SUMMER SCHOOL OF EARLY IRISH HARP
Come and join participants from the USA to Europe to Japan, to immerse yourself in the world of Ireland's ancient and exquisite historical harp with intensive tuition, lectures, informal talks, concerts and a field trip to museums to see surviving instruments.
The Scoil extends a particularly warm welcome to absolute beginners. Harpists who don't yet play early Irish harps but who are interested in historical playing techniques and repertoire are also very welcome to attend.
WHO ARE THE TEACHERS?
Scoil na gCláirseach’s director and historical Irish harpist, Siobhán Armstrong, will be joined by the following tutors, concert performers and lecturers:
- Simon Chadwick (Scotland), assistant director of Scoil na gCláirseach
- Seán Donnelly (Ireland), the foremost Irish scholar in the field
- Paul Dooley (Ireland), the master of traditional Irish dance music on early Irish harp
- Ann Heymann (USA), the pioneer of the modern revival of the early Irish harp
- Roy Johnston (Northern Ireland), Belfast music historian and biographer of Edward Bunting
- Javier Sáinz (Spain), the historical harper who specialises in early Gaelic repertoire
WHAT AREAS ARE COVERED IN THE CURRICULUM?
Scoil na gCláirseach explores all aspects of the playing techniques and repertoire for this instrument including:
- historical playing and string-damping techniques
- idiomatic Irish melodic ornamentation
- historically informed accompaniment
- historical repertoire from early manuscripts and printed sources
- repertoire from parallel traditions e.g. music of the Scottish Highlands
- traditional Irish dance music
- practical applications e.g. physical posture and nail care
FOR WHAT LEVEL OF STUDENT IS THE SCOIL SUITABLE?
Scoil na gCláirseach caters for all levels, from raw beginners to advanced and professional players. Students are divided into small groups according to experience and playing ability. This guarantees almost individual attention for each student and with so many different levels, you are sure to be in a class tailored to your needs.
SCOIL RENTAL HARPS
There will be a limited number of harps available to rent on a first come, first served basis. Many of our rental harps are newly-commissioned measured replicas of surviving historic instruments. You can read more about our harps at our on-line shop.
For more info please read our Frequently Asked Questions.
For more information on the historical harp of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands, please visit earlygaelicharp.info