Greetings from Regional Director
Mary Ann Flinn
Greetings to all of you. As I read the newsletter information from chapter boards, I was so impressed with how corona, politics, and even storms can never keep good harpist down. You have all adapted to this new virtual world and really made it vibrant and personal for your members. Many thanks to all of you.
I hope you will find a wealth of interesting information about what the chapters in our region are doing and perhaps find new and exciting ways to engage your members. This newsletter can be a wonderful resource so take time to enjoy.
November is the time to submit nominations for the AHS Board of Directors. Please take a few minutes to think of those people you believe would be an able addition to the board. You can access the nomination form on the AHS website Memeber365. The Board of Directors works for all members and is vital to the success of our mission.
I hope you enjoy the upcoming holidays and experience new and unique ways to celebrate.
Stay safe and stay engaged.
Mary Ann Flinn
Southeastern Regional Director
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News you can use, from chapters, regions, and national! Exciting opportunities to gather via video conference continue to bring members together, and chapters are hosting meetings and national programs virtually during the year. New resources are being added regularly to the AHS and AHJ YouTube channels, and plans are in place to offer two dynamic national events in June of 2021: the rescheduled National Conference and the 2021 National Competition finals. Build your community within the AHS and join us as we learn about and serve the harp!
Nominations for new AHS Board members are now open online through November 30th. If you are interested in serving, or you know a colleague who might be well-suited to Board service, please submit your nomination(s) during November. Cycle through the badges on the right side to find "Call for Nominations". You may also download a paper nomination form.
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Chapter News
The chapter’s Christmas Ensemble Concert was Sunday, December 1, 2019, at the Church on the Drive, in Orlando, Florida. Seventeen harpists filled the church with beautiful music and two selections included the bell choir "Bells of Grace" from Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. Approximately 300 were in attendance and a reception followed the event.
A harp concert was scheduled in The Villages (Florida) for March 22, 2020 which was to feature selections from the Irish. The ensemble would have been accompanied by a penny whistle and other Irish instruments to make it complete. Unfortunately, the concert was cancelled due to Covid-19, however the ensemble players are looking forward to performing this concert when the coast is clear.
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It is our hope that by June 2021, our chapter will be able to perform at our annual harp recital LIVE at the Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood, FL. We will premiere the ensemble piece we commissioned Alfredo Rolando Ortiz to compose in commemoration of our chapter’s 50th anniversary (which is actually this year). If all goes well, we will perform the same piece at the 2021 AHS National Harp Conference in Orlando, FL.
10-year old Oliver Chase (student of Kay Kemper), submitted a video to Susan Knapp-Thomas and the 2020 Connecticut Valley Harp Institute Workshop and Competition. He was awarded 1st prize in the Beginner Division category for A. Hasselmans Petite Berceuse. On July 10 - A Zoom concert of the winners followed. Many of Oliver’s extended family members from all over the U.S. were able to watch the entire presentation.
August 22 - As part of the Drive-In Concert Series hosted by Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Kay Kemper presented a program of "Samplings & Pairings" to the parking lot attendees. A sound system and FM radio broadcast signal enabled the audience of 35, both inside (or seated in front of) their cars (socially distanced and masked) to enjoy the one-hour event.
Student Trevor Mellinger played for residents at a Wilton Manors, FL, assisted living facility.
July 10 - Deborah Fleisher, harp, participated in an Orchestra Miami’s Virtual Happy Hour Concert, part of a summer concert series, with clarinetist Richard Hancock; and on October 16 with flutist Elissa Lakofsky.
August 31 - Charlene Conner, harp, and Kathie Griffiths, flute performed four major classical pieces for harp and flute for the Broward Center’s Second Stories Classical Series , recorded on video.
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On November 10, 2019 the Fall Meeting- "HarpsGiving" was held with performances by Chapter Ambassadors, Madeline Chen, Erin Howard, and Eleni Witte.
Open Mic Night – January 26, 2020. This event was a low-pressure sharing and performance event hosted by the Chapter President for adult harpists only.
Auditions and Evaluations- The Georgia Chapter hosted our A&E at St. James Episcopal Church in Marietta, GA. Our evaluator was Calista Anne Koch of Macon, GA. We had 14 participants in the first audition on February 1 and 11 at the final recital.
Virtual Fall Meeting- Our first Fall chapter meeting was held via Zoom. The premise of this meeting was to check in with our members and plan for the next virtual events we will host.
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Erin Howard, Chapter Ambassador |
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Eleni Witte, Chapter Ambassador
"HarpsGiving" performers
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Madeline Chen, Chapter Ambassador |
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Chapter News
The Chapter celebrated member Tessa Jackson for having tied for 4th place in the Junior Division of the 23rd AHS National Competition which was held in the summer of 2019.
The Chapter celebrated the high school graduation of member Ashleigh Jones.
The Chapter celebrated that a former student of Chapter member Bette Roth was featured on the cover of Harp Column magazine (the July/August issue). In the accompanying article, Mary Lattimore said, “I started taking [harp] with Bette Roth, the harpist with the Charlotte Symphony, … from eighth grade until I graduated. She was a major mentor.”
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Meetings & Events
Nov. 9, 2019: "Going Digital" was a two-hour workshop giving us the know-how to digitize our music and play from an iPad. This opens up opportunities for having all our music with us all the time in a relatively light-weight form and the ability to easily customize play lists for various audiences. The workshop covered the basics of uploading one's paper music library onto a tablet, using the music reading app, what other equipment one needs, and how to best use an iPad for performances. Presenter was Andrea Mumm Trammell, the Principal Harp of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, who has been successfully using her iPad for weddings, recitals, and teaching for six years. Six harpists participated.
December, 2019: Five holiday concerts, provided the opportunity for members of all ages and skill levels to play in ensemble. These concerts brought beautiful music and a lift of the spirits to three elder care facilities, a children's theater, and a church. Seventeen Chapter members played, with many playing in multiple concerts. Another benefit: the concerts raised $500 for future Chapter programming.
February and March, 2020: The Auditions and Evaluations series involved eight harpists and allowed participants to hear and be heard by each other and to improve the playing of a specific piece. Our advisor, a choral clinician who serves on the music faculty at UNC Charlotte, was incredibly encouraging and warmly helped A&E participants grow and develop deeper musicianship.
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Charlotte Chapter member Bridget Gale centers herself before playing during Auditions and Evaluations. |
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Advisor Ginger Wyrick provides encouraging feedback to Charlotte Chapter member Martha Robinson during Auditions and Evaluations. |
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March 8, 2020: A concert presentation by harpist/singer Verlene Schermer addressed various stages of life with tenderness and humor, including caring for aging parents, plus Middle Eastern and Celtic repertoire.
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The day before performing in Charlotte, multi-instrumentalist Verlene Schermer helped chapter members build their repertoire of Middle Eastern music. Pictured above are (front row) Schermer and Kathleen Blackwell-Plank; (back row) Janet Hince, Dani Garrett, Kristin Andes, and Jane Cooper.
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COVID restrictions cancelled our end-of-year social, so we switched to holding the business meeting online in August, 2020, using the AHS Zoom account. What a wonderful resource for local chapters. Folks really, really enjoyed seeing each other, many for the first time since March. |
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Santa Salzedo Harp joined Charlotte Chapter members Kristin Andes, Carol Gamble, Jane Cooper, and Betsey Sesler in the merriment of a 2019 Christmas concert.
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COVID squashed a lot of summer plans, but intrepid Charlotte Chapter member Ella Joy Higham powered through to participate in a virtual harp camp. She is helped by mom Terri Higham, the chapter’s Hospitality Committee Chair, with arm placement while receiving instruction over Zoom.
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Upcoming Events
The Charlotte Chapter has performed Christmas concerts for over 30 years using a standard 17-piece repertoire. Solos of choice by the performers add variety year-to-year. Through the years, 60 handwritten reductions of the standard pieces have been created so that harpists at any level may contribute to the ensemble sound. Many students enjoy marking the progress in their harp skills by comparing how much closer to the "full arrangement" they can play compared to the prior year. This fall, members Bette Roth and Kathleen Blackwell-Plank spent innumerable hours digitizing on Finale software and proofing-by-playing all the reductions. A printed booklet of the complete set of simplified pieces has been mailed to each harp teacher in the chapter, and a digital set will be available to chapter members through the chapter website. This amazing effort has made a dream come true--professionally-presented reductions for the benefit of members of all skill levels, to encourage presenting beautiful music at a special time of year, and a go-to resource for the teachers.
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Christmas concerts have been a 30-year tradition for the Charlotte AHS Chapter. Featured in this Rock Hill, SC, concert were (left to right) Bette Roth, Ella Joy and Grace Higham, Erin Dinlocker, and Martha Robinson.
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A&E will be February 27 and March 27, 2021, via Zoom. Thank you AHS, for the use of the Zoom account!!
The "Business Side of Beginning to Gig" workshop will be held April 10, 2021. How do classical musicians stand out in the competitive field of gigging? How do they market their skills to turn the first contact with a potential client into paid work? Over the past several years, it has become apparent how well prepared many musicians are for the musical side of performing and gigging. However, rarely are we explicitly taught the necessary business skills to survive as a freelance musician. Many musicians describe their first paid work as “trial by fire”! This hour-long workshop will share practical strategies for basic business practices, branding, marketing/promotion, and customer service. The presenter will be former chapter student member Hannah Magraw.
If the COVID situation allows, chapter member Beste Toparlak will present an in-person solo recital on May 23, 2021. Beste has lived, studied, and worked in many countries and has played for Russian, Italian, British, Macedonian, Costa-Rican, Irish and Estonian heads of state. She moved to Charlotte last year after graduating from the Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music's Artist Diploma Program.
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Chapter News
2019 Holiday Chapter Meeting 12/09/2019
Chapter members joined together to celebrate the holiday season with harp solo performances and food and friendship.
Harp Workshop with Lindsay Buffington, America-born, Switzerland-based harpist 02/29/2020
The workshop featured the music of Swiss harpist Christoph Pampuch. Lindsay taught two contrasting pieces, “Kitchen Ragtime” and “Flamenco del Norte” from the book “Blaue Diamanten.” Because Pampuch’s arrangements are extremely versatile and can be played as solos, duos, trios and are accessible to almost any level of harp experience, it was a fun experience for everyone.
Attendees spent two and a half hours with Lindsay who brilliantly coached both experienced harpists and several new students to a group performance of both pieces. Lunch followed with an opportunity to talk with Lindsey about teaching and performing in Switzerland.
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Coastal Carolina Chapter Members attend harp workshop with Lindsay Buffington |
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Chapter Board Meeting on Zoom 09/21/2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the board members of our chapter held a meeting on Zoom. Discussions focused on open board positions, ideas to increase our membership, and the planning of an October chapter meeting with a guest harpist/instructor to be held on Zoom for all members and guests.
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Coastal Carolina Chapter of the American Harp Society Board Meeting
Top L to R: Beth Klahre, Christina Brier
Bottom L to R: Susan Wilzer, Julie Rehder
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Several chapter members performed at various locations over the past year, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, and shared the joy of harp music.
Christina Brier, May 20, 2020 performed at the Davis Community outside the windows of the nursing home residents.
On June 7, 2020 for Random Days of Harping, Susan Wilzer played on her porch for her coastal neighbors for 2 hours in 88 degree heat.
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Susan Wilzer has also recorded historical tunes on her harp for the Burgwin Wright House website in Wilmington, NC. The museum is furnished with 18th and 19th century antiques and colonial gardens offering an example of pre-revolutionary Wilmington. Susan recorded songs like Cold Frosty Morning.
Shelby Rowe performed a junior recital at Grace Baptist Church. Pieces included Automne by Grandjany.
Suzanne Sourwine played background harp music at the Waterway Art Guild Reception in Calabash, NC on September 10, 2020.
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Suzanne Sourwine performed at Waterway Art Guild reception at the Sunset River Market Art Gallery. |
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Upcoming Events
Coming on October 19, 2020: Chapter Meeting with guest harpist Mike Connors, Celtic harp performer, teacher, arranger, presenter, clinician, and adjudicator. Mike will teach a 40-minute speed lesson including left-hand accompaniment for a simple jig and left-hand ideas for octaves, scales, boom chuck, tenths and syncopation. The session will be recorded to enable members and guests to practice afterwards at their own pace. A chapter business meeting will be held after the lesson to poll members about future events, share our updated website and hear about the harping activities of members during the health pandemic.
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Meetings & Events
On November 24, 2019, Morgan Short presented a recital at Centenary United Methodist Church, with support from the AHS Winners Outreach Program. Morgan, a student of Jacqueline Bartlett at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, was a first-place winner in the advanced division of the AHS 2019 Harp Competition. She played a variety of solo works in addition to music with violin and string ensemble. Her playing was exquisitely beautiful! A reception was held following the recital.
Upcoming Events
A membership meeting via Zoom will be held on October 4, 2020 to discuss plans for the coming year.
On October 17 via Zoom a social meeting for membership was held.
Frank Voltz (famed jazz/gospel harpist) will present mini-workshops, January 16, 2021, on Zoom. These are offered as a reciprocal event with the Charlotte and SC Upstate chapters.
In the spring chapter member Ann Borden will present an online talk with take-home exercises on topics relating to healing harp music, science, and spirituality.
A community outreach program will be organized by chapter member Jennifer Lane: Random Acts of Harp Playing (in Safe Public Spaces).
News
Chapter member Taylor Ann Fleshman, was recently appointed principal harp of New York-based The Orchestra Now.
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PUERTO RICO
Puerto Rico Chapter
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Upcoming Events
October 10, 2020: Virtual Workshop Stage presence and preparation for recitals/presentations. What gives me anxiety? What can I do to correct mistakes when playing?
October 25, 2020: Virtual Workshop on skin care and make-up
November (dates pending): Trivia Night and Composing a harp song for your pet
November-December 2020 (date pending): Masterclass with María Luisa Rayan
December (date pending): Virtual Christmas Recital
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Chapter photos from 2019-2020 |
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11/24/2019: Honorary Membership presented to harpist-teacher Irma Ramos |
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12/7/2019: Christmas recital at the
Puerto Rico Music Conservatory
Pictured: José Luis Díaz, Marylin Sánchez,
Viharys Colón, Ileana Colón, Jonathán Schneider, Elisa Torres, Velmary Trinidad, Arlene Parrilla and Isabel Meléndez
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1/18/2020: Workshop Changing Strings and
History of the Harp
Pictured: Arlene Parrilla, Velmary Trinidad, Marylin Sánchez, Margarita Osorio, Viharys Colón, Elilda Oliveras, Elisa Torres and Jonathán Schneider
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2/23/2020: Trip to El Yunque National Rainforest
Pictured: José Luis Díaz, Marylin Sánchez, Margarita Osorio, Elyssa Schneider, Jonathán Schneider,
Velmary Trinidad, Luis Torres and Elisa Torres
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6 6/13/2020: Virtual Workshop Introduction
to the traditional Mexican harp with guest harpist Celso Duarte
Pictured: Ileana Colón, Elisa Torres, Elyssa Schneider, Andrea Rivera, Celso Duarte, Doriliz Negrón, Arlene Parrilla, Daniela Batista, Jonathán Schneider
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7 7/18/2020: Virtual Workshop Improvisation and fun with guest harpist Julia Jamieson
Pictured: Julia Jamieson, Elisa Torres, Andrea Rivera, Amira Figueroa, Arlene Parrilla, Jonathán Schneider, Velmary Trinidad, Doriliz Negrón, Ileana Colón, Daniela Batista
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9/26/2020: Virtual Workshop Music and Health
(featuring the harp)
Pictured: Andrea Rivera, Elisa Torres, Velmary Trinidad, Ileana Colón, Marylin Sánchez, Isabel Meléndez, Daniela Batista, Viharys Colón, Némesis Mangual, Arlene Parrilla, Rocío del Ma
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Zoom Book Club: Una vida en contrapunto
Pictured: Doriliz Negrón, Ileana Colón, Elisa Torres, Ana Pilar Escudero and Viharys Colónand
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Meetings & Events
Lowcountry AHS Chapter Business Meeting was held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the home of President Lucy Scandrett on Hilton Head Island, SC. Minutes from our January 13, 2019 meeting were approved. The Treasurer's report, old business, and new business were presented. Lucy introduced our website. The plans for the year and the Saturday, December 7, 2019 Holiday Concert at the Bluffton Branch Library , Beaufort County were discussed. New member Hope Thompson and her mother Sarah Thompson from Savannah were welcomed. A rehearsal followed the meeting.
Six harpists of the Lowcountry Chapter Harp Ensemble rehearsed October 5 at the home of Lucy Scandrett, November 9 at the home of Carolyn Christy, and December 4 in the Event Hall, Bluffton Library.
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On December 7, 2019 six members of the Lowcountry AHS Chapter Harp Ensemble performed their holiday concert at the Event Hall, Bluffton Branch Library, Beaufort County. The ensemble was composed of Carolyn Christy, Karen Edwards, Phyllis Mauney, Lucy Scandrett, Saunda Thomas, and Hope Thompson. Buck Edwards assisted on percussion. An enthusiastic audience enjoyed a concert of traditional carols, Chanukah melodies, and holiday songs.
Lowcountry Chapter Zoom Meeting was held on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Plans for the September 18 or 19th Celebration Concert and the December 5th Holiday Concert at the Bluffton Library were discussed. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone shared what they are doing and their health. Increasing our membership and giving to our communities with porch or driveway concerts were also discussed.
On September 18, 2020, Lowcountry Chapter presented a "Virtual Celebration Concert" in honor of Ruth Wickersham Papalia with the announcement of the AHS Scholarship Award in Ruth's name. Eight harpists from the chapter with guest harpists Jan Bishop and Kela Walton performed harp ensemble works by Rameau arr. Salzedo, Vaughan Williams arr. R. Barnwell, Irish Folk arr. C. Mullins, Welsh Folk arr. by D. Burton, and P. Beauchant. Jan, Kela, and Lucy played 3 works from The Three of Harps repertoire. A Photo Gallery of The Three of Harps and a Tribute by Dr. Anthony Papalia were accompanied by a recording by The Three of Harps playing their signature work. The link to the video is https://youtu.be/rVcFzgJrXCc . The editing was by Lucy's husband Jack Scandrett.
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Seated: Ruth Wickersham Papalia
Standing, L-R: Jan Bishop, Lucy Scandrett
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Upcoming Events
The Lowcountry Chapter has commissioned Rhett Barnwell to arrange a harp ensemble piece for pedal and lever harp "Lowcountry Suite" with 3 harp parts: advanced, intermediate, and beginner/intermediate levels. A grant proposal has been submitted for the commission and performance scheduled in May or September, 2021. Everything depends on SC restrictions and the Covid-19 pandemic. The Bluffton Library wants our ensemble to perform in the spring of 2021 if possible or December, 2021.
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Upstate South Carolina Chapter |
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Meetings & Events
Fall 2019 Chapter Business Meeting 09/14/2019
The chapter approved updated bylaws, and discussed events for the upcoming year.
Holiday Pot-Luck and Play-In 12/16/2019
The chapter gathered for an informal evening of holiday cheer where members brought a goodie to eat and a holiday harp ditty to play! The Sparkle City Harptet also performed harp quartet selections to celebrate the season. The evening concluded with members all playing Silent Night and We Wish You A Merry Christmas together!
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Performers from the Upstate SC Chapter of the AHS at our Holiday Pot-luck & Play-In included
Lily Area, Clara Rose Laughlin, Rita Dunn, Anna Garrett, and the
Sparkle City Harptet members Lydia Alleman, Anna Grace Bennett, Erin Hansen, and Kela Walton.
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Music Education Auditions and Evaluations 04/18/2020
The chapter held the Music Education Auditions and Evaluations for the first time in April and May 2020 with guest advisor Carolyn Munford. The first session was held on April 18th and the second on May 16th. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the chapter, guest advisor, and participants all agreed to move the A&E online. Fourteen participants of all ages performed for guest advisor Munford live via Zoom at both sessions. A masterclass format with pods of students scheduled in one-hour blocks was used for the first session where participants were able to work with our guest advisor one-on-one as well as receive written feedback. For the second session, participants performed in a recital format and received written feedback from Mrs. Munford. The response from both teachers and students involved was overwhelmingly positive, and the chapter is excited to hold the A&E again!
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Participants in the Music Education Auditions & Evaluations presented by
the Upstate SC Chapter with guest advisor Carolyn Munford.
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Fall 2020 Chapter Business Meeting 09/26/202
The chapter discussed events for the upcoming year online via Zoom.
Two Workshops with Julia Kay Jamieson 10/10/2020
Guest harpist and composer Julia Kay Jamieson presented two online workshops: "Fearless Improv" and "50 Ways to Play a C Chord" for participants of all ages and skill levels. These workshops were the first in a series of reciprocal chapter events open to members of the Upstate SC, Piedmont NC, and Charlotte, NC chapters. Participants explored the tremendous range of expressions, colors, and textures possible at the harp through improvisation, and gained knowledge and skills that can be applied to arranging, composing, and improvising.
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Upcoming Events
Holiday Greeting Card Video Due October 31, 2020
To be released in December, this video will feature our chapter members playing Stephen Dunstone’s arrangement of Noël Nouvelet for 4 Harps! Any chapter member who would like to be included in the project may record a video. More details available on our chapter website http://www.upstatescharpsociety.com
Reciprocal Chapter Event: January 16, 2021 - workshop(s) with Frank Voltz
Presented by the Piedmont Chapter
Online via Zoom
More details to be announced.
Reciprocal Chapter Event: April 10, 2021 - The Business Side of Beginning to Gig with Hannah Magraw
Presented by the Charlotte Chapter
Online via Zoom
Free to Charlotte, Piedmont, and Upstate Chapter members!
April 17, 2021, 10 am: Harp Maintenance Workshop with Karen Rokos
Online via Zoom
Free to Upstate Chapter members!
This workshop will be customized to answer your harp maintenance questions. Those interested in participating in this free workshop will be asked to register in advance, and will be able to include their harp questions for Karen in the online registration form.
Chapter Recital (Tentative) May, 2021
Details pending COVID-19 and venue status. Information will be available in early 2021. Must be a member to perform, audience is open to the public. Free admission.
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