Brilliant time down in Kilkenny, http://www.irishharpschool.com, has anyone else here been there in the past? Highly recommended, I've come back even more enthusiastic for the instrument than I was when I went!
Ordered my student Trinity through the Historical Harp Society, renting one of theirs while I wait for it to arrive, looking forward so much to it!
Well, in the morning we had classes with Siobhán Armstrong, Ann Heymann, Javier Sáinz and Paul Dooley (he was just there one day though). The classes were grouped according to ability (I was in the beginners-who've-never-touched-any-sort-of-harp-ever class...) and got to have lessons with at least three of the four. That was especially interesting, because we're talking about an instrument that literally died out at one point - it was great to see the different techniques that each of them are developing.
There was a performance each lunchtime, one of which was in Kilkenny Castle, and a concert one evening with Ex Cathedra in St Canice Cathedral.
Then in the afternoon there were talks and practise times scheduled. Fascinating talks about the harpers, how to make fake nails out of ping pong balls (amazingly realistic!), some really interesting debates such as why there are the "sisters/companions" (two strings tuned to the same G).
Then some of the evenings we just all sat around with the harps playing, or in my case, singing instead. The last day (which I missed) there was a trip to Dublin to visit the original harps.
I can't describe just how good the week was, a constant sense of being at the cutting edge, part of a small group trying to reinstate the national symbol of Ireland as a performed instrument, it was absolutely fantastic. And the people at it - all from completely different backgrounds, but all getting more and more enthusiastic as each day passed.
There's actually a concert given by the staff tonight in Trinity College Chapel if anyone's in Dublin, eight o'clock. Also, a few of us are going to try to get a regular thing going in Dublin, so if there are any other harpers out there....
Scoil na gCláirseach
Scoil na gCláirseach
Brilliant time down in Kilkenny, http://www.irishharpschool.com, has anyone else here been there in the past? Highly recommended, I've come back even more enthusiastic for the instrument than I was when I went!
Ordered my student Trinity through the Historical Harp Society, renting one of theirs while I wait for it to arrive, looking forward so much to it!
# Posted on August 23rd 2005 by tumeltyni
Re: Scoil na gCláirseach
That sounds great, and I'm envious. Want to share more of your experiences at the school, and what you learned?
# Posted on August 23rd 2005 by tedium
Re: Scoil na gCláirseach
Well, in the morning we had classes with Siobhán Armstrong, Ann Heymann, Javier Sáinz and Paul Dooley (he was just there one day though). The classes were grouped according to ability (I was in the beginners-who've-never-touched-any-sort-of-harp-ever class...) and got to have lessons with at least three of the four. That was especially interesting, because we're talking about an instrument that literally died out at one point - it was great to see the different techniques that each of them are developing.
There was a performance each lunchtime, one of which was in Kilkenny Castle, and a concert one evening with Ex Cathedra in St Canice Cathedral.
Then in the afternoon there were talks and practise times scheduled. Fascinating talks about the harpers, how to make fake nails out of ping pong balls (amazingly realistic!), some really interesting debates such as why there are the "sisters/companions" (two strings tuned to the same G).
Then some of the evenings we just all sat around with the harps playing, or in my case, singing instead. The last day (which I missed) there was a trip to Dublin to visit the original harps.
I can't describe just how good the week was, a constant sense of being at the cutting edge, part of a small group trying to reinstate the national symbol of Ireland as a performed instrument, it was absolutely fantastic. And the people at it - all from completely different backgrounds, but all getting more and more enthusiastic as each day passed.
There's actually a concert given by the staff tonight in Trinity College Chapel if anyone's in Dublin, eight o'clock. Also, a few of us are going to try to get a regular thing going in Dublin, so if there are any other harpers out there....
# Posted on August 24th 2005 by tumeltyni