Internationaal Hakkebord Treffen

The hammered dulcimer is a special string instrument played with wooden hammers and is considered a precursor to the harpsichord and piano. Variants exist all over the world that differ in size, tuning, number of strings, and playing technique. The trapezoidal type that is common in Belgium, Great Britain, and the Verenigde Staten is usually tuned in fifths, while other countries use their own systems. With its unique combination of melody, harmony, and rhythmic accompaniment, the instrument is surprisingly versatile. Yet this board zither once unjustly disappeared into the background. In Vlaanderen remains rare, but the number of players is growing again. During this Internationaal Hakkebord Treffen, Muziekclub 't Ey puts the instrument in the spotlight for a whole day with two concerts and two workshops. --------------------------------------------- Day program 11:00 — Aperitif concert with Yuliya Khilko (BY) 12:15 — book presentation Guido Piccard (BE) 12:45 — Lunch: participants bring their own lunch 13:30 — Workshop with Hilary Davies (GB) 14:30 — Workshop with Val Cortoni (FR) 16:00 — Graduation concert Katrien Schoonjans with hammered dulcimer surprise, FREE, more info here . 17:30 — Food truck 19:30 — Evening concert with Val Cortoni (FR) 👉 Hammered dulcimer players bring their own instrument and actively participate in the workshops. --------------------------------------------- Yuliya Khilko (Belarus) — concert Yuliya Khilko grew up in Belarus and studied cimbalom at the Minsk Conservatory. After her studies, she worked as a music teacher and played in a cimbalom orchestra. She participated in international competitions such as the Open Internationale Wedstrijd for Folk Instruments in Pskov and the Blue Bird competition in Crimea. She has lived in Belgium for four years, where she is further developing her musical career. The cimbalom, a member of the hammered dulcimer family with roots in Central and Eastern Europe, is known for its rich, resonant sound. Thanks to various striking techniques and damping with the fingers, Yuliya creates a clear, sparkling, and expressive sound palette. Her repertoire includes both traditional folk music and classical works: with equal finesse, she performs authentic Eastern European melodies as well as refined concert pieces, fully showcasing the versatility of the instrument. --------------------------------------------- Hilary Davies (England) — workshop Hilary Davies has been playing the hammered dulcimer for over twenty years and draws from a varied repertoire: English and Playford melodies, American old-time, Scandinavian and French dance music, and even baroque music. She performs regularly, solo or in a duo. In addition, she is active within the British dulcimer world: she organizes workshops and weekend gatherings and also leads online sessions. With great enthusiasm, she shares her favorite melodies and playing techniques with other players. --------------------------------------------- Val Cortoni (France) — concert & workshop Val Cortoni is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer from Paris. In his compositions, he combines medieval instruments such as the hammered dulcimer, psaltery, and Celtic harp, along with electronic instruments and modern production techniques. He released two Synth-Folk records and toured in 2023 as a hammered dulcimer soloist with the Flanders Festival Symphonic Orchestra. He plays Celtic, baroque, and early music as well as surprising genres such as metal, electronic music, and video game soundtracks. In addition, he is a sought-after session musician and an inspired teacher. --------------------------------------------- Guido Piccard (Belgium) — book presentation The past winter inspired Guido Piccard to write a wealth of new music. The result is HAMERDEUNEN: a brand-new music book with no fewer than 150 melodies for hammered dulcimer and other instruments. The collection contains playful, atmospheric, and versatile tunes that are perfectly usable for hammered dulcimer duos, but also find their way to other instruments and ensembles. Today, Guido is officially presenting the book. HAMERDEUNEN will also be available for €40. --------------------------------------------- Hunger At noon, participants bring their own lunch. In the evening, a food truck will be present. Food can be purchased on-site by the participants themselves. --------------------------------------------- Tickets Aperitiefconcert Yuliya Khilko, tickets here : €7 / €10 Avondconcert Val Cortoni, tickets here : €7 / €10 Workshops + both concerts, tickets here : €10 --------------------------------------------- A unique day for enthusiasts, musicians, and curious listeners: discover the world of the hammered dulcimer up close! Dit Internationaal Hakkebord Treffen was created with the support of Erfgoedcel Waasland .