Harpers’ Escape at Somerset

Thursday July 20, 2023

Celebrating its 31st Year

Back On-Site In-Person with Grainne Hambly, William Jackson & Debbie Brewin-Wilson

Build Your Repertoire: Learn It & Play It By Ear

For 24 magical Octobers, Kathy DeAngelo and You Gotta Have Harp organized the Harpers' Escape Weekend and brought together harpers from all over the country who wanted to share music in an intimate setting and learn and play traditional Irish and Scottish music by ear. The 2016 Escape was the last Fall retreat and sold out quickly but by popular request Somerset has been hosting a 1-day Harpers' Escape with 3 of the Escape's long-time popular presenters ever since.

This is a Somerset Add-On to your registration discounted to $100

NEW: Standalone option $ 175 to attend JUST the Escape on Thursday and on our Somerset Saturday in September.

Harpers’ Escape FAQ

  • The goal is to really learn the piece before

    you leave! How? Guidance. Modeling. Repetition. You will have the music so well embedded in your ears and in your hands by

    the time you're done. Sure, you'll get the sheet music afterwards, but that's essentially an off-line memory jog, just in case. You

    will have a firm grasp on what you're being taught. You'll also feel more comfortable playing it with others. Because we are back On-Site in 2023, this is a special chance to be in-person with our wonderful presenters and your harp buddies who enjoy this unique Escape enivronment. We have a new format this year, starting on Thursday rather than Sunday, and then continuing on in September for one of the Somerset Saturdays. The Escape this year will be held simultaneously on Zoom and also available later on Somerset Online for replay. All participants will be able to refer back to the video version of the workshop until October 31.

    There is a second session, get-together, on September 16 for a refresher and play-along session with tunes.

  • There is a second session, get-together, on September 16 for a refresher and play-along session with tunes.

  • This is a Somerset Add-On to your registration discounted to $100

    OR: Standalone option $ 175 to attend JUST the Escape on Thursday and on our Somerset Saturday in September.

  • Advanced Level with Gráinne Hambly

    Intermediate Level with William Jackson

    Beginner Level with Debbie Brewin-Wilson

  • Each registrant gets advance access to a Download page with the tunes that will be taught. Just by listening to the tunes a lot in advance of the Escape you'll actually be learning the tunes in your head!

    You begin the day with your own specific group and teacher and stay with that group most of the day, learning at your speed and getting plenty of coaching to really get the pieces in-depth into your fingers.

  • Recording device if you want to but no music stand needed! These sessions will be recorded on video and available at a later date for replay. (And your harp, of course)

  • Registrants will get access to the Escape Member Area on Somerset’s website. You will have access to sound files to listen to, PDFs of the handouts, and later, the links to the video replays of the Escape. Attendees on-site just show up to the designated workshop room.

    Online-Only attendees use the Escape Member Area to attend via Zoom link.

The Escape’s Motto is, “Harp ‘Till You Drop”

The Itinerary for the Harpers' Escape

  • Thursday 1-2:30pm Session 1:. Everybody learns the same "Group" tune at whatever level they're at. You learn by doing and repetition!

  • Thursday 3-4:30pm Session 2: Each instructor picks different tunes for the second workshop with their group, adapting arranging and accompaniment to suit their class. Everyone will get access to the download page so they can download and listen to the tunes in advance of the weekend. The Beginners tune will be a popular "group" tune from a previous Harper's Escape and will be selected from one of the 3 Harpers' Escape music books (though no need to prepare anything in advance!)

  • Friday Night Harpers' Escape Play-Along evening activity. Optional. Get a chance to meet others from the Harpers Escape and some of those who attend the weekly Monday Harpers' Escape Play-Along online. Play-along if you can. We'll have a playlist in advance. Enjoy the ambience.

  • Somerset Saturday, Sept. 16 1-2pm: Review sessions by group level

  • Somerset Saturday, Sept. 16 2:30-3:30pm: Use it or Lose It session. All the groups are in the same "meeting room" and play along on all the tunes they learned! Being "live" on Zoom means that actually playing "together" with everybody being able to hear each other is just not possible. Focus on just the melody or on left-hand accompaniment or do both. It's up to you. Each group will play their "new" tune. Those more comfortable reading the sheet-music can of course be doing that!

  • Saturday Sept. 16 3:30-4:30pm:Teacher's Concert: Relax and enjoy a concert with Debbie, Gráinne & Billy and Kathy DeAngelo, up close and personal.

Harpers' Escape (Add-On to Festival Ticket)
$100.00
One time

Thursday July 20, 2023: An intimate gathering of harpists to learn traditional Irish and Scottish music by ear. This Somerset Extra is discounted to $100 if added to your festival ticket (Stand alone price $175) 3 levels: Beg. Debbie Brewin-Wilson Int. William Jackson Adv. Gráinne Hambly

Harpers' Escape Photo Montage photo of the Parting Glass book, 2016 Escape Group and various workshops

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