The charming Victorian surroundings of the historic Spring Lake
Inn 
at the Jersey shore provided a relaxed atmosphere
for the 3rd Annual Harpers Escape. Debbie Brewin-Wilson and Kathy DeAngelo
hosted this harp immersion weekend, which included a variety of workshop
sessions, harpers circles, a chance to play with others and share ideas,
and an opportunity to perform in a public concert. Everyone at the weekend
took home a booklet of all the workshop materials, an instructional cassette
tape, and a handy staff paper notepad.
For those who are thinking about coming to the Sixth Annual Harpers Escape, here is a brief summary of what our fun weekend is like. Thanks to everyone who came to share their harps, music and experiences to make this a memorable, magical weekend.
Friday
Night's Welcome
Marathon
Saturday Sessions 
Harps,
harps everywhere...
Besides the workshops, we had theme sessions where folks with a like
interest could get together and pursue it. One threesome actually worked
out a harp trio that they wanted to perform in the Sunday concert. Some
of the beginners took the opportunity to get more individualized instruction
from Debbie and Kathy, reviewing some of the morning's work.
The
porch was a great gathering place
It was a beautiful, sunny September day and a few lost no time in setting
themselves up on the grand front porch of the hotel to practice the air
Debbie featured in the ornamentation workshop. At lunch, folks took to
the porch to relax and eat. Some took a walk to the beach just a block
away with their brown bag lunches. It wasn't long before the sounds of
harps emanated from various locations around the hotel. A couple of harps,
hammer dulcimer and flute jammed on one end of the porch.
One
of the front porch sessions
The afternoon session began with Playing with Others. Everyone contributed
with tips about playing with other instruments and in different situations,
talking about dynamics and listening skills. We put some of it into practice
while learning simple tune accompaniment. Kathy, who usually has to play
fiddle for this session, cajoled a hammer dulcmer player into playing (we
didn't have to twist his arm all that hard either!). Charts were quickly
jotted down. Father O'Flynn quickly became a favorite. We even did some
song accompaniment. It was non-stop playing!
The
Creativity Workshop took place on the porch
Debbie's creativity workshop was a more cerebral exercise. Finding
inspiration and creativity in the middle of your very hectic life was a
key to Debbie's discussion. Many of the players contributed their thoughts
and comments. A few of the participants, who had just started playing harp,
said it was hard enough getting to know the instrument and didn't think
creativity could enter their playing this early. Everyone then took part
in a creativity exercise that didn't involve harp at all--and we retreated
to the porch to work with construction paper, glue and images cut out of
magazines. It was a refreshing change and the finished "works" were laid
along the porch in an impromptu gallery.
It was an invigorating morning and afternoon--but that wasn't all. There were lively tables of conversation and laughter at dinner. After dinner, a few gathered for Jeri's demo of harping on the Internet and an informative discussion of web sites and harp groups. The fact that the computer didn't work (we found out later it had a virus) put a wee dent in things, but Jeri's handouts were great.
A harpers circle formed in the main lobby while an impromptu sing-along developed on the front porch led by a non-harping guest with a guitar (this is just the kind of thing we love!). We had invited players of other instruments to bring their axes and we were treated to flute, bagpipes, hammer dulcimer, fiddle, tinwhistle and guitar in concert with harps or solo. Most of us packed it in by 11:30pm, but a few quietly tinkled away at their harps for a while longer.
The Practicing Tips discussion was entirely participant-driven. Diana shared her methodical and practical regimen--in fact, she started off by saying the whole idea of calling it practice makes it sound too much like work. Others also shared their ideas. Then, speaking of practice, or rehearsal, we moved right into the Use It or Lose It session.
Everybody really wanted to gear up for the Sunday afternoon concert, so we focused our efforts on polishing MacAllistrum's March and Father O'Flynn for the performance. There was something for everyone to feel good about--the beginners were able to play a convincing left hand for the tunes and some of the others could do both. It was a great combination and we were able to put everyone's strengths to good effect. To practice the MacAllistrum's left hand parts, Debbie and Kathy sang the melody, then got everyone to sing the melody while they played and voila! a new arrangement was born. We decided to play the tune like this: first time around, simple melody; second time, add the bass parts; third time, play the bass parts and sing the melody! That's how we ended up playing it in the concert and it was a hit.
The
Sunday ConcertDebbie and Kathy, playing together as Harpers Bizarre, opened the program with their eclectic selection of material--everything from Irish jigs and hornpipes to Kathy Mattea's "Battle Hymn of Love" and John Wait's "Missing You."
The spotlight was then turned to the participants of the Harpers Escape who wanted to perform. There were six additional performances. We had two trios and a wide variety of solo performances. The grand finale of the concert was the "harp orchestra" that had magically taken shape over the weekend. All of the Harpers Escape harpers played on the final two numbers (part of the Playing with Others workshop was learning that there's safety in numbers). The first selection was Father O'Flynn. Kathy played fiddle accompanied by a dozen harps.
Then the grand finale--MacAlistrum's March! We eased into the tune just as we had practiced it. The melody the first time around, next adding more bass. The dynamics were building. Then the third time the left hand kept moving while the entire harp orchestra stopped playing the melody--and sang it instead! What a neat sound and it really stunned the audience.
There was resounding applause as the tune concluded. The audience was quickly on its feet for a lengthy standing ovation. Afterward the audience came up to greet the performers and talk about the harps. Everyone was enchanted by the event and it was a very warm and encouraging way to end up a successful weekend.
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