Merchiston Castle School - Edinburgh International Harp Festival

Transcription

1-6 April 2016
Merchiston Castle School
WELCOME
FÀILTE
CONTENTS
The Clarsach Society
2
Get more from EIHF
4
Our Supporters
6
Harpmakers’ Exhibition
7
Pre-festival event for children 8
Concerts9
Courses20
Workshops28
Festival at a glance
32
Biographies34
Booking Information
60
Venue information
and accommodation
62
Welcome to the Festival of
2016, the year which marks
The Clarsach Society’s 85th and
the EIHF’s 35th anniversary. The
concert on Monday afternoon
will celebrate these milestones.
Inspirational players (old friends
and new) from home and abroad
will gather at Merchiston to present
39 courses, 19 workshops and 9
concerts, which have wide ranging
content and style. This year’s featured
Celtic Nation is Wales. Enjoy ExtravaCambria which will showcase some
of their finest players, including Elinor
Bennett our distinguished guest.
Think waulking songs and tweed. Tap
into Italian, Irish and Turkish delights!
A record footfall is expected at
our ever popular Harpmakers’
Exhibition. There’s also the Festival
Hub with The Clarsach Society
Information Stand and Festival
merchandise. Relax at the end
of the day in the Festival Bar with
impromptu singing and playing.
We appreciate the ongoing
generosity of our sponsors and
thank them all for their support.
Pilgrim Harps have been named
Festival Founders in recognition
of their pivotal role in establishing
this Festival.
Here’s to a harptastic event!
MARY SCOTT
Festival Co-ordinator
Co-òrdanaiche na Fèise
Hon Secretary of
Rùnaire Urramach,
Comunn na Clàrsaich
Fàilte gu Fèis 2016, a’ bhliadhna
a tha a’ comharrachadh an 85mh
ceann-bliadhna aig Comunn na
Clàrsaich agus an 35mh aig Fèis
EIHF. Bidh cuirm feasgair Diluain
a’ comharrachadh nan clachanmìle sin.
Cruinnichidh sàr chluicheadairean
(caraidean sean is ùr) bhon taigh
agus thall thairis, aig Merchiston
airson 39 cùrsa, 19 bùth-obrach
agus 9 cuirmean, anns a bheil raon
farsaing de shusbaint agus stoidhle.
Is e a’ Chuimrigh an Dùthaich
Ceilteach ri thaisbeanadh ambliadhna. Faigh tlachd bho ExtravaCambria, taisbeanadh de shàrcluicheadairean às a’ Chuimrigh nam
measg Elinor Bennett ar sàr-aoighe.
Smaoinich air òrain luaidh agus clò.
Faigh cuideachd blasad de stòrasan
Eadailteach, Èireannach is Turcach!
Thathas an dùil gum bi an àireamh
as motha a-riamh a’ tadhal air
Taisbeanadh nan Luchd-dèanaidh
Chlàrsaich, a tha an-còmhnaidh a’
tarraing luchd com-pàirt is luchdtadhail. Tha Hub na Fèise ann le
bòrd fiosrachaidh Chomuinn na
Clàrsaich agus bòrd stuthan-malairt
an EIHF. Gheibh thu fois aig ciaradh
an fheasgair am Bàr na Fèise far an
cluinnear gu leòr seinn is cluiche.
Tha sinn a’ toirt taing mhòr airson
fialaidheachd nam buidhnean-taic
againn agus a’ cur luach mhòr orra
uile airson an cuid taic. Chaidh
Pilgrim Harps ainmeachadh mar
Stèidheadair na Fèise gus aithne
a thoirt don obair a rinn iad ann a
bhith a’ stèidheachadh na Fèise seo.
A’ coimhead air adhart ri fìor
thachartas math clàrsaich!
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL HARP FESTIVAL 2016 / 1
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THE CLARSACH SOCIETY
COMUNN NA CLÀRSAICH
The Clarsach Society is the organisation behind the Edinburgh
International Harp Festival. Established in 1931 at the close of
the National Mòd in Dingwall, the founding principle of the
Society - to advance the clarsach and its music, and to preserve
its place in the national life of Scotland - is still at the heart of
what we do today.
Branches
The Dare to be a Teacher project was piloted at the Festival
in 2014. It aims to dispel fears and build confidence in
sharing knowledge, skill and enjoyment of the clarsach.
The project is now touring branches of the Society. Respected
teachers travel to each area and share their experience with members
who are new to teaching, or interested in leading their local group.
To celebrate and strengthen our cultural links with Celtic peoples, the
Society nominates and supports a clarsach player to represent Scotland
at the International Pan Celtic Festival in Ireland.
The Royal National Mòd
Since the establishment of the Society at the close of the National Mòd
in 1931, we have continued to work with the Mòd to offer a wide range
of clarsach competitions and produce a folio of prescribed music and
guidance for competitors each year.
Harp hire
During the Festival, you’ll find members of the Society at our
Information Desk located at the Festival Hub in the Main Building.
Open daily between 9am and 5pm, we’d be happy to introduce you
to the Society and answer any of your questions.
Young Composer Award
To encourage the development of new music for the clarsach, the
Society administers an annual award for young composers aged
between 16 and 25. The prize is £500 plus the opportunity to premiere
the composition at the Harp Festival. This year’s Young Composer will
be announced, their piece performed and the award presented at the
concert on Sunday afternoon (page 12).
Annual scholarship
Our Annual Scholarship is designed to benefit and encourage
promising players at all levels who have limited resources. The
scholarship can be used towards the cost of tuition or instrument hire.
Tuition support
To facilitate learning in areas where there is a lack of formal tuition, the
Society supports branches by contributing to the cost of tutors’ travel.
2 / EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL HARP FESTIVAL 2016
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International Pan Celtic Festival
There are twelve regional branches of the Society across the UK and
one special interest Wire Branch. Branches meet regularly to share
music, plan workshops, or other events that meet the needs and
enthusiasm of members in each area.
Members can hire good quality instruments at an affordable monthly
rental. Through this scheme, some of the best-known performers and
teachers - many of whom feature in the Festival - were enabled to take
their first steps in successful careers.
clarsachsociety.co.uk
Dare to be a Teacher!
I would like to invite everyone attending this year’s Festival to meet
the committee and branch members at our Opening Gathering on
Friday, 1 April at 7:00pm and the Society’s AGM on Monday, 4 April
at 7:00pm in the Robertson Room.
I also hope you will join us in celebrating 85 years of the Society at
our special concert - harps@85 - on Monday afternoon. In this special
year we are working with author and musicologist Stuart Eydmann
to compile a history of the Society, telling our story within the wider
musical and social contexts of our development over 85 years. It
will be released later in the year and you can pre-order a copy at the
Society Information Desk.
JENNIFER PORT
Convenor of The Clarsach Society
Neach-gairm Comunn na Clàrsaich
Dumfries &
Galloway Branch
2 Glasgow Branch
3 Argyll Branch
4 Isle of Lewis Branch
5 Highland Branch
6 North East
Scotland Branch
7 EDINBURGH Branch
8 wire Branch
9 National Office
10 Northumbrian Branch
11 Transpennine
(Yorkshire & NoRthern
England) Branch
12 London & South
East Branch
13 Bristol & West of
England Branch
14 Wales Branch
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12
GET MORE FROM EIHF
FAIGH TUILLEADH BHO EIHF
Distinguished guest
Harpmakers’ exhibition
In 2016 we welcome one of Wales’ most eminent
musicians, Elinor Bennett as our distinguished
Festival guest. Elinor has been a pioneer of the
pedal, folk and triple harp over the last five decades
in Wales. With a passion for the music of her
homeland, she is no stranger to running a
successful harp festival, being the artistic director
of the William Mathias Music Centre, The Harp
College of Wales and Wales International Harp
Festival, so hopefully she will feel at home here
in Edinburgh!
The Harpmakers’ Exhibition is perfect for browsing
the work of makers from across the UK and beyond.
See page 7 for full information and list of makers.
We very much look forward to hearing such a warm
personality in recital, which will include the pedal,
Welsh triple harp and a story or two about
her varied life (page 12). We will also enjoy the
privilege of observing one of Wales’ most
influential harp teachers at her public masterclass
(page 29) and are pleased to offer the opportunity
to book a private lesson.
Lunchtime open platforM
12 - 1.45pm, Festival Café.
Want to share your talents with us in an informal
atmosphere? Sign up for a 10 minute slot at
The Clarsach Society Information Desk.
Relax and rejuvenate
Indulge and enjoy relaxation therapy (Holistic
Pulsing) or massage with qualified therapists
Marianne Cranston and Tana Collins. Healing with
the voice and chakra therapy is a new technique,
which Marianne combines with soft pulsing and
massage. Deeper therapeutic massage to relieve
muscular stress or aid injury recovery is also
available and Tana will tailor each treatment to the
individual’s needs. Full information is available at
The Clarsach Society Information Desk. You can also
learn how to manage stress more effectively in a
workshop with Tana. See page 28 for full information.
Private lessons
Private lessons are available from a wide range
of tutors and on all harps. Cost: £30 per hour.
Full information is available at The Clarsach Society
Information Desk.
Late night sessions Festival Club (Theatre)
Our late night sessions ensure there is even
more music to enjoy after our evening concerts.
Music is available to download from our website
(harpfestival.co.uk) and everyone is welcome
to join in – bring your harp along or any other
instrument, or just relax with a nightcap whilst
soaking up the atmosphere.
Annual General Meeting
The Clarsach Society will hold its AGM on Monday,
4 April at 7:00pm in the Roberston Room. Everyone
is welcome to attend.
Book tickets
Online: harpfestival.co.uk.
Phone: +44 (0)131 473 2000.
See page 60 for full information.
Contact us
If there is anything you’re not sure about,
give us a call on +44(0) 131 554 0212, or email
[email protected].
For queries about course levels please call
Isobel Mieras on +44 (0)131 445 2022.
During the Festival you can reach us on
+44(0) 7794 792951
Keep in touch
Keep in touch and join us online. You can link
directly to all online activity from our website
homepage: harpfestival.co.uk
FACEBOOK
Hear about the latest news and updates
and share you experience with other
Harp Festival fans.
TWITTER
Follow us on twitter for up-to-the-minute
news and share your views about events.
SOUND CLOUD
Listen to tracks by Harp
Festival artists and enjoy
the music.
OUR SUPPORTERS
HARPMAKERS’ EXHIBITION
LUCHD-CUIDEACHAIDH
EIHF gratefully acknowledges the continuing
support received from Camac Harps, Bow Brand,
Holywell Music, City of Edinburgh Council, Jack
Hayward Insurance, An Comunn Gàidhealach, Peter
Green & Co, David & Brenda Lamb, Celtic Music
Radio, and branches of The Clarsach Society.
LUCHD-DÈANAIDH CHLÀRSAICHEAN
It is also with great pleasure that we are joined by
additional sponsors and supporters in 2016, including
Harris Tweed Hebrides and Canton du Valais.
The Clarsach Society and EIHF also wish to thank
the countless number of friends and volunteers
who help us along the way.
PRINCIPAL SPONSORS
During the Festival there will be an exhibition of
harps made in the UK and overseas. This offers an
opportunity to try instruments made by different
makers and perhaps even to purchase or rent a
harp. In addition there will be music, CDs and harprelated goodies on sale.
Exhibition Opening Hours:
Saturday: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Monday: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Tuesday: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Wednesday: 9.30am - 12 noon
EIHF is very grateful to all exhibitors who create
such an exciting event. Further information
on exhibitors is available from our website
harpfestival.co.uk.
Some exhibitors may not be present throughout
the Festival and some may amend their opening
times so please check this with them.
At the time of publication the following have reserved space at the Exhibition:
Bow Brand
Edinburgh Branch
FUNDER
SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
MEDIA PARTNER
• David & Brenda Lamb
• Harris Tweed Hebrides
• Canton du Valais
• Peter Green & Co.
• An Comunn Gàidhealach
• Alaw Publishing
Celtic Music Radio, Scotland’s leading music
station, will be providing pre-festival coverage
and broadcasting highlights of this year’s Festival.
Available to listen online at celticmusicradio.net
and on 95FM across Glasgow.
BRANCHES OF THE CLARSACH SOCIETY
• Highland • Isle of Lewis
• London and South East • North East Scotland
• Northumbrian • Transpennine • Wales
ACCUSOUND
accusound.com
KILLARNEY HARPS
killarneyharps.com
AFFAIRS OF THE HARP
affairsoftheharp.com
CLIVE MORLEY HARPS
morleyharps.com
ALAW MUSIC
alawmusic.com
NIEBISCH & TREE
niebischandtree.co.uk
ARDIVAL HARPS
ardival.com
MARK NORRIS HARPS
norrisharps.com
CREIGHTON’S COLLECTION
cccd.co.uk
PILGRIM HARPS
pilgirmharps.co.uk
DE TROUBADOUR HARPEN
detroubadourharpen.nl
SALOPIAN STRINGS
salopianstrings.co.uk
ELVENKINGS-HARPS
elvenkings-harp.at
SILVER SPEAR, HARPS AND DULCIMERS
silverspearinstruments.co.uk
Pete Grassby, THE MELODEON REPAIRER
[email protected]
STARFISH DESIGNS
starfishdesigns.co.uk
JACK HAYWARD INSURANCE
jackhayward.co.uk
TELYNAU TEIFI
welsh-harps.com
HOLYWELL MUSIC
holywellmusic.co.uk
TELYNAU VINING HARPS
camacharps.co.uk
INTERNATIONAL JAZZ HARP FOUNDATION
jazzharp.org
THE HARP STUDIO CYF
theharpstudio.co.uk
FESTIVAL FOUNDERS
Safety Notice: To reduce the chance of instruments being damaged, please DO NOT
bring shoulder bags, rucksacks and similar objects into the Exhibition areas.
TUESDAY 29 &
WEDNESDAY 30 MARCH
FRIDAY 1 APRIL
JACK AND THE LOST HARPS
OPENING
GATHERING
STORYWALK AND COME-AND-TRY HARP SESSIONS
Netherbow Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR
C1a C2a C1b C2b • £9.00 (ONE ACCOMPANYING ADULT GOES FREE)
Join Heather Yule, spellbinding storyteller and
harper, on a storywalk around the Scottish
Storytelling Centre. Through story, riddles and
rhymes we will follow Jack as he seeks his fortune
and unlocks the mystery of the kingdom that has
no music. Participants must solve the puzzles to
find the lost magical harps and help Jack bring
music back to the land. The storywalk ends with a come-and-try
session where you will have the chance to try the harps and learn
a simple tune. This is an event full of fun and entertainment.
C1a • Tuesday 29 March • 10.00am – 11.15am • 3-7 yrs
C2a • Tuesday 29 March • 2.00pm – 3.15pm • 8-12 yrs
C1b • Wednesday 30 March • 10.00am – 11.15am • 3–7 yrs
C3 • MEMORIAL HALL • 7.00PM - 9.00PM
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C2b • Wednesday 30 March • 2.00pm – 3.15pm • 8–12 yrs
Free but numbers limited. Tickets will be available
on the door only from 6.45pm.
Join us for an opening reception and musical
gathering featuring cameo performances from
some of this year’s artists and tutors to start this the
35th EIHF. Come and meet friends old and new.
Supported by:
Peter Green & Co.
SATURDAY 2 APRIL
SATURDAY 2 APRIL
ȘIRIN PANCAROĞLU & BORA UYMAZ
TURKISH WAVES: FROM THE ÇENG TO THE LEVER HARP
VICENTE LA CAMERA MARIÑO
PARK STICKNEY & VIOLAINE CONTRERAS
ANNE-MARIE O’FARRELL & BRENDAN POWER
CAROLAN’S FAREWELL TO MUSIC
C4 • MEMORIAL HALL • 3.00PM - 4.00PM • £11.00 • £9.00 • £5.00
Şirin Pancaroğlu & Bora Uymaz
Vicente La Camera Mariño
A tiny Middle-Eastern lap-harp, by the name of çeng
disappeared in 17th century and is now resurrected
by Şirin Pancaroğlu from its ashes to display its
unique sound. She released a CD titled “Çengnagme”
in 2013, produced by Bora Uymaz, a singer and
composer of Turkish music. Since then the two have
extended their efforts to the lever harp, creating
music with a unique Turkish flavour. They will
perform early Ottoman music as well as new
music rooted in the traditional
Turkish repertoire.
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Vicente La Camera Mariño, from Spain, one of the
finest exponents of the wire harp, presents selected
pieces by Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738) arranged
for early Irish harp: airs, dances and laments grouped
in ‘suites’ will provide a taste of O’Carolan’s own
particular ‘Gaelic-Baroque’ style found in his great
compositions. The title ‘Carolan’s Farewell to Music’
focuses on Carolan’s love for music as shown in the
beauty and solemnity of his final composition.
Park Stickney & Violaine Contreras
Brendan Power & Anne-Marie O’Farrell
Park Stickney (harp) and Violaine Contreras (flute).
Some harpstrings, a week’s worth of pedals, and a
sackful of flutes. Nothing new there. After all, studies
show that 70% of consenting adults will have been
part of a flute/harp duo at some point in their lives
by the time they turn 83. What’s important with this
particular group is the effortless and groovy way that
they defy musical gravity. Essentially they have a big
pot of music that they cooked up from this and that,
and a ladle. And some napkins. Subjects to discuss
will probably include jazz, Georges Brassens, tango,
sonatas improvised beyond recognition, possible
fisticuffs and revelry. They’re having fun, and you
will too
Harmonica player Brendan Power joins harpist
Anne-Marie O’Farrell in a stunning exploration of
Irish music for harp and ‘mouth harp’ (‘moothie!’).
Using Irish tunes, old and new, they present a
programme with improvisatory elements, featuring
O’Carolan, Rory Dall Ó Catháin, and compositions by
Anne-Marie, creating a fresh new context for ancient
sounds.
Supported by:
Edinburgh Branch
SUNDAY 3 APRIL
SUNDAY 3 APRIL
ELINOR BENNETT
EXTRAVA-CAMBRIA
A CONCERT PROGRAMME OF MUSIC FROM WALES FROM THREE CENTURIES.
WINNER OF THE 2015 YOUNG COMPOSER AWARD
Robin Huw Bowen
Bill Taylor
Photo: Kim Ayres
Gwenan Gibbard
Meinir Heulyn
The famous blind harpist, John Parry of Ruabon,
The winner of The Clarsach Society Young Composer
wrote many arrangements of Welsh airs and Sonatas Award 2015 will be announced, their piece performed
for the triple harp, in an age which preceded the
and the prize presented.
mechanical pedal harp. A century later, John Thomas
was encouraged by his teachers to abandon
the triple harp, in favour of the more complex,
sophisticated pedal harps of Sebastian Erard and
wrote a great deal of music for it. William Mathias
was one of the greatest Welsh composers of the
twentieth century. The Santa Fe Suite was his last
work for harp, which was inspired by a visit to New
Mexico c 1989.
This year EIHF turns the spotlight on Wales, to explore Wales was ‘The Land of the Harp’ long before the
and celebrate its wealth of harp music in the company Victorians invented ‘The Land of Song’, and for EIHF
of many of its finest performers.
2016, leading Welsh harpist Robin Huw Bowen brings
us the ‘Extrava-Cambria’, a concert reflecting the
varied facets of harping in Wales through the ages.
Robin is joined by other leading harpists Gwenan
Gibbard, Elinor Bennett, Meinir Heulyn, and Bill Taylor,
members of Rhes Ganol (Wales’ Triple Harp Ensemble),
members of The Clarsach Society Wales Branch, and
harpists from the Clerorfa (The Welsh Folk Orchestra),
to present an exciting programme of bardic music,
traditional dances and airs, and classical influences of
the 19th and 20th centuries, all performed on the bray
harp, the Celtic, the modern pedal, and of course Wales’
Supported by:
very own unbroken tradition, the Triple Harp.
Supported by:
Wales Branch
London & South
East Branch
Alaw Publishing
MONDAY 4 APRIL
MONDAY 4 APRIL
HARPS@85
FAMILY CEILIDH WITH
THE OCCASIONALS
A CELEBRATION OF THE CLARSACH SOCIETY
C8 • MEMORIAL HALL • 3.00PM - 4.30PM • £9.00 • £5.00
Comunn na Clàrsaich, Edinburgh, 20 May 1932
Isobel Mieras
A Celebration of The Clarsach Society from modest
beginnings at the close of the National Mòd in
September 1931 to the force behind today’s 35th
Edinburgh International Harp Festival. Join us on this
joyous musical journey devised and presented by
Isobel Mieras and Gillean McDougall.
Na Clarsairean
Enjoy a kaleidoscope of vintage cameo
performances from many of our finest players
including Wendy Stewart, Alison Kinnaird, Sileas
(Patsy Seddon and Mary Macmaster), Corrina
Hewat and Catriona McKay, alongside new voices
from the emerging generation of harpers, including
Mòd prizewinner, Anna Westwell, all bound together
with music from harp ensemble, Na Clàrsairean.
Sheila McCutcheon
Freeland Barbour
Dance to the music of Freeland Barbour and
The Occasionals. All dances will be called by
Sheila McCutcheon, so no one need feel left
out and will include those taught in her dance
workshop the previous day (W6, see page 28).
Supported by:
North East Scotland Branch
TUESDAY 5 APRIL
TUESDAY 5 APRIL
TEA CONCERT
CLÀRSACH, CLÒ IS CÀNAN
CONNECTING HARP, CLOTH AND LANGUAGE: A MUSICAL JOURNEY
CAITLIN BRUCE, IMOGEN ISLAY HAY, LOLA FLEXEN
Werner Kissling Erskay 1934
C10 • CAFÉ • 3.00PM - 4.00PM • £11.50
Imogen Isla Hay
Waulking
Mary Macmaster
Màiri Macleod
Alyth McCormack
Caitlin Bruce
Caitlin Bruce is currently studying music education at
the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. Taught
by some of our finest teachers including Heather Yule,
Ailie Robertson, Corrina Hewat and Heather Downie, she
released her solo CD, Itchy Fingers, in 2013. A highlight of
her career came in August 2014, when she was invited
to be the support act for Julie Fowlis at the Fringe by the
Sea festival. She has also performed at J K Rowling’s book
launch and at events including the Trad on the
Tyne music festival and the Saltire Festival.
Imogen Hay. “I sing about a lot that I see going on around
me; I take inspiration from people, nature and science.
I’ve just released my debut EP entitled Little Dragon and
it’s been such an incredible experience to record and
produce the EP. On the clarsach It’s really been my way
to experiment and to try to create interesting sounds
and feelings within my music to bring my song to life –
especially recently. I’m so honoured to be playing today;
the harp/clarsach family is so warm and welcoming!”
Lola Flexen
Corrina Hewat
Lola Flexen started learning to play clarsach
with Margaret Collin while at Gaelic primary
school in Edinburgh and is now working with
Helen MacLeod at St. Mary’s Music School.
Already an accomplished performer she has won
competitions at local and National Mòds and
the Edinburgh Competition Festival. She loves to
arrange Gaelic, Scottish traditional and folk music
for clarsach, and write her own tunes.
It is said about Harris Tweed that ‘from the land
comes the cloth’, and equally it can be said about
Gaelic that ‘from the language comes the music’.
This special event, in this year of anniversaries,
featuring Shine, Màiri Macleod and Fraya Thomsen
(Community and Stardust) commemorates 125 years
of An Comunn Gàidhealach. An evening of beautiful
song and harp woven together will culminate in a
fascinating demonstration of waulking the famous
tweed associated with the Gaelic-speaking islands of
Lewis and Harris. We will welcome some cailleachs
(old ladies) to assist with the waulking.
Shine – highlander Corrina Hewat, lowlander
Mary Macmaster and Alyth McCormack from
the Hebrides – reunite after a ten year break. Their
distinctive, beautiful, traditional Gaelic and Scottish
songs, contemporary covers and original material
are accompanied by two electro harps and will
delight all.
Màiri Macleod from the Isle of Lewis is embedded
in Gaelic music and spirited about its place in
Scotland’s history. Tonight she will sing songs of the
cloth and lead the chorus of waulking singers.
In Community and Star Dust – (exploration 1)
highlander Fraya Thomsen explores communication
and belonging through ancient forms of Gaelic
vocables and audio manipulation techniques. She will
be joined by Gillian Fleetwood and Barry Reid.
Supported by:
Supported by:
Harris Tweed
Hebrides
Isle of Lewis Branch
Fraya Thomsen
Highland Branch
Thanks to Cathlin Macaulay at The School
of Scottish Studies.
WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL
WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL
ADRIANO SANGINETO
CHRIS STOUT, CATRIONA MCKAY & KALA JULA
ELINOR EVANS
ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND HARP ENSEMBLE
DUBLIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY HARP ENSEMBLE
Kris Kesiak
Elinor Evans
Andriano Sangineto
RCS Harp Ensemble
Clockwise from top left: Vincent Zanetti,
Chris Stout, Samba Diabaté, Catriona McKay
DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama
The RCS harpists are thrilled to be invited by the EIHF
to play in this afternoon concert. Their programme
will include performances from a pick of the best
of their ever expanding harp department. The
repertoire will cover a broad span of musical genres
for the pedal harp under the direction of Sharron
Griffiths.
The harp programme at DIT Conservatory of
Music and Drama encompasses both classical and
Irish traditional music at all levels up to PhD. The
Ensemble will perform music from their wide
repertoire of classical, Irish and contemporary music,
under the direction of Denise Kelly Macdonnell.
Elinor Evans’ programme will include old Scottish
airs arranged in a contemporary style alongside her
own imaginative and exciting original compositions.
She seeks to develop a vibrant modern repertoire
for this instrument, whilst honouring the traditional
platform from which its popularity grew.
Catriona McKay and Chris Stout return to EHIF to
share new music for their trusty and courageous
harp and fiddle duo and are delighted to present
musical friends Samba Diabaté and Vincent Zanetti
of duo Kala Jula. Malian griot Samba Diabaté is
one of the most esteemed guitarists in Bamako.
His mandingo guitar style radiates sensitive and
eloquent musicality. A member of Mande hunters’
brotherhood, Swiss multi-instrumentalist and
composer Vincent Zanetti plays pentatonic kora,
guitar and djembe. Their hypnotic improvisation
combined with the familiar dynamics of Catriona
and Chris captures a spirit of adventure and
glowing warmth.
EIHF is delighted to welcome Adriano Sangineto
from Italy to present his own original compositions,
influenced by his national folk music and modern
rhythms. He creates a multifaceted and dynamic
programme with unexpected twists and a few
surprises.
Supported by:
Supported by:
Northumbrian Branch
David and Brenda Lamb
COURSES
GUIDE TO COURSE LEVELS AND TEACHING METHOD
CODELEVEL
TUTOR
DESCRIPTION
METHOD TIME
T1a
T1b
T2
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner
Heather Yule
Heather Yule
Fiona Rutherford
Child beginners 5-8 years
Child beginners 9-14 years
Adult beginners
E+M
E+M
E+M
9:00am
10:10am
1:00pm
What we mean by:
T3
Post-beginner Gwen Màiri Yorke
Continuing the journey
E+M
4:30pm
Beginner: You have absolutely no experience of
playing the harp and have had no lessons.
T4
T5
T6
T7 T8
Elementary
Elementary
Elementary
Elementary
Elementary
Wendy Stewart
Robin Huw Bowen
Elinor Evans
Cheyenne Brown
Adriano Sangineto
Robert Burns: melodies on the harp Welsh Music
Funk up your folk! (5-11 years)
Simple, effective arranging
The soul of the Italian popular harp
E+M
E+M
E+M
M+E
E+M
9:00am
9:00am
1:00pm
1:00pm
4:30pm
T9
T10
T11
T12
T13
Elem / Inter
Elem / Inter
Elem / Inter
Elem / Inter
Elem / Inter
Park Stickney
Eleanor Johnston
Fraya Thomsen
Șirin Pancaroğlu
Friendly jazz class
Take the terror out of technique
Composing tunes in a Scottish style
Thou that criest under red fingers (wire harp) Traditional Turkish tunes
M
E+M
E+M
E+M
E+M
9:00am
9:00am
1:00pm
4:30pm
4:30pm
T14
T15
T16
T17 T18
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Anne-Marie O’Farrell
Adriano Sangineto
Catriona McKay
Cheyenne Brown
Irene Watt
Modal music from Ireland
The rhythmic soul of the dancing harp
Catriona’s top tunes
Scottish tunes
Song arranging for voice and harp
M
E+M
E+M
E+M E+M
9:00am
1:00pm
1:00pm
4:30pm
4:30pm
STIÙIREADH MU ÌREAN CÙRSA AGUS MODH TEAGAISG
Please read these guidelines to course descriptions
very carefully before booking. For your own
satisfaction and the sanity of our excellent teachers, it
is essential that you choose the correct level. If in ANY
DOUBT, please check with your teacher or call us for
advice about levels (+44 (0)131 445 2022). Please note
that this number is to be used only for advice about
courses – bookings must be made via Hub Tickets –
see page 60 for full details.
Most courses start on Saturday 2 April and run for five
days (unless otherwise stated) and will last 1½ hours
each day except Monday when sessions will be 1 hour
long. A selection of weekend and 3-day courses (MonWed) are also available.
Please note that there are NO courses at ADVANCED
level this year. In the past, the numbers taking these
courses were very low, so instead we are offering a
wide range of subjects at INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
level and for MIXED ABILITIES.
Post Beginner: You may have taken a Beginners
course, have had relatively few lessons or require help
with basic technique.
Elementary: You can already perform simple tunes,
require further help in developing technique and wish
to work slowly and carefully.
Elementary/Intermediate: As Elementary, but you feel
ready to stretch boundaries and work a little faster.
Intermediate: Your technique is established and you
are happy to work at a moderate speed.
Intermediate/Advanced: As Intermediate, but you are
ready and willing to work faster, stretch yourself and
be a bit adventurous.
Course fees have been frozen for another year and are Mixed abilities: Catering for all levels except
£72 for 5-days or pro rata for shorter courses.
complete Beginners.
Harps are provided for beginner courses only. For all
other courses, participants must bring their own harp,
stool and music stand. A small stock of lever harps are
also available to hire at the Festival – see page 63 for
full details.
Teaching method
E: Teaching will be mainly by ear with written music
given out at the end.
E+M: Teaching will be initially by ear with written music
given out during or at the end of each session
M: Written music will be given out and used from the start
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T19 Inter / Adv
Șirin Pancaroğlu
T20 Inter / Adv
Corrina Hewat
T21 Inter / Adv
Park Stickney
T22 Inter / Adv
T23 Inter / Adv
Robin Huw Bowen
T24 Inter / Adv
Wendy Stewart
T25 Inter / Adv
Karen Marshalsay
Flavours of Turkish music for harpists
M+E
9:00am
Scottish tunes of the last 30 years
E+M
9:00am
Unfriendly and difficult intermediate / advanced M
1:00pm
jazz class (actually friendly and fun, but a little faster)
Love your levers!
M
1:00pm
Welsh Music
E+M
1:00pm
Glencairn: A landscape in music
M+E
4:30pm
Working with source material
E+M
4:30pm
T26 Mixed Abilities Vicente La Camera Mariño Music Alchemy
E+M
T27 Mixed Abilities Fraya Thomsen
Composing and creativity
E+M
T28 Mixed Abilities Sharron Griffiths
Build you technique and flexibility (pedal harp) M
T29 Mixed Abilities Patsy Seddon
Gaelic through song
E+M
T30 Mixed Abilities Corrina Hewat, Mary
The Cromarty (Cromba) Suite
M+E
Macmaster & Patsy Seddon
T31 Elem / Inter
Rachel Hair
Yes, harps CAN session!
E+M
9:00am
9:00am
9:00am
9:00am
1:00pm
T32 Inter / Adv
Christine Edwards
Pop and film harp music
E+M
Sat & Sun
1:00pm & 4:30pm
T33 Mixed Abilities Irene Watt
Preparing to play, preparing to perform
E+M
T34 Mixed Abilities Chris Blagdon
The harp is only half the instrument E+M
T35 Mixed Abilities Màiri Macleod
Harp-teen ways to play
E+M
T36 Mixed Abilities Gwenan Gibbard
Welsh traditional songs with
E+M
harp accompaniment
Sat & Sun
9:00am
Mon, Tue & Wed
9:00am
Mon, Tue & Wed
1:00pm
Mon, Tue & Wed
1:00pm
T37a
T37b
T38a
T38b
T39a
T39b
Saturday 9:00am
Sunday 4:30pm
Saturday 1:00pm
Sunday 9:00am
Saturday 4:30pm
Sunday 1:00pm
Come & Try
Come & Try
Come & Try
Come & Try
Come & Try
Come & Try
Bill Taylor
Bill Taylor
Iain Lennon & Craig Moran
Heather Yule
Heather Yule
Come and try wire-strung clarsach
Come and try mandolin
Come and try harp and the spoken word
Sat & Sun
1:00pm & 4:30pm
COURSES
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS & FEES
MÌNEACHADH CÙRSA IS COSGAISEAN
FIVE DAY COURSES
POST-BEGINNERS
ELEMENTARY / INTERMEDIATE
Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday:
1½ hours each day.
Monday: 1 hour
(unless otherwise stated)
Continuing the journey
Friendly jazz class
Gwen Màiri Yorke
T3 • 4:30pm • E+M • £72
Building on the first steps of clarsach playing, we’ll be
looking at traditional tunes from Scotland and Wales.
We’ll become more familiar with the instrument and
more comfortable playing these beautiful melodies,
incorporating exercises and help with technique along
the way. A relaxed course with plenty of individual
attention as well as group work.
Park Stickney
T9 • 9:00am • M • £72
We’ll take some standard jazz tunes, tear them apart
and put them back together again, better than new.
We will play around with improvisation, talk about
(painless) jazz theory-scales, chords and the like, plus
learn some (incredibly useful) jazzy harp techniques like
lever slides, string bends, and pyrotechnics. As this is an
elementary/intermediate class, the pace will be easy,
no panicking necessary.
BEGINNERS
Child beginners
Heather Yule
1 hour session each day.
T1a • 5-8years • 9:00am • E+M • £50
T1b • 9-14years • 10.10am • E+M • £50
Come along and have some fun on the harp. Learn a
few easy tunes, how to play chords and discover some
exciting musical sounds. A perfect introduction to this
versatile instrument. Harps provided.
Adult beginners
Fiona Rutherford
T2 • 1.00pm • E+M • £72
Be introduced to this beautiful instrument in a relaxed
and friendly setting. We will cover good basic technique
and tone production whilst having fun learning some
simple melodies and accompaniments from a wide
variety of sources. Harps provided.
FOLLOW-ON CLASSES
After the Festival, come along to our follow-on
classes organised by the Edinburgh Branch of
The Clarsach Society. Classes will run at a relaxed
pace with the aims of consolidating technique,
improving confidence and having a bit of fun.
Ask at The Clarsach Society Information Desk
for more information.
ELEMENTARY
Robert Burns: melodies on the harp
Wendy Stewart
T4 • 9:00am • E+M • £72
Exploring the beautiful Scots and Gaelic instrumental
melodies that Robert Burns used for his songs. With
reference to their background and the lyrics, we’ll learn
some lesser known gems and others mair weel kent!
All with complete fingering and simple yet effective
accompaniment patterns, played slowly but with
panache! Class taught carefully by ear with time built
in to get the music into the mental hard drive. Printed
music given during each session but recording device
also recommended to remember the process of
learning by ear.
Welsh Music
Robin Huw Bowen
T5 • 9:00am • E+M • £72
Get to grips with the basics of Welsh harping, how to
interpret and arrange melodies in typical traditional
Welsh style. The course will focus on simple Welsh
dance tunes and their accompaniment, and will look
at the typical Welsh harp method of playing ‘theme
and variations’ on a basic level. Particularly suitable for
students who have never taken Robin’s classes before.
Students are welcome to record the class for their own
personal use to aid oral learning.
Funk up your folk!
Elinor Evans
T6 • 5-11 years • 1:00pm • E+M • £72
How to colour your folk music with help from interesting
riffs, unusual harmonies and different techniques. Do you
enjoy playing folk music but want your performance to
sound a little different? The aim of this course is to provide
a means of adding texture and colour to folk tunes we
all love. The class will look at Scottish traditional tunes as
well as some original contemporary folk music. Student
participation and input will be encouraged, so bring along
your favourite tune for us to work on. Teaching will be by
ear but sheet music will also be provided. Worksheets will
be supplied at the end to take away.
Simple, effective arranging
Cheyenne Brown
T7 • 1:00pm • M+E • £72
Arranging your own tunes is possible for everyone. The
most amazing thing about arranging for yourself is finding
a tune you like, and making the arrangement exactly
suit your own level! Do you like a little more funky or a
little more traditional… more rhythmic or more gentle?
By arranging tunes yourself, you are given the freedom
to create in your own style. By working through chord
choices, chord voicings, rhythmic ideas, and basslines,
you will have all the tools to create your own beautiful
arrangements! We will work from several traditional tunes,
but feel free to additionally bring your own tune ideas.
The soul of the Italian popular harp
Adriano Sangineto
T8 • 4:30pm • E+M • £72
During the course participants will learn folk melodies
from different Italian regions, original compositions and
tunes from the wider European folk repertoire, while
acquiring effective rhythmic, left hand techniques.
Teaching will be by ear with dancing and singing.
Written music will be given out at the end.
Take the terror out of technique
Eleanor Johnston
T10 • 9:00am • E+M • £72
Specifically for lever harp players, this course is an excellent
opportunity to work on the fundamental elements of harp
technique. From hand position and posture to articulation
and damping, this is a chance to improve your overall
sound quality and ultimately increase your confidence
in your playing. It also offers a friendly and supportive
environment to address any specific technical problems
you may be experiencing, such as harmonics, brushed
chords, or playing more evenly, whilst focusing on exercises
to strengthen and develop your technique in a fun and
musical way. Please bring along any tunes you wish to work
on and any specific technical issues you need help with.
Composing tunes in a Scottish style
Fraya Thomsen
T11 • 1:00pm • E+M • £72
From marches to jigs, reels and strathspeys, one of the
most exciting things about the Scottish instrumental
repertoire is variation in rhythms, modes and keys. In this
course we will compose new melodies using structure
and techniques learnt from traditional tune forms. Each
person can decide how closely they wish to replicate
other previously loved tune forms, and will be supported
by Fraya to achieve their goals.
Thou that criest under red fingers (wire harp)
T12 • 4:30pm • E+M • £72
We will be looking at history, sources, technique (damping,
ornamentation, style, harmony etc.), as well as repertoire,
arrangement and interpretation of music for early Irish
and Scottish harp (wire strung cláirseach). We will be
looking at both native Gaelic and continental styles.
Although written music will be supplied during the class,
teaching will also be by ear.
COURSES
Traditional Turkish tunes
Scottish tunes
Șirin Pancaroğlu
T13 • 4:30pm • E+M • £72
Turkish music is traditionally taught by ear and this
method is called “meşk”. This is the method by which this
course will be taught. Participants will learn a new tune
every day and will be given the music at the end of each
class. Each tune will feature a different makam (kurdi,
nikriz, buselik, nihavend etc.) and will also introduce a
different rhythmic pattern.
INTERMEDIATE
Cheyenne Brown
T17 • 4:30pm • E+M • £72
A combination of modern and traditional Scottish tunes
with catchy melodies and alluring arrangements will
be taught. Extra time will be given to concentrate on
finger patterns and placing, and extra repetition will
help secure the tunes in your muscle memory. Layered
arrangements help every player find their comfort zone,
so you can add some beautiful new pieces to your
repertoire while having fun! Sheet music provided at the
end of each class, and recording devices welcome.
Modal music from Ireland
Song arranging for voice and harp
T14 • 9:00am • M • £72
Mixed up by mixolydian and dumbfounded by dorian?
Not any longer! This is a great opportunity to get to
know tunes in the different modes which are so integral
to folk music from Celtic countries. We’ll also be drawing
on the wonderful collection of the James Goodman
manuscripts from nineteenth century Ireland. It’s a
wealth of beautiful tunes just waiting for you to arrange
them for harp.
Irene Watt
T18 • 4:30pm • E+M • £72
This course will feature songs from different genres and
will include some traditional and folk songs as well as
popular songs, songs from film, including swing and easy
listening. We will focus on accompaniments using chord
patterns to create interesting links between verses and
choruses. Suitable for those who want to accompany
themselves or others.
The rhythmic soul of the dancing harp
Adriano Sangineto
T15 • 1:00pm • E+M • £72
During the course participants will learn folk melodies
from different Italian regions and tunes for dancing,
focusing on expanding rhythmic technique to
accompany the dance. Original compositions and tunes
from the wider European folk repertoire will be taught
in order to develop rhythmic independence of the two
hands and a virtuoso right-hand technique to play faster
will be introduced. At the beginning learning will be by
ear and also through dancing and singing to better
assimilate the tune. At the end scores of the learnt
tunes will be given.
Catriona’s top tunes
Catriona McKay
T16 • 1:00pm • E+M • £72
Catriona is delighted to have the opportunity once again
to bring some top tunes from her travels to the Festival.
Come and learn a few of her latest favourites, including a
set from the Kala Jula collaboration concert on the EIHF
closing night! As is her style, she will sneak in a few tasty
techniques and cheeky tricks to help you push your harp
a little further… join Catriona and let her help you make
the tunes come alive!
INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED
Flavours of Turkish music for harpists
Șirin Pancaroğlu
T19 • 9:00am • M+E • £72
The concepts of makam and usul have gone hand in
hand in Turkish music for more than a thousand years.
While the concept of makam is the main driving force
behind melodic organisation, the idea of usul is the
system responsible for the rhythmic articulation. Out of
the 150 makams currently known in Turkish music, those
suitable for use in western music will be introduced
during the course and we’ll practise them along with fun
Turkish rhythmic patterns. Music will be sent before the
beginning of the course and harpists will discover how
to embellish melodies, find suitable accompaniment and
improvise to them.
Scottish tunes of the last 30 years
Corrina Hewat
T20 • 9:00am • E+M • £72
In this class we’ll be concentrating on the newer tunes
written in the last 30 years in a traditional style. Tunes
written by fiddlers, harpers, pipers and pianists in
Scotland today. From quirky Shetland tunes through
to the wild, fast, unexpected reels being written in the
Highlands and the Central Belt and down to the Borders.
Decoration will be touched upon as will fingering if
needed. And a general accompaniment will be put
together for everyone to take away and arrange.
Unfriendly and difficult intermediateadvanced jazz class (actually friendly
and fun, but a little faster)
Park Stickney
T21 • 1:00pm • M • £72
Don’t worry! This class will be similar in form to the
elementary/intermediate jazz class, just slightly fasterpaced. We’ll use standards to explore general jazz
concepts, get you up-to-speed on your chords and
improv, and fool around with our levers and pedals.
Although this class is intended for players at the
intermediate/advanced level, no jazz experience is
necessary. Jazz enthusiasm, however, is essential.
Love your levers!
T22 • 1:00pm • M • £72
This is a chance to broaden your repertoire and develop
your use of the lever mechanism on the harp. Discover
how to approach transcribing music from other
instruments, and handling the lovely modulations found
in other repertoire. You’ll also learn lever techniques to
help you make multiple semitone changes according to
the design of your own instrument.
Welsh Music
Robin Huw Bowen
T23 • 1:00pm • E+M • £72
Come and explore a living folk harp tradition even
further! The course will focus on typical interpretation
of Welsh style, in particular arrangement of tunes and
development of ‘theme and variations’. We will also
tackle the Welsh Gypsy style of playing dance melodies
on the harp. Students are welcome to record the class
for their own personal use to aid oral learning.
Glencairn: A landscape in music
Wendy Stewart
T24 • 4:30pm • M+E • £72
Wendy will lead you through a new harp composition
reflecting her Dumfriesshire home valley (and Creative
Place Award winner 2015) in melody, rhythm and
song, moving from peaceful air to boisterous jig, with a
majestic strathspey and touch of carnival in the middle.
We’ll learn new melodies and riff patterns, atmospheric
linking passages and a surprising wee song! Along the
way, we’ll make time to discuss music, environment and
the creative potential in all of us.
Working with source material
Karen Marshalsay
T25 • 4:30pm • E+M • £72
This course will look at finding, transcribing and
arranging material for harp, using both written
and recorded sources, including the Scottish lute
manuscripts and others such as the Elizabeth Ross MS,
field recordings from Tobar an Dualchais, the Alan Lomax
Collection and others, early 20th century recordings and
published material from Scottish and other traditions.
There is now a wealth of material available online and
Karen will guide you through the process of searching,
listening, and working out how things can transfer to
harp. Arrangements, transcriptions and ideas for further
study will be provided.
MIXED ABILITIES
Music Alchemy
T26 • 9:00am • E+M • £72
Come and explore the hidden messages beyond the notes
to find your ‘own voice’ and ‘inner music’ through the
moods of the melodies, the phrasing and the interpretation
of music. The silence in music, inspiration, becoming one
with the instrument and the alchemy of the music; through
this course you will discover what music is telling you.
We will also look at some of the old Bardic harp poetry as
well as other sources where we can find references to this
fascinating topic. Although written music will be supplied
during the class, teaching will also be by ear.
Composing and creativity
Fraya Thomsen
T27 • 9:00am • E+M • £72
There are so many ways to set about composing new
music and lots of people have a desire do so but are not
exactly sure how to start, what they want to compose
or why. This course will be a wonderful environment in
which to explore a number of approaches to making
new music with the aim of enhancing our productivity,
enjoyment and confidence as composers.
Build your technique and flexibility (pedal harp)
Sharron Griffiths
T28 • 9:00am • M • £72
Sharron will run a broad course on all aspects to help
you become an inspiring pedal harpist drawing from
her vast experience as a teacher, soloist, chamber and
orchestral musician. The course will include classes on
how to improve and strengthen your technique, stylistic
awareness, phrasing with clever use of fingering, analysis
of different schools of harps and famous repertoire,
rhythmic practise and performance skills from all aspects
of music be it solo, ensemble and orchestral playing.
COURSES
Gaelic through song
Patsy Seddon
T29 • 9:00am • E+M • £72
Initially inspired by the beauty and variety of Gaelic
song, Patsy will share her long experience as a learner
of Gaelic. She will carefully choose songs that ease
learners in e.g. puirt (dance songs), waulking songs
and other work songs that feature vocables (e.g. hi ri
hoireann o) and repetition. She will also cover simple love
songs, lullabies and songs about trousers(!). Suitable harp
accompaniments to complement the songs will also
be worked on and the whole mix will be peppered with
simple everyday phrases in Gaelic. A course for those
who want to unlock a passion for Gaelic song with harp.
The Cromarty (Cromba) Suite
Corrina Hewat, Mary Macmaster & Patsy Seddon
T30 • 1:00pm • M+E • £72
Corrina Hewat, Patsy Seddon and Mary Macmaster
collaborated on a specially written piece of music to
celebrate Cromarty and its unique history and colourful
characters, commissioned by the Cromarty Arts
Trust. It was written for all levels of player, to be played
specifically in a group or adapted for solo player. The
suite was scored and published for the Harp Village
and is now generally available. Corrina, Patsy and Mary
will take part in teaching this class, sharing their input
and music. The parts for each level will be sent out in
advance by pdf so make sure you note your ability level
when booking. We may even be able to have an informal
performance near the end of the EIHF!
WEEKEND COURSES
Yes, harps CAN session!
Elementary / Intermediate
Rachel Hair
Saturday and Sunday: 2 sessions per day of 1½ hours
T31 • 1:00pm & 4:30pm • E+M • £62
The session can be a scary prospect at times for us
harp players, so come along to this four part session
course where we will both learn and build on the skills
needed to session with confidence. We’ll work on chord
patterns and riffs for accompaniment, how to identify
keys for tunes, how to change keys fast and effectively,
learn some of the famous die-hard session tunes, and
discuss what good session etiquette is. All done in a fun
and friendly manner… but not with the usual session
refreshments!
Pop and film harp music
Intermediate / Advanced
Christine Edwards
Saturday and Sunday: 2 sessions per day of 1½ hours
T32 • 1:00pm & 4:30pm • E+M • £62
There’s a wealth of music out there that you never knew
existed for the harp. From the latest chart tunes, to film
music and popular classics, we’ll investigate some music
that won’t fail to impress an audience. Participants are
encouraged to bring along a piece or recording of a wellknown song/tune for which they would like to make their
own arrangement.
Preparing to play, preparing to perform
Mixed Abilities
Irene Watt
Saturday and Sunday: 1 session per day of 1½ hours
T33 • 9:00am • E+M • £31
This course will focus on how to warm up your hands –
and brains! – before playing or performing, but have fun
doing so. We will start with some simple exercises and
patterns and develop these, incorporating patterns for
both right and left hands, all of which will lead into a fun
piece that everyone can play together. We will also look
at how to tackle those nerves when you start to perform
and some strategies to use in that situation.
Harp-teen ways to play • Mixed Abilities
Màiri Macleod
T35 • 1:00pm • E+M • £42
Are you a teenager who listens to modern music, but
also loves traditional folk music? Do you get frustrated
with your sound, but don’t know why? This course
is aimed at teenagers who might be stuck finding
arrangements that suit their up-to-date style. We will take
traditional tunes, add a modern twist and learn some
new techniques on the way. A solid technique is at the
root of every modern harpist, especially those wishing
to experiment with their sound. We will focus on making
you the strongest you’ve ever been, but keeping the real
you at the heart of it all. Are you ready?
T38a • Saturday 1:00pm • £15.50
T38b • Sunday 9:00am • £15.50
Welsh traditional songs with harp
accompaniment • Mixed Abilities
Gwenan Gibbard
T36 • 1:00pm • E+M • £42
A glimpse into the art of self-accompaniment. An
opportunity to explore suitable arrangements for various
types of songs and the best way to perform them in the
company of one of Wales’ finest harper/singers.
COME & TRY
1½ hour sessions
THREE DAY COURSES
Monday: 1 hour session
Tuesday & Wednesday: 1½ hours each day.
Bill Taylor
T37a • Saturday 9:00am • £15.50
T37b • Sunday 4:30pm • £15.50
The harp is only half the instrument
Mixed Abilities
Chris Blagdon
T34 • 9:00am • £42
You’ve spent loads of time practising your harp. You
know where your soundboard is. Your fingers dance
over the strings. But what about the other half of this
beautiful instrument? Your body plays the harp. At what
cost? What steps can we take to mitigate any physical
damage? This course will explore the relationship
between your body and your harp. It is recommended
that participants bring their harps and a mat, or blanket
to delve into this extended Pilates course.
An opportunity to try out the beautifully resonant
original harp of the Gaels. While properly played with the
fingernails of at least 2mm, this is not necessary for this
taster class. The technique is often called playing “in the
stopped style”, where finger pads damp certain strings
to stop excessive ringing, thus allowing a clear phrase
line. Try a simple tune, touch on its history and feel free
to ask questions. Instruments provided.
This class is designed for complete beginners and
players of other string instruments. We will cover a little
about the history of this very versatile instrument, the
styles and music of the mandolin. We will teach you
how to pluck the strings and how to play a simple tune
including left hand notes and chords. We guarantee
that by the end of this session you will be playing the
mandolin! Mandolins provided.
Heather Yule
T39a • Saturday 4:30pm • £15.50
T39b • Sunday 1:00pm • £15.50
Bring your harp or another instrument along to this
come & try class, which will introduce the countless
ways of combining music and the spoken word. We will
look at the techniques of traditional storytelling but also
consider other types of narrative, such as ballad and
poetry, and how music can create atmosphere, but also
accent and bring out the natural rhythms of the voice
as it tells the story. Weaving words and music together
draws on the same skills that arrangers of tunes or songs
use. Therefore, the concepts we will be exploring will also
enrich your musical development. Come and have some
fun! All instruments and levels welcome
INDIVIDUAL TUITION
Our distinguished guest, Elinor Bennett, will be on
hand at certain times on Saturday and Sunday to
offer hour long lessons. Bookings for these popular
lessons can be made during the Festival at The
Clarsach Society Information Desk.
Private lessons are also available from a wide range
of other tutors and on all harps. Full information
available at The Clarsach Society Information Desk.
FOLLOW-ON CLASSES
After the Festival, come along to our follow-on
classes organised by the Wire Branch of The
Clarsach Society. Classes will run at a relaxed
pace with the aims of consolidating technique,
improving confidence and having a bit of fun. Ask
at The Clarsach Society Information Desk for more
information.
WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOPS
BÙTHAN-OBRACH
You are welcome to bring your harp
with you to the workshop.
SUNDAY 3 APRIL
11.00am - 12.00pm
Learn how to manage stress more effectively –
Part 2
W1b • Tana Collins • £8
This follow up and more in depth workshop will enable
you to assess your own personality type. If you are
Learn how to manage stress more effectively –
the type that is more prone to stress what can you do
Part 1
to reduce the risk of long-term stress that can lead to
W1a • Tana Collins • £8
illness? We will be looking at what determines your
In this workshop we will be exploring the nature of stress,
ability to manage stress and explore ways in which the
what it is and how to recognise the signs and symptoms.
most common negative thinking habits can be changed
Panic and anxiety attacks, which are symptoms of stress,
in to positive ones! Both workshops are stand alone
are underpinned by faulty breathing habits. Come and
workshops. However, you would benefit greatly if you
learn some simple breathing exercises and practical
were able to attend both.
coping skills that can literally change your life!
SATURDAY 2 APRIL
11.00am - 12.00pm
How not to be afraid of grade exams
W2 • Alison Bell • £8
Whether you are new to teaching or not, the moment
when a parent says ‘And when does she/he start grade
exams?’ can send a shiver down your spine. Alison still
gets those chilly moments, but has the advantage of
knowing how it works from the inside, because she’s
a local rep for the world’s longest established external
music exam system, Trinity College London. An
illustrated session, really useful for teachers, parents and
anyone contemplating sitting a grade practical.
Harmony singing
W3 • Corrina Hewat • £8
Once again we have a chance to lift up our voices and
share the joy of song with each other. Corrina will bring
some fitting songs for springtime, which will be taught
aurally. Some warm-up ideas, fun harmony lines, and a
good song or two plus a lot of fun – who needs anything
else? Please feel free to bring along a recording device.
And no harps are needed.
Everything you always wanted to know about
the harmonica, but were afraid to ask!
W4 • Brendan Power • £8
A Q&A session; open to all. Whether you’re an expert
or have never played a harmonica in your life, come
along and hear one of the world’s acknowledged
expert players and makers discuss this fascinating little
instrument. Ask a question or just listen in, it’s up to you.
Brendan has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things
harmonica, and will demonstrate points along the way
with some of his unique customised wee moothies, or
mouth-harps, as they are also known.
The revival of the çeng
W5 • Șirin Pancaroğlu & Bora Uymaz • £8
The çeng is an angular harp with its origins in
Mesopotamia. The instrument has a prestigious and
colourful history. Played in the medieval courts, it is often
a political symbol of a power, evoking a strong past. It
carries also a mystic symbolism which is mostly due to
its hunched back, with the soundbox positioned in the
uppermost part of the instrument, as if rising to the sky
but bending at the top. A favourite theme among poets
as well, the çeng, however, could not keep up with the
developments in music and gradually fell out of use. In
1660, Evliya Çelebi noted in his famous travelogue that
there was only one type of çeng and no more than ten
players in Istanbul. This is the last written testimony of
its existence. The çeng Șirin plays was made in 2013 by
Levent Gulec, an instrument maker from Izmir, Turkey.
Ceilidh dancing
W6 • Sheila McCutcheon • £8
Don’t understand what we mean when you ‘set’ to
your partner and ‘polka’? Learn a few of the traditional
Scottish dances and more to get round the dance floor
at the Monday ceilidh (page 15). Everyone can enjoy the
dancing at any level.
Playlist for Life
Dance in France, and back for lunch
W7 • Andy Lowndes • £8
Being able to respond to music – the first sense in the
foetus and the last to go at the end of life – is the one
thing dementia cannot destroy. In this workshop Andy
will discuss how, if you have dementia, the music that
has been meaningful in your life – even TV theme tunes
or Christmas carols – can make you feel better. He
will highlight the work that the charity Playlist for Life
does to support people living with dementia and their
family carers and loved ones and how others such as
musicians can get involved.
W11 • Park Stickney and Violaine Contreras • £10
Learn some traditional music from le Centre France
(et ailleurs). We’ll play mazurkas, gavottes, cercles
circassiens, bourrées, chapelloises, etc… tunes that have
travelled far, via the ears/hands/feet of musicians and
dancers over the years. And then we’ll learn the dances
that go with them. The tunes and sheet music will be
available on the Festival website. Advance preparation
is useful and welcome, but not essential. The main goal
of this workshop is to share a moment together, playing
and dancing this lively and beautiful music.
MONDAY 4 APRIL
10.30am - 12.00pm
Lever Harp to Mouth Harp
W8 • Anne-Marie O’Farrell & Brendan Power • £10
Bring your harp to learn a tune and arrangement which
you can use to duet with all your harmonica playing
friends! Here you’ll discover more about the expanded
possibilities of duetting, and ways of achieving variety
of pattern in your accompaniments. You’ll also find ways
of making your sound more colourful so that you can
create interesting textures and timbres.
Equilibrium: new music, new
instruments, timeless themes
W9 • Pete Sparkes, Amy Moar & Rhona Smith • £10
Explore the creative process of making new music that
includes musicians playing music technology alongside
those playing acoustic instruments. Rhona Smith and
Amy Moar will lead a session with Pete Sparkes from
Drake Music Scotland explaining the laptop technology
that Rhona uses to create her ‘Digital Harp’, with
opportunities for everyone to try out amazing music
apps on iPads and examples of repertoire including
music from Young Mary’s Suite by Amy. Music has
an extraordinary capacity to connect people and
Equilibrium is an ensemble that ensures musicians
with disabilities can play an active part in the rich
cultural life of Scotland.
Masterclass
W10 • Elinor Bennett • £10
Join us to observe the master at work in a public
masterclass from the distinguished Welsh harpist, Elinor
Bennett. Renowned and revered as a harp teacher, Elinor
will work with a range of harpists from the very young
up to Conservatoire level on both the clarsach and pedal
harp, sharing her insights and experience of this vast and
varied repertoire.
Welsh gypsy harping: the music of
John Roberts ‘Telynor Cymru’, the
‘Original Cambrian Minstrel’
W12 • Robin Huw Bowen • £10
2016 is the 200th
anniversary of the birth
of John Roberts ‘Telynor
Cymru’ (1816-1894), the
great Gypsy harpist
and impresario. The
music of the Roberts
family comes to us as
a living unbroken oral
tradition, having been
passed down through
the family generations
to John Roberts’ greatgrand-daughter Eldra
Jarman, who very generously shared the melodies with
Robin Huw Bowen. As a celebration of this auspicious
anniversary, Robin was awarded a Welsh Arts Council
grant to organise harp workshops throughout Wales in
2015 and 2016 to teach the Welsh Gypsy music, and we
get a sample of this work and of this unique tradition
from him at EIHF this year.
Harp and fiddle with Catriona and Chris
W13 • Chris Stout & Catriona McKay • £10
Learn a few tunes and develop skills to enhance the
rhythm, harmony and flow of the music. Explore how
the two instruments can work together to enhance
the music. Enjoy being part of a duo – an exciting
combination that has kept Chris and Catriona enthralled
for many years!
WORKSHOPS
TUESDAY 5 APRIL
11.00am - 12.00pm
From Wales to Patagonia
W14 • Gwenan Gibbard • £8
Supported by The Clarsach Society Transpennine Branch
Come and hear about the close cultural connections
between the people of Wales and the people of
Patagonia, Argentina, and their shared love of the
harp. An hour of music, stories and songs.
Mali, Mandingo ancient and modern strings
W15 • Vincent Zanetti & Samba Diabaté • £8
Samba Diabaté (guitar, jeli n’goni) is a master of
Mandingo guitar playing and Vincent Zanetti (guitar,
zena harp-lute) has played and arranged this music for
more than twenty years. The griots’ tradition from Mali
is their daily bread. Between traditional themes and
original compositions, their musical speech is rooted into
the Sahelian traditions, but also feeds on subtle jazz and
folk influences, which makes the music accessible to the
Malian villager as to the non-African public.
The popular harp in the Italian culture
W16 • Adriano Sangineto • £8
There is a little known, though well-documented, folk
harp tradition from Viggiano in the south of Italy.
The folk harp tradition was introduced along with
the diatonic accordion and zampogna (double
chantered pipes) from the classical world of the Naples
Conservatoire. Adriano will tell this story with cheerful
and sad tunes and tarantellas. After more than a century
of oblivion this tradition is being revived.
WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL
11.00am - 12.00pm
Waulking, yet still sitting –
the tweed songs of the Western Isles
W17 • Màiri Macleod • £8
Supported by Harris Tweed Hebrides and
The Clarsach Society Isle of Lewis Branch
In the far north of Scotland, in the rural villages of the
Outer Hebrides, the women would be hard at work –
gossiping, making loud banging noises on tables and
singing their hearts out. What’s it all about? Join in with
some simple Gàidhlig waulking songs, find out about the
history of the Harris Tweed culture and how modern it
has become in recent days.
The Canaries
W18 • Vicente La Camera Mariño • £8
Explore this lively music/dance! We will travel back
in time to its origins. Where did it come from? How
did it spread through Europe – appearing in Scottish
manuscripts? How should we interpret them on the harp
– Canaries jam session!
Learn a jazz piece in an hour. (Keep going like
this and you’ll learn 8,760 pieces per year)
W19 • Park Stickney • £8
We’ll create a group jazz piece – maybe a blues…
depends on the weather – which you’ll then be able to
play by yourself (or with friends) at home. There will be
some improvisation, and probably a joke or two. No jazz
experience necessary, all levels welcome.
FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE
SEALLADH GOIRID AIR AN FHÈIS
TIMEEVENT
CODE
TIMEEVENT
CODE
MONDAY 4 APRIL DILUAIN 4 GIBLEAN
PRE-FESTIVAL EVENTS FOR CHILDREN
9:00am - 10:00am
COURSES (Note: T1b starts at 10:10am)
10:30am - 12:00pm
WORKSHOPS: Lever harp to mouth harp - Anne-Marie O’Farrell & Brendan Power W8
Equilibrium: new music, new instruments, timeless themes Pete Sparkes, Amy Moar & Rhona Smith W9
Masterclass - Elinor Bennett
W10
Dance in France, and back for lunch - Park Stickney and Violaine Contreras W11
Welsh gypsy harping: the music of John Roberts
‘Telynor Cymru’, the ‘Original Cambrian Minstrel’ - W12
FRIDAY 1 APRIL DIHAOINE 1 GIBLEAN
Robin Huw Bowen
Harp and fiddle with Catriona and Chris
3:30pm - 7:00pmRegistration
1:00pm - 2:00pm
COURSES
3:00pm - 4:30pm
CONCERT: harps@85
5:00pm - 6:00pm
COURSES
Tuesday, 29 March
10:00am - 11:15am
Jack and the lost harps
Heather Yule (Note: event held at the Scottish Storytelling Centre)
C1a
(3-7 years old)
Tuesday, 29 March
2:00pm - 3:15pm
Jack and the lost harps
C2a
(8-12 years old)
Wednesday, 30 March Jack and the lost harps
10:00am - 11:15am
C1b
(3-7 years old)
Wednesday, 30 March Jack and the lost harps
2:00pm - 3:15pm
C2b
(8-12 years old)
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Opening Gathering
9:00pm...
Late Night Session - Festival Club (Theatre)
C3
SATURDAY 2 APRIL DISATHAIRNE 2 GIBLEAN
8:00am onwardsRegistration
9:00am - 10:30am
11:00am - 12:00pm
WORKSHOPS: Learn how to manage stress more effectively – Part 1 – Tana Collins
How not to be afraid of grade exams – Alison Bell
Harmony singing – Corrina Hewat
Everything you always wanted to know about the harmonica,
but were afraid to ask! – Brendan Power
1:00pm - 2:30pm
COURSES
3:00pm - 4:00pm
CONCERT: Șirin Pancaroğlu & Bora Uymaz / Vicente La Camera Mariño
4:30pm - 6:00pm
COURSES
7:30pm - 10:00pm
CONCERT: Park Stickney & Violaine Contreras / Anne-Marie O’Farrell & Brendan Power
10:00pm...
Late Night Session – Festival Club (Theatre)
11:00am - 12:00pm
WORKSHOPS: Learn how to manage stress more effectively – Part 2 – Tana Collins
The revival of the çeng – Șirin Pancaroğlu & Bora Uymaz Ceilidh dancing – Sheila McCutcheon Playlist for Life – Andy Lowndes 1:00pm - 2:30pm
COURSES
3:00pm - 4:00pm
CONCERT: Elinor Bennett / Winner of the 2015 Young Composer Award
4:30pm - 6:00pm
COURSES
7:30pm - 10:00pm
CONCERT: Extrava-Cambria 10:00pm...
Late Night Session – Festival Club (Theatre)
C8
7:00pm - 7:45pm
The Clarsach Society Annual General Meeting (Robertson Room)
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Family Ceilidh with The Occasionals C9
TUESDAY 5 APRIL DIMAIRT 5 GIBLEAN
9:00am - 10:30am
W1a
W2
W3
11:00am - 12:00pm
WORKSHOPS: From Wales to Patagonia - Gwenan Gibbard
Mali, Mandingo ancient and modern strings - Vincent Zanetti & Samba Diabaté The popular harp in the Italian culture - Adriano Sangineto W4
1:00pm - 2:30pm
COURSES
3:00pm - 4:00pm
CONCERT: Tea Concert: Caitlin Bruce, Imogen Islay Hay, Lola Flexen
4:30pm - 6:00pm
COURSES
7:30pm - 10:00pm
CONCERT: Clàrsach, Clò is Cànan (Connecting harp, cloth and language: a musical journey) C11
10:00pm...
C4
C5
W14
W15
W16
C10
WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL DICIADAIN 6 GIBLEAN
9:00am - 10:30amCourses (Note: T1b starts at 10:10am)
SUNDAY 3 APRIL DIDOMHNAICH 3 GIBLEAN
9:00am - 10:30am
W13
W1b
W5
W6
W7
C6
C7
11:00am - 12:00pm
WORKSHOPS:
Waulking, yet still sitting - the tweed songs of the Western Isles - Màiri Macleod The Canaries - Vicente La Camera Mariño Learn a jazz piece in an hour - Park Stickney
1:00pm - 2:30pm
COURSES
3:00pm - 4:00pm
CONCERT: Elinor Evans / Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Harp Ensemble /
Dublin Institute of Technology Harp Ensemble
4:30pm - 6:00pm
COURSES
7:30pm - 10:00pm
CONCERT:
Adriano Sangineto / Chris Stout, Catriona McKay & KALA JULA
10:00pm...
W17
W18
W19
C12
C13
Edinburgh International Harp Festival reserves the right to amend this programme without further notice
BIOGRAPHIES
BIOGRAPHIES
EACHDRAIDHEAN-BEATHA
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1. Alison Bell
4. Marianne Cranston
7. Tana Collins
10. Christine Edwards
Alison teaches harp and sings in rural Aberdeenshire,
her repertoire formed by early years in the Western Isles
and the North East of Scotland. She became a teacher in
response to a local need and is now delighted to be part
of a lively young branch of The Clarsach Society. Alison
is the local representative for Trinity College London,
managing external music exams and supporting music
teachers throughout the north east. She regularly puts
her own wonderful pupils through the exam process.
Marianne is a qualified member of the Dutch Societies
of Holistic Pulsing and Astrology, with wide experience
of working in Europe and the UK. Healing with the voice
and chakra therapy is a new technique, which Marianne
combines with soft pulsing and massage. Her goal as a
spiritual astrologer and holistic pulser is to help clients
become attuned with their inner selves, to help build up
self-esteem, trust and self-belief.
2. Elinor Bennett
Robin is a long-standing friend and face at EIHF, having
performed and taught regularly here over a period of
some 25 years. His career performing Welsh music on
the uniquely Welsh Triple Harp has met with universal
critical acclaim, and has taken him to Europe, America,
Australia, and Asia, and most recently to the Festival
Mundial del Arpa in Asunción, Paraguay in 2013, and the
Festival Latinoamericano de Arpa in Durango, Mexico
last year. Christmas 2016 will be the 30th anniversary of
him ‘giving up gainful employment in order to be happy’.
¡Viva el Arpa!
As the Festival’s massage therapist since 2002, Tana
has also now qualified with distinction as a stress
management trainer. As well as running workshops in
various aspects of stress management, Tana also works
with small groups and individuals in her private practice
in Edinburgh. She has a particular interest in helping
clients understand the nature of stress, so they feel more
empowered. However, massage therapy still remains
her first love. Her role as a massage therapist is varied,
ranging from helping clients to train for sporting events
to giving deep tissue massage to combat muscle tension
and pain from poor posture.
Christine grew up in Aberdeenshire and is an
experienced performer, composer and harp teacher. She
trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in both
concert harp and Scottish harp. She studied Irish harp
at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Trinity College
Dublin and holds a Licentiate of the London College
of Music Diploma (LLCM) in Irish Traditional Music
Performance. Christine is the music advisor to the North
East of Scotland Branch of The Clarsach Society and
directs the North East Harp Ensemble, who performed
at EIHF 2015. She also teaches pupils all over the world
using video-calling software.
8. Violaine Contreras
11. Elinor Evans
Elinor is an acclaimed international concert harpist,
rooted in the traditional music, language and culture
of Wales. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music,
London; has played with all the major British orchestras
and has made many recordings ranging from a definitive
recording of 20th century harp classics to collections
of Welsh traditional music. Many composers have
written for Elinor and amongst her ex- pupils are many
distinguished harpists. She directed harp studies at
Bangor University and was Visiting Professor of Harp
at the Royal Academy of Music, London. The recipient
of many Honorary Fellowships, she is Artistic Director
of the Wales International Harp Festival and the Thai
International Harp Festival.
5. Robin Huw Bowen
6. Cheyenne Brown
Alaskan-born Cheyenne Brown has been based in
Scotland for the past thirteen years where she performs
and teaches the Scottish harp. Her playing style is
3. Chris Blagdon
characteristically free and creative, making much use
Chris is the director of the Edinburgh Pilates Centre. He
of improvisation and contrasting textures. In addition
took over the studio from Jane Paris, Scotland’s first ever to regularly teaching workshops abroad, she works
Pilates teacher in 1994. Chris studied with Alan Herdman, with several different bands including the Bluegrass/
the fantastic teacher who brought Pilates to the UK.
Scottish fusion North Atlantic Project, the world music
Chris has studied many different techniques from martial collaboration Homebound, and in duo with fiddler Tory
arts to dance. He was a professional dancer for twenty
Dugan (with their recent release Road Soda). Cheyenne’s
years, dancing all over the world before teaching Pilates. solo album, Parallel Latitudes, has been critically
Few people can claim to have more than forty years full acclaimed as “creative and atmospheric modern use of
time bodywork experience.
the harp” – Living Tradition.
Violaine has played the flute since childhood. Her teachers
include Frédéric Berteletti, Verena Bosshard, Brigitte
Buxtorf, Claire Gentilhomme at the Lyon and Strasbourg
Conservatories as well as at the HEMU in Lausanne. An
active performer, Violaine plays in a variety of ensembles
whose styles range from classical to 21st century modern,
from folk to jazz, with groups like the Orchestre Sinfonietta
in Lausanne, the Orchestre d’Yverdon-les-Bains, the
Ensemble Filigrane, the Irish quartet Eyrinn’s and the folk
dance quartet Grand Balthazar, which is active in the
Swiss/French bal scene. Currently, she is a professor and
chief of projects at the Lausanne Conservatory, and is the
artistic director of the Biremis School of Music.
Born in Scotland of Welsh parents, Elinor is a hybrid of
two Celtic cultures. Her love of the harp was nurtured
by Meinir Heulyn and Isobel Mieras. At nineteen, Elinor
won The Clarsach Society Young Composer Award. In
2014, she completed her degree in Scottish Music at the
RCS and released her debut CD Kaleidoscope alongside
her first book of original tunes. She is currently studying
Composition and Performance at the RWCMD. In 2015,
Elinor won the prestigious Interceltique Trophée de
Camac Harpe in Lorient, Brittany.
12. Gwenan Gibbard
Gwenan stands at the forefront of today’s thriving
Welsh traditional music scene with her contemporary
9. Samba Diabaté
arrangements of Welsh traditional music and songs. She
Samba was born into a family of griots in Kita. From his
also specialises in the unique art of ‘Cerdd Dant’, the ancient
father, a member of the Mali Musical Ensemble, he learnt
form of singing Welsh poetry to the accompaniment of the
the art of the balafon and it was with this instrument that
harp, and is one of the few people who performs this music
he first performed internationally, accompanying the
self-accompanied on the harp. She has released three solo
Wasolonka singer, Sali Sidibé. A brilliant guitarist, he has
albums, her most recent, Cerdd Dannau, is a unique and
also played alongside Soungalo Coulibaly, Toumani Diabaté exciting album which explores a new perspective on the
and Djelimady Tounkara. Samba now rates amongst the
tradition of ‘Cerdd Dant’. Her recently released EP Y Gorwel
most sought-after guitarists of the Malian capital city –
Porffor explores the cultural and musical connections
a prestigious ambassador of Mandingo music.
between Wales and Patagonia.
Georges Braunschweig
1
BIOGRAPHIES
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Sean Purser
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13. Sharron Griffiths
15. Corrina Hewat
17. Vicente La Camera Mariño
20. Màiri Macleod
Sharron enjoys a busy career as a soloist, chamber and
orchestral musician in recitals, recordings and TV and
radio broadcasts. She works regularly with the BBC
Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Scottish Opera, among
others, held positions on West End and touring musicals
and played for many pop and film sessions. Recent
projects include performances of Britten’s A Ceremony of
Carols with the National Girls Choir of Scotland and recitals
at venues and festivals including the St. Magnus Festival
and Edinburgh International Festival. Sharron currently
holds the posts of Lecturer of Pedal Harp at the RCS and
is harp tutor for the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland.
Corrina, Music Tutor of the Year 2013 at the Scots
Trad Music Awards, was brought up in the Scottish
Highlands. She is a harper, singer, composer, musical
director, recording artist, musical collaborator, workshop
leader and Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal
Conservatoire of Scotland. She is part of the awardwinning Pathhead Music Collective and was awarded
an Artists Bursary from Creative Scotland in 2013. The
diversity of her stylistic influences is reflected by some
of the artists she has recorded and performed with;
Alasdair Roberts, Eric Bibb, Carol Kidd, Peggy Seeger,
Gordie Sampson, Eddi Reader, Karine Polwart, and an
impromptu impro session with Bobby McFerrin.
Vicente studies historical and early harps, focusing on
medieval and renaissance harps and in particular the
ancient Irish and Scottish clairseach and early medieval
Anglo-Saxon, Germanic and Irish Lyres. He works on musical
projects to bring back to life ancient melodies, harmonies
and sounds almost forgotten in our time. Vicente is one of
the foremost unique Spanish harpers specialised on early
Irish and Scottish harps of the 16th and 17th centuries. He
has given concerts, classes and workshops at festivals all
over the world. His Latest CD is The Touching of the String,
Scottish and Irish music of the 1600’s and 1700’s.
Màiri is a Scottish born musician with exceptional ability
and passion for music. Her background is from the
Highlands and Islands of Scotland, where music is part
of their everyday culture. Now living in the Isle of Lewis,
she teaches clarsach, piano, Gàidhlig singing, conducts a
junior and senior choir and is a freelance music consultant
and adjudicator for The Royal National Mòd. She also
composes, arranges and has published music for concert
harp and clarsach. Màiri is spirited about Gàidhlig music
and song and its place within the history of Scotland.
18. Iain Lennon
Iain began learning mandolin with the LGMA around
ten years ago and is now the leader of Da Capo Alba,
the association’s guitar and mandolin orchestra who are
current British champions. He is in his third year studying
music performance at the University of Glasgow with
mandolin as his principle study. In 2015, Iain completed
the British Banjo Mandolin and Guitar Federation teachers’
course and regularly teaches mandolin, piano and bass
guitar. He is no stranger to ‘Come and Try’ workshops,
having led workshops in many primary schools around
Lanarkshire as well as at Celtic Connections.
Karen is a master of traditional Scottish harp music,
specialising on three Scottish harps (wire and gut-strung
clarsachs, and bray harp), and has explored Paraguayan,
African and Japanese traditions in collaborative pieces
such as Yatra for the Edinburgh Mela. While at the RCS
she developed a research project using digitised field
recordings in teaching traditional music (HOTBED) and
lectured on Scottish and World Music. With a particular
interest in pipe music, playing with Allan MacDonald
in his acclaimed pibroch concerts have been highlights
in a career which has seen Karen perform in the UK,
Europe, America and Australia.
19. Andy Lowndes
22. Shelia McCutcheon
Andy is Deputy Chair of Playlist for Life. He is a nurse
and academic, and is a lecturer / researcher at Glasgow
Caledonian University. He has worked in mental health
care for the last thirty-five years, specialising in the care
of older people and people with dementia. His particular
interests are in the use of reminiscence and cognitive
stimulation therapies. He was part of Glasgow Caledonian
University’s team researching an innovative knowledge
exchange project that used football reminiscences to
stimulate memory and social interaction. For Playlist for
Life, Andy brings both his dementia research background
and his nursing experience to show people how to work
with a personal playlist and to train carers and volunteers.
Sheila originally comes from Gullane, East Lothian and
has been dancing all her life. She has been calling with
The Occasionals for several years and is often called
upon by other bands. Audiences warm to her engaging
style and she likes nothing better than encouraging a
crowd to give dance a go! And they do! Sheila has a
wide range of ceilidh, country and reeling type dances
in her repertoire and actively seeks new dances to
try. She currently teaches at Whale Arts, RCS and
South Queensferry. In 2014, Sheila became part of the
committee running Linlithgow Scotch Hop at the Palace
in the summer.
14. Rachel Hair
Rachel regularly tours worldwide, both as a soloist and
with the Rachel Hair Trio. A much sought after harp tutor,
she has taught at numerous harp festivals throughout
the UK, the USA and Europe. She has published several
books of harp arrangements and compositions, and
her music currently features on the syllabuses of both
the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Trinity College
London harp exams.
16. Eleanor Johnston
Eleanor is a classically trained harpist from Edinburgh,
with a deep rooted background in Celtic traditional
music. Eleanor studied at Franz Liszt Music Academy in
Germany. She has performed extensively as an orchestral
harpist with many renowned orchestras and conductors
in Germany, including, the Gewandhaus Orchestra
Leipzig and WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne. Eleanor has
recently relocated back to the UK and enjoys a diverse
When at home, Rachel teaches harp for the National
music career performing and teaching. She works
Centre of Excellence at Douglas Academy, the University
regularly with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and is a
of the Highlands and is the visiting harp tutor for the Isle
dedicated chamber musician, collaborating with some of
of Man. “A Superb Highland Harpist” – BBC Radio 2.
the SCO principal players such as flautist, Alison Mitchell
and horn player Alec Frank-Gemmill. She has toured
Europe extensively as a chamber musician.
21. Karen Marshalsay
Kris Kesiak
BIOGRAPHIES
23
24
25
26
27
28
23. Catriona McKay
26. Craig Moran
Catriona is a fearless explorer of the Scottish harp
who is widely recognised for her dynamic musicianship
and innovative style. She has a long standing duo with
fiddle genius Chris Stout. They explore sounds that
connect and challenge through a bold and adventurous
dialogue of their native Scottish music. Catriona also
plays in Shetland band Fiddlers’ Bid, with Swedish
nyckelharper Olov Johansson, improvising duo
Strange Rainbow and the Glasgow Improvisers
Orchestra. Her latest contribution is a solo CD of newly
composed music highlighting her signature harmonic
and rhythm harp style, Harponium combines both
the strength and delicacy of her harp with bold, warm,
characterful harmonium.
Craig started playing the mandolin at the age of nine
and is currently studying music education at the Royal
Conservatoire of Scotland. He plays in Da Capo Alba
and took part in the European Guitar and Mandolin
Youth Orchestra in Marseille in 2014. The mandolin has
taken him throughout much of Europe, from Bristol and
London, to Berlin and Ballerup (Denmark). Craig also
teaches class and one-to-one mandolin lessons, having
recently completed the Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar
federation’s mandolin teacher’s course.
24. Isobel Mieras
One of Scotland’s most experienced and successful
teachers, Isobel has taught and influenced many of
today’s Scottish harp players. For many years she has
enjoyed directing, arranging and composing for Na
Clàrsairean, the Scottish Harp Orchestra, taking them
to perform at three World Harp Congresses as well as
venues in Scotland. It has been her pleasure to work
in many roles for The Clarsach Society and EIHF over
more than three decades. She has been inducted to
the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, receiving
the Hamish Henderson Award for services to traditional
music and is currently President of The Clarsach Society.
25. Amy Moar
Amy Moar is an Edinburgh based musician with a
wide experience of composing and performing new
music. Amy has recently completed her Music BA at
Edinburgh College and Abertay University. She is a
multi-instrumentalist playing harp, keyboard and various
percussion instruments.
27. Anne-Marie O’Farrell
Anne-Marie has performed worldwide as a solo artist,
accompanist and in ensembles. She is recognised for
her harp repertoire and levering techniques. A prolific
recording artist, she has released several CDs, including
Just So Bach and Harping Bach to Carolan. She is regularly
invited to give recitals, workshops and masterclasses at
international conferences and festivals. Engagements
include a solo recital at the Arfavita festival in Moscow
and with the Clare Memory Orchestra in South Korea. She
recently performed her transcription for harp of Piazzola’s
bandoneon and guitar concerto with the Limerick
Sinfonia. She is currently Composer in Residence at Mary
Immaculate Third Level College in Limerick and lectures
at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in Dublin.
28. Șirin Pancaroğlu
Șirin is a versatile harpist for whom discovering a variety
of musical identities for the harp is a central endeavour.
Trained as a classical musician, the leading harpist of
Turkey is equally active in the realm of Turkish traditional
music, improvisation, electronic music, tango and
semi-staged performances as she is in mainstream harp
repertoire to which she contributes with new works.
Regular collaborations with performers and composers
of diverse backgrounds have led Șirin to cross boundaries
between musical styles often resulting in music that has
been perceived as opening the path to new genres.
29
30
31
32
33
34
29. Brendan Power
UK-based New Zealander Brendan Power is
acknowledged by many as one of the most creative,
skilled and versatile harmonica players around today.
Equally at ease on both the earthy Blues Harp as well as
the sophisticated Chromatic Harmonica, he tunes them
to his own scales to create a highly original style. He has
recorded with the likes of Sting, Kate Bush, Van Morrison,
James Galway, John Williams, and Paul Brady. In addition
to playing and recording, Brendan’s passion is using CAD,
CNC, 3D printing and laser cutting to create groundbreaking new harmonicas of his own design.
30. Fiona Rutherford
Fiona is from Edinburgh. She learned to play the
harp with Sophie Askew, Isobel Mieras and Savourna
Stevenson. She studied at The City of Edinburgh Music
School and went on to gain degrees in Composition
from Dartington College of Arts and Edinburgh
University. She has written for theatre and film, including
acclaimed feature films The Inheritance and The Space
Between, and her instrumental compositions have been
performed by groups such as London Sinfoinietta, Mr
McFall’s Chamber and Drake Music Scotland. Her latest
CD Sleep Sound showcases her writing for nine piece
ensemble. “...beautiful, invigorating, meditative...” – fRoots.
32. Patsy Seddon
Patsy is one of Scotland’s most innovative and long
standing harp players, known for her work with the
harp duo Sileas, The Poozies and Clan Alba. Sileas was
inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of
Fame in 2013 for their outstanding contribution to the
clarsach and its place in Scottish traditional music. Patsy
is an active teacher including at every EIHF except the
first, at many Feisean and at The Royal Conservatoire
of Scotland where she is also an examiner. She teaches
Kodály musicianship for NYCoS and now at Taobh na
Pairce, Edinburgh. She has an BA(Hons) in Celtic Studies
and was Musician in Residence at the School of Scottish
Studies at Edinburgh University.
33. Rhona Smith
Rhona Smith is an Edinburgh based musician with a
wide experience of composing and performing new
music. She has worked with Drake Music Scotland for
over twelve years and has performed at the Queen’s Hall
and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She composes
and performs music through music technology.
34. Park Stickney
Living between New York and Switzerland, Park is
constantly in motion. He has performed and taught at
nearly every harp festival, from Adelaide to Zaragoza,
31. Adriano Sangineto
recorded with the “Crash Test Dummies”, been a
Adriano is the son of a harp maker and his love for
stowaway in the Berlin Philharmonic, jammed with
folk instruments has led him to become an eclectic
students in the West Bank, played Broadway pits in NY,
musician, expressing himself through various musical
toured with the Fantasticks in Japan, performed in a
genres. He revisits Italian and European folk music, plays mine in South-Tyrol, in a thermal bath in Switzerland, in a
several wind and string instruments, and is committed
New York McDonalds, in Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Albania,
to a constant search for new sounds. He specialised in
Moscow... and appears regularly on page 97 of Patricia
clarinet at the Conservatory and learnt Celtic harp by
Cornwell’s novel From Potter’s Field. Park teaches at the
himself, developing a personal technique that transforms Royal Academy of Music, London, the Conservatoire
the harp, twisting every connotation. He has recorded
National Superieur de Lyon, France, and the Haute Ecole
several CDs, both as a soloist and with his bands, and
de Musique in Lausanne, Switzerland.
has performed all over Europe.
Kim Ayres
BIOGRAPHIES
36
37
41
42
38
39
40
43
44
35. Pete Sparkes
Pete has worked with Drake Music Scotland, Scotland’s
national centre of expertise in inclusive music, since
2005. His particular specialism is working creatively
with children and adults with additional support needs
– including the use of music technology and other
innovative tools like Figurenotes notation – to help them
to learn to play an instrument, make music with other
people, compose and perform.
38. Bill Taylor
Bill Taylor is a specialist in the performance of ancient
harp music from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and is one
of very few players investigating these repertoires on
medieval gut-strung harps, wire-strung clarsachs and
Renaissance harps with buzzing bray pins. He is one of
the foremost interpreters of music in the Robert ap Huw
manuscript, containing the earliest harp music in Europe,
and he has made over thirty CDs. Bill performs and
teaches in the Highlands and works with Ardival Harps
36. Wendy Stewart
in Strathpeffer. He performs with several ensembles,
Wendy’s relaxed but incisive style of teaching brings
praise and results in equal measure. Through her layered including Canty, Graindelavoix, Les Musiciens de
Saint-Julien, Quadrivium and Sinfonye.
arrangements and measured pace, she can bring a
group of mixed ability learners together in confident,
39. Fraya Thomsen
relaxed harmony. She is in demand for workshops and
The harp is Fraya’s first instrument and has been her
courses in the USA and Europe, but is also dedicated to
vehicle for much enjoyment, playing traditional and new
teaching Scottish traditional music and song in Dumfries music in both her professional and social life for many
and Galloway Primary schools through the Feis Rois /
years. She is one half of harp and song duo, The Duplets,
YMI scheme. After a busy year, juggling all of this with
who have released two albums and performed across
many other local creative enterprises, she has recorded the world. Whilst working as musician in residence with
a suite of her own harp music.
Feis Rois, she released a trio of new harp music books
as well as running workshops with adults throughout
37. Chris Stout
Inverness and Ross-shire. She has composed music for
Chris has become internationally recognised as one
a number of award winning short films and was awarded
of the most exciting and dynamic fiddle players on
Best Composer at the Underwire Film Festival in 2013.
the traditional music scene. Chris’s restless ambition to
collaborate and discover music from around the world
has taken him to countries such as Brasil, Japan, Jordan,
Algeria, and the USA. He has composed for several
orchestras including the RSNO and BBC SSO.
He recorded the solo violin music for the Oscar
nominated Pixar animation ‘Brave’ with the LSO and
recently performed along side harpist Catriona McKay
and the world renowned pianist Boris Berezovsky
with the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra. He has left
few musical genres unexplored but his style remains
grounded. He has become a true international musical
ambassador to his native Shetland Islands.
40. Bora Uymaz
Bora distinguishes himself as a musician with a high taste
and talent. A multifaceted artist, he has devoted himself
to the cause of Turkish music, to convey, perpetuate
and develop this tradition. Uymaz is active as a singer,
composer, performer and teacher and in all these areas
he has shaped a highly personal identity, bridging the
tradition with the present. He is perceived as a thorough
artist and comes across with the spirit of a troubadour
who is leaving a very special mark on today’s music.
Georges Braunschweig
35
41. Irene Watt
43. Heather Yule
A popular figure on the Scottish folk scene, Irene is also
an educationalist. She has been involved in many diverse
music projects including ‘Singing for the Brain Musical
Memories’. She spearheaded the Child Development
through Infant Singing project whilst researching the
effect of singing lullabies to babies and young children.
She has a PhD in Ethnomusicology and Folklore. For
the past three years she was based in Qatar where she
taught music and cultural studies but is returning to
Scotland, teaching at Aberdeen University, directing The
Mearns Singers, and the mixed instrument group Scotch
Broth. She also looks forward to becoming involved
once more with the North East Scotland Branch of The
Clarsach Society.
Heather is an established harp teacher in Scotland adept
at working both with individuals and groups of all levels
and abilities. She has taught and performed on the
clarsach throughout Scotland and at various events in
the USA and Cape Breton, Canada. Heather is involved
in the Scottish traditional storytelling scene, which has its
base in Edinburgh’s Scottish Storytelling Centre. She has
performed in Europe, Scandinavia and North America as
a traditional storyteller, enchanting audiences of all ages
with her unique way of combining harp music and story.
42. Gwen Màiri Yorke
Gwen has enjoyed a varied career working with
orchestras, chamber groups and as a teacher. Her
focus has recently shifted towards folk music and
her mixed Scottish/Welsh heritage. Solo projects
include the publication of two books for clarsach.
She has a duo called Tornish, who performed at
the EIHF 2015. In 2013, she was chosen to be part
of the groundbreaking Welsh project, 10MewnBws
(10 in a Bus) culminating in an album and tour.
^ Festival,
Highlights include performances at Swn
Hay Festival and the 2015 Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Gwen also performs as part of BabaYaga with Karen
Dufour (pedal harp and saxophone) and the Style 85
Harp Duo with Annakate Pearson.
44. Vincent Zanetti
As a multi-instrumentalist, Vincent founded the
cross-cultural ballet company Djinn Djow and was for
fourteen years arranger and stage companion alongside
Soungalo Coulibaly, a legend of the djembe who
departed too early in 2004. As a world-music specialist
at RTS (Swiss Radio-Television network), he has been
hosting a weekly show called ‘L’écoute des mondes’.
He is the artistic director of the festival Notes d’Equinoxe
in Delemont (Switzerland) and also the co-founder
of the Bougou Saba cultural centre in Siby (Mali).
He belongs to the donsoya, the Mande traditional
hunters’ brotherhood, and regularly performs in the
villages of the Mande in Mali.
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VISITING THE FESTIVAL
HOW TO BOOK
HOW TO GET TO MERCHISTON
A’ GLÈIDHEADH ÀITE
Online: harpfestival.co.uk
By telephone: +44 (0)131 473 2000
(Monday - Friday 10.00am – 5.00pm)
By post or in person:
Hub Tickets, Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE
A’ FAIGHINN GU MERCHISTON
Available to:
• Under 18s • Full-time students • Unwaged
• People over 60 • Disabled people and companions.
• EIHF Participants*
* People who have booked a course
(exc. Come & Try classes)
Please note: a transaction fee of £2.50 will be added
to all advance bookings. Payment can be made by all Ticket discounts
major credit cards (except Diners).
Young people
Under 16s can enjoy up to 50% off on selected
Tickets can be delivered to the Festival Office and
concerts. Ticket price in red on event listing.
be available for collection on arrival at Merchiston.
If you prefer your tickets to be posted to you, this will Concert series
incur an additional charge of £0.80 per order.
Benefit from a 12% discount when you purchase one
ticket for each of the concerts excluding Heather
During the Festival, tickets for all events may be
Yule’s Storywalks (C1, C2), the Opening Gathering (C3)
purchased, subject to availability, from the Festival
and Family Ceilidh (C9)
Box Office at Merchiston.
Ticket prices: £96 (full) £86 (conc.) £52 (U16s)
Concession tickets
Group bookings
EIHF aims to be open, accessible and affordable to all.
We are delighted to offer a 12% discount on bookings
Concessions are available for certain events – ticket
of 8 people or more.
price in orange on event listing.
Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH13 0PU
By car
From the North: After crossing the Forth Road Bridge,
follow signs to M8 and Glasgow. Take slip road marked
Edinburgh and City Bypass (A720). Follow Bypass
southbound sign. Exit at Dreghorn Junction (Colinton
exit). Follow signs for Redford Barracks: Merchiston is
opposite these, on the north side of Colinton Road.
From the South: A1, A7 and A68 all lead to the City
Bypass. Follow signs for the Forth Road Bridge and
Airport. Leave Bypass at Dreghorn Junction (Colinton
exit). Follow signs for Redford Barracks: Merchiston is
opposite these, on the north side of Colinton Road.
From the West: From the M8, do not follow route
to Forth Road Bridge, but continue on to the City
Bypass, following southbound signs. Exit at Dreghorn
Junction, (Colinton exit). Follow signs for Redford
Barracks: Merchiston is opposite these, on the north
side of Colinton Road.
AA Route Planner: theaa.com
RAC Route Planner: rac.co.uk
PARKING
Parking at Merchiston is free but limited.
There may be a short walk to the venue
from some of the parking available on
campus or on adjacent roads. Staff will be
on hand to direct traffic during busy times.
A loading bay is available to the right of the
main building to upload and unload harps,
and disabled parking is available in front
of the main building and by the Mappa
Mundi building and Theatre. Please note
that vehicles must be parked in designated
areas and should not obstruct any entrances
or exits. Parking is not permitted adjacent
to the Mappa Mundi building and Theatre,
except in the case of disabled users
(a disabled badge must be displayed).
By bus
There is a bus stop right outside the entrance to
Merchiston. Lothian Buses No. 10, 18 and 45 pass here.
Standard fare £1.50 (correct at the time of printing)
Lothian Buses: 0131 555 6363
Route Planner: lothianbuses.com
By train
Edinburgh’s main railway terminal is Waverley Station.
From here you can take a taxi or bus to Merchiston.
Travel time is approximately 30 minutes.
By air
Edinburgh International Airport is only a 15 minute
taxi ride from Merchiston, while Airlink 100 express
bus service and the tram service offer frequent and
reliable transport links to the city centre.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR
The Scottish Storytelling Centre is half way along
the Royal Mile, downhill from the Castle and North
Bridge. The Centre is a short walk from Princes Street
and Waverley train station, and there is a taxi rank
close to the Centre on the Royal Mile.
There is no allocated parking; however, there is
pay-and-display parking on Jeffrey Street and
Canongate, plus a multi-storey car park on St. John’s
Hill. Visitors may drop off only on the High Street
outside the Centre.
VENUE INFORMATION AND ACCESS
Accessible toilets are also available in the Mappa
Mundi and Robertson buildings. Both buildings
are locked at the close of the Harpmakers’
Exhibition each day at 5:30/6:00pm.
Merchiston
There are steps to access Reception, the Memorial Hall and the Café with advanced notice. Please advise the
and Café. Due to the nature of campus buildings some Box Office when booking if you require a wheelchair
courses and workshops will have restricted access.
space at one of our concerts and/or if you require a
ramp to access Reception or the Café. The Theatre is
A stair climber is available for wheelchair users to
fully accessible.
access the Memorial Hall via the front entrance to
the main building – please note this is not suitable
Accessible toilets are located by the Café and
for electric wheelchairs. A stair lift is also available
accessed via Reception to the left of the main
and is accessed via Reception to the left of the main building – please note there are steps to access
building. A ramp can be in place to access Reception Reception (see above for further information).
For more details or assistance accessing other
areas of the campus, please contact us in
advance of the Festival on +44 (0) 131 554 0212
or on +44 (0) 7794 792951 during the festival.
FIOSRACHADH MUN ÀITE & FAIGHINN ANN
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Scottish Storytelling Centre
The Scottish Storytelling Centre is fully accessible
and accessible to wheelchair users via the John
Knox House. Please advise the Box Office when
booking if you require a wheelchair space at one
of our events.
Eat and drink
Festival Café - an array of meals, snacks and
drinks are available daily – the perfect place to
eat, drink and chat with friends.
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CONCERT AREAS
ACCOMMODATION AREAS
Accessible accommodation is available
on campus – please see adjacent note on
accommodation for booking details.
Hall
Hall
orial
Mem
Harp store
Harps may be stored, at the owner’s risk, in the
6A Club (opposite the Theatre). Information
will be provided at the Festival about access
arrangements. All instruments and cases must
be clearly named and insured by the owners.
EIHF and The Clarsach Society do not accept any
responsibility for loss or damage to any personal
effects sustained during the Festival.
Harp hire
A small stock of lever harps is available for hire
at the Festival. These are generally intended
for those coming from abroad who may have
problems in transporting a harp to the Festival.
Bookings for harp hire require to be made in
advance and payment can be made at the
Festival Office on arrival. Call us on +44(0)131-554
0212 or email [email protected] for more
details and bookings.
1-6 April 2016
Accommodation at Merchiston
All prices are per room per night
and include breakfast
Laidlaw House
Single room, en-suite: £46.95
Double / Twin room, en-suite: £83.90
Note: Laidlaw House has six rooms adapted
for people with disabilities.
Shared Facilities Accommodation
Single room: £32.10
(rooms are not secure / no key available)
Booking form available on the reverse.
Completed forms should be sent to:
Alison Hanna
Merchiston Events & Hospitality
Merchison Castle School
294 Colinton Road
Edinburgh EH13 0PU
Tel: +44 (0) 131 312 2258
Email: [email protected]
Practice rooms
Practice Rooms are available to participants but
must be pre-booked at The Clarsach Society
Information Desk at the Festival Hub in the main
building.
Merchandise
Our well-stocked merchandise stall is perfect for
browsing. Any profits made go straight back into the
Festival.
Merchiston – Booking Form
Harp Festival, 1-6 April 2016
Name(s):
Stewarding
Stewards play an important role in the smooth
running of the Festival. Volunteer stewards are very
much welcomed! In return for stewarding events
complimentary vouchers are issued for concerts
or workshops (conditions apply). For further details
please email: [email protected]
Address:
Email:
Tel:
DATES REQUIRED
36th Edinburgh International Harp Festival
Provisional dates 31 March - 5 April 2017
Thursday 31 March
Friday 1 April
Monday 4 April
Saturday 2 April
Tuesday 5 April
Festival team
Mary Scott: Co-ordinator
Sunday 3 April
Wednesday 6 April
Isobel Mieras: Joint Artistic Adviser
ROOM REQUIREMENTS
Patsy Seddon: Joint Artistic Adviser
LAIDLAW HOUSE EN-SUITE FACILITIES
Eleanor Marshall: Festival Administrator*
Single Room B&B @ £46.95 per room per night
Twin Room B&B@ £83.90 per room per night
Double Room B&B @ £83.90 per room per night
Single Room B&B @ £32.10 per room per night
Rooms not secure as no keys available
PAYMENT
per night
Douglas Kerr: Harpmakers’ Exhibition
John Macleod: Gaelic Adviser
Mary Macmaster: Stage Management
Payment method
I enclose a cheque for £
Anthony Spiers: Merchandise
Laurina Strachan:
The Clarsach Society Information Desk
(cheques to Merchiston Castle School)
Credit / Debit Card:
Card type
Stephanie Harrison-Boond:
Stewarding and Stage Management
Annette Lambourne: Lead Steward
nights at £
Total £
Rachel Hair: Media and Merchandise
Katie Harrigan: Fundraising and Sponsorship
NON LAIDLAW HOUSE SHARED FACILITIES
Total cost
Sharron Griffiths: Artistic Programme
Visa
Mastercard
Sheona Ure: Finance
Maestro
*The Festival team would like to thank Michelle Kelly
for her valued contribution to the Festival
over the past five
Name on Card
years and wish
Expiry date
Security code
her every success
for the future.
Card number
Merchiston Events & Hospitality, Merchiston Castle School
294 Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH13 0PU
Tel: +44(0)131 312 2258 Fax: +44 (0)131 441 6060
Book online
harpfestival.co.uk
Book by phone
+44(0)131 473 2000
Book in person or by post
Hub Tickets, Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE
Scottish Charity Number: SC011819
Illustration: Jenny Proudfoot

Merchiston Castle School - Edinburgh International Harp Festival

Transcription

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