BRMDP – Make a Joyful Noise for the 2025 Holidays

Our Blue Ridge Mountain Dulcimer Players, emceed by intrepid coordinator, Dinah Ansley,  opened our annual holiday gathering with a large group performance of “Jingle Bells” and “Good King Wenceslas” at Bridgewater Retirement Community in Bridgewater, VA, on Dec. 13.  Before a roomful of dulcimer players and residents, we sang and played a host of sing-a-long Christmas carols to open and close our annual Holiday Music event.  

Five of our member small groups demonstrated a range of Christmas carol sources and methods of playing the mountain dulcimer.  Vicky Germroth’s Heartstrings performed four sweet lullabyes, followed by Penny Reighart’s DulciCats’ singing and playing “White Christmas,” and ending with  the negro spiritual. “Go Tell it on the Mountain.”  The River City Strummers led by Debbie Campbell played some lovely familiar favorites that included “Edelweiss” and accompaniment on the bells. 

Our grand finale was a combined group performance of a round, “Hey, Ho, Nobody Home” by Joyful Noise, Merrifield Music Makers, and Pride of the Blue Ridge with Dinah as maestro.  The audience joined in, ending with special contributions in Hebrew of “Shalom Chaverim”  and our usual closing, “Go In Peace.”

Our large group numbers 30 or so players across Central Virginia, with small member groups in Charlottesville, Woodstock, Bridgewater, Waynesboro and Ruckersville.

We thank all who participated, and special thanks to the Bridgewater Retirement Community for providing the space.