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?
- Siobhán Armstrong director Ireland
One of Europe's leading historical harpists - Simon Chadwick assistant director Scotland
assistant director of Scoil na gCláirseach - Ann Heymann USA
Pioneer of the modern revival of the early Irish harp - Andrew Lawrence-King Guernsey
The world's foremost early harpist - Seán Donnelly Ireland
the leading Irish scholar in the field - Keith Sanger Scotland
the most prominent Scottish scholar in the subject.
WHAT AREAS ARE COVERED IN THE CURRICULUM?
Scoil na gCláirseach explores all aspects of the instrument's playing techniques and repertoire including:
- old Gaelic harp repertoire from early manuscripts and printed sources, from both Ireland and the Scottish Highlands
- historical playing and string-damping techniques
- idiomatic Irish melodic ornamentation
- historically informed approaches to bass and treble
- other historical repertoire appropriate to the instrument
- 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 historical Irish harps available to rent on a first come, first served basis. Our rental instruments, made for us bymaster luthier David Kortier, are accurately copied from surviving historic Irish harps and are fitted with brass and sterling silver wire strings. 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