Edinburgh Branch Report 2022-23
I recall my Mother used to say “ the years pass more quickly as you get older “ and I thought that what a strange thing to say. Now, I understand. It certainly seems like only a few weeks since I wrote my previous annual report. However, on reflecting on the past year, it is clear that as a branch we have packed a lot in!
I suspect the highlight for many was the fact that we have returned to our full range of pre Covid activities with all our regular live events once again featuring in our calendar. We enjoyed an excellent evening of music at The Young Performers concert in August, a variety of music, solos and pieces by Na Clarsairean at the Open Platform in October and then rounded off 2022 returning to The Queens Hall for our Harps of Gold Christmas concert. Neeps, tatties and music featured in January at our Burns Bash, and then rehearsals commenced for our concert at EIHF in April.
As a branch we are fortunate to have four fantastic “resident tutors”, Isobel Mieras, Margaret Collin, Rosemary McKerchar and Ellie Evans who arrange the music for all our performances.
However, It’s not all been about performing. We have also enjoyed sessions with guest tutors Charlotte Petersen, Ellie Hetherington, Karen Marshalsay, Wendy Stewart and Fiona Rutherford. We visited Bamburgh in September for a great day of music with the Northumberland branch and in June we hosted an evening for harpists on a trip to Scotland with Sunita Staneslow. We ran two Come and Try sessions and also organised follow on classes for new players who attended the adult beginner class at EIHF. As a result of both we are delighted to have a number of new members.
How quickly a year passes when you’re having fun with your harp!
Morag Philips, Convenor
