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Harpissimo Quebec workshops in Montreal, Canada

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.

Click here to contact Nancy for booking and cost information for a workshop.


 

Rochester Harp Network workshops in Rochester, NY, 2006.


Nancy leads an ensemble of the Boston Harp Society in a performance of her arrangements.

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.

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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Nancy Hurrell, Braintree Massachusetts
781-848-3393