News & Events
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EIHF Beginner and Post-beginner Follow-on Classes
Dates: Saturday 28th April & Saturday 12th May plus Branch rehearsal on Saturday 9th June
Tutor: Heather Yule
Venue: Craiglockhart Parish Church, Craiglockhart Avenue, Edinburgh EH14 1HS
The Edinburgh Branch of The Clarsach Society is providing follow-on classes for people who have attended beginner and post-beginner courses at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival. Classes will run at a relaxed pace with the aims of consolidating technique, improving confidence and having a bit of fun. There is no requirement to read music.
There will be separate children and adult classes and harps can be supplied.
Children’s tutorial: 2:00pm – 2:55pm £19 for three lessons
Adult’s tutorial: 3:00pm – 4:30pm £25 for three lessons
For more information or to register your interest, download this form or contact Stephanie Harrison, email: steph [at] phantassie [dot] co [dot] uk
Susan Allen’s Summer Harp Course, Normandy
Susan Allen’s Summer Harp Course | Basse Normandy, France | 6 – 20 August
Just 2 hours from Paris, and close to the English Channel and Caen, France, in Basse Normandy, the course includes intensive studies for pedal and non-pedal harpists at the lovely estate of Chateau de Blavou
Faculty are Susan Allen and Mia Theodoratus.
Harps (pedal and non-pedal) are provided by Salvi Harps, Inc. and l’Instrumentarium, Paris, France.
Daily studies include theory, rhythm, arranging, harp ensembles, and solo repertoire. Classical, jazz and free improvisation studies are pursued. Apprenticeship environment at the chateau involves proximity to professional artists on a 24/7 basis. A final concert at the end of the course is open to the public.
Costs include 24/7 studies, lodging, three meals a day, harps, four private lessons and all tuition(formal and informal) for two weeks. Dorm style accommodations 1500 Euros; Chateau bedrooms (double per person or as arranged multiple beds – limited availability) 2000 Euros. 20% discount on Brittany Ferries which arrive at Caen/Le Havre from the UK.
For reservations contact Susan Allen: susie@calarts.edu
Susan Allen’s Summer Harp Course is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in the US and California
Inverness Music Festival Highlights Concert
Festival Highlights Concert | Sat 5 May | 7:30pm
The Inverness Festival Association will present another outstanding concert of highlights from this year’s Inverness Music Festival as a tribute to the breadth of talent we have on display in the Highlands. Here is a chance to experience some of those memorable moments that caught the attention of judges and audience alike during the festival itself.
The concert will not only display that impressive talent, but also reveal the wide variety of artistic ends to which it is applied. From nursery rhyme through folk song, piano sonata, music theatre, string ensemble to ceilidh band, there is much here to appreciate both as sound and spectacle.
This year line up will include, The Kiltearn Fiddlers, Cromarty Primary Choir, Dingwall Academy Senior Strings Orchestra, the amazing Clarsach playing, singer song writer Imogen Hay and much, much more.
The Highlights concert represents the culmination of the festivals efforts to provide performance opportunities for talent of all ages and is set to be a night not to miss.
Tickets £10 from Eden Court Box Office
Discount Available for IMF Members
The Music Folklore and Tradition of the Scottish Harp
Scottish Storytelling Centre | Fri 20 Jul | 1.30-4.30pm | Themes and Traditions | £18/£15
Hear the story of Scotland’s harps or clarsachs, and their special place in music and tradition. The session includes an introduction to the instruments and the music, but will not be a hands on workshop and does not require participants to
have previous instrumental knowledge or skills. With Alison Kinnaird MBE. More information available from the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Connecting with Culture Programme
New Branch in North East Scotland
We are delighted to announce that a new Branch of the Society has formed in the North East of Scotland. For contact details and further information see our list of Branches here.
Harpathon
The Clarsach Society is hosting a Harpathon to celebrate the year of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The aim is to raise awareness of the clarsach and to generate funds for the Edinburgh International Harp Festival and the ParalympicsGB charity.
Clarsach Society branches across the UK are participating throughout March with a variety of Olympic countries being represented, including: Canada, Ireland, Sweden and Spain.
The Harpathon will not only encourage players of all ages and abilities, but will also see branch members learning new tunes from the participating countries, with flags and food from these nations being included in the celebrations.
The Harpathon will be a fun and social event; raising funds and celebrating the Olympic spirit. Photographs and videos from each of the branches’ events shall be taken, to help document this memorable occasion.
To find out more about participating in the Harpathon, please contact your local Clarsach Society branch.
The British Paralympic Association is a registered Charity No. 802385.
Na Clàrsairean – Dates for your Diary
| Sat, 18 Feb 2012 | 2 pm Rehearsal at Craiglockhart |
| Sat, 17 Mar 2012 | 2 pm Rehearsal Craiglockhart |
| Sat, 24 Mar 2012 | 2 pm Rehearsal at Craiglockhart |
| 30 Mar – 4 Apr 2012 | Edinburgh International Harp Festival at Merchiston Castle School.www.harpfestival.co.uk |
| Wed, 4 Apr 2012 | Na Clàrsairean performing at EIHF |
| Sat, 28 April 2012 | Rehearsal at Craiglockhart Church Hall |
| Sat, 12 May 2012 | Rehearsal at Craiglockhart Church Hall |
| Sat, 8 June 2012 | Rehearsal at Craiglockhart Church Hall |
| Mon, 20 Aug 2012 | Festival Fringe Concert in St. Cuthberts Church, Lothian Road |
| Wed, 22 Aug 2012 | Festival Fringe concert in Columcille Centre, Church Hill |
| Sun, 9 Dec 2012 | Harps of Gold at the Queen’s Hall |
Na Clàrsairean is the clarsach orchestra run by the Edinburgh Branch of The Clarsach Society. It welcomes players from all areas, whether or not they are society members. Sessions cost £5 for adults and £2 for children/students. This payment covers the costs of running the session e.g. hiring and heating the hall, music, refreshments and tutors’ fees. If you prefer you can pay for a year’s sessions in January at the rate of £60 for adults, £24 for students and children.
Unless otherwise stated, rehearsals are at Craiglockhart Parish Church Hall, Craiglockhart Avenue, Edinburgh EH14 1HS. Be tuned and ready to start playing at 2 o’clock. We usually finish playing at 4.30 but most people stay on for a cup of tea and some home baking.
Problems? Queries?
Contact Helen Quigley, Convener of the Edinburgh Branch at HelenSQuigley@aol.com / tel: 0131 662 9394 or
Hazel Briton, Secretary of the Edinburgh Branch at clarsachsedinburgh@gmail.com / tel: 01506 842449
Executive Council & Music Committee Meetings
Next meeting of Executive Council & Music Committee on Saturday May 19th 2012.
Meeting to be held at:
The Clarsach Society – Comunn na Clàrsaich
Studio G43,
Out of the Blue Drill Hall,
36 Dalmeny Street,
Edinburgh, EH6 8RG
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74th AGM of The Clarsach Society
Notice of Annual General Meeting
The 74th Annual General Meeting of The Clarsach Society – Comunn na Clàrsaich. On Saturday 17th November 2012 at 5pm.
Will be held in the Cutting Room,
Out of the Blue Drill Hall,
36 Dalmeny Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8RG
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Nomination procedure for electing Executive Council members The nominee should confirm his or her consent to have their name put forward, in writing to the Hon Secretary, one week prior to the meeting. A member submitting a nomination must first have obtained the consent of the nominee, who must be member of the Society. If there are no nominations prior to the meeting, nominations can be taken from the floor at the meeting.