the players' own enjoyment, we receive so many requests for performances each year, that we find ourselves educating the public about instruments and music that has ceased to be mainstream. Our performances are often a combination of music and education featuring anywhere from seven to sixteen musicians. Since many of the instruments we play are seldom heard or seen today, our members take the time to teach a little about each song and the instruments, most of which are uniquely American.
| Our Beginnings: Sometime during the 1980's, our founder, Neal Peck became acquainted with the mountain dulcimer when he saw a performance on Chicago's south side. Not wanting to miss out on all the fun he witnessed, Neal purchased a mountain dulcimer of his own, and his enthusiasm for the instrument and its music spread. Soon, he had garnered together a group of people who, like himself, had a love of folk music and a desire to learn to play these American instruments. Thus, in 1992, the South Suburban Dulcimer and Folk Music Society was formally incorporated as a not-for-profit organization, and the rest, as they say, is history! | They Love Us, They Really Love Us! Our performances are met with rave reviews, and we are often overcome by the positive response of our audience. We have been told that our music has revived memories of music from childhoods, and that songs have brought tears to eyes in remembrance of times and loved ones passed. Even the children get a kick out of our old-timey sound and the novelty of some of the instruments we play, many of which, they have never seen before. When performing for schools, we bring several extra mountain dulcimers and bags of shaker eggs. Within minutes, we can teach a few children how to play a simple song while the rest join in with some lively percussion. |
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