Transpennine Branch Report 2022-23
Another full year of harping
Transpennine Harps continues to thrive with 55 – 60 harpists from across the M62 corridor and beyond.
Highlights were our sessions with Anne-Marie O’Farrell and Lauren Scott. Our programme is inclusive as possible, catering for many tastes and all abilities. We enjoyed playing together in one room again, but we are mindful that we have members who enjoy our online sessions from all corners of the country – and of course one of our tutors is based in Toulouse.
We have several groups – Classical, Slow Strings, Old Malton and Tamsin’s Troubadours, Lucy@TPH and small groups playing for specific events such as accompanying a local choir. Our online festival in November was a great success, thanks to Lucy Nolan and Tamsin Dearnley.
Harp hire remains buoyant, with all seven harps out at present.
We can list everything we have done, which is quite considerable! What we cannot do as easily is to convey the great sense of companionship, support and fun we have as a group. Our lead tutors, Tamsin Dearnley and Lucy Nolan, have built up a great rapport with and between us, as well as encouraging us to do more than we ever thought we could as harpists, whatever our level. They have our grateful thanks for all that they do for us.
Claire Dale, Secretary