Course flyer - Ben Creighton Griffiths

Harp
Workshop
St Augustine's Church Hall
Kirkby-in-Cleveland
15 & 16 March 2014
Improvisation
& Performance
Techniques
For the
Beginner &
Intermediate
Harpist
With
Ben
Creighton
Griffiths
& Anita Aslin
This event is
sponsored by
www.bjcg.co.uk
Ben Creighton Griffiths
Benjamin made his international debut in
2004 when as a 7 year old he came second in
the Under 18 class of the 1er Concours
International de Harpe in Nantes, France.
In 2006 he won the Under 13 solo harp at
the Wales International Harp Festival and
in 2008 (11 years old) won the Under 16
class at Concours de harpe Lily Laskine, in
Paris. His prize was a Salvi Concert Harp.
Since then he has been earning himself an
enviable reputation as a young International
Performer touring to Brazil, Canada, The
Caribbean, Croatia, France, Hungary, Italy,
Netherlands & Spain.
In 2007 he performed at the European Harp
Symposium playing solos and a duet with the
Russian Harpist Andres Izmaylov. Following
the success of this concert Benjamin was
invited to give a concert at the 10th World
Harp Congress (Amsterdam, 2008) and
soon after that was invited to the 11th
World Harp Congress (Vancouver, 2011) to
perform both a solo recital and to take part in
a Gala Tribute Concert to Ceren Necipoglu
who was returning from performing at the
Rio Harp Festival, Brazil aboard the Air
France plane which crashed in May 2009.
In 2010 Benjamin made his South American
debut performing at the V Rio International
Harp Festival he returned to Brazil for the VI
& VII editions in 2011 & 2012.
Closer to home Ben has performed as a
soloist at Edinburgh International Harp
Festival, Wales International Harp
Festival, The Summer Harp Festival,
Monmouth Festival and Ludlow Festival.
Benjamin is the Principal Harp of Concert
Orchestra de Cymru and has performed as a
concerto soloist with The Welsh Sinfonia,
Welsh Concert Orchestra, Llandenny
Strings, Cardiff Philharmonic, les Alizés &
the orchestra of Le Garde Républicaine.
He is an Official Ambassador for George
Thomas Hospice Care, The British Heart
Foundation Cymru and St. John Cymru
Wales. On 1st March 2010 he performed at
Clarence House for HRH the Prince of Wales
at a reception for George Thomas.
In 2011 Ben was mentor to Welsh rugby
legend Gareth Thomas who learnt to play the
harp in 6 weeks in the ITV 1 TV show "Born to
Shine" in aid of Save the Children.
Benjamin had previously made two TV
programs with the BBC, Take a Bow (2007)
and Bobinogs (2008). Other TV appearances
include the Urdd Eisteddfod, Carolau
Llangollen, Noson Lawen and BBC Children in
Need. In 2014 he recorded a short film about
Lady Llanover with the BBC in which he plays
a Triple Harp. Radio broadcasts include The
National Holocaust Memorial Event, Wales
International Harp Festival & an interview for
the BBC R4 documentary - Master Harper.
Benjamin released his first recording “Ben
Jamming” in 2003 for BBC Children in Need.
In 2009, he recorded Britten's "Ceremony of
Carols" with the Girl Chorister's of Llandaff
Cathedral followed in 2010 by a DVD "L'Arpa
in Villa" of a concert he gave in Italy in 2009.
His latest CD "An incomplete A-Z of Jazz
Harp Music" was released May 2012
His first published work "Home-Work from
Julian” is an original blues composition for
the harp with improvisation. This has been
followed by a further fifteen publications
including compositions, arrangements and
collaborations - including seven titles in his
Jazz Harp Series.
January 2014
Programme
Saturday 15th March 2014
10.00
Arrival and unpacking harps
10.30 - 11.30
Class 1: Modal Jazz
12.00 - 13.00
Class 2: Rhythms for Modal jazz
13.00 - 14.00
Lunch Break
Creighton’s Collection exhibition of harp sheet music and CDs.
14.00 - 15.00
Class 3: Masterclass - Play a prepared piece
15.30 - 16.30
Class 4: Jazz, Blues
17.00 - 17.45
Café Jazz - Informal solo concert by Benjamin
18.00 - 19.00
Meet the Artist - informal questions and answers
Creighton’s Collection exhibition of harp sheet music and CDs.
Sunday 16th March 2014
10.00
Arrival and unpacking harps
10.30 - 11.30
Class 5: Jazz Based Sight Reading
12.00 - 13.00
Class 6: Expanding Blues & Modal pieces
(From Classes 1 & 4)
13.00 - 14.00
Lunch Break
Creighton’s Collection exhibition of harp sheet music and CDs.
14.00 - 15.00
Ensemble Practice
15.30 - 16.30
Farewell Concert *
* Why not bring a cake or something to share with the tea
and coffee which will be served after the Farewell Concert
For further information please contact Anita Aslin
Phone: 01642 711765, Mobile: 07947 445322
e-mail via www.harping-on.co.uk
Specialist harp music publishers Creighton’s Collection
Will be exhibiting a selection of harp music, harp CDs and gifts
Tel: 029 20 397711 E-mail [email protected]
Improvisation & Performance Techniques
This Improvisation and Performance Techniques workshop has been
specifically designed for the Beginner / Intermediate harpist, young or
old, who would like an informative introduction to the exciting world of
jazz and improvisation.
As many of the skills needed for jazz and improvisation, such as sight
reading, harp techniques and performance techniques are also needed
for all forms of harp playing many of the tips and tricks learnt will help
with regular harp studies.
To enable the students to get the most out of the workshop they will
receive a “Pre Course” Study Book with two short tunes and scales
that they should familiarise themselves with before the workshop..
On arrival each student will also receive a Workshop Course Book
which will also include additional material both for the workshop and for
further study in the future.
Further Information
Please try to arrive by 10.00am each day so that the first class can
start at 10.30am prompt.
While we can offer tea and coffee we are unable to offer prepared meals
and suggest that students bring a packed lunch.
Parents of students on the course are welcome to stay and can
observe as much or as little of the workshops as they wish. We only ask
that they enter and leave quietly so as not to disturb the students.
Parents and siblings of students on the course are welcome to attend
Benjamin’s concert on Saturday as well as the Farewell Concert on
Sunday free of charge.
Students should remember to bring:
/Harp
/Music
/Music Stand
/Stool
/Spare strings
/Tuning key
/Pencil
Designed & Printed by Creighton’s Collection