clairseach : Message: Scoil na gClàirseach 2008

A Chairde,

Dear friends,Ê

The Historical Harp Society of Ireland announces the sixthÊ

Scoil na gClairseachĞSummer School of Early Irish Harp

Kilkenny, Ireland

20th-26th August 2008Ê

We look forward to welcoming old and new friends.ÊCome and join international participants from the USA toÊEurope to Japan, to immerse yourself in the Gaelic world'sÊancient and exquisite historicalÊÊharp withÊintensive tuition, lectures, informal talks, concerts and aÊŞeld trip to museums to see surviving instruments.Ê

The Scoil extends a particularly warm welcome to absoluteÊbeginners. Harpists who donÕt yet play early Irish harps butÊwho are interested in historical playing techniques andÊrepertoire are also very welcome to attend.Ê

There will be a limited number of historical Irish harpsÊavailable to rent on a Şrst-come, Şrst-served basis. OurÊrental instruments, made for us by master luthier, DavidÊKortier, are accurately copied from surviving historicÊharps and are Ştted with brass and sterling silver strings.ÊScoil na gCl‡irseach caters for all levels, from raw beginnersÊto advanced and professional players.Ê

In accordance with our usual policy, we will have a dedicated Beginners class in addition to Post-beginner / Intermediate and Advanced levels.Ê We will also have our usual tasty menu of lectures and talks given by staff and guest scholars (incorporating our unique two-tier lecture system, with parallel streams both for beginner to intermediate level and also for very advanced students), in-house and public concerts and a trip to see many of the survivingÊ instruments held in Irish collections.Ê

This years faculty includes old Scoil friends

Siobhan ArmstrongÊ(Ireland)ÊÊDirectorÊ

One of Europe's leading historical harpists

Simon ChadwickÊ(UK)ÊAssistant DirectorÊ

Organologist and founder of earlygaelicharp.info

Ann HeymannÊ(USA)

The world pioneer of the modern revival of early Irish harp

Sean DonnellyÊ(Ireland)

and

Keith SangerÊ(Scotland)

The latter two scholars are the respective leaders in the field of early Gaelic harp research in Ireland and Scotland.

In addition, we are delighted to announce thatÊAndrew Lawrence-KingÊ(Guernsey), the world's foremost historical harper, will be joining the faculty for the first time as a tutor and performer. ÊÊ

Our other Scoil debut guest lecturers are

Mary O'DonnellÊ(Ireland)

A University of Limerick doctoral student who is researching 19th Irish harp history

and

Jim HunterÊ(N. Ireland) Author of several publications on Irish harpers such as O'Hampsey and O Cathain, among other musical subjects.

Would you like to:Ê

¥ÊPlay an early Irish harp?ÊThis is IrelandÕs illustriousÊmedieval harp strung in brass and sometimes evenÊsilver and gold wire. Played in Ireland & Scotland fromÊat least 1000 years ago and made famous by harpersÊsuch as Carolan, it died out in the early 19th century.Ê

¥ÊRediscoverÊthe music of the early Irish harpers?Ê

¥ÊStudy at Şrst handÊthe surviving sources of theirÊmusic in early manuscripts and printed sources?Ê

¥ÊBecome proŞcientÊat reconstructing appropriateÊaccompaniments for the melodies?Ê

¥ÊLearn medieval playing techniquesÊon replicaÊmedieval instruments?Ê

¥ÊResearchÊand use sparkling Irish harp melodicÊornamentation?Ê

¥ÊSee, hear, and playÊreplicas of the medievalÊinstrument depicted in the Irish National emblem?Ê

Or are you a more advanced playerÊwho would like toÊcontinue to improve your early harping skills under theÊtuition of some of the foremost international teachers,Êscholars and players of this harp? If so, then this could be the summer school for you.

Scoil na gCl‡irseach explores all aspects of the instrumentÕsÊplaying techniques and repertoire including:Ê

¥Êold Gaelic harp repertoire from early manuscripts andÊprinted sources, from both Ireland and the ScottishÊHighlandsÊ

¥Êhistorical playing and string-damping techniquesÊ

¥Êidiomatic melodic ornamentationÊ

¥Êhistorically informed approaches to bass and trebleÊ

¥ÊotherÊÊhistoricalÊÊrepertoire appropriate to theÊinstrumentÊ

¥Êpractical applications e.g. physical posture and nail careÊ

For more information and to download an application form, please visitÊhttp://www.irishharpschool.comÊWe need to receive your completed application form and deposit by 20th June to confirm your place.ÊEARLY BOOKING BONUS: Deposits paid on or before 20th April entitle the participant to a Euro 25 discount on the balance of the Scoil fees.ÊIf you would like a printed version of the Scoil brochure and application form, please let us know.

N.B. Kilkenny is a busy tourist destination in August; if you are planning to come, do get in touch as early as possible so that we can help you to find reasonably priced accommodation.

Le gach dea-ghui,

Best wishes,

Siobhan Armstrong

Chair - Historical Harp Society of Ireland

www.irishharp.org

info@...

+353 (0)51 646286

Kilballyquilty

Carrick-on-Suir

Co. Waterford

Ireland

The Historical Harp Society of Ireland is kindly supported by the The Arts Council of Ireland and Kilkenny County Council.

If you would prefer not to receive mail from the HHSI, then please accept our apologies for this one.Ê Just send us an email with 'Unsubscribe' in the subject line and we will delete you from our mailing list.

H. Eng. S.

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