Founded over 35 years ago, the Silver String Dulcimer Society is a group of musicians from southeast Michigan area who play music on traditional instruments and feature the unique sound of the hammered dulcimer. Marsha Kozlowski, the groups Music Director says, “We consider libraries to be part of the tradition and heart of a community where all ages come and gather and we love playing there. Our goals are similar: broadening people’s knowledge. We broaden their knowledge and appreciation of live music played on traditional historical instruments. Music is the language that crosses all barriers and touches the heart.” The group’s playlist features a variety of traditional tunes that people might have danced to, including jigs, reels, and waltzes, sung on their front porches, or heard in the parlor in the early 1900s. The music inspires toe-tapping and hand clapping and sometimes even singing. “What is amazing is that many people in Michigan have never heard or seen a hammered dulcimer,” says Patterson. "Yet our featured instrument, the hammered dulcimer, has a long history in Michigan. It was played throughout the lumber camps. Henry Ford’s mother played it and he created an orchestra to play at Lovett Hall that included the instrument. Michigan has the largest number of hammered dulcimer players of any state.”