COME AND TRY THE HARP
25/10/2023
FRAN BARSBY
For Absolute Beginners:
An opportunity for everyone to try the harp. All ages welcome. Fran will demonstrate the basic technique and will help anyone intending to take this instrument further. For this course only, harps will be kindly supplied by some of the harp exhibitors.
An opportunity for everyone to try the harp. All ages welcome. Fran will demonstrate the basic technique and will help anyone intending to take this instrument further. For this course only, harps will be kindly supplied by some of the harp exhibitors.
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Wednesday 25th October 14:00 - 15:00
Rose Room Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT £10 x 1 session of 1 hour |
REMY VAN KESTEREN
24/10/2023 - 25/10/2023
Remy van Kesteren creates his own world with his compositions, a blend of neo-classical minimal, electronic music, alternative, jazz and world influences, where the boundaries between genres evaporate.
He has released two songbooks covering his music, one for more advanced harpists (Songbook I), and one with intermediate compositions which are also suitable for lever harp (Songbook II). In this course Remy will use these Songbooks to improvise and help the students make the music their own.
Course participants can either obtain a book or choose one of the two PDF's provided to study the work.
LEVEL: Intermediate and advanced, but most importantly, curious.
He has released two songbooks covering his music, one for more advanced harpists (Songbook I), and one with intermediate compositions which are also suitable for lever harp (Songbook II). In this course Remy will use these Songbooks to improvise and help the students make the music their own.
Course participants can either obtain a book or choose one of the two PDF's provided to study the work.
LEVEL: Intermediate and advanced, but most importantly, curious.
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Tuesday 24th October 11:30 - 13:00
Tuesday 24th October 15:30 - 17:00 Wednesday 25th October 9:30 - 11:00 Church Hall Where the Boundaries Between Genres Evaporate Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT £55 (3 sessions x 1.5 hrs) |
REMY VAN KESTEREN was five years old when he was enchanted by the sound of the harp while in a garden, and knew that that was it. He was admitted to the Conservatoire of Utrecht at the age of ten and graduated in 2010 with honours. He continued his education at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, where he studied with Isabelle Moretti. In 2012, he received his Master’s diploma with honours at the Conservatoire of Amsterdam. Remy has won various prizes, which
have led to concerts all around the world. He debuted at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam with Het Nederlands Kamerorkest when he was sixteen. The previous year he played on the occasion of the baptism of Princess Amalia, and also performed in Carnegie Hall, New York.
But then Remy reached the age of 25 and knew: this isn’t it. Not all of it. This realisation led, in
2016, to Tomorrow Eyes, the genre-transcending album containing a number of pieces composed by Remy himself. He went from playing with world famous orchestras to playing in clubs and at pop festivals, performing solo, with his band and with The Analogue Robot Orchestra. He pushes the boundaries of his instrument. He plays a unique specially designed and crafted harp with 49 strings: the Salvi Réus, funded by the Nationaal Muziekinstrumenten Fonds. With this harp Remy followed his debut album with the pioneering Shadows (2019), An Alternative Soundtrack to the Motion Picture… (2020) and four EPs: Home Studio Sessions (2020), and, in 2022, Places I May Have Visited, People I May Have Met, Parts 1, 2 and 3.
Remy loves to collaborate with dancers and other musicians. He is the artistic director of the Dutch Harp Festival, held every two years in Tivoli Vredenburg, Utrecht. He was hailed by the New York Times (1989) as a ‘brilliant harpist ... when Remy van Kesteren plays the harp, it sounds like you have never heard it before.’
have led to concerts all around the world. He debuted at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam with Het Nederlands Kamerorkest when he was sixteen. The previous year he played on the occasion of the baptism of Princess Amalia, and also performed in Carnegie Hall, New York.
But then Remy reached the age of 25 and knew: this isn’t it. Not all of it. This realisation led, in
2016, to Tomorrow Eyes, the genre-transcending album containing a number of pieces composed by Remy himself. He went from playing with world famous orchestras to playing in clubs and at pop festivals, performing solo, with his band and with The Analogue Robot Orchestra. He pushes the boundaries of his instrument. He plays a unique specially designed and crafted harp with 49 strings: the Salvi Réus, funded by the Nationaal Muziekinstrumenten Fonds. With this harp Remy followed his debut album with the pioneering Shadows (2019), An Alternative Soundtrack to the Motion Picture… (2020) and four EPs: Home Studio Sessions (2020), and, in 2022, Places I May Have Visited, People I May Have Met, Parts 1, 2 and 3.
Remy loves to collaborate with dancers and other musicians. He is the artistic director of the Dutch Harp Festival, held every two years in Tivoli Vredenburg, Utrecht. He was hailed by the New York Times (1989) as a ‘brilliant harpist ... when Remy van Kesteren plays the harp, it sounds like you have never heard it before.’
PLAY AND SING EARLY MUSIC
LUCIA DE CARLO
24/10/2023
Students will explore modal music from the Middle Ages by studying 13th century Laude and Cantigas. These are simple melodies enriched by drones on which they will be free to sing. No singing experience is necessary as the music will be the guide.
LEVEL: Post-beginners.
LEVEL: Post-beginners.
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Tuesday 24th October 9:30 - 11:00
Tuesday 24th October 15:30 - 17:00 Rose Room Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT £40 (2 sessions x 1.5 hrs) |
ISMAEL LEDESMA
Paraguayan Polka and Colombian Rhythms
25/10/2023 - 26/10/2023
Paraguayan Polka and Colombian Rhythms: an opportunity to explore traditional rhythms of Paraguayan polka, and also those of Colombia, and learn two pieces from the traditional Paraguayan repertoire: ‘Malavita’ and ‘Pueblo Jeroky’. Oral, traditional teaching. Music given at the end.
LEVEL: All Levels welcome.
LEVEL: All Levels welcome.
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Wednesday 25th October 11:30 - 13:00
Wednesday 25th October 15:30 - 17:00 Thursday 26th October 9:30 - 11:00 Lecture room Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT £55 (3 sessions x 1.5 hrs) |
ISMAEL LEDESMA was born in the city of Lambaré, Paraguay, in 1962, into a musical family. He began to learn the harp with his father at the age of five, and his first performance was at a school festival in the city of Fernando de la Mora at age six. He won his first prize in the genre interpretation at twelve years old in a folkloric festival organized by the Chilean Embassy in Paraguay. He played with his mother’s group Los Madrigales in various nightclubs in the city of Asunción and at private events.
After finishing high school, Ismael was invited to France by his uncle, the musician Kike Lucena. Ismael then joined the Parisian Latin-American circuit, sharing the stage with Paraguayan artists living in France, such as Papi Echeverría, Juan Portillo, Lito Benítez, Johnny Cabrera, Pedro Fernandez, Alberto Jara and more. He studied French Language and Civilization at the Sorbonne University. Meanwhile he continued training at the Paris International Music Conservatory Alfred de Vigny.
His first solo concert was in Paris at the Du Marais theatre. In 1985 Ismael set out on a solo career, performing his own compositions. He wanted to promote Latin American music.
Ismael has performed on important stages around the world, including Japan, Mexico, the United States, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and of course France.
He was the first artist to appear in the Hemicycle
of the Shrine of Lourdes in 2018. He was invited to the World Music Festival of Martigues and the Festival of Capvern.
Ismael returns frequently to his own country where he takes part in Paraguayan events and has twice played at the World Harp Festival in Asunción. The French Senate has distinguished him as Personality of Latin America in France and the Paraguayan tourism ministry nominated him Ambassador of the Paraguayan Arpa. He has made 13 albums, and in 2023 He celebrates 55 years of playing the harp. Ismael is without doubt one of the greatest representatives of Paraguayan music.
After finishing high school, Ismael was invited to France by his uncle, the musician Kike Lucena. Ismael then joined the Parisian Latin-American circuit, sharing the stage with Paraguayan artists living in France, such as Papi Echeverría, Juan Portillo, Lito Benítez, Johnny Cabrera, Pedro Fernandez, Alberto Jara and more. He studied French Language and Civilization at the Sorbonne University. Meanwhile he continued training at the Paris International Music Conservatory Alfred de Vigny.
His first solo concert was in Paris at the Du Marais theatre. In 1985 Ismael set out on a solo career, performing his own compositions. He wanted to promote Latin American music.
Ismael has performed on important stages around the world, including Japan, Mexico, the United States, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and of course France.
He was the first artist to appear in the Hemicycle
of the Shrine of Lourdes in 2018. He was invited to the World Music Festival of Martigues and the Festival of Capvern.
Ismael returns frequently to his own country where he takes part in Paraguayan events and has twice played at the World Harp Festival in Asunción. The French Senate has distinguished him as Personality of Latin America in France and the Paraguayan tourism ministry nominated him Ambassador of the Paraguayan Arpa. He has made 13 albums, and in 2023 He celebrates 55 years of playing the harp. Ismael is without doubt one of the greatest representatives of Paraguayan music.
FRAN BARSBY AND THE
ISLE OF WIGHT POPPYHARPERS
27/10/2023
Isle of Wight International Harp Festival Ensemble:
Join Fran and become part of the Ensemble. Enjoy three rehearsals learning an eclectic and beautiful mix of music with harp friends. Music includes folk, classical, world and pop!
Something for everyone. On day four the Ensemble will conclude a fun week of harping together by performing a concert.
Music will be provided to suit all abilities. All ages welcome.
Join Fran and become part of the Ensemble. Enjoy three rehearsals learning an eclectic and beautiful mix of music with harp friends. Music includes folk, classical, world and pop!
Something for everyone. On day four the Ensemble will conclude a fun week of harping together by performing a concert.
Music will be provided to suit all abilities. All ages welcome.
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Wednesday 25th October 11:30 - 13:00
Thursday 26th October 11:30 - 13:00 Thursday 26th October 15:30 - 17:00 (Friday 27th October 14:00 - Concert) Lecture Room Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT £55 (3 sessions x 1.5 hrs) |
Here is all the music we will be working on at the festival:
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FRAN BARSBY is an award-winning harpist based in West Sussex. Having graduated in 2015 from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire she was awarded a Master’s degree in education from Bath University in 2022.
Fran has been playing the harp for 20 years and during this time she has enjoyed studying with teachers including Catherine White, Gabriella Dall'Olio, David Watkins, Skaila Kanga, Louisa Maria Cordell, Charlotte Seale, Anne Hughes Chamberlain, and others. She is Resident Harpist for the British harp makers, Pilgrim Harps.
Fran enjoys a busy performing and teaching career and has performed in many prestigious venues such as St John’s Smith Square, Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Town Hall, Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester’s Minerva Theatre, and many more. She enjoys performing an eclectic mix of music but is especially passionate about arranging pop and film music and bringing the harp into the 21st century.
Fran also has a great passion for teaching and ensuring that anyone who wants to learn the harp has the opportunity. Fran has enjoyed giving masterclasses at numerous harp festivals, schools and universities such as at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Young Composers Project.
Fran is a Director at PoppyHarp, which launched in 2014.
PoppyHarp is a harp showroom for British harp makers, including Pilgrim Harps, Silver Spear Harps and Derwent Harps.
Through PoppyHarp Fran helps young professional musicians and composers publish their first compositions.
In conjunction with this she launched the Future Blend Project, now internationally renowned. Fran also launched, in 2015, the PoppyHarp Competitive Harp Festival. This is run online each January and is extremely popular, with students and professionals taking part from all over the world.
Fran has been playing the harp for 20 years and during this time she has enjoyed studying with teachers including Catherine White, Gabriella Dall'Olio, David Watkins, Skaila Kanga, Louisa Maria Cordell, Charlotte Seale, Anne Hughes Chamberlain, and others. She is Resident Harpist for the British harp makers, Pilgrim Harps.
Fran enjoys a busy performing and teaching career and has performed in many prestigious venues such as St John’s Smith Square, Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Town Hall, Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester’s Minerva Theatre, and many more. She enjoys performing an eclectic mix of music but is especially passionate about arranging pop and film music and bringing the harp into the 21st century.
Fran also has a great passion for teaching and ensuring that anyone who wants to learn the harp has the opportunity. Fran has enjoyed giving masterclasses at numerous harp festivals, schools and universities such as at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Young Composers Project.
Fran is a Director at PoppyHarp, which launched in 2014.
PoppyHarp is a harp showroom for British harp makers, including Pilgrim Harps, Silver Spear Harps and Derwent Harps.
Through PoppyHarp Fran helps young professional musicians and composers publish their first compositions.
In conjunction with this she launched the Future Blend Project, now internationally renowned. Fran also launched, in 2015, the PoppyHarp Competitive Harp Festival. This is run online each January and is extremely popular, with students and professionals taking part from all over the world.
LAOISE KELLY
IRISH TUNES BY EAR
27/10/2023 - 28/10/2023
Traditional Irish tunes taught by ear with a guide for the accompaniment. Music provided after the class. Students can record the class and video the tune being played, slowly at first, then up to speed by the end of the class.
LEVEL: Intermediate. £55 (3 sessions x 1.5 hrs)
LEVEL: Intermediate. £55 (3 sessions x 1.5 hrs)
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Friday 27th October 9:30 - 11:00
Saturday 28th October 11:30 - 13:00 Saturday 28th October 15:30 - 17:00 Lecture Room Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT |
LAOISE KELLY, hailing from Westport, County Mayo, has won three
All-Ireland Harp competitions and the Waterford Crystal harp at the Belfast Bicentennial Harp Festival 1992. She has featured on numerous TV and radio programmes both in Ireland and internationally, including RTÉ’s A River of Sound, The Late Late Show, Sult, Eurovision, BBC’s Folkworks UK Harp Tour Documentary, Colmcille sessions, and many of TG4’s music programmes. In 2020 she was awarded Musician of the year, TG4’s Gradam Ceoil Ceoltóir na Bliana. Laoise has pioneered a new style of driving instrumental harping, as showcased in her three critically acclaimed solo albums Just Harp, Ceis and Fáilte Uí Cheallaigh.
Among her numerous achievements is Laoise’s role as Director of the Achill International Harp Festival. She was a founding member of traditional group Bumblebees with whom she recorded two albums and toured extensively. She is also a founding member of Fiddletree, a group with members from America, Cape Breton and Scotland who play eight instruments made from the same tree. Throughout her career she has
recorded over 70 albums with many of Ireland’s leading artists, as well as Kate Bush and American country/bluegrass icon Tim O’Brien.
Laoise was Musical Director on Brendan Behan’s The Hostage and Seán O’Casey’s Purple Dust with Glasgow theatre company Arches at the Edinburgh Festival.
She toured with New York-based Mabou
Mines’ award-winning production of Peter and Wendy to the Edinburgh Festival and to New York, off-Broadway. Laoise has performed for Irish Presidents Michael D. Higgins, Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese and for the twenty-five EU heads of state and presidents in Dublin. She has represented Ireland with the Irish Embassy in Nigeria, Ghana, Russia, Argentina, and at the World Harp Festival in Paraguay.
‘An exuberant and innovative talent which catches the spirit of the modern Irish music movement.’ Irish Music Magazine
All-Ireland Harp competitions and the Waterford Crystal harp at the Belfast Bicentennial Harp Festival 1992. She has featured on numerous TV and radio programmes both in Ireland and internationally, including RTÉ’s A River of Sound, The Late Late Show, Sult, Eurovision, BBC’s Folkworks UK Harp Tour Documentary, Colmcille sessions, and many of TG4’s music programmes. In 2020 she was awarded Musician of the year, TG4’s Gradam Ceoil Ceoltóir na Bliana. Laoise has pioneered a new style of driving instrumental harping, as showcased in her three critically acclaimed solo albums Just Harp, Ceis and Fáilte Uí Cheallaigh.
Among her numerous achievements is Laoise’s role as Director of the Achill International Harp Festival. She was a founding member of traditional group Bumblebees with whom she recorded two albums and toured extensively. She is also a founding member of Fiddletree, a group with members from America, Cape Breton and Scotland who play eight instruments made from the same tree. Throughout her career she has
recorded over 70 albums with many of Ireland’s leading artists, as well as Kate Bush and American country/bluegrass icon Tim O’Brien.
Laoise was Musical Director on Brendan Behan’s The Hostage and Seán O’Casey’s Purple Dust with Glasgow theatre company Arches at the Edinburgh Festival.
She toured with New York-based Mabou
Mines’ award-winning production of Peter and Wendy to the Edinburgh Festival and to New York, off-Broadway. Laoise has performed for Irish Presidents Michael D. Higgins, Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese and for the twenty-five EU heads of state and presidents in Dublin. She has represented Ireland with the Irish Embassy in Nigeria, Ghana, Russia, Argentina, and at the World Harp Festival in Paraguay.
‘An exuberant and innovative talent which catches the spirit of the modern Irish music movement.’ Irish Music Magazine
MARY MACMASTER
SCOTTISH THREE WAYS
27/10/2023 - 28/10/2023
Scottish Three Ways: Mary loves 2/4 dance tunes. She says ‘3/4 waltzes are so playable; 4/4 strathspeys are challenging but can be fun.’ Students will learn some of her favourite Scottish tunes in these three timings. Mary prefers to teach by ear but will give out scores out at the end. Students will also work on simple accompaniments for the tunes.
LEVEL: Intermediate (not too hard!).
LEVEL: Intermediate (not too hard!).
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Friday 27th October 11:30 - 13:00
Friday 27th October 15:30 - 17:00 Saturday 28th October 9:30 - 11:00 Lecture Room Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT £55 (3 sessions x 1.5 hrs) |
Inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2013 as part of the groundbreaking harp duo Sileas,
MARY MACMASTER is best known for her pioneering work with the metal-strung clarsach and the fantastic Camac electro-harp. Mary has toured extensively with Sileas, The Poozies, Shine, Macmaster/Hay, Clan Alba, Caledon and award winning project, Songs of Separation.
As well as working with theatre companies Dogstar, Grid Iron and Licketyspit, Mary has collaborated live and in the studio with many wonderful musicians including Dick Gaughan, Kathryn Tickell, Norma Waterson and Sting.
In 2017 Mary was presented with the Hands up for Trad Inspiration Award.
MARY MACMASTER is best known for her pioneering work with the metal-strung clarsach and the fantastic Camac electro-harp. Mary has toured extensively with Sileas, The Poozies, Shine, Macmaster/Hay, Clan Alba, Caledon and award winning project, Songs of Separation.
As well as working with theatre companies Dogstar, Grid Iron and Licketyspit, Mary has collaborated live and in the studio with many wonderful musicians including Dick Gaughan, Kathryn Tickell, Norma Waterson and Sting.
In 2017 Mary was presented with the Hands up for Trad Inspiration Award.
CORRINA HEWAT
Exploring the Scottish musical character in traditional and original tunes
28/10/2023
The workshop will be a selection of tunes from across Scotland, some from deep within the tradition, some contemporary in
traditional style, and some of her own, all with a particular character to them and all of which sit well under a harper’s hands. This will not be a
sight-reading workshop, rather a workshop for soaking in and absorbing the tunes. Corrina will teach by ear although she will bring music and her arrangements for students to take away.
LEVEL: Intermediate-ish.
traditional style, and some of her own, all with a particular character to them and all of which sit well under a harper’s hands. This will not be a
sight-reading workshop, rather a workshop for soaking in and absorbing the tunes. Corrina will teach by ear although she will bring music and her arrangements for students to take away.
LEVEL: Intermediate-ish.
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Friday 27th October 11:30 - 13:00
Friday 27th October 15:30 - 17:00 Saturday 28th October 9:30 - 11:00 Rose Room Ryde Methodist Church Garfield Road Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2PT £55 (3 sessions x 1.5 hrs) |
CORRINA HEWAT grew up in the Scottish Highlands, surrounded by music and song, art and stories, in an expansive landscape which helped shape her musical narrative. She is a harper, singer, composer and was Principal Scottish Harp Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 2012-2022.
Corrina directs the Scots Folk 60-strong choir Sangstream and the Borders Health in Harmony Staff Choir. She works in a duo with pianist Dave Milligan, and a special harp duo with Mary Macmaster. Corrina also runs Harp in Scotland, an online learning weekend and the Harp Village, a harp weekend in Cromarty annually in late September.
Corrina has recorded around 50 albums, 13 under her own or band name, and has composed many large-scale commissions for ensemble. She co-directs the children’s theatre company DragonSong Productions and is also one of the musicians compiling the 100 Women Composers in Trad Tunebook, for release on Faber Music.
Corrina directs the Scots Folk 60-strong choir Sangstream and the Borders Health in Harmony Staff Choir. She works in a duo with pianist Dave Milligan, and a special harp duo with Mary Macmaster. Corrina also runs Harp in Scotland, an online learning weekend and the Harp Village, a harp weekend in Cromarty annually in late September.
Corrina has recorded around 50 albums, 13 under her own or band name, and has composed many large-scale commissions for ensemble. She co-directs the children’s theatre company DragonSong Productions and is also one of the musicians compiling the 100 Women Composers in Trad Tunebook, for release on Faber Music.
Harp On Wight is sponsored by
Visit Isle of Wight, The UK Harp Association and Wightlink Ferries
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www.harponwight.co.uk |
