Harp in the Hills

2012 Harp Retreat with Maeve Gilchrist

2012-01-02T05:59:00.000-08:00

Once again we will be delighting in the lovely hills of Leyden, MA, hosted by Jennifer Paris and her staff at Angels' Rest.

The dates for Harp in the Hills 2012 are
THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 to SUNDAY, AUGUST 26.
This will include 6 group lessons and a public concert by Maeve on Saturday, August 25.
The cost for 3 days full room and board, lessons, and concert is $475.

Details of the daily schedule will be posted at a later date.
There is a minimum requirement of 10 full participants.

Register by July 1, 2012.
Contact Jane Winchester, wincj@aol.com
A deposit of $200 is due with registration,
non-refundable after July 1, 2012. Balance due August 1, 2012.

Happy MOO Year

2011-12-31T07:58:00.000-08:00

This past fall I met artist Chaldea Emerson at the Greenfield MA farmer's market. I was enchanted with her drawings, which include many of animals playing musical instruments. I asked her to create an animal playing the harp. Since our retreat site is bordered by cow pastures, and since cows seem interested in the harp (see photo below), a cow seemed most appropriate. Chaldea has made me several packages of note cards, as well as frame-able prints, using this cartoon. The image is reproduced here with her explicit permission. Anyone wishing to order this or other cards or prints may visit her web site (linked here) www.chaldea.etsy.com

Maeve Gilchrist in concert

2011-06-15T05:36:00.000-07:00

Maeve Gilchrist will be giving a public concert on June 22 as the concluding event of our harp workshop. She'll be featuring songs/tunes from her new album, 'Song of Delight.'
Sure to be a great evening.

7:30PM, Wednesday, June 22,
Angels' Rest, Leyden MA
(directions at www.angelsrestretreat.com)
Admission $15 at the door. (includes refreshments)

2011 workshop space available

2011-04-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to our June workshop. Space is still available, but please contact me before May 1. Jane Winchester, email address wincj@aol.com.

Register for 2011

2011-01-05T06:15:00.000-08:00

Think spring! Think music! Think Harp!! Harp in the Hills!!!!

Our annual harp retreat with Maeve Gilchrist will take place, as announced, from Sunday, June 19 to Thursday, June 22. As in the past, it will include 6 group lessons, a review session, and a planned public concert by Maeve at Angels' Rest. The fee, including room, board, lessons, and concert, is $550. Please register by contacting me, Jane Winchester, at wincj@aol.com.

Registration fee of $200 is due by April 15, 2011. The balance, $350, is due by June 1, 2011.

For those new to this workshop, Maeve gave a good description of her teaching method/goals in a previous post (March 30, 2010).

Those who are returning look forward to learning music in a wonderful setting, with fine accommodations and good companionship.

2011 workshop, June 19 - June 23

2010-10-07T20:05:00.000-07:00

Harp in the Hills workshop for 2011 will be held from Sunday afternoon, June 19, to Thursday noon, June 23.

Additional details and signup information will be posted after the first of the year.

Class of 2010

2010-09-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

Herewith some photos from 2010 Harp in the Hills:

Maeve is shown going for a tune-up, then, with the class of 2010, and, finally, teaching.

What could be better than beautiful music in a beautiful setting, with great companionship, and wonderful hospitality.

One evening Maeve gave a public concert, showcasing her phenomenal skills and musical insights.

Another evening we held a harp session, outside on the deck, with the full moon rising over the hills. Magical!

Space still available

2010-06-14T18:54:00.000-07:00

A few spaces are still available for Maeve's workshop.
If you want to learn some great music in a lovely setting:
contact wincj@aol.com.

Workshop Details: July 25 -29, 2010

2010-04-04T05:52:00.000-07:00

This year, harpers arrive on Sunday between 2 and 4PM. Meet, greet and tune for our first class at 4PM. On Monday and Tuesday, classes will be at 1030 AM and 200PM. On Wednesday class is at 1030, with a review session offered at 200PM.

Angels' Rest provides a beautiful country setting, along with 2 hearty meals daily and a light midday snack. Accommodations include shared rooms and baths. Please look at their website (see link in right column) for description and directions.

Our schedule allows ample time for hiking, swimming, relaxing, and socializing, in addition to practicing. On Wednesday evening we are planning a concert by Maeve, open to the public.

There is a minimum of 10, maximum 20 attendees. Workshop fee is $550. Private instruction with Maeve can be arranged for an additional fee.

Deposit of $200 is due by May 15, with balance due July 15.
For inquiries, and to reserve a place, contact Jane Winchester by email, wincj@aol.com

Maeve's description of her teaching follows this post.

Workshop Description

2010-03-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

I asked Maeve to let harpists know what to expect from this workshop:

I base my teachings within the Scottish tradition and develop musical ideas incorporating rhythmic accompaniment and improvisation.

The morning session begins with an extended warmup. Using different exercises I focus on hand and thumb position, placement, and sound quality. Further exercises develop rhythmic stability, syncopation, and sense of time.

New tunes are introduced at the beginning of each session. I teach by the traditional aural method, offering sheet music at the end of the session. After introducing the basic melody, I explore ornamentation and stylistic techniques. Arrangement ideas follow. We will talk about harmony and how to arrange traditional material in a tasteful way that will breathe new life into each piece. We will also explore some improvisational ideas for intros, outros, accompaniment and variation.

I try to suit the the desires of the participants and am open to suggestions for material or techniques to include. In the past we have worked on harmony singing, harp ensemble arrangements, and song accompaniment.

My goal is to help harpists develop playing that is more fluid, light, and stylistically accurate.

And, Maeve says,
Harp in the Hills is a unique and inspiring musical experience in a beautiful and relaxed setting.
The open and warm atmosphere is hard to beat. Harpists of all levels witll take something away from this gem of a week.

PS - A limited number of private lessons with Maeve can be arranged during the workshop, at additional cost.

Register for 2010

2010-01-25T09:33:00.000-08:00

Get ready for our 5th workshop with

Maeve Gilchrist at Angel's Rest in Leyden MA.

The cost for 4 days room and board at a lovely b&b in the hills of Western Massachusetts, plus 6 group lessons with Maeve, is $550.

Deposit $200 due May 1, 2010 ; balance, July 1, 2010

Contact: Jane Winchester by email

wincj@aol.com

July 25 - 29, 2010

2009-11-29T14:30:00.000-08:00

This year our workshop will run from Sunday afternoon to Thursday morning - the usual duration, but different days. This allows Maeve (and others) to pursue weekend gigs elsewhere (including Somerset, the weekend following).
Registration announcement will be made in January.

Class of 2009

2009-07-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

Here, gathered in the great room at Angels' Rest, are 12 of the 14 harpers who attended the 2009 'Harp in the Hills' workshop with Maeve Gilchrist. We shared lots of great tunes and teaching from Maeve, an inspiring public performance by Maeve, wonderful hospitality, and a friendly, supportive atmosphere. (Watch this space for 2010 dates.)

News from the Hills

2009-07-07T07:03:00.001-07:00

Our 4th retreat with Maeve is almost here. Fourteen harpers will be attending, including two making the trip from Ireland just for this event. On July 16, we will be attending a play, 'The Last High Queen of Ireland', in Deerfield, with music written and performed by one of our group, Rosie Caine. On July 17, Maeve will give a concert at Angels' Rest, open to the public. But all of this is secondary to learning from a wonderful teacher, Maeve, herself. We have a great group of people coming; it promises to be a rewarding and fun-filled week.

2008-12-14T08:03:00.000-08:00

Classes are held in the spacious conference center.

Wednesday, July 15 - Sunday, July 19, 2009

2008-12-14T02:48:00.000-08:00

Our 4th harp retreat at Angel's Rest:

I have sent in the deposit to hold our space at Angel's Rest, and I have confirmed that Maeve Gilchrist will be returning to be our instructor. In April, Maeve will be teaching at the Edinburgh Festival, and in June, at the Harfentreffe 30th Anniversary in Lauterbach, Germany. We are so fortunate that she is taking time from her busy, international schedule to be with us.

The format will be the same as last year - 6 group lessons (Wed PM, Thurs AM & PM, Fri AM & PM, Sat AM); and a review session Sat PM. Maeve will give a concert one evening, with general public invited. Sat evening is our traditional BBQ and 'harpenanny.'

Arrangements can be made for private instruction with Maeve at additional cost.

Angel's Rest provides 2 hearty meals and a light lunch daily. Accommodations include shared bedrooms and baths. A minimum number of 10 participants is required; maximum for instruction is 20.

Fee for the workshop is $595, including tuition, room and board. A deposit of $200 with registration is required by May 1, with balance due by July 1.

To reserve a place, contact Jane Winchester by email, wincj@aol.com.

Dreaming

2008-11-19T18:12:00.000-08:00

Here it is, only November, but the wind is blowing on a clear night, the temperature falling fast, already 19F at 10PM. Here I am, thinking of a warm summer evening with a sweet harp tune lofting over green meadows - looking ahead to a 4th harp retreat in the hills of Leyden.
Jane