Based in Bloomington, Dalglish began his musical career as a soprano soloist with the Columbus Boys Choir. “I first saw the instrument when I was in my early 20’s. It was hard to buy” says Malcolm adding “So I started building them for a living.”A frequent presenter at choral music conferences, including the American Choral Directors Association, he has written over 80 commissioned works for choirs worldwide and also runs an outdoor singing camp in summer.
“The hammered dulcimer is ancient,” says Malcolm about the instrument that is used in a variety of musical styles including new age, classical (medieval and renaissance) and Celtic, among others. “It is a unique instrument focussed on the indigenous music of a culture,” he adds.
Malcolm’s work mostly draws from his background in choir, theatre and folk music. “I enjoy folk music because it is the music of a people not a person,” says the talented performer who has over 14 recordings and collaborated with Grey Larsen and Pete Sutherland which resulted in the best-selling Banish Misfortune — as well as the musical score for the Disney feature film, Tuck Everlasting.
Audiences’ reactions vary from sombre and quiet to wild and rambunctious, according to Malcolm. “The reaction to a live performance differs in different cultures,” says he adding “In Washington DC, the African American population is boisterous but the native American population is quite reserved.”
The cultural differences are quite intriguing as each culture, idiosyncrasies and all, reacts to his performance in its own unique ways, believes Malcolm. “Like students here were very excitable, had an open mind and it was good fun, “ says the musician who conducted a workshop for choir groups for students at Vijayanagar High School in Hyderabad.
Malcolm is an interactive performer and admits that he loves audiences that are “rudely participant.” “It is not a recording, so I like it when they speak to the performer,” adds the affable composer. Malcolm also likes to be attuned to the audience and make impromptu improvisations, if need be. “I have a set that I decide to work with but I do make changes if I feel the need to,” says the artiste who also likes to listen to Igor Stravinsky, Mozart and The Beatles, among others. He clearly enjoys the accolades that come with being a musician. “I am a singer, story teller and dulcimer performer. So I mix it together and enjoy it all,” says Malcolm who devotes most of his time to leading workshops and directing his Ooolation summer choral arts camps.