Harpissimo Quebec workshops in Montreal, Canada
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Previous Experience
- Somerset Harp Conferences (2001, 2002, 2003)
- Conferences of the ISFHC (Texas '98, California 2000,
Indiana 2003)
- American Harp Society Regional Conference (Houston
'99)
- Winterfest Acoustic Music Festivals (Dallas, TX)
- Instructor, Ohio Scottish Arts School (1999, 2000)
- Guest Presenter for harp communities around the country
including: Great Lakes Harpers Conference (IL), Canterbury Harp Circle(NM),
Texas, New Jersey and North Carolina.
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Click here to contact Nancy for
booking and cost information for a workshop. |
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ROCHESTER HARP NETWORK
hosts 2 Harp
Workshops
in Brighton, NY
Click for details.
Nancy Hurrell's Workshops
Nancy Hurrell has been a workshop presenter for many years,
sharing her experience and vibrant interest in ensemble playing, Scottish music
and early music. Nancy's perspective on harp ensembles comes from her
experience as a player (Octavia), ensemble director (Sometimes
Angels and Lone Star Harpers) and arranger. She taught the ensemble
class at the Ohio Scottish Arts School (Oberlin) two summers and has led
ensembles at many AHS and ISFHC conferences (HarpCon2003) and
Somerset Folk Harp Festivals. Nancy
has enjoyed coaching harp ensemble sessions and teaching workshops around the
country including New Mexico, New Jersey, Illinois, California and North
Carolina.
Nancy's philosophy as a workshop presenter is to include
everyone, whatever their playing level. She is committed to participation in
the workshop setting, with less talk and more play. |
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Workshop
descriptions
- ADD VARIETY & SPICE TO YOUR GIG BOOK!
(NEW this year)
Background music today must have
variety and interest for the listener. Selections from classical to popular
music, plus Latin and other types, are fun to play on the harp. The workshop
explores repertoire sources, survival tips on the job, and technical ideas for
harp players to spice up your playing! Using a piano arrangement, we'll make a
harp arrangement of a popular song.
- HERE COMES THE BRIDE…
(NEW
this year)
Based on her experience of playing for weddings for
over twenty years, Nancy will share her ideas on repertoire, appropriate music
for different faiths, and how to deal with the bride professionally. We'll
practice the all important timing of the procession and how to prepare
accompaniments for soloists.
- PLAYING IN A HARP ENSEMBLE
We'll learn two
ensemble pieces. Arrangements are multi-level for 3-part ensemble; all levels
welcome and encouraged. You'll get ideas and tips to improve your ensembles'
sound. If time allows, we'll play through additional arrangements in A Harpers
Play Book and A Circle of Harps.
- RENAISSANCE DANCE MUSIC FOR HARP
Play two
renaissance dances from the 16th c. and also learn the dance steps! Improvise
in the renaissance style. We'll discuss where to find early music and how the
harp fits into an ensemble. All harps are welcome; bring a music stand for
sight reading.
- ZESTY CANTIGAS!
These delightful songs from
13th century Spain are fun to play on the harp. We'll play several cantigas and
explore easy accompaniments for these delicious tunes!
- MEDIEVAL & RENAISSANCE MUSIC FOR HARP
Brief history of the harp technique & music played in the 14th-17th
centuries. We'll learn pieces from the periods and do some improvising in the
renaissance style. Discuss where to find music sources and how to use harp in
early music ensembles. All harps welcome; sight reading necessary. Note: This
could be split into two separate workshops Medieval/Renaissance.
- SCOTTISH HARP MUSIC
Brief description of the
Scottish style as it relates to the history of song, dance, & instruments
played in Scotland. Two tunes learned in the class, adding ornaments and ideas
for accompaniment.
- SCOTTISH ORNAMENTATION
The various types of
Scottish ornaments will be taught as well as ideas on incorporating them in a
melody. The class will learn Scottish tunes and add ornaments to the
tunes.
- SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE MUSIC
Brief description
of the Scottish dance forms and the history of song, dance, & instruments
played in Scotland. A sequence of dance tunes are learned in the class, adding
ornaments and ideas for accompaniment. Using creative lever-changing, we can
keep playing when the band switches keys in a dance set!
- BREAK A LEG!
Practical ideas for preparing for
performance/competition: memory aids, dealing with the inner voice, having
positive practice sessions. Class will do useful exercises for stiff harp
muscles. Learn stage presence & eye contact. No harps.
- BEGINNING HARP: ANY SHORTCUTS OUT THERE?
Discussion of personal goals & how to reach them. Basic harp techniques
learned through playing exercises and arpeggios. Ways we learn, organizing
practise time, fingerings, repertoire for the beginner, special effects on the
harp. Sight-reading not necessary. We will play a jazzy improv piece together.
- HISTORY OF THE HARP SEMINAR
What did your
harp's ancestors look like?! Viewing slides (from the MFA Collection) of the
earliest depictions of harps, we'll explore the history of our instrument. The
talk includes the development of the harp in Ireland and Wales with
illustrations of the music, the famous harpers and composers, the music
festivals, and the instruments.
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