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Sylvia Woods Harp Center
June 2023 Newsletter
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This newsletter issue is a tribute to Roland "Robbie" Robinson and the Folk Harp Journal, recognizing their immense contributions to the harp world.
And, in honor of the many harpists who have contributed articles and music to the Folk Harp Journal, I'm featuring six of them in this month's sale. A grand total of fifty-two publications are on sale this month!
Sylvia
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Folk Harp Journal 50th Anniversary |
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In 1973, Southern California harpmaker Roland "Robbie" Robinson created the first issue of the Folk Harp Journal (FHJ). "He wrote out the entire issue, typed it up, and brought it to the printers all on his own."
For the past fifty years, this groundbreaking Journal has been an integral part of the expansion and promotion of the folk harp worldwide.
In 1980, Robbie created the Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen, also known as the Folk Harp Society. He asked me to be the first president. I served in that position for several years and helped establish the organization as a non-profit charitable trust. I am honored that I was able to help launch this Society that has done so much for the harp world.
As the Society's membership grew, the word "International" was later added to its name. It is now the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen (ISFHC).
Robbie passed away in 1993 at age 71. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Robbie, for all you did to support harpmakers and harp players. May you rest in peace.
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The current issue of the Folk Harp Journal (FHJ) is dedicated to its 50 years of informing, supporting, and expanding the harp community.
Here's how Beth Stockdell, the Journal's editor since 2015, describes this fascinating, informative, and historical issue.
"This Summer 2023 issue of the Folk Harp Journal marks milestone celebrations. We come together here to share thoughts and journeys and are thrilled to be able to celebrate with everyone. There is so much to be grateful for in this ISFHC worldwide community built over the past 50 years around a magical instrument."
In addition to the regular quarterly columns, this issue also includes the following articles:
FHJ Classic Content
Robbie's Vision
50 Years of FHJ Covers
Tracing the History of the FHJ: A Love Story
FHJ Timeline
A Tribute to Roland Robinson
Guest Editing the FHJ
Classic FHJ Illustrations
and articles written by
- seven harpmakers
- six composers and arrangers (including Sylvia Woods)
- four healing harp organizations
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As you can tell from its name, the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen (ISFHC) supports harp makers as well as harp players. Robbie always encouraged others to make harps. His philosophy was "each one, teach one," meaning that each maker should pass on their knowledge by teaching someone else the craft. Robbie sold harp plans, strings, and hardware and freely shared his knowledge and expertise. The harpmakers who shared their stories in the FHJ's anniversary issue all acknowledged how vital his support and encouragement were as they started their harp businesses.
- To promote the playing and enjoyment of the folk harp by all.
- To promote education, creation, and development in the building of the folk harp.
- To increase awareness of professional folk harpers.
- To increase public awareness of the music and joys of the folk harp.
The first ISFHC HarpCon Convention was held in San Diego in 1984, bringing harpmakers, vendors, and players together. Numerous other HarpCons in various cities have helped create a vibrant and supportive folk harp community.
I emailed Beth Stockdell, the editor, telling her I was featuring this issue in my newsletter. She said everyone joining the Society now will receive this special anniversary issue. So, sign up today!
The 30 local chapters of the Society in the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand
- Organize groups
- Host concerts, retreats, workshops
- Build friendships
- Share common interests
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Roberta MacAvoy interviewed me for the September 1983 issue of the Folk Harp Journal. Here are a few things I said in the article.
“I'm very pleased with the growth of the Society and the many chapters springing up around the world. We need many more members and active chapters, but we're off to a good start. As more and more people become involved in the Society, we harpers will have an easier time making our individual and collective dreams come true.”
“I'd like to acknowledge Robbie and Phyllis Robinson for all the work they've done with the Journal and for the Society. We certainly couldn't have done it without them! We all owe a huge debt to them for all their many years of work trying to get us all together and communicating with each other. We are certainly fortunate to have such great people in the harp world.”
Everything I said in 1983 was true then, and I believe it even more today.
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This month's sale features all of the PDFs and books written by six regular contributors to the Folk Harp Journal (FHJ). Click on the photos or the names below to see all of their publications.
51 PDFs and 1 book are on sale.
To get the 15% discount, enter the code Journal in the "Enter Promo Code" box on your shopping cart page and click "Enter Code" by June 30, 2023. See the "How to get the 15% discount" section at the bottom of this newsletter for more information.
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David is the current President of the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen.
Trouble Shooting Your
Lever Harp
15% off with Journal code
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Laurie writes quarterly How We Learn articles in the FHJ.
Play the Therapy Harp, Island Girl, Playing Pain-Free, The Harper's Manual, Double-Strung Harp, and 11 more
15% off with Journal code
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Denise submitted her first article in 1999 and now writes quarterly Sheet Music Reviews of new music in the FHJ.
Lever Drill and Pedal Drill
15% off with Journal code
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Kim wrote her first FHJ
article in 1979.
Highland Harp, Beauty Tunes, Jolly Old Pachelbel, Searching for Lambs, Shady Grove,
and 5 more
and her Celtic Christmas Book
15% off with Journal code
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Sharon wrote her first FHJ
article in 1988.
Beneath the Pines, Shalom, Dance Thru the Music, Fiddlin' Around on the Harp, Gossamer Gate, Sunset on Seattle, Valley of the Dragon, and 10 more
15% off with Journal code
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Mary wrote her first FHJ
article in 1995. She was the
Journal editor from 2005-2007.
St Brigid's Flame, The Foggy Dew, Three Patriotic Pieces, Emily Bronte in Song, and Christmas with Friends
15% off with Journal code
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How to get the 15% discount
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15% off select sale items when you use the code word Journal
Our newsletter promo codes are redeemable online and are only valid for the products listed above in the monthly sale section. They are not valid for phone or email orders. This month's code word is Journal.
#1. Put the items you want to purchase in your cart.
#2. On the page where you view the items in your cart, type this month's code word Journal in the "Enter Promo Code" box and click "Apply."
The actual price of the featured sale products on this page will then automatically change to reflect the discount. For example,
Unit Price: $9.95 (the original price)
Total Price: $8.46 (the discounted price)
You'll also see a note below the Promo Code box saying the name of the promo code you entered and the percentage amount of the discount.
REMEMBER: You must enter this month's code word Journal in the Promo Code box and click "Apply" on your shopping cart page by June 30, 2023, to get the discount!
This offer expires at the end of the day on 6/30/2023.
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Sylvia Woods Harp Center
Lihue, Hawaii
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