On behalf of the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering

December 1, 2011
Dear Autoharp Lover and Discriminating Festival Enthusiast:
On behalf of the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering (MLAG), I am pleased to announce that the next
Gathering will be held Wednesday, June 20 through Sunday, June 24, 2012 at the Little Buffalo State Campground in Newport, PA. As we enter our 22nd year, the Gathering is bigger and better than ever. We hope
you will join us!
We again have a great lineup of performers: Cathy Barton & Dave Para, Les, Gwen & Sadie Gustafson-Zook,
June Maugery & Friends, Bonnie Phipps, Will Smith, and Ray Choi, our 2011 contest champion. As usual,
we have a great lineup of workshop leaders and the contest should again be very exciting and memorable.
The Little Buffalo State Park “Rules and Regulations” will apply to us and you will find them attached. As
part of the registration process, we ask for your signed agreement to abide by all of the campground rules
and to indemnify both the state and the all-volunteer MLAG Board against claims for damage to property
or personal injury while attending the Gathering. This signed agreement should be returned with your
registration materials.
We will have use of the park from the Monday check-in — after 3 p.m. — preceding the Gathering through
check-out on Monday — by 3 p.m. — following the Gathering (June 18–25). If you wish to arrive prior to or
stay after those dates you will need to make special arrangements. Please contact me directly for instructions on how to do this. We cannot guarantee that the State will assign you to the site you’ll have during
the Gathering. Though we will do our best to avoid unnecessary moves, you may have to move if you do
arrive prior to Monday.
As we did last year, we are also planning some pre-Gathering workshop options for early arrivals. Karen
Daniels (beginners), Les Gustafson-Zook (intermediate) and Will Smith (intermediate/advanced) will each
present nine hours of small group instruction on Tuesday and Wednesday. For at least the next few years
there will be a Patsy Tressler Memorial Award. A random drawing from the names of all Pre-Gathering participants will be made on Wednesday night and one lucky individual will be given a check to cover the cost
of the class. A full schedule, pricing and additional information is also included in this packet. The details
are also posted on the Mountain Laurel web site (www.mlag.org).
If you can, please use our on-line registration; it makes our job ever so much easier! This is available at
http://www.mlag.org. Of course, if you have any questions at all, please contact me at 717-593-0962 or
e-mail me at [email protected].
I hope to see everybody at Little Buffalo next June.
Sincerely,
Coleen Walters
MLAG Registrar
8 Attachments:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Directions & Motel List - Page 2
Featured Performers - Pages 3 and 4
General Information - Pages 5 and 6
Registration Form - Pages 7 and 8
Assumption of Risk Agreement - Page 9
Campsite Map - Page 10
Campground Rules - Pages 11 and 12
Pre-MLAG Workshop Info - Pages 13 and 14.
Directions to Little Buffalo State Park
From Harrisburg: Take Route 322 West, go until the Newport/New Bloomfield Exit, and at the stop sign go left.
This puts you on Route 34 South; follow this over the bridge into Newport. At the next stop sign, make a left
onto 4th Street, still on Route 34. Continue on and watch for an Agway on your left and Smith’s Auto Parts on
your right, make the next right (there is a sign for the State Park). Go 3 miles, passing the main entrance to
the State Park (which is on your left across the lake) and turn right at Black Hill Road (look for the MLAG sign)
into the campground.
From Carlisle: Take Route 34 North, follow through New Bloomfield and go approximately 4 miles. There will
be a car wash on your right. Make the next left (there is a sign for the State Park) and follow the directions
above.
Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering - Nearby Motels
1. Pretty Meadow Farm Bed & Breakfast: http://www.prettymeadowfarm.com (717-567-9172) 10 min.
2. Mountain View B&B: 200 Orchard Dr., Newport, PA 17074 (717-567-7006) 15 min.
3. Motel Stardust: 3418 Susquehanna Trail, Duncannon PA 17020 (717-834-9883) 20 min.
4. Red Carpet Inn/Park: Route 4 Box 4913, Duncannon, PA 17020 (717-834-3320) 20 min.
5. Tuscarora Motor Inn: 142 Wm Penn Hwy, RR4 Box 142, Mifflintown, PA 17059 (717-436-2127) 30 min.
6. Econo Lodge: US 322/22 & SR35, Mifflintown, PA 17059 (717-436-5981) 30 min.
7. Days Inn: 3919 N Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717-233-3100) 35 min.
8. Quality Inn: 501 N Enola Road, Enola, PA 17025 (717-732-0785) 40 min.
9. Budget Inn: 142 Old US 22, Mifflintown, PA 17059 (717-436-2127) 30 min.
10. Go PSU RV Rentals: http://www.gopsurv.com, Mark Lauer (800-519-8467) (will set up on site)
11. Cruise America: Carlisle, PA (drivable units only) (717-386-5370)
Attachment 1 - Page 2
MLAG 2012 - Featured Performers
Cathy Barton & Dave Para - Cathy and Dave have created dynamic performances acclaimed for 35 years for their variety and expertise in vocal and instrumental music. They have celebrated the musical traditions and folklife of Missouri and
the Ozarks in festivals, clubs, concert halls, schools and studios across the U.S. and
Europe. Their audiences are as diverse as their repertoire. Dave and Cathy play several stringed instruments including hammered and fretted dulcimers, banjo, guitar
and autoharp, as well as “found” instruments like bones, spoons, mouthbow and leaf.
Their concerts present a range of music from the lively dance tunes they have collected in their home region to old ballads to new songs. They have conducted several
instrumental workshops as well as those about songs from the Civil War, from American rivers, old gospel songs, children’s songs and Christmas music. Dave and Cathy
are caretakers of a long musical heritage, and they are known for deep understanding
and affection for traditional music. They also keep their minds and ears open as the roots and branches of folk music run
deep and spread wide. Missouri is a social and geographic meeting place, and its rich cultural diversity continues to inspire
Dave and Cathy’s music and broaden their repertoire. In their mission to introduce new audiences to folk music, Dave and
Cathy have participated in the artists-in-education program for the Missouri Arts Council since the early 1980s. They have
done folk arts residencies and assembly programs in schools across the state. They also created and serve as artistic directors
of two annual folk festivals, the Big Muddy Folk Festival, in their hometown of Boonville, and the Boone’s Lick Country Folk Festival, in Arrow Rock, Mo.
Bonnie Phipps - Bonnie Phipps’ innovations on the autoharp won her the Winfield Autoharp Championship in 1982. Since then she has toured the Western States
for Columbia Artists Management with The Colorado Folk Ensemble and made 2 recordings, “Autoharpin” and “Colorado Folk Ensemble.” The ensemble also performed
at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, The Hudson Revival Festival, and the Winnipeg Folk
Festival. Bonnie wrote the well known “Beginning Autoharp Instruction Book” published by Alfred Publishing Co. Bonnie founded The Elastic Band who performs for
family audiences nationally and internationally. They have recorded two CDs, “Monster’s Holiday” and “Dinosaur Choir,” and each won Parent Choice Gold awards, and
the National Parenting Award.
Will Smith - Will Smith has been teaching and performing autoharp on both sides of
the Atlantic for more years than he cares to remember - okay, almost forty. He has been
on albums by numerous artists, including those of three different winners of the CMA Female Vocalist Award - Pam Tillis, Kathy Mattea, and Reba McEntire, and once performed as
a sideman on the Grand Ole Opry, prompting “Whispering” Bill Anderson to shout, “Who
is that guy with the autoharp?” Twice his playing was featured on songs that won the Canadian Country Music Association Song of the Year Award. Back in the 1980s, he recorded
an autoharp-centric album *Across The Seven Seas*, and his versions of “End of the World”
and “Ghost Riders in the Sky” were included on the *Autoharp Legacy* anthology in 2003.
He is currently working on a recording, for 2012 release, to demonstrate advanced diatonic techniques as well as a unique chromatic chord bar design that adapts classical,
bossa nova, modal Appalachian, pop standards, and other genres to the autoharp. As a
songwriter, Will has had success several times on the country charts with cuts by John Anderson, Mark Chesnutt, Wade Hayes, Shelby Lynne, and others, including a pair of albums
by Shawn Camp released by Warner/Reprise in 2010. He is also web master for sites for
the legendary producer/songwriter/publisher Cowboy Jack Clement and master percussionist Kenny Malone.
Attachment 2 - Page 3
June Maugery - June first fell in love with the autoharp in 1975 while singing with the Seattle-based band “The Mountain Oysters.” Since then, work and
romance have taken June (with ‘harp in hand) to various corners of the globe,
including refugee camps in Thailand and rural villages in Western Africa. Today
she lives in the French Alps and performs with the popular folk dance band
J’attendsveille. Mountain Laurel champion in 1996, June more recently won
2nd place in the memorable 20th anniversary contest. Her distinctive and everevolving instrumental work, partnered with her deep passion for song, have
brought June critical acclaim for several recordings, including an early country
duet collaboration with Mike Fenton. Her “Shining Bright Like Gold” album was
noted in MusicHound Folk as one of eight essential autoharp albums. June’s
smiling face and musical grace have delighted audiences on both sides of the
Atlantic. Mountain Laurel in 2012 will be a unique occasion to hear June with
French singer and guitarist Ana. Together they form the duo AnaJune, offering a bouquet of songs d ici et d’ ailleurs (from here
and there). Brush up on your French and join them!
Les, Gwen & Sadie Gustafson-Zook - Les & Gwen Gustafson-Zook are folk musicians, playing a variety of traditional
and contemporary Gospel and folk songs. Les has performed
for thousands of school children, introducing a variety of instruments and singing Songs of the Pioneers in hundreds of schools
over the past 20 years. Les is the 2001 International Autoharp
Champion, but also plays mandolin, jawharp, and a variety of
other entertaining instruments. He’s a frequent instructor and
performer at festivals across the country. Gwen plays guitar and
sings both lead and harmony vocals. They will be joined by their
17 year old daughter, Sadie, on fiddle, guitar and vocals. Their
music is energetic, fun and engaging. Combining it with stories
from their variety of experiences, their performances are a entertaining experience for everyone.
Ray Choi - Ray Choi was born in Chuang Ju in South Korea in 1959. When he
was a teenager he taught himself to yodel and went on to start a yodeling club
and began a yodeling and singing career, winning a national competition in Korea. He found he had a natural ability for music, theory and perfect pitch, and
soon taught himself guitar. In 1968 he heard his first chromaharp, and was so
impressed by its sound that a few years later he got his first autoharp, teaching
himself strums, finger and thumb picking. In 1984 he followed Jane to California,
where they later married, and had two children, David and Esther. Together Ray
and Jane own and operate The Grace Music Store in Garden Grove. After collaborating with mentor Paul Cramm, a luthier in Orange County, Ray became a
luthier, building beautiful, rich resonating tones with full volume into the warm
and exotic woods of his own autoharps. Currently Ray has built over 500 autoharps, each taking about 100 hours to craft. Through the years Ray has given
lessons to as many as 300 students. Ray is also Music Director of his church, performing at many other churches
and public events, including weddings, funerals and celebrations. Ray conducts autoharp workshops and concerts
and currently has two local autoharp groups that he meets with monthly. In his spare time Ray is compiling three
new books for autoharpists: one of approximately 650 hymns, and another of approximately 1000 popular, folk,
religious, western and classical songs, all in authoharp tabluature; and finally, a booklet illustrating his finger techniques. In addition, Ray is making two new CD’s to be available spring 2012.
Attachment 2 - Page 4
MOUNTAIN LAUREL AUTOHARP GATHERING
GENERAL INFORMATION – 2012
REGISTRATION PROCESS/FEES/CAMPING
Included in this packet you will find everything you need to register for the Gathering.
A full-time ticket includes all workshops and concerts from Wed, June 20 through Sun, June 24. A nonparticipating spouse ticket does not include the workshops. Tenting (or no connection) and water/ electric
connections have an additional fee and you will need to fill out the Camping Registration section of the form.
Please indicate the size of your camper and select your preferred sites (there are no guarantees but we will
do our best). If you are tenting or don’t wish any hookups, you will be assigned to a general area upon arrival.
Included in this packet is a site map with numbers and information relating to the services on each site. If
attendance in previous years is any indication, all sites will be shared. Experience has taught us that we can’t
guarantee any of the sites so you won’t be informed in advance of your site number.
MLAG has arranged for the use of the campground from check-in on Monday, June 18 through check out on
Monday, June 25. If you wish to arrive and set up before the Gathering officially begins (Wednesday, June 20),
or stay on your site after the Gathering officially ends (after the concert on Sunday, June 24), please ensure
that you fill in the arrival/departure dates section on our camping registration form to reflect the full time
you’ll be on site. Camping charges are on a per night basis.
If you wish to arrive prior to check-in after 3 p.m. on Monday or stay past the 3 p.m. check-out on the
following Monday, you need to contact Coleen directly (717-593-0962/[email protected]). We
cannot guarantee that the State will assign you to the site you’ll have during the Gathering. Though we
will do our best to avoid unnecessary moves, you may have to move if you arrive prior to Monday. Also,
keep in mind that, while we do have the campground starting on Monday, June 18, the Gathering does
not officially begin until Wednesday, June 20. Even if you don’t sign up for a Pre-Gathering Workshop,
you can expect plenty of jamming if you do decide to arrive early.
Our cancellation policy is as follows:
1. A $25.00 administrative fee will be withheld from the total amount due for cancellations.
Meals not cancelled prior to May 25 when the numbers are submitted to the caterer will not
be refunded and any PayPal fees that are not refunded by PayPal also will be withheld.
2. Emergency refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
PRE-GATHERING WORKSHOPS
There will be three 9-hour sessions of pre-Gathering workshops (for beginners with Karen Daniels, for intermediate players with Les Gustafson-Zook, and the advanced players with Will Smith on Tuesday, June 19, and
Wednesday, June 20. The fee for these workshops is in addition to the normal Gathering registration fee.
Workshop topics, pricing information and registration procedures are included as Attachment 8 (Page 13) and
are also available at www.mlag.org.
PATSY TRESSLER MEMORIAL AWARD
The Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering is pleased to announce the new Patsy Tressler Memorial Award. Provided by Patsy’s sister, Ruby Morgan, the award will be given to one of the participants in the Pre-Gathering
classes. The recipient will be determined by a random drawing at the opening ceremonies on Wednesday
evening and will receive a check to cover the cost of their Pre-Gathering class.
MARY LOU ORTHEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Mary Lou Orthey Memorial Scholarship Fund promotes the development and growth of the autoharp by
providing financial assistance to people who would otherwise not be able to afford to come to the Gathering.
Awards are focused on, but not limited to, first time attendees. Those interested in applying for a scholarship
must complete an application form which is available on the MLAG website or by mailing a request to Carole
Outwater, 1319 Greylyn Dr., Charlotte, NC 28226. The completed form must be postmarked by April 1, 2012.
VOLUNTEERS
Our thanks go to all of you who help out on-site each year; you make the Gathering work! It would be great if
everyone volunteered at least one hour during the course of the Gathering. The work would be shared and no
one would miss out on his or her favorite workshop. There will be a sign-up sheet at Registration.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Be sure to leave this emergency contact information with your family: other than personal cell phones, there
is no phone available at the Gathering site to receive calls. There is an emergency phone outside the Rec
Hall that is available to make outgoing emergency calls, i.e. 911, etc. During business hours (9 am to 4 pm,
Attachment 3 - Page 5
M-F), your family may call Park HQ at 717-567-9255 and a ranger will be dispatched to the campground. If the
emergency is after hours, they should contact the PA State Police at 717-567-3110. There is a barracks about
four miles from the campground. They should use these numbers during the Gathering only in the event of an
actual emergency. Do call your family to let them know you arrived at the site; they should not need to call
to check on you! The State’s office phone is not available for our use.
You will also notice that there is space on the registration form for you to provide names and numbers for us
to call in the event of an emergency at the festival. PLEASE FILL THIS OUT.
ON – SITE FOOD
Meal plan tickets need to be ordered in advance. You may purchase a Full Meal Plan (Wed dinner through Sunday lunch) or purchase meals individually. Our caterer, Robyn Green, will be back again by popular demand
and promises equally wonderful food this year. The deadline for ordering meals is May 25 and meals cancelled
after that date are non-refundable. There is a possibility that a few individual meals will be available for
purchase on-site, but to ensure that you have meals, include your meal order with your registration.
TENTATIVE SAMPLE MENU
Wednesday Dinner - Stuffed Shells with Sauce - Chef’s Vegetable - Bread & Butter- Salad Bar - Beverage
Thursday Lunch – Tuna Salad on Pretzel Roll - Chips - Fruit - Water
Thursday Dinner – Citrus Chicken - Orange Infused Carrots & Rice - Bread & Butter - Salad Bar - Beverage
Friday Lunch – Chicken Salad Wrap - Chips - Fruit - Water
Friday Dinner – Chopped Steak with Gravy - Potatoes - Bread & Butter - Salad Bar - Beverage
Saturday Lunch – Assorted Subs - Chips - Fruit - Water
Saturday Dinner – BBQ Chicken - Potato Salad - Bread & Butter - Salad Bar - Beverage
Sunday Lunch - Salad with Grilled Chicken - Pretzel Twist - Fruit - Water
All Dinners are Gluten Free except Wed. All Lunches can be made Gluten Free. All Dressings on Salad Bar are
Gluten Free. People with special needs or requests, including vegetarian, need to contact Coleen via E-Mail
or phone in advance.
FESTIVAL MEMORABILIA
Designed by Ivan Stiles, we think the MLAG T-Shirts — men’s and women’s sizes available — are always special
and this year’s will be no exception. To order your shirt(s), please complete the appropriate section of the
registration form. We only make a few extras so, to guarantee that you get one, be sure to order by June 1,
2012. Your shirts will be waiting for you at the festival.
BAZAAR AUTOHARP
The Bazaar Autoharp is a free forum for Gathering attendees to buy and sell their autoharp-related materials
only. Space is limited and there are some necessary restrictions in place to protect our vendors. Rules for
the bazaar are printed prominently in the Gathering program and also on the Gathering WEB site. Please note
that you may have a maximum of three autoharps to sell.
VENDING
The vending area in the air-conditioned main hall will feature the largest assemblage of the foremost autoharp luthiers, service, and accessory providers to be found anywhere. One may be assured of one-on-one consultation with the best custom harp builders around, ready to take your order for a tailor-made instrument.
Additionally, OS dealers are available with new and rebuilt harps. Expertise is on hand to perform conversions
or repairs, or guide you in your own work. Almost all accessories and harp supplies are either available or can
be ordered and a selection of autoharp-related books and recorded music will be for sale.
SILENT AUCTION
This event helps raise needed funds for the Gathering and allows us to keep our reasonable registration fees
in place. Don’t forget to bring your creative items to add to the auction this year. Remember, services are
always welcome. Thanks to all who contribute, either as donors or bidders.
VIDEO/AUDIO TAPING POLICY
Still photography is permitted bu video or audio taping of MLAG concerts, including the Workshop Leader’s
Concert, is not allowed. Workshop attendees may tape workshops with the explicit permission of the workshop leader.
SEE YOU IN JUNE
While we realize there is a lot of information included here, we hope it makes all of the processes crystal
clear. Please share this information with others who may be interested. Additional copies of the registration
forms are available at our web site (http://www.mlag.org) or you may copy the forms to share with others.
We do encourage use of the on-line registration process as this makes it easier for us and you and also ensures
that the registration information is as accurate as it can be.
Attachment 3 - Page 6
Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering
2012 Registration Form
Date: ____________
Please list all members of your party and print clearly (especially your E-Mail)!
Last Name
First Name
Name or Nickname for Nametag
1. ________________________
1. ________________________
1. ________________________
2. ________________________
2. ________________________
2. ________________________
3. ________________________
3. ________________________
3. ________________________
4. ________________________
4. ________________________
4. ________________________
Street Address:
City:
State:
Country:
Daytime Phone
Postal Code or ZIP:
Evening Phone
E-Mail
Emergency Contact Info for MLAG to use if it is needed while you are on site
Name
Phone
Registration Fees
Full Gathering Pass Includes all workshops and concerts between 6/20 and 6/24
Single Day tickets include workshops and concert(s) for that day only
These fees do not include camping
Description
Number of Tickets
Price Per Ticket
Totals
“Early Bird” Full Adult (Prior to February 1)
_____
$120.00
_____________
“Early Bird” Full Non-Participating Spouse
_____
$75.00
_____________
Full Adult After February 1
_____
$135.00
_____________
Full Adult Non-Participating Spouse
_____
$90.00
_____________
Adult Wednesday Only
_____
$25.00
_____________
Adult Thursday Only
_____
$40.00
_____________
Adult Friday Only
_____
$40.00
_____________
Adult Saturday Only
_____
$40.00
_____________
Adult Sunday Only
_____
$20.00
_____________
Children 16 and Under
_____
$0.00
_____________
Total Gathering Registration Fees
_____________
T-Shirt Orders (deadline June 1)
Size
3XL
2XL
XL
L
Med
Small
Man/Woman
Total T-Shirt Fees
_____/_____
_____/_____
_____/_____
_____/_____
_____/_____
_____/_____
Number of Shirts (M/W)
_____/_____
_____/_____
_____/_____
_____/_____
_____/_____
_____/_____
Price Per Shirt
Totals
$17.00
$17.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00
Attachment 4 - Page 7
_____________
_____________
_____________
_____________
_____________
_____________
_____________
Meals (deadline May 25)
Description
Full Meals
A tentative menu is a part of this registration packet.
# of People
Price Per Person
Totals
_____
$78.00
_____________
Thursday
_____
$ 7.50
_____________
Friday
_____
$ 7.50
_____________
Saturday
_____
$ 7.50
_____________
Sunday
_____
$ 7.50
_____________
Lunches
Dinners
Wednesday
_____
$12.00
_____________
Thursday
_____
$12.00
_____________
Friday
_____
$12.00
_____________
Saturday
_____
$12.00
_____________
Total Meal Fees
_____________
Please read the information on camping in the General Information section of the Registration Packet before completing this form.
On-Site Camping Fees
Arrival Date: ____________
Departure Date: ___________ (must be completed!)
Description
Number of Nights Price Per Night
Totals
Basic Tenting (or no connections)
_____
$10.00
_____________
Water/Electric Hookup
_____
$20.00
_____________
Remember, this is a State Park, not a level RV Campground. We do put 2 units on each site. Each electric site has
a 20 and a 30-amp outlet. You may need to work out a sharing option with your site neighbor if both units need
or want a 30-amp connection. On-site pumpouts will be available, information and instructions will be available
at check-in.
Please indicate camping details (must be completed if camping)
Tent cVan cPop-up c
Truck Camper c
Length of Unit: ___________ Slide Outs: Yes c
Detached Trailer c
Motor Home c
Campsite Preferences: #1 ______ #2 _______
If possible, I would like to camp with or near _______________________________________
Total Camping Fees
___________
Total Registration, T-Shirt, Meals and Camping Fees
___________
Other Information
Special Physical Needs: ___________________________________________________________________
Volunteering: the Gathering is completely run by volunteers, we need and appreciate your help!
Please mail form and check (made out to MLAG) to: Coleen Walters, MLAG Registrar, 12228 Hollowell Church Road,
Greencastle, PA 17225.
Attachment 4 - Page 8
Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering
Assumption of Risk Agreement and Release
As most of you know, Mountain Laurel is run by a volunteer Board of Directors who
provide their services and efforts for the benefit of us all. For obvious reasons, these
volunteers cannot be held personally liable for damages to property or injuries to
participants during the Gathering. For this reason, we require all participants to
indicate their understanding and agreement with this principle by completing the
following form. Please sign it and mail it with all completed MLAG registration forms
and your check or money order (made payable to MLAG) to: Coleen Walters, MLAG
Registrar, 12228 Hollowell Church Rd, Greencastle, PA 17225
ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
In consideration of the undersigned Attendee(s) being allowed to participate in the
Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering (“MLAG”), Attendee(s) releases MLAG, Inc.,
its directors, agents, and employees, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, DCNR,
(“Releasees”) from any liability for all claims, including claims for the negligence
of Releasees, whether known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, which may
result or arise out of Attendee(s) attending and traveling to and from the MLAG.
Attendee(s) give up all rights to sue or make a claim against releasees. I/we recognize this is a rustic camping experience, with risks of damage to property or injury
to person that may occur while traveling to and from, and participating in activities
at the MLAG. I/we will indemnify Releasees from claims of others against Releasees
regarding any damage or injury that I/we either cause or receive. With regard to __
_________________________________ who is/are under 18 years of age (“Child”),
the undersigned adult Attendees certify that they are the parents of Child, sign this
Agreement and Release on behalf of Child, and assume all responsibility for the supervision of and all risk of damage or injury that may occur to or be caused by Child
while attending, participating in, and while traveling to and from MLAG, and I/we
will indemnify Releasees from any claims made by or on behalf of Child or others
arising out of such damage or inury, including claims for contribution and indemnification.
The undersigned, intending to be legally bound, has/have read this release and has/
have executed it with full understanding of its meaning.
Date:_______________________
Attendee_____________________________
Attendee_____________________________
Attachment 5 - Page 9
™
Attachment 6 - Page 10
Attachment 7 - Page 11
Attachment 7 - Page 12
MLAG 2012 Pre-Gathering Workshops
MLAG is pleased to present three Pre-Gathering workshops. Though the Gathering proper does not begin until
Wednesday, these Pre-MLAG workshops will provide some wonderful options for early arrivals. Karen Daniels
(beginners), Les Gustafson-Zook (intermediate) and Will Smith (intermediate/advanced) will each present nine
hours of small group instruction on Tuesday and Wednesday. The workshops will cost $100 per person, payable to the instructor. You will be not be able to register on-line for these workshops but will have to use the
form below. Please send your check (remember, made out to the instructor) and registration form to MLAG,
c/o Coleen Walters, 12228 Hollowell Church Road, Greencastle, PA 17225. We will be limiting the maximum
number of students in each workshop to twenty so, if you’re considering taking one of these workshops, you
should register as soon as you can.
The workshops will be conducted in three 3-hour sessions beginning at 9 am on Tuesday, June 19, locations to
be determined at this point. Of course, the campground will be open but no support is available for meals or
snacks until Wednesday evening. In the past, workshop attendees have made their own arrangements to go out
for meals or to prepare something in the campground. MLAG will not assist with these arrangements; however,
we will provide a listing of local restaurants.
These workshops provide a great opportunity for some hands-on training with three of the best autoharp players and teachers in the world. For at least the next few years there will be a Patsy Tressler Memorial Award.
A random drawing from the names of all Pre-Gathering participants will be made on Wednesday night and one
lucky individual will be given a check to cover the cost of the class.
MLAG Pre-Gathering Workshops Registration Form
I’d like to register for:
c Beg - Karen Daniels c Int - Les Gustafson-Zook c Int/Adv - Will Smith
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
ZIP Code:
Telephone Number:
E-Mail Address:
c I’m enclosing a check post-dated June 1, 2012
in the amount of $100.00 made out to:
c Karen Daniels c Les Gustafson-Zook c Will Smith
c I’m sending the check and this registration form to:
MLAG, c/o Coleen Walters
12228 Hollowell Church Road, Greencastle, PA 17225
Attachment 8 - Page 13
Pre-MLAG Workshops • Tuesday 9-12 & 1-4 • Wednesday 9-12
Beginning (Karen Daniels)
So you have an autoharp or would like to play one. Now what? As a rank beginner, I had monumental questions such as: was
this the instrument for me, could I get a tune out of it, could I play something that people would recognize and tons more. If
this describes you or you have just recently wanted to play the autoharp then come and let me show you that the answer to all
of those questions is a resounding “YES!” I jokingly but seriously tell people, “If you can count to three and four, you can play the
autoharp.” Can you count to three / four? Well, come on then! Look forward to having a fun and learning experience. We will
start simply, at the beginning, and cover the very basics of autoharp playing -- picks and even how to custom fit them, straps,
how to tune (there’s a quick and easy way), holding the autoharp and where your chord bars are. We will learn various strums
then progress to melody playing, techniques beyond melody playing, how to jam with other musicians, accompanying yourself
as a singer and answer any questions any time. The music will be tunes that most of you will know. Loaner autoharps will be
available. You will need a thumb pick and two finger picks for the index and middle fingers. While there will be good, definitive
handouts, a pencil or pen for note taking might be handy as I tend to throw in extra information. Recording the workshop is ok
with me if you wish to do so. One other thing … I sometimes attend Beginner Workshops myself and people ask why. Several
reasons: 1.) One never stops learning and I might learn something that I missed previously or new techniques; 2.) I like to see
how teachers teach; AND 3.) It’s a good way to review if I’ve gotten sloppy in my playing. So, even if you know basics and are
of that mind set, join us.
Intermediate (Les Gustafson-Zook)
Are you looking for a way to clean up your melody playing and add style and musicality to your playing? This intermediate
class will be focused on precise melody picking, encouraging even the most hesitant strummer into the world of picking tunes.
Beginning with the basics of pinch pluck, scales and picking individual strings, we’ll cover a variety of melody techniques. We’ll
also explore tasteful phrasing, rhythmic diversity, arpeggio backup, damping, and beginning improvisation on several styles of
music. Some songs will have printed scores and others will be played by ear, so we’ll work on strategies for picking out tunes
by ear at those jam sessions. We’ll also introduce some diatonic playing techniques to give you an idea of advantages and challenges of diatonic instruments. Since we’ll be we’ll be playing in a variety of keys, bring your chromatic autoharp.
Intermediate/Advanced (Will Smith)
Celtic music (for these purposes that of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) lends itself quite readily to the autoharp, probably because much of it descends from the ancient harpers. Over the centuries it has been adapted to all sorts of instruments, transformed into a tradition of fiddle music, which then migrated to the New World and became part of the melting pot of styles in
19th Century Appalachia, in early 20th Century Tin Pan Alley, in the 1960s folk boom, and in revivals to this day. So while the
autoharp is not thought of as a traditional Irish instrument, it *is* closely associated with the previously mentioned musical eras.
And even a quick perusal of autoharp songbooks, from Meg Peterson and others, will find an abundance of examples: “Sweet
Rosie O’Grady”, “Little Beggarman”, “Cockles and Mussels”, “Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms”, “Danny Boy”, etc.
One can arrange all sorts of music from this tradition for the autoharp: sprightly jigs and slow airs, turn-of-the-century ballads
and lullabyes and rousing singalongs. We’ll learn examples of each, as well as how to approach some of the more advanced
techniques of other instruments, such as grace notes and triplets. Since the usual keys for fiddle music - D, G, and A - are not
“standard” autoharp keys, we can learn to work around this through a discussion of transposition, modes, and chord bar modification. There will also be a demonstration of the drone effect, playing a melody while bass notes continue to ring, like bagpipes.
And, though many will be familiar with the genius of Turlough O’Carolan, or, as the purists would have it, Toirdhealbhach Ó
Cearbhalláin, we’ll cover how one adapts his intricate melodies to our instrument - how to work in optional minor chords and
“open-noting”. His songs, which originally had lyrics as well, form a large part of the standard repertoire of the Celtic folk harp,
so there are many arrangements out there from which to learn. We’ll even explore how to use the internet, with “abc notation”
and such sites as thesession.org, as learning tools for further research.
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