Biography
Music has served as a continually shifting creative medium for Malcolm Dalglish, the hammered dulcimer player, composer, and choral director born in Indiana. Almost fifty years after his first stage appearance at age ten, he keeps discovering fresh avenues for his artistic expression. Although his initial releases drew from Irish traditions, Dalglish has steadily expanded his scope. Among his most recent endeavors are the albums Pleasure and Hymnody of Earth, both captured alongside the Ooolites—a vocal ensemble he assembled in 1997 whose members range from age twelve into their early twenties—and frame drummer Glen Velez.
More than fifty commissions have come Dalglish’s way for choral works destined for ensembles worldwide, among them the St. Olaf Choir and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. Even as his melodies sound thoroughly contemporary, they draw on deep historical foundations. “My compositions are rooted in folk traditions,” he said during a late-’90s interview, “early forms, styles, stories and dance patterns that have been developed by people rather than one person.”
Signs of Dalglish’s ability surfaced in childhood. Following several theatrical roles, he attracted the notice of the American Boy Choir, which extended an invitation to join its ranks. He accepted, embarking on international tours and collaborating with leading orchestras and conductors such as Leonard Bernstein. During his late teens and early twenties he stepped away from music to study theater at Oberlin College in Ohio and to perform with a resident theater company. His direction shifted sharply upon encountering folk musician Guy Carawan playing the hammered dulcimer; captivated, Dalglish promptly purchased an instrument and taught himself to play.
While constructing his first hammered dulcimer as a school assignment at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Dalglish later found the skill essential after leaving college and losing his night-watchman position. He then dedicated himself fully to music, crafting dulcimers and playing at a neighborhood pizza parlor.
In 1977 Dalglish and Irish flute, concertina, and guitar player Grey Larsen released the hammered-dulcimer instrumental album Banish Misfortune; they also supplied the soundtrack for the 2002 Disney animated feature Tuck Everlasting. Five years afterward the pair joined former Bothy Band members Kevin Burke on fiddle and Michael O’Domhnaill on guitar to record Thunderhead.
Dalglish, Larsen, and fiddler Pete Sutherland established the neo-Celtic trio Metamora in 1984. Its self-titled debut, issued the next year, contained Dalglish’s song “Little Potato,” the sole vocal piece the group ever recorded. Their follow-up, the all-instrumental The Great Road, earned NAIRD’s “album of the year” designation in 1987. Their final release, Morning Walk, appeared in 1988 and featured guest pianist Philip Aaberg.
Selections from Dalglish’s solo hammered-dulcimer recordings Jogging the Memory, issued in 1986, and The First of Autumn, released in 1978, have accompanied dance ensembles including Pilobulus, Momix, and Mary Blackburn.
Dalglish presents the Wild, Wild Word Show in schools and, each summer, leads the outdoor singing camp Ooolation!.
More than fifty commissions have come Dalglish’s way for choral works destined for ensembles worldwide, among them the St. Olaf Choir and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. Even as his melodies sound thoroughly contemporary, they draw on deep historical foundations. “My compositions are rooted in folk traditions,” he said during a late-’90s interview, “early forms, styles, stories and dance patterns that have been developed by people rather than one person.”
Signs of Dalglish’s ability surfaced in childhood. Following several theatrical roles, he attracted the notice of the American Boy Choir, which extended an invitation to join its ranks. He accepted, embarking on international tours and collaborating with leading orchestras and conductors such as Leonard Bernstein. During his late teens and early twenties he stepped away from music to study theater at Oberlin College in Ohio and to perform with a resident theater company. His direction shifted sharply upon encountering folk musician Guy Carawan playing the hammered dulcimer; captivated, Dalglish promptly purchased an instrument and taught himself to play.
While constructing his first hammered dulcimer as a school assignment at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Dalglish later found the skill essential after leaving college and losing his night-watchman position. He then dedicated himself fully to music, crafting dulcimers and playing at a neighborhood pizza parlor.
In 1977 Dalglish and Irish flute, concertina, and guitar player Grey Larsen released the hammered-dulcimer instrumental album Banish Misfortune; they also supplied the soundtrack for the 2002 Disney animated feature Tuck Everlasting. Five years afterward the pair joined former Bothy Band members Kevin Burke on fiddle and Michael O’Domhnaill on guitar to record Thunderhead.
Dalglish, Larsen, and fiddler Pete Sutherland established the neo-Celtic trio Metamora in 1984. Its self-titled debut, issued the next year, contained Dalglish’s song “Little Potato,” the sole vocal piece the group ever recorded. Their follow-up, the all-instrumental The Great Road, earned NAIRD’s “album of the year” designation in 1987. Their final release, Morning Walk, appeared in 1988 and featured guest pianist Philip Aaberg.
Selections from Dalglish’s solo hammered-dulcimer recordings Jogging the Memory, issued in 1986, and The First of Autumn, released in 1978, have accompanied dance ensembles including Pilobulus, Momix, and Mary Blackburn.
Dalglish presents the Wild, Wild Word Show in schools and, each summer, leads the outdoor singing camp Ooolation!.
Albums
