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Can't make it to Somerset? Then come to the
Harpers' Escape Weekend
October 4-6, 2013

 

 

 

 

Workshops: C-E

Be sure to refresh this page every time you visit our site to get the latest updates.
Time Period Key:
AM1=9:30-11am AM2=11:30am-noon PM1: 1:30-3pm PM2: 3:30-5pm
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Care & Feeding of Harp Circles: Gerry Serviente
Former festival director Gerry Serviente will lead an informal chat session in the festival lobby on how to get harp circles started and keep them going. What's a harp circle? You should come to this session! Her Carlisle PA harp circle has been getting together since 1996 and is still going strong. If you are thinking about starting a circle or are already in one and would like to share your experiences, please come by for this chat session. Coffee and tea are on us.
Open to companions.
Level: Any
Type: Discussion group
When: Sat. PM1
Where: festival lobby
Carolan Marathon: Grainne Hambly
carolanBe part of the 4th annual play-in honoring 18th century Irish composer Turlough O'Carolan. Grainne will lead this open harpers' circle. If you know it, play it. Play by ear or bring your music. This is the first-time we're holding this in the afternoon rather than in the evening. Open to all musically appropriate non-harp instruments too. Open to companions.
Can we beat 30? That's the number of tunes played in 2012. For the list of tunes that were played last year, click here.
Level: Any
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Sat. PM2
Where: Symmes
Celtic Music For Church: Debbie Brewin-Wilson
There are many popular hymns that are based on melodies from the Celtic traditions. Debbie will use Leanabh a nigh (Morning Has Broken) as a starting point in this workshop. Walk out of this workshop knowing a beautiful tune and get solid tips for adapting arrangements and following a lead sheet. Level: Beg 
Type: Hands-on
When: Fri. PM2
Where: Morris 2
Contemporary Carolan: Kim Robertson
Almost everybody loves the music of 17th century Irish composer Turlough O'Carolan. Learn to add a modern twist to some of those pieces. Using a few of his well known and lesser known pieces, discover how to create intros, interludes, rhythmic motifs and alternative harmonies for making contemporary arrangements of these timeless melodies. Lead sheets will be used. A basic knowledge of chord structure helpful. Level: Int
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Fri. PM1
Where: Johnnes
Contemporary Scottish Music: Maeve Gilchrist
Maeve will talk about traditional Scottish music and how to arrange it in a way which breathes new life into it while still retaining it's traditional roots. She will teach a traditional Scottish tune, focusing on stylistic ornamentation and phrasing before going into arrangement ideas. You'll learn how to support the melody and highlight it with color so as to bring out the beauty and make it one's own. Level:  Int/Adv    
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Fri. AM1  
Where: Cobb 
Create & Give a Stellar Performance: Martha Gallagher
What makes the difference between giving a "recital" or "concert" and giving a "performance"? Come find out, as we explore the many fascinating facets of performing. If you've been itching for something more, but can't quite put your finger on what "more" might be, this is the workshop for you. Martha will talk you through practical matters in performing as well as how to engage and delight an audience. Bring any material you might like to use in your show, or just material you like; poetry, Shakespeare, movement, humo. Bring your ideas, questions, fears, uncertainties, dreams and desires.
Open to companions.
Level: Any   
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Fri. PM1
Where: Morris 3
Create an Irish Dance Tune: Cormac DeBarra
Join Cormac DeBarra for this journey into the creative process and learn how to tap your own inner creativity and build a foundation for composing your own material.  Workshop participants will enjoy  collaborating with Cormac and create a tune for the festival. Level: Any
Type: Hands-on 
When: Fri. AM1
Where: Morris 8
Dance the Tune: Nic Gareiss
Come explore the sheer musical potential of your feet by using improvisation, organic movement and drawing from a myriad of percussive dance styles.  Using imitation, idiomatic ornaments as well as alternate shoe-sounds and textures, we will learn to construct lines of rhythm imitating traditional fiddle tunes from Ireland, England, Quebec and America as well as contrast the melody by setting up shoe-grooves using contemporary musical sensibility. Wear comfortable shoes! Open to companions. Level: Any  
Type:  Feet 
When: Fri. PM2  
Where: Cobb 
De-mystifying Music Theory: Janet Witman
The term "music theory" strikes fear into the hearts of some developing players. In this workshop with Janet, you'll find that it's not "rocket science" or particle physics. She'll have you singing "triads, intervals and scales, oh yes" in no time (apologies to the Wizard of Oz) and applying the foundations of music theory in very practical ways on your harp.
We have two music theory workshops on Saturday at 2 different times to maximize your opportunity to take one of them. If this workshop conflicts with another workshop you want to take, then take Sabine Meijers' Theoretically Speaking at 9:30am.
Level:  Any  
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Sat. PM1
Where: Morris 9
DIY Harp Maintenance: William Grant
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. Bill will also step you through string buzzing diagnostics and simple things you can do to keep your harp sounding great. This is a mini-workshop of about 60 minutes during the "lunch hour" and is offered twice during the weekend. Open to companions. Level: Any    
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Fri./Sat. AM2
Where:Morris 11
Early Music Harp Ensemble: Carol Thompson
This fun ensemble is intended for beginners and those who have never played in an ensemble before (although anybody else is welcome to participate). Carol will have multiple parts to suit all levels of players. You only need to read one line of music! Harps of all sizes are welcome as we read two and three part harmonies from 1250 AD to the Renaissance. If you're interested in a group experience playing together, take this workshop and add some new pieces to your repertoire. The music is by well known Early Music composers, and Carol will provide the historical context for the pieces. Some of the music uses a drone bass, so even if you are a new player you can still be part of the group. There is nothing to prepare in advance. Just come, sit in and be part of a great unusual sound. Level: Any
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Sat. PM1
Where: Morris 11 
Early Music of the Irish Harpers: Cormac DeBarra
Many harp players, even if they don’t play Irish music, have probably heard about Turlough O’Carolan, but did you know that there were many other really popular, in their time, Irish harpers like the Connellan brothers and Ruairí Dall Ó Catháin who created memorable pieces that are still being played today? Get an overview of the early Irish harp and learn some really great pieces. Sight-reading not necessary for this workshop. You might also want to put the Carolan Marathon with Grainne Hambly on Saturday on your Somerset itinerary.
Level: Any 
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Fri. PM2 
Where: Vail
Elements of Jazz & Improvisation I: Maeve Gilchrist
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. This is part of our Thursday special. Please siign-up in advance on the registration for this class. Level: Int/Adv 
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Thurs. 1-2:30pm  
Where: Cobb 
Elements of Jazz & Improvisation II: Maeve Gilchrist
The second of Maeve's Thursday Special workshops on jazz and improvisation. More in-depth study and exploration of a few jazz standards that you'll use while vamping extended jazz chords and building improvisations. Level: Int/Adv 
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Thurs. 3-4:30pm
Where: Cobb 
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If you find a mistake in any of these schedules pages please let me know!


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Updated 4/25/13
Workshop descriptions and schedules are subject to change.