What is the Edinburgh International Harp Festival?
When we formed our harp-making business in 1980, one of our first decisions was the creation of a harp festival. After taking an exhibition to the Edinburgh Folk festival (on the advice of Alison Kinnaird and Isobel Mieras) we realised there were so many people interested in harps but had not seen or tried the instruments before. The following year we formed a small fringe festival, with come and try workshops and one concert at the Bedlam Theatre... it was a sell out!
The Festival grew over the following years. We wanted it to provide a taste into the diverse world of harps and approached other harp makers to join with us in an exhibition of many harps under one roof. We organised harp workshops to show how anyone can learn how to play a harp and we brought in harpists from different genres and traditions to share their knowledge.
The Festival grew over the following years. We wanted it to provide a taste into the diverse world of harps and approached other harp makers to join with us in an exhibition of many harps under one roof. We organised harp workshops to show how anyone can learn how to play a harp and we brought in harpists from different genres and traditions to share their knowledge.
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It proved an amazing success rapidly taking on a life and momentum of its own. However, we quickly realized that we had a difficult decision to make. As the festival had grown so rapidly, we knew that to stick to our first love as harp makers we could be in danger of holding back the festivals’ progress and our own development. So we handed over the reigns to the Clarsach Society who have organised it so superbly ever since.
They have introduced many wonderful musicians from all parts of the globe to the festival, and this has proved a profound influence on the players of today. |
So what is it that makes the Edinburgh International Harp Festival so special? Well, ‘International’ is a very important part of the name and we applaud the way that the Clarsach Society has continued so successfully in attracting celebrated harpists from many countries and cultures and in building upon the original 'world of harps' idea. Another factor is the steady increase of interest in harps that we have witnessed over the past 30 years. Thus each spring, this annual Festival attracts a wide audience to hear the finest players, attend fantastic workshops and exhibitions demonstrating how harps are made. There really is, something to cater to all ages and abilities.
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2020 - ONLINE FESTIVAL
EIHF
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Thursday 2nd April 2020 - Travelling day!
Friday 3rd April 2020 - Day 1'RAGLAN ROAD' trad Irish
arranged by Fran Barsby We hope you enjoy this video! It is designed for you to pause and work on each section. It could take you a day, a week or a month.
Any amount of time is absolutely fine and will be different for each person depending on your skill level and if you have learnt by ear or tutorial before! Don't move on to a new until you are ready as this could make learning the music quite daunting! Good luck learning! Happy Harping Everyone! If you would like to learn harp you can find teachers local to you by clicking below: |
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Saturday 4th April 2020 - Day 2
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HOW TO TUNE A HARP
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Sunday 5th April 2020 - Day 3
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'FIELDS OF GOLD' by Sting
arranged by Fran Barsby We hope you enjoy this video! It is designed for you to pause and work on each section. It could take you a day, a week or a month.
Any amount of time is absolutely fine and will be different for each person depending on your skill level and if you have learnt by ear or tutorial before! Don't move on to a new until you are ready as this could make learning the music quite daunting! Good luck learning! Happy Harping Everyone! |
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Monday 6th April 2020 - Day 4
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LEVER HARPS AND PEDAL HARPS
EXPLAINED |
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Tuesday 7th April 2020 - Day 5
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'COFFEE' by Haggerty
arranged by Fran Barsby We hope you enjoy this video! It is designed for you to pause and work on each section. It could take you a day, a week or a month.
Any amount of time is absolutely fine and will be different for each person depending on your skill level and if you have learnt by ear or tutorial before! Don't move on to a new until you are ready as this could make learning the music quite daunting! Good luck learning! Happy Harping Everyone! |
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Wednesday 8th April 2020 - The last day
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'Someone you loved' by Lewis Capaldi
arranged by Fran Barsby We hope you have enjoyed our videos and you like this cracker of a last one too!
It is designed for you to pause and work on each section. It could take you a day, a week or a month. Any amount of time is absolutely fine and will be different for each person depending on your skill level and if you have learnt by ear or tutorial before! Don't move on to a new until you are ready as this could make learning the music quite daunting! Good luck learning! Happy Harping Everyone! If you would like to learn harp you can find teachers local to you by clicking below: |
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Edinburgh International Harp Festival
Edinburgh International Harp Festival can be contacted at the following address:
Studio G43, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG |
1st 6th April 2016Celebrating its 35th year, the Edinburgh International Harp Festival hosts a packed programme of local and international talent, a scintillating line-up of 9 concerts, 39 courses and 19 workshops as well as informal gatherings, late night sessions, harpmakers' exhibition, private tuition and lunchtime open platform. This year's guests include Park Stickney, Violaine Contreras, Anne-Marie O'Farrell, Brendan Power, Chris Stout, Catriona McKay, Kala Jula plus a Welsh showcase with Elinor Bennett, Robin Huw Bowen and many more! There will also be a celebration of 85 years of The Clarsach Society and a family ceilidh for all to enjoy!
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