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HANCOCK, Mich. — There are still seats available for one of the most unique classes ever offered during a Heikinpäivä celebration.
A class for both making and learning to play the virsikannel will be held at the Finnish American Heritage Center the 25th and 26th of January, 1p.m. – 5 p.m. each day. When finished participants will have their own hand-crafted virsikannel, along with instructions and lessons on how to play.
This single-stringed, easy to play folk instrument was used throughout Scandinavia, as well as in Finland, in particular to keep the pitch in hymn singing during home services and in churches too small for organs.
For those only interested in learning to play the virsikannel, a class will be held on 27 January at 2 p.m., also at the Finnish American Heritage Center.
Registration for the virsikannel building class is only $175 and includes all materials; the virsikannel playing workshop free to all participants in the building class, and only $15 for all other participants.
To make sure you can be a part of these great musical opportunities, call Mary at 906-482-1413.
The virsikannel will also be in the program of the Finnish Hymn Sing at Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock on 29 Jan., at 2 p.m.
Psalmodikon (virsikannel) enthusiasts Beatrice Hole of Minnesota and Floyd Foslien of Wisconsin are this year’s Heikinpäivä Artists in Residence and will be conducting the classes.
For more information about Heikinpäivä, call 482-1413, or visit pasty.com/heikki.
