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

 

 

 

 

Workshops: F-L
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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Fingering Tips & Tricks Sunita Staneslow
Good fingering can make the music fit like a glove! Whether you are using written music or playing by ear, how to get musical phrases to sit under your fingers just right is a real art. Are there rules for fingering? When do you follow those rules and when should you break them? Learn when not to use a crossover. If you have small hands, this workshop will be very helpful to you. Bring your fingering questions and get answers to these and more! Level: Any 
Type:  Hands-on
When: Fri. PM1 
Where: Vail
Gather Round: Rounds and Canons for Harp Ensemble: Cynthia Shelhart
Whether your harp ensemble is just getting started, or you need to polish ensemble skills, playing a round or canon allows harpers to enjoy making music in a familiar format. After warming up with a vocal round, we’ll play 2 (or more) rounds or canons arranged for multi-level harp ensemble. Participants will sight-read music and sing in this workshop. For multi-level harp ensemble; specific repertoire may vary. Level: Any  
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Fri. PM1  
Where: Morris 11
Getting a Handel on Harp: Rhett Barnwell
In the early 18th century, the harp was overshadowed by instruments more capable of meeting the ever-increasingly chromatic demands of popular composers of the time, like, Bach and Handel. Only Handel had virtuosi harpists at his fingertips—Welshmen who played triple harp. We will look at the few original pieces Handel wrote for the harp and hear his famous harp concerto as it might have sounded in the early 18th century. You’ll explore transcriptions of some of his best loved works, which are very well suited for the lever harp and are frequently requested for weddings, church services, and other special occasions. This workshop is part lecture and part hands-on. You’ll learn to play a few of Handel’s greatest hits. Level:  Any  
Type: Lecture/Hands-on
When: Sat. PM1  

Where: Morris 8

Get Wired! Cynthia Cathcart
New players and those interested in learning all about the wire-strung harp are encouraged to attend this workshop with one of instrument's top players. Find out how best to use wire-harp technique and playing with your finger nails as well as tips and tricks for adapting arrangements to make the most of the bell-like ringing strings that typify this instrument. Care and maintenance of wire-strung harps will also be discussed. Do you really need to use your fingernails? Bring your questions and get answers.
Open to companions		 Level:  Any
Type: Hands-on 
When: Fri. AM1
Where: Morris 4
Goal Setting at your harp: Cynthia Cathcart
If you're wandering around aimlessly, musically speaking, and just feel like you're adding tunes to your repertoire but feel like you're not going anywhere, this workshop is for you. Isn't there more to music than knowing a lot of tunes? What do you do with them? The goal of this workshop is to help you discover a purpose for your music, to realize where it can take you, and lay out a purpose-built path that can get you there. Beware. You may find that you need to change your approach to practicing.
Open to companions		 Level:  Any
Type: Hands-on 
When: Fri. PM1
Where: Morris 4
Gregorian Modes & Psalm Tones: Melinda Gardiner
Gregorian modes are still used today for singing the psalms in monasteries and churches. The psalms express every human emotion and the psalm-tone is chosen carefully to fully express the text. You'll approach the modes by working with psalm tones to get a practical understanding of how these modes may be used to express a mood in improvisation, to meet the needs of a patient as a therapeutic musician, or to express a song-lyric you have written. To experience moving from mode to mode Melinda will use one of the songs of St. Hildegard of Bingen. She’ll also use a few traditional songs to see how the modes are used to perfectly express the text. Level: Any
Type:  Hands-on  
When:  Sat. AM1
Where: Morris 8
Harmonic Improvisation: Patrice Fisher
This workshop is intended to de-mystify the skill of improvisation, which can be learned just like any other musical technique. You don’t have to have a complicated understanding of harmony to improvise over simple songs and chord changes. No sight-reading needed Level: Int
Type:  Hands-on  
When:  Fri. PM2
Where: Morris 11
Harping from Lead Sheets: Sabine Meijers
Learn how to interpret the melody from a lead sheet and arrange the harmony and bass line to it. With Sabine's clear explanation and guidance, you'll be on your way to using lead sheets in all your future playing. Level: Int-Adv.
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Fri. AM1
Where: Vail
Healing With Sounds: Maureena Spadaro
Using a wide palette of sound healing tools like Solfeggio Body Tuners, Fibonacci interval tuners and Solar Harmonic Spectrum and Angel Tuners, you'll explore various frequencies and discover for yourself the power of sound. All can help to ease Body Mind Spirit. Maureena will help you explore all these sounds and you’ll receive a sound healing treatment as a group. Limited to the first 20 people. New this year, Maureena is adding crystal bowls using C and F, creating a Perfect Fifth for harmonizing and balance. Open to companions.
.		 Level:  Any  
Type:  Lecture-demo 
When:  Fri. PM2
Where: Suite
Here, Play This! Janet Witman
Developing your sightreading skills will set you up as a better teacher, ensemble player, student and performer! Janet will discuss the steps towards becoming a fearless sightreader and will provide handouts, demonstrations, and suggested music to practice this valuable skill. Bring a harp, pencil, music stand, 3-ring binder- and let's get reading together! Level:  Any  
Type:  Hands-on  
When:  Fri. PM1
Where: Morris 9
I Always Wanted to Play the Harp: Gerry Serviente
Have you ever said to yourself "I always wanted to play the harp"? Experience a harp first-hand, literally. We have a 45-minute workshop offered to any of our daily Visitors. Sure, you're coming for the day to check out the Exhibit Hall and maybe go to a concert, but this mini-workshop is intended as a "get acquainted" session--just you, an experienced harper and your hands on a harp. There's nothing to be fear or feel self-conscious about. learn how to make a "joyful noise". Ask questions. Get answers.
Open to companions.		 Level:  Any  
Type: Discussion 
When: Fri. & Sat. 10am 
Where: festival lobby
I Got Rhythm and So Do You: Edie Elkan
If you've got a heartbeat, you've got rhythm! This dynamic workshop will get your toes tapping and your fingers flying. Best of all, you'll get past the fear of flying through the most challenging rhythms. Level:  Any  
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Sat. PM2  
Where: Johnnes
Improvisation & Inspiration I: Martha Gallagher
This 2-session workshop is chock full of  ideas and “tools” for spicing up arrangements, playing the blues, getting comfy with improv, singing, songwriting, performance skills and more.   These "tools" will be fun and can be applied to any music for those who play out in public and or just for themselves.  Participants can let Martha know in advance what they'd like to explore. You'll go home with lots of new things to incorporate right away into your music as well as over time. Level: Any 
Type: Hands-on
When: Sat. AM1  
Where: Morris 11
Improvisation & Inspiration II: Martha Gallagher
This is part 2 of this 2-session workshop is chock full of  ideas and “tools” for spicing up arrangements, playing the blues, getting comfy with improv, singing, songwriting, performance skills and more.   These "tools" will be fun and can be applied to any music for those who play out in public and or just for themselves.  Participants can let Martha know in advance what they'd like to explore. You'll go home with lots of new things to incorporate right away into your music as well as over time. Level: Any 
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Sun. AM1  
Where: Vail
Jam Together!: Sabine Meijers
Come together in this Blues and Improv Ensemble workshop and learn you can jam together with other harpists and musicians. Sabine will teach you to speak the 'jam language' that you can expect at a jam session. Level: Any.
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Sat. PM1
Where: concert hall
Jewish Music for harp & voice: Lynne Lapidus
What are the characteristics that make a tune sound “Jewish”? In this workshop, Lynne will teach the most popular Jewish wedding song “Od Yishoma” and you'll see how the melody, text and harmony and rhythm all combine to give that distinct sound. You'll learn both instrumental and accompaniment versions as well as proper pronunciations. This music is fun and uplifting. . Level: Beg-Int.
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Fri. AM1
Where: Morris 6
Joy of Bach: Rhett Barnwell
Rhett has a humorous approach to the harp music of Johann Sebastian Bach, or rather, the lack thereof. Find out why this powdered-wigged master of polyphony seems to have written nothing for the harp, and what has been done to correct this grievous omission. We will explore the life, music and spirituality of Bach, often called the "Fifth Evangelist" and look at clever transcriptions of some of his greatest pieces which can now be readily enjoyed on lever harp. Level: Any
Type:  Hands-on  
When: Fri. PM2
Where: Johnnes
Laughter Yoga: Bonnie Berk
Did you know that laughter is actually good for your health? A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, boosts your immune system, releases endorphins and protects the heart. Come and experience for yourself the many benefits of gentle movements,  laughter exercises and mindfulness meditation. All you need to bring is your sense of humor!
Open to companions		 Level: Any  
Type: Lecture & participation 
When: Sat. PM2
Where: Morris 3
Lead Sheet Success: Patterns to Go: Cynthia Shelhart
“Where’s the left hand part?” Harpers love the idea of lead sheets and fake books, but are often puzzled by this “musical skeleton” format. Cynthia will take your through a comprehensive review of the various components of a lead sheet. You'll learn how to choose and add accompaniment patterns to transform melody-plus-chords into an effective harp arrangement. Sight-reading needed; bring your own music stand. Previous exposure to lead sheets helpful, but not required. Level: Int  
Type: Hands-on 
When: Sat. AM1
Where: Morris 9
Left Hand Toolbox: Therese Honey
Creative musicians practice divergent thinking when experimenting with many different musical ideas, instead of convergent thinking (conforming and arriving at one correct musical answer). Practice left hand accompaniment patterns, from the most basic to more challenging ones. Some sight-reading helpful for this class. Level:  Any
Type: Hands-on 
When: Sat. AM1
Where: Morris 6
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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.