LOWELL, Mich. — Bellowing horns from the Swiss Alps have made their way to West Michigan for the 10th year as the Midwest Alphorns began their weekend retreat on Friday.
An alphorn is a large traditional horn from Switzerland originally played by shepherds on the Swiss Alps.
Often being young men, Swiss shepherds would find trees on the side of mountains with distinctive curves, hollow them out and use them as a sounding device.
Much smaller than they are today, shepherds would use them as walking sticks while playing tunes to calm their cows down and sounding home for any important business.
According to organizers, the alphorn is known for its distinctive rich tones, sounding like yodeling in traditional music, but now used in calmer, longer-phrased music.
Dr. Peggy DeMers is organizing this year's Midwest Alphorn Retreat, featuring 26 players from across the U.S.
DeMers said the retreat in Michigan is one of the largest across the globe.
"26 for two instructors is kind of our max that we can give everybody individualized attention and we have enough instruments that if someone comes and doesn't have an instrument that's in the key of F, then we can accommodate them," DeMers said.
Participants stay immersed in alphorn music for five days, practicing for a concert at the end of the week.
"It's a very peaceful thing and people just play it because they love the sound, or they're communicating," DeMers said. "They're really easygoing good people, and they love it."
DeMers said most of the time, people are curious as to what the instrument is.
"It comes in a canvas bag with leather accents on it. And people would be like, always asking me, 'Hockey sticks? Is that a rifle? What is it?'" DeMers said. "The kids are like, 'Whoa. It's so long.'"
The retreat is a mix of players from beginners to intermediate-level players, to the experts, like DeMers, who hold one-on-one lessons teaching attendees how to play.
The group then lines their alphorns in a row to practice as a full ensemble.
"People are always interested, maybe a lot of unusual facts that they're hearing every time but they're interested and a lot of people in reconnecting with their past and their heritage and finding out more," DeMers said. "I have some people that are not wind players, that are our singers and that are guitar players and have never played an instrument using their mouth and they're doing great."
DeMers said regardless of reason, the alphorn is an instrument for everyone.
"It's like a great choir when they're singing all of a sudden, you're like, oh, you're filled with all these emotions, because it's like opening up other vibrations in your body," DeMers said. "There's a place for everyone, and the most important thing is to enjoy."
"Whether if this is a part of your historical past, even if it's not and you bond with this sound, do it," DeMers said.