Discover the Neal Collection with Grainne Hambly | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Int.   | Archive Add-on
Find out more about the first collection of Irish music published in Ireland in 1724, which included some tunes by Carolan and other well known pieces such as Molly MacAlpin. We will discuss the background to the collection and learn a tune from it, including ideas for the left hand arrangement.

DIY harp maintenance 1: Knot Tying with Liza Jensen | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/21/23 11:30-12:30pm
Learn to Do It Yourself. You are, inevitably, going to break a string. You should know how to change it. Take this workshop and get a lesson in knot-tying and replacing strings. If you're a beginner or have never changed your own string, you must take this workshop!

DIY harp maintenance 2: Tuning with Liza Jensen | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/22/23 11:30-12:30pm
Learn to Do It Yourself. Liza focuses on properly using your tuner and tuning your harp. Essential! Is there a difference between tuning with levers up or levers down? What about the difference between tuning loud or soft. Then what do you do when your lever buzzes when engaged? You gotta know this stuff.

DIY Music Biz with Lisa Lynne | Type: Lecture   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
Step through getting gigs, promoting your music, creating visuals, writing a press release, creating websites, blogging and navigating the social networks. Learn what it takes to share your music in unique venues you might have never thought of. Real world advice and open forum on how you can think outside the box and maximize your opportunities. You will come away with many new ideas on how to get involved in your community and expand your musical horizons.

Double-Strung & Harp Essentials for Beginners with Deette Bunn | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Beg.   | Archive Add-on
Yes! You can begin on a double-strung! This workshop is for those who are new to harping and the double-strung. You will learn how a double-strung is different from a single strung harp, how to hold your harp, basic harp technique and easy exercises appropriate for any kind of harp, and how to use them effectively on the double-strung harp. You will also learn about basic hand shapes for chords, and how to turn those into fun rhythm patterns as well as beginning techniques like echoing and overlapping that are unique to double-strung harp.

Double-strung harp improv techniques in therapy settings with Deette Bunn | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Int.   | When: Live   | 7/20/23 3-4:30pm
Become more comfortable improvising, Deettte will teach you some tricks and techniques to get you started. With a little time and practice, you’ll be on your way! Deette will reassure you that you don’t have to know hundreds of popular songs, hymns, and carols memorized in your therapy work. Being able to improvise opens up whole new options that are effective and enjoyable for you and your patients/clients.

Double-Strung Harp: Adapting single music with Deette Bunn | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/21/23 9:30-11am
You don’t need a whole new repertoire to play double strung. Learn some techniques for adapting music for single strung harp to your double strung. Deette will show you how to arrange and adapt music you already have in your library creating arrangements that are uniquely double strung. Feel free to bring questions and issues you are having to class.

Double-Strung Next Steps with Deette Bunn | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Int.   | Archive Add-on
If you already play the harp, this is your chance to learn how the double-strung adds interest to your arrangements. We'll learn how to take advantage of never having your hands get in each others' way and work around having to change levers. You'll get solid new exercises to assist you with hand independence and new ideas for "thinking outside the box" when creating your arrangements.

Double-strung view of therapeutic harp with Nancy Beal | Type: Lecture   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
Whatever your level as a therapeutic harper, you'll want to find out how a double-strung harp can be your best friend in therapy work. Based on her thousands of hours of experience using her double-strung in therapeutic work, Nan will treat you to a brief harp therapy session, share stories and demonstrate how the resonance possible with a double-strung harp can be doubly effective in healing. The ability to improvise easily is vital when doing therapeutic work and Nan will show you how effortless this is on a double-strung. In this demo you'll be given concrete suggestions of various double-strung techniques that are most useful in harp therapy. Handouts will be provided. Harps are not needed to enjoy this workshop.

Early Irish Harp: Introduction to playing with Karen Loomis | Type: Hands-On   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/29/23 10-11:30am
Want to learn how to play the early Irish harp, but not sure where to begin? This workshop will introduce you to the basic skills to get you started on the path to exploring the sounds and music of the wire-strung harp traditionally played for centuries in Ireland and Scotland.

Early music for the Folk Harp with Erik Ask-Upmark | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Int.-Adv.   | When: On Video   | Anytime Starting July 1
750 years of music history crammed into one workshop! This will be a headlong dive into the wonderful world of early music, meaning European music from the span 1000-1750 AD. Needless to say, we will be a bit pressed for time to include every single tune written during this period (duh...), but you will come out at the other end with at least a few tunes from each era - the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque! Historical harps are welcome but certainly not necessary – the tunes will work equally well on all types of harps!

Echoes from Antiquity with Ann Heymann | Type: Lecture   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
The ancient Irish harp of Ireland and Scotland is richly portrayed in legends and poetry, and imbedded within are deep truths about the evolving traditions. Ann Heymann will take you on a journey following the "echoes" of archeology, mythology and history, revealing deep esoteric traditions and a conjectural role of the Irish harp in the development of the harp in Europe.

Effortless technique I with Maeve Gilchrist | Type: Hands-On   | Level: Beg.   | When: Live   | 7/20/23 1-2:30pm
Maeve will guide you through a series of exercises and practice suggestions honing in on the three facets of a well-rounded technique: linear work (scales), shape work (chords and arpeggios) and independent hand and finger exercises. Deconstructing as need be, she’ll present an accessible approach to technique with the idea that you will garner an understanding of how to develop these ideas in your own practice in a way that’s tailored to each unique musical vision. Kickstart your practice regime with a bucketload of practice tips and concepts that will keep you going for years to come!

Effortless technique II with Maeve Gilchrist | Type: Hands-On   | Level: Int./Adv.   | When: Live   | 7/20/23 3-4:30pm
Maeve will guide you through a series of exercises and practice suggestions honing in on the three facets of a well-rounded technique: linear work (scales), shape work (chords and arpeggios) and independent hand and finger exercises. Deconstructing as need be, she’ll present an accessible approach to technique with the idea that you will garner an understanding of how to develop these ideas in your own practice in a way that’s tailored to each unique musical vision. Kickstart your practice regime with a bucketload of practice tips and concepts that will keep you going for years to come!

Elements of Jazz & Improvisation I with Maeve Gilchrist | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
Improvisation is an important technique that not need only be associated with jazz but with whatever musical situation you find yourself in. By explaining basic jazz harmony and how to voice it tastefully on the harp, Maeve will help players ease into the world of improvisation. She'll use a standard jazz tune as a base for improvising over chords and form. Get some of the basic blues patterns and groove.

Fifty Ways to Play Your Tunes with Edie Elkan | Type: Hands-On   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/22/23 1-2:30pm
How many different ways can you play one tune? This hands-on, all levels workshop will give you ideas galore on freshening up your lead sheet and play-by-ear tunes so that it’s a new experience for both you and the listener every time you play them.

Figuring Out Fingering with Sunita Staneslow | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
Sunita wants you to make the connection between tone and phrasing with fingering. You might be looking for tricks and the easiest way to play but lose out on musicality. Focus on fingering to remedy phrasing that is sometimes stiff or clunky. Very often, better fingering can change the ebb and flow of the music you create. This workshop builds on Sunita's previous Fingering video now in our archive.

Find the tune within the tune with Eileen Gannon | Type: Hands-On   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/22/23 1-2:30pm
Make your arrangements sparkle! Did you ever wonder how your favorite harpists come up with their arrangements for tunes? Could you use some inspiration for your accompaniments? Eileen will give you an alternative approach to accompaniment of Irish dance music by finding the tune within the tune.

French Flavor in Québécois Music with Ailie Robertson | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Int.   | Archive Add-on
You'll find yourself transported to the dance-halls of Montreal to enjoy its vibrant French culture in this workshop with Ailie. Quebec has a rich tradition of achingly beautiful waltzes and airs, as well as wonderful dance tunes. Come and learn about the lyrical Quebecois tradition with its sweet melodic lines and rich accompaniment. Old and new compositions will be explored. You will leave with your fingers flying, your feet tapping, and your heart full of joie-de-vivre! Taught by ear with sheet music available as a downloadable PDF.

From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Take a Simple Tune and Make it Your Own! Add-on with Shelley Fairplay | Type: Hands-On   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/20/23 1-5pm
Spend Thursday with Shelley in this Add-On experience as she shares tips with you on how you can work from lead sheets, for improvisation, for arranging and for composing.

From Orfeo to Orfeo: Harps for Seducing, Harps for Healing, Harps for Shouting! with Mara Galassi | Type: Lecture  | Level: Any   | When: Live   7/23/23 3:30-4:15pm HHS Add-on
In the 19th century, Welsh and Irish harps were perceived as revived versions of true ‘native’ instruments; but were they actually newly invented traditions? Movements to promote national harps and music at festivals struggled with the contradictions of embracing modern harp designs and allowing the inclusion of classical harp repertoire.

From Scotland to Ireland with Gráinne Hambly | Type: Hands-On   | Level: Int.   | When: Live | 7/21/23 1-2:30pm
This workshop will explore the close musical ties between Ireland and Scotland which have existed for centuries, focusing both on the old Gaelic harping tradition of both countries and the transfer of dance tunes and songs between them. A number of Irish melodies have their origins in Scotland, or exist in different versions in both countries. A brief overview of the topic will be presented, with musical examples, and a few sample tunes will be taught.

Fun & Easy Irish Tunes with Grainne Hambly | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
Build on your current Irish repertoire with this bonus workshop from the 2021 Somerset Saturday series. Gráinne will teach a dance tune by ear and show you how to do the various stylistic ornamentations that give the music that lilting quality. Gráinne will also give you important tips on fingering that will help you play more quickly. While Irish music is all about the melody, you'll learn how to add an appropriate accompaniment.

Funky Accompaniment! with Aisling Lyons | Type: Hands-on | Level: Any | When: On Video Starting July 1
Are you stuck in a rut with right and left hand accompaniment in sessions? Are you hoping to find some tricks to spice up your chords? This workshop might be for you! This workshop will help you 'funk up' your accompaniment to dance tunes! There will be a focus on numbers & syncopated rhythms.

Getting Started in Therapeutic Harping with Karen Peterson | Type: Lecture | Level: Any | When: Live Zoom 9/2/23 10am-11:30pm
If you're curious about therapeutic harp, or if you're currently studying for a therapeutic harp certificate, find out how to get started. Should you go through a certification program? If so, how do you choose one? What is it really like to play for patients? How skilled does your harp playing need to be? Where can you work? Should you volunteer? How hard is it to get paid? Discuss these answers and more based on Karen's 10+ years as a Certified Music Practitioner and her service on the Board of Directors for the Music for Healing & Transition Program and the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians.

Go Paperless with Digital Sheet Music with Robbin Gordon-Cartier | Type: Lecture   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
Explore the world of digital sheet music and how to make the switch from paper to tablet. Robbin will go over the basic starter pack and give tips and favorite shortcuts and enhancements to make going digital easy and helpful. Find out how liberating it is not dragging a case of music to a gig and having access to music that is not even in your paper library yet. You'll get all the pointers in getting started, including how to convert music you already have, organizing tips, best practices for using the tablet in practice and at gigs and so much more.

Gospels & Spirituals with Robbin Gordon-Cartier | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
There are gospel songs and spirituals that stand the test of time and transcend generations, denominations and all spiritual situations. Robbin will actively lead participants and take one of the classics and turn it up into a 21st century gospel hit! You'll learn tips for arranging, adapting and assessing how songs can be updated, which will be applied to a variety of gospel songs. By the end of this workshop you'll be playing the new gospel song arrangement and have the tools to learn and arrange other gospel songs.

Groovy Basslines with Kim Robertson | Type: Hands-On   | Level: Int.   | When: Live   | 7/23/23 9:30-11am
Learn how to create simple to complex bass lines and grooves for any style of music and create more variety and energy in your playing. Intermediate level, but all welcome.

Hand Separation with Maeve Gilchrist | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Int.   | Archive Add-on
This topic is something that often works its way into Maeve's teaching regardless of topic but in this focused workshop, we hone in on the mind and musical benefits of utilizing our two hands as separate instruments. Not only do an independent left and right hand allow for more interesting arrangement and composition ideas but they blast open up the musical mind and allow a deeper connection both material and instrument. Learning to practice in this way is a process that will never be boring. You'll start to understand how to cultivate your curiosity into a constant stream of learning opportunities. It might sound a little complicated but Maeve promises you'll have fun!

Harp Construction from 1607-1762 | Type: Lecture   | Level: Any   | HHS Add-on 7/23/23 4:15-5:00pm
Notes on different aspects of the construction and stringing of Italian double and triple harps, Welsh triple harps, chromatic German Davidsharfen, and hook harps.

Harp in Spain and the New World with Nicolas Carter and Christa Patton | Type: Lecture   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/22/23 1-2:30pm
Nicolas Carter - Paraguayan harp Christa Patton - Spanish Baroque harp The musical traditions from 17th century. Spain have come down to us as living traditions through the multiplicity of cultures found chiefly in Central and South America. Join Nicolas and Christa to explore the connections between the music of Spain and it’s dominions as well as a unique source from Peru called the Trujillo Manuscript which synthesizes both indigenous and European musical styles.

Harp of Love and other songs from Colonial America with Christa Patton | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Int.   | Archive Add-on
Experience the charm of music popular in the American Colonies from collections such as the Scots Musical Museum, theatre songs from England performed in New York City, a collection of Favorite songs by Alexander Reinagle of Philadelphia, and a little ditty that Washington’s granddaughter, Eleonor Lewis Park, may have played on her early French pedal harp.

Harp Regulation & Maintenance with Liza Jensen | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/22/23 3-4:30pm
The mysteries of harp regulation will be completely resolved in this one workshop with our expert harp technician! Liza will answer your questions about what it means to have your harp regulated and all its associated concerns such as what happens to your harp as it ages and why the harp shifts. See what that looks like. Bring your harp to this workshop and see it for yourself. How old is too old for your strings to be on your harp? What are the top 5 reasons your harp will buzz? There are all sorts of things to be learned about your harp--no matter how long you've been playing you'll learn all kinds of useful info in this workshop.

Harp Studies : Perspectives on the Irish Harp with Sandra Joyce | Type: Lecture   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/29/23 3-4:30pm
Dr. Sandra Joyce will discuss, “Harp Studies”, a book that contains fourteen articles presenting new research on the Irish harp covering many areas such as history, musicology, sociology and arts. Written by musicians, historians, academics, researchers and artists, the wide approach brings new perspectives in the understanding of the historical and the modern period of the Irish harp. By publishing, “Harp Studies”, Sandra Joyce and Helen Lawlor tackled the difficult task of dedicating a book entirely to the instrument with well-studied historical elements but also bringing new perspectives on a modern era often ignored. The fourteen articles in chronological order were written by an impressive list of authors gathered by the publishers. If it begins in the 12th century – relaying the previous periods sometimes considered as the golden age of the harp of the Celts to the introduction of the book – one should not forget that it is not a history but rather studies devoted to the instrument. Dr. Joyce’s newest publication, “Harp Studies II: World Harp Traditions” is due out this June.

Harpers' Escape at Somerset (beginner group): Add-on with Debbie Brewin-Wilson | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Beg.   | When: Live   | 7/20/23 1-4:30pm
In the first session, everybody learns the same "group" tune and adds accompaniment suited to their level. Then each group will learn additional tunes, learned by ear, and get left-hand tips and tricks for the accompaniment in the second session. This is an Add-on to an All-Access ticket. People who are signed up for this will get access to download audio files to listen to in advance. This Add-on includes a second Saturday in September. Debbie will be leading the beginner-level group.

Harpers' Escape at Somerset (intermediate): Add-on with William Jackson | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Int.   | When: Live   | 7/20/23 1-4:30pm
In the first session, everybody learns the same "group" tune and adds accompaniment suited to their level. Then each group will learn additional tunes, learned by ear, and get left-hand tips and tricks for the accompaniment in the second session. This is an Add-on to an All-Access ticket. People who are signed up for this will get access to download audio files to listen to in advance. This Add-on includes a second Saturday in September. Kathy DeAngelo will be leading the Intermediate group.

Harpers' Escape at Somerset (advanced group): Add-on with Gráinne Hambly | Type: Hands-On   | Level: Adv.   | When: Live   | 7/20/23 1-4:30pm
In the first session, everybody learns the same "group" tune and adds accompaniment suited to their level. Then each group will learn additional tunes, learned by ear, and get left-hand tips and tricks for the accompaniment in the second session. This is an Add-on to an All-Access ticket. People who are signed up for this will get access to download audio files to listen to in advance. This Add-on includes a second weekend event on 9/16. Grainne will be leading the advanced-level group.

Harpers' Escape Somerset Saturday (beginner group): Add-on with Debbie Brewin-Wilson | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Beg.   | When: Live   | 9/16/23 1-5:30pm
This Saturday is a continuation of the Escape at the July festival, an Add-on to an All-Access ticket. Review session is followed by the Use It or Lose It session with the entire group. A Teacher's Concert ends the day.

Harpers' Escape Somerset Saturday (intermediate group): Add-on with Kathy DeAngelo | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Int.   | When: Live   | 9/16/23 1-5:30pm
This Saturday is a continuation of the Escape at the July festival, an Add-on to an All-Access ticket. Review session is followed by the Use It or Lose It session with the entire group. A Teacher's Concert ends the day.

Harpers' Escape Somerset Saturday (advanced group): Add-on with Gráinne Hambly | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Adv.   | When: Live   | 9/16/23 1-5:30pm
This Saturday is a continuation of the Escape at the July festival, an Add-on to an All-Access ticket. Review session is followed by the Use It or Lose It session with the entire group. A Teacher's Concert ends the day.

Harps and High Tech: unlocking the secrets of Ireland and Scotland's harps with Karen Loomis | Type: Demo   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
What did harps sound like in Ireland and Scotland centuries ago? Come and explore how new technology is being used to investigate historical instruments. See and hear how recent discoveries are helping to reconstruct a lost sound world, as new harps come ever closer to recapturing the historical craftsmanship of the last surviving instruments from an ancient tradition.

Harpy-go-lucky with Rachel Hair | Type: Hands-On   | Level: Beg./Int.   | When: Live   | 7/21/23 3-4:30pm
Don’t you just love it when you find a tune that just *fits* the harp SO well and is super satisfying to play AND learn? Rachel delights in finding these tunes so come and see what she has in store for you this year!

Henry Plays Harp with Christa Patton | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
King Henry the VIII of England was a well known music lover and patron of the arts. In his personal psalter he is depicted playing a harp as his fool stands by. Many compositions attributed to him can be found in a manuscript named after him. You and Christa will be looking at these sparse but lovely polyphonic pieces and enjoying how well they fit the harp, both as complete pieces to play alone or in consort with other harps. All harps are welcome. Sight-reading needed.

Highland Harpbeat with Rachel Hair | Type: Hands-On   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/22/23 9:30-11am
Bring your harp to the Highlands and learn some beautiful Scottish Highland and Gaelic melodies, whilst learning about the culture, language and stories behind them.

Historical Damping Techniques for Harps and Psalteries with Bill Taylor | Type: Hands-On   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/23/23 9:30-10:30AM
Detailed techniques from Welsh and Irish sources for playing gut- and wire-string harps using fingernails and damping can be used for interpreting a wide range of repertoires, from medieval to modern styles. They are also appropriate for reconstructing techniques for playing psaltery, the lesser-understood cousin of the harp.

Historical Early Gaelic Harps: The Hollybrook Story with Karen Loomis | Type: Lecture   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
The bell-like sound of the harp of Ireland and highland Scotland was heard in great halls throughout the Gaelic world. Built to be strung with wire, the substantial frames of the few surviving historical instruments stand in silent testament to a rich, centuries long musical tradition. Karen will premier the results of her forensic analysis and study of Ireland's Hollybrook harp.

Historical Tour of the Early Gaelic Harps with Karen Loomis | Type: Lecture   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
From the middle ages through the early modern period, the bell-like sound of the harp of Ireland and highland Scotland was heard in great halls throughout the Gaelic world. Built to be strung with wire, the substantial frames of the few surviving historical instruments stand in silent testament to a rich, centuries long musical tradition. Today, this type of harp is undergoing a revival, as musicians seek to recapture its lost sound. In this presentation, Karen will trace the history of this iconic instrument through the surviving harps. Hear how Karen's ground-breaking forensic analysis of the Queen Mary harp and other recent discoveries are reshaping our understanding of these ancient instruments and are making it possible to build new instruments that more closely follow the craftsmanship of the originals.

History of the Harp in Ireland: with Gráinne Hambly | Type: Lecture   | Level: Any   | When: Live   | 7/23/23 9:30-11am
A lecture / recital on the history of the harp in Ireland, from its earliest depictions and descriptions up to the present day. Illustrated with musical examples and powerpoint slides.

Hit the Road Jack and other Ground Basses from the 17th century with Christa Patton | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Any   | Archive Add-on
The descending bassline from the classic "Hit the Road Jack" contemporary song is as old as the hills. This progression that underpins Greensleeves for example, and many other repeating basslines and their harmonies invite you to create your own melodies. Enjoy learning these timeless harmonic progressions and make up a few melodies if you are inclined. Understanding of playing chords is helpful. Chromatic harps are welcome but not essential.

Hymns and Arranging with Robbin Gordon-Cartier | Type: Hands-on   | Level: Beg-Int   | Archive Add-on
Hymns remain popular music in many denominations and should have an important place in your repertoire if you play for services, rituals like funerals and other life events. Robbin will cover three popular hymns and lead you through arranging them in different ways to fit different parts of the service.