Zither group featured on PBS’ �Living in Iowa’

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By Quad-City Times | Wednesday, March 29, 2006 12:21 AM CST | () comments

If the question is “What is a zither?” an answer can be found at the German-American Heritage Center in downtown Davenport.

The “Side Roads” segment of Iowa Public Television’s weekly “Living in Iowa” program will focus on the center and the Zither Ensemble.

The program will be broadcast at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 8:30 p.m. Friday on KIIN-TV, Channel 12.

According to Iowa Public Television, “Side Roads” correspondent Paul Berge “will explain what a zither is but hasn’t a clue on how to play one. But the Zither Ensemble can play quite well, as you’ll see at one of their rehearsals.”

A zither is an Alpine-stringed instrument played by strumming, plucking or both. The Zither Ensemble was begun in 1885 and had 60 players at its peak. A local newspaper called it the biggest organization of its kind in America.

One of the zither players, Bonnie Walling of Davenport, said eight to 10 members performed the day of the taping last fall.