Annual Report

2016-17

www.clarsachsociety.co.uk Charity Number: SC011819

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Office Bearers

(at 31st August 2017)

President Isobel Mieras Vice-President President of An Comunn Gàidhealach Executive Council Jennifer Port Convenor Laurina Strachan Vice-Convenor John Macleod Gaelic Adviser Pru Williams Argyll Branch Frances Younson Bristol & WE Branch Wendy Stewart Dumfries and Galloway Branch Sheona Ure Edinburgh Branch Rachel Hill Glasgow Branch Helen Skuodas Highland Branch Mairi Macleod Isle of Lewis Branch Charles Hope London & SE Branch Irene Watt North East Scotland Branch Morag Pugh Northumbrian Branch Joan Dearnley Transpennine Branch Susan Berry Wales Branch Suzanne Allen Wire Branch Elected members Helen Forster / Corrina Hewat / Karen Marshalsay Isobel Mieras / Susanne Lloyd-Jones / Heather Yule Hon. Secretary Mary Scott Hon. Treasurer Andrew Melville Hon. Life Members Kate Gray / Anne Macdearmid / Elizabeth Matthews / Isobel Mieras Hon. Life Associate Prof. Edward Witsenburg National Office Administrators: Catriona Smith Eleanor Thom Address: Studio G43 Out of the Blue Drill Hall 36 Dalmeny Street Edinburgh EH6 8RG Phone: 0131 554 0212 Email: office@clarsachsociety.co.uk Web: www.clarsachsociety.co.uk

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Standing Committees

(at 31st August 2017)

Finance and Administration Committee Jennifer Port (Convenor) Laurina Strachan (Vice-Convenor) Mary Scott (Hon. Secretary) Andrew Melville (Hon. Treasurer) John Macleod (Gaelic Adviser) EIHF Committee Mary Scott (Co-ordinator) Patsy Seddon (Joint Artistic Adviser) Isobel Mieras (Joint Artistic Adviser) John Macleod (Gaelic Adviser) Rachel Hair Katie Harrigan Stephanie Harrison- Boond Douglas Kerr Annette Lambourne Mary Macmaster Anthony Spiers Laurina Strachan Jennifer Port (ex officio) Sheona Ure Music Committee Jennifer Port (Convenor) Laurina Strachan (Vice-Convenor) Mary Scott (Hon. Secretary) John Macleod (Gaelic Adviser) Mairi Macleod Isobel Mieras Margaret Collin Charlotte Petersen Heather Yule Gwen Yorke Toni Russell

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Notice of Annual General Meeting

80th Annual General Meeting of

The Clarsach Society - Comunn na Clàrsaich

will be held at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival,

Merchiston Castle School, 294 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH13 0PU

Monday 2nd

April at 7pm

1. Apologies for absence

2. Approval of the Minutes of the 79th Annual General Meeting held on 3rd April 2017

3. Matters arising

4. Adoption of the Annual Report for the year 2016-17

5. Convenor's remarks

6. Election of Convenor, Vice-Convenor and other members of the Executive Council

7. Any other business

8. Date of next meeting

Mary Scott, Hon. Secretary

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Foreword

Once again, the AGM was held during the Edinburgh International Harp Festival and was well attended. Feedback from members is that it is convenient to coincide the AGM with the Festival; the positive impact upon attendance is encouraging. Janette Bain, Vice-Convenor of The Clarsach Society for over 4 years, retired from her post. Janette has worked tirelessly for The Society during this time, volunteering in the office and sitting on many committee meetings. I would personally like to thank Janette for everything she has done, and continues to do, for The Clarsach Society. Thankfully, an equally hardworking and enthusiastic Vice-Convenor has been appointed and I welcome Laurina Strachan to her new role. I am excited about working alongside Laurina and I know The Society will benefit from the many strengths that she will bring to the role. There have been staffing changes too and I would like to thank Eleanor Marshall, who left her role as our administrator at the end of 2016, for the work she did for The Clarsach Society. Some temporary staff helped keep the office running, alongside an army of our member volunteers until two new administrators, Catriona Smith and Eleanor Thom, were appointed at the end of May 2017 and began working for us the following month. Their work is first class and The Society is delighted to have secured them as employees. Thank you for re-electing me as Convenor. I strive to do my best for The Society despite my busy home-life. Graeme and I were delighted to welcome our third daughter, Alyth, into the world in July and we’re glad our children will join all our members across the 13 branches of The Society. I would like to thank all members and committees for their support and hard work. Please get in touch with me if you have any questions or suggestions regarding The Clarsach Society. Looking forward, we all have a responsibility to safeguard the future of The Society and with that in mind, please share the word and recruit new members where possible. Thank you. Jennifer Port, Convenor

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Argyll Branch Convenor Ania Zwozdiak Email: argyllbranch@gmail.com Secretary Alicia Chapple Email: argyllbranch@gmail.com Treasurer Jenny Bowles Email: argyllbranch@gmail.com The Argyll Branch has enjoyed yet another busy year with a considerable increase in members for a small Branch. We have held regular monthly workshops tutored by Ingrid Henderson along with beginner classes in Mid-Argyll to support our new harp players. We were also delighted to welcome Isobel Mieras who comes across to tutor us every September. Her workshops are greatly enjoyed and she left us with some charming tunes to add to our repertoire. With our continued increase in membership and demand for harps to hire, we were very pleased to take possession of a new Starfish harp earlier this year which is now being enjoyed by one of our members. Some of our members organised a ‘Come and Try’ at Dunollie Castle, near Oban for their open day, where we enjoyed regular visitors to our clarsach gazebo throughout the day. A number of us also performed at the Taynult Ceilidh which we try and support on an annual basis. Despite our nerves, we played well and received many compliments on our ensemble arrangements. The Friendship Group in Oban invited us to play some tunes and enjoy afternoon tea with them earlier this year. Fond of a good sing song, the group joined in with a lovely version of “The Eriskay Love Lilt” and were keen to find out more about our branch and the history of the clarsach. “Fyne Class Act”, a newly formed clarsach group, took to the stage at the Tarbert Feis’ Ceilidh in June. Our new members overcame their performance nerves and opened the evening with some confident playing of traditional tunes which was greeted with great applause. This year we have had a major change of office bearers, with Moira Dunlop (Convenor) and Irene Partidge (Treasurer) standing down after many years in post. It is due to the hard work and commitment of Moira and Irene that the Argyll Branch has continued to thrive and for this, our members would like to acknowledge their huge contribution and express our sincere gratitude for all that they have done over the years.

Alicia Chapple, Secretary

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Bristol & West of England Branch

Convenor Julia Hammersley, 40 Raglan Road, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8EG Tel: 01179 243874 Email: juliahammersley@yahoo.co.uk Secretary Catherine Dack, 96 Swallow Park, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 1LU Tel: 01454 419673 Email: cath@bullgod.co.uk Website facebook.com/BristolAndWestOfEnglandClarsachSociety

This year has been a quieter one for the Bristol and West of England Branch. Though we have a reasonable number of members in our Branch, getting a good attendance at events has been difficult and we are also suffering from a depleted Committee and are in need of new officers. The most urgent need this year has been for someone to administer the hire of our three Branch harps, which are our most significant source of income, enabling us to subsidise workshops and offer them at a very reasonable price. I hope that we shall be successful in finding someone this coming year to help out. In our dreams, we have visions of expanding our stock of hire harps and thereby our income, so that we can offer more harping events in the region, but at present we just need someone to help out on a small scale!

In the autumn, we were lucky to have a most wonderful workshop with Robin Ward, where we learned four early music pieces. The numbers attending were low but happily bolstered by some Wales Branch members, and all attendees found the day very worthwhile and inspirational and we look forward to inviting Robin back in the future.

It was very encouraging to see some new members at this year’s AGM in October, though unfortunately we didn’t really have enough committee members present to move forward with many decisions.

We have continued this year with our harp-playing evenings in Bristol, led by our Convenor, Julia. Again, the attendance has not been high, but those who go enjoy them a great deal.

We were pleased to sponsor a workshop at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival this year; 'Early Music' with Cheryl Ann Fulton, and one or two of our members managed to make the long journey north to attend the Festival.

Looking forward to 2017-18, we are hoping that we can find ways to garner more interest for activities and events and enjoy a fuller year.

Catherine Dack, Secretary

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Dumfries and Galloway Branch

Convenor Wendy Stewart, Snademill Cottage, Dunscore DG2 0XA Tel: 01387 820 241 Email: wendy@snademill.co.uk Secretary Pauline Johnstone Email: johnstones2@aol.com

We`ve had a busy year here in this beautiful corner of Scotland, with members playing at many events from regular care home visits to the Big Lit Festival.

Though we have not held a guest tutor workshop we were delighted that some members could make it to Heather Downie`s great workshop at Moniaive Folk Festival on lever techniques and other quirky tricks – much fun was had!

Since the start of the new year we have been especially busy learning not only a varied repertoire of music but also a composition of my own titled ‘Ae Spark o’ Nature`s Fire’ which I was commissioned to write as part of Moniaive and Glencairn Creative Place Award.

Branch members launched into this with gusto and, with the wonderful help of stalwart player, Mary Wislon, found their way into quite a tricky 10 minute piece, scored for harps, handbells, autoharps and saxophone! We have performed this, to rapturous applause, at the grand opening concert of the Cairn Chorus Song Cycle as part of the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival. We have another concert planned for late September and have recorded a version to go on a forthcoming CD of the whole project.

A purely harp version also formed part of the programme when the Branch hosted Harpa – a group of players from the USA in May at a concert at Mill on the Fleet. What a great day this was, with much laughter and mutual appreciation of the joys of harping. The American group included such luminaries as Sue Richards, Beth Kolle, Therese Honey and Jen Narkevicius along with amateur players who loved their tour of Scotland.

After an eventful stay in Moniaive, where they were serenaded by local piper Scottie over breakfast, and had a day`s sightseeing, we also held a harp heavy session that night, or heavy harp as it was earlier described!

Our younger players continue to enjoy using their music in many ways, from Burns competitions to Shakespeare`s Twelfth Night and we aim to encourage more youngsters to join the Branch by running fun harp days over the winter. Hopefully they will swell our numbers by the time a collaboration concert titled “Fèis: The Music” happens in November at Theatre Royal in Dumfries. This will be in association with The Border and Strathspey and Reel Society, a local Gaelic choir and Fèis an Iar Dheas – the most southerly Fèis in Scotland!

Wendy Stewart, Convenor

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Edinburgh Branch

Convenor Annette Lambourne Secretary Emeline Javierre Email: clarsachsedinburgh@gmail.com Website www.facebook.com/clarsachedinburgh It is my first year as Convenor of the Edinburgh Branch and as such it is my pleasure to write this piece for the Annual Report. It has been a good year for the Branch with memberships remaining steady and all our activities being well attended. Our established programme includes a “Burn’s Bash” to celebrate the Bard’s Birthday and this year was no exception with Patsy Seddon as our guest tutor. She taught us her arrangement of “A Man’s a Man for A’ That” and another piece, “Gloomy December“ and the afternoon ended with the Haggis, Neeps and Tatties being proudly marched in and addressed very eloquently by Isobel Meiras. It was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Our other annual events are the “Harps of Gold” Concert with the George Watson’s Caritas Choir, and Festival Fringe concerts with the Lothian Gaelic Choir and Friends. These are wonderful occasions and require much preparation and practise to ensure that they are both musically delightful and good fun too. At the first of our Festival Fringe concerts we had Chris Stout and Catriona McKay playing a wide range of inspiring music that kept our toes tapping. In our second concert, an amazing amount of talented young people showed off their skills, and in our third concert our guests the Lothian Gaelic Choir and Yi Dong playing the zheng along with the Na Clarsairean orchestra providing a true Scottish flavour with a distinct and highly enjoyable difference. Our joint meetings with other Branches are always looked forward to and this year was no exception. The meeting, hosted by the Edinburgh Branch was with the Northumberland Branch, took place in October at Paxton House near Berwick-upon-Tweed. We had a record number of people attending and enjoyed the music and of course the tea, scones and best of all the chat at lunch. A meeting with the Glasgow Branch was also hosted by us in November and we were delighted to welcome our tutors Mary MacMaster and Corrina Hewat. Both these tutors are very active, play all over the country and are well known for their skills and expert playing and teaching, as well as their involvement in the Edinburgh International Harp Festival. We had a great day with lots of laughter, concentration and of course the tea and cakes to keep us going. Our usual venue at Craiglockhart Church was closed for a short time for refurbishment, and that meant we had to try to get other venues for our practices, which was a bit of a challenge. Not all venues have good acoustics, however it was worth the effort as we are now back in our usual venue and the changes to the building have made quite a difference. I would like to thank some people for their dedication and support. Rena Mitchell was our Membership Secretary but due to personal circumstances had to stand down. She organised all our memberships and kept the database up to date for many years. Thanks too to our members for all their involvement and enthusiasm, the committee for all their hard work and planning, Isobel Meiras our Musical Director, and Christine Macleod who comes along every practice and makes wonderful shortbread for us. I would also like to mention all the people who volunteer to be stewards at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival. Although not a Branch activity, many of the volunteers come from the Branch as well as from other Branches, and indeed all over the world. This year there were new systems in place that provided smoother registration and booking-office sales, but these were not without their challenges! Everyone made a huge effort to embrace the changes and did an amazing job. As with every Branch, it is volunteers who make them work. Without their hard work the Branch wouldn’t be what it is – a great Branch but also a part of a great Society. Annette Lambourne, Convenor

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Glasgow Branch

Convenor Grace Guse, 145 Springkell Ave, Glasgow, G41 4EY Tel: 07850909899 Email: grace@eriskaycottage.co.uk Secretary Nancy Sim, 12 Briarwell Road, Milngavie Glasgow G62 6AW Tel: 07881881102 Website www.harpsglasgow.com This has been an exciting, busy year for the Glasgow Branch. Our regular monthly workshops have continued as normal and we have a new venue, Nuffield Health Milngavie. It wasn’t an easy decision to move away from Partick, but in the end the smart accommodation, plentiful parking and affordable price persuaded us to move.

Before Christmas we were taught by Ruth Mackay, Gwen Yorke, Esther Swift, Ciorstaidh Beaton, Rachel Hair and Savourna Stevenson. At our joint workshop with the Edinburgh Branch in November the tutors were Mary MacMaster and Corrina Hewat. Since the New Year we have had Fiona Rutherford, Pippa Reid Foster, Patsy Seddon, Becky Hill, Lucie Hendry, Mischa Macpherson and return visits from Ruth Mackay and Mary Macmaster (who composed the Liberton Lullaby for the occasion!)

Following on from last year’s awareness raising event, this year we held an extra workshop in Renfield St. Stevens Church with American singer songwriter Gillian Grassie. We are in the process of organising a special workshop for children. We hope these extra events will involve more Clarsach players in our Branch.

In April, many of our members took part in the Edinburgh International Harp Festival. We all had a wonderful time, enjoying courses, workshops and concerts- especially our own Rachel Hair’s concert which we sponsored.

In April we bought another harp, and the Branch now has 6 harps, all of which are rented out. Not only do the hire harps bring in income, but they also enable new players to decide if this is the instrument for them.

As we look forward to next year we hope to continue to support our members and also promote Clarsach playing in our community.

Grace Guse, Convenor

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Highland Branch

Convenor Isbel Pendlebury Email: isbel.pendlebury@gmail.com Secretary Helen Skuodas, Holfield, Main Street, Newtonmore, PH20 1DR Tel: 01540 673694 Email: skuodas.helen@gmail.com Website www.spanglefish.com/highlandbranchoftheclarsachsociety/ www.facebook.com/Highland-Branch-of-the-Clarsach-Society-176197269138369/ We have had a busy year in the Highland Branch. We welcomed renowned harpist Cheyenne Brown onto the committee, a definite asset to the team, along with Caithness-based Susanne Lloyd Jones who joined in March. Local harpist Isbel Pendlebury took over as Convenor of the Branch from Mari Todd, who we would like to thank for all her hard work over the past few years in this position. We were thrilled for Branch Treasurer Emma Wright who had a healthy baby boy in October and still manages to continue sorting our finances!

Emma worked hard building links with Highlife Highland who offer traditional music classes in various locations. They had yet to offer Clarsach classes in Inverness and Emma did a fabulous job in instigating this collaboration with the Clarsach Society. Tutor Isbel Pendlebury led these weekly classes from August till December. They were very successful and we hope to continue the partnership.

To encourage beginners, tutor Cheyenne organised a free “Come and Try” day in January open to all ages. There was a great turn out. In Caithness, committee member Susan Lloyd-Jones organised a “Cream Tea and Clarsachs” event, a great way to showcase the clarsach along with giving her pupils a chance to perform.

The committee were keen to offer workshops for those wishing to improve their playing. From January to March a series of three workshops were offered culminating in a concert at the RNI chapel in Inverness. We were thrilled with the turnout and the final concert was a great chance for participants to perform and hear music from tutors Cheyenne and Isbel. This is something we hope to offer again next year.

The RNI chapel is an ideal location for concerts and we were delighted to welcome previous member Fraya Thompsen for a workshop and concert in June. After her workshop, she performed a solo version of her Celtic Connections composition “Community and Stardust”. Thank you Fraya, we hope you will come back soon.

We are glad to support the Clarsach Competition at the Inverness Music Festival and were impressed at the number of entrants this year. They all performed to a high standard and it’s so nice to see different members from across the Highlands meeting. We also chose to sponsor local harpist Bill Taylor in his workshop at the Edinburgh Harp Festival. Looking forward, we are excited by the prospect of a concert and workshop later this year with Bill and Turkish harpist Sirin Pancaroglu. Then in September a concert with Heather Yule followed by the Cromarty Harp weekend run by Corrina Hewat.

Sadly we must also share the news that Flora Brill, a committed member of The Clarsach Society, who held one of The Highland Branch's longest-standing memberships, passed away peacefully on August 23rd at the age of one hundred and one. Her love of the clarsach was with her till her very last days, and she will be fondly remembered and missed by many who played music with her and performed for her.

Sadly we must also share the news that Flora Brill, a committed member of The Clarsach Society who held one of The Highland Branch's longest-standing memberships, passed away peacefully on August 23rd at the age of one hundred and one. Her love of the clarsach was with her till her very last days, and she will be fondly remembered and missed by many who played music with her and performed for her.

Isbel Pendlebury, Convenor

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Isle of Lewis Branch

Convenor Janet F. Cameron, 6A Melbost, Point, Isle of Lewis /Secretary Tel: 01851 704651 Email: janet_f_cameron@yahoo.co.uk Website www.lewisharpgroup.com In many ways this session seems to have flown by but equally it seems ages ago since we were working towards the Mòd that was held last October in Stornoway. Our preparations started off in early summer so that we could take part in a Pre Mòd Ceilidh along with Carloway Gaelic Choir at the beginning of August. The idea was that we could try out in front of a live audience our Mòd pieces and hopefully get rid of our nerves before the big event! Our Branch Ensemble entered the Pilgrim Trophy and although we were the only group to compete we had a very positive and encouraging report from the adjudicator Isobel Mieras. Most of our members have not been playing for long so this was very heartening and a real boost for their morale. The Branch had also four individual entries so well done to Mairi Anna Binns who won the Juvenile Introductory Class and Cara MacLachlan who came third. Claire Whyman came first in the Adult Elementary Class and Janet Cameron was placed second in the same competition.

Before our AGM last September we publicised an open practise session to try to encourage new members. In December, the Ensemble played some of their Mòd pieces and a few carols at a Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch. This was well received. In February we also entertained the residents of one of the Residential Homes for the Elderly in Stornoway and also a Care Home for People with Special Needs – a very humbling experience! We hope to repeat these visits in the years to come.

We have continued to meet monthly on a Saturday afternoon and have thoroughly enjoyed playing together, getting to know each other better and often enjoying a sumptuous afternoon tea as well! We are slowly building up a repertoire of pieces and learning different harp techniques.

We are a relatively small Branch with only twelve adult members and three juvenile members but our members continue to show a great enthusiasm and passion for the harp. We were able to purchase a new harp this year giving us a total of ten harps which are available for hire on the Outer Hebrides. You can read more about us on Facebook at Comunn Clarsaich Leòdhais. Through Maìri Macleod’s excellent teaching and her ability to challenge everyone at their own stage of development, we are continuing to attract new members to our Branch and it is good to realise that once more the Clarsach is heard on the Isle of Lewis.

Janet Cameron, Convener and Secretary

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London and South-East Branch

Convenor Felicity Merchant, 34 Stockcross, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 8JX Secretary Anne Chorley, 5 Church Walk, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 1HJ Tel: 01787 378640 Email: secretarylondonse@clarsachsociety.co.uk Website www.clarsachsoclondon.co.uk www.facebook.com/CISoc.LSE This year our Branch again organised two residential weekend courses. The Clarsach Course, which has now become an established annual event, took place in October at Benslow Music in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, and as our tutors we welcomed back Patsy Seddon, alongside Hattie Webb, who was teaching for our branch for the first time. As in previous years, this course was very successful and enjoyable.

The second of our residential courses took place over the midsummer weekend in June, at St Columba’s in Woking, which has become one of our favourite venues. At this course we were pleased to have Lucy Bunce and Lily Neill as our tutors. Lucy gave us lots of ideas about how to arrange accompaniments for singing with the harp, and Lily taught us some challenging technical exercises and a Lithuanian waltz. Lily also taught a workshop for us in Kent in October.

In Hampshire/Berkshire we have an established group of members living locally who meet on a regular basis. During the year, as well as meeting for informal playing sessions, this group attended a Colombian music workshop taught by Diego Laverde, organised a joint meeting with a group for dulcimer players, and put on a concert of ‘Carols with Harps’ in December.

Other local playing groups continued to meet more or less regularly in Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey, Hertfordshire, and Birmingham, where Robin Ward has been running regular workshops for intermediate players.

During the year we sponsored Bill Taylor’s concert at the Harp on Wight festival in October, as well as both Diego Laverde’s Latin harp workshop and John Hoare’s harp maintenance workshop at Edinburgh International Harp Festival.

Our membership numbers have remained at a similar level to previous years, and the majority of our Branch hire harps have been out on hire throughout the year.

Anne Chorley, Secretary

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North East Scotland Branch

Convenor Iain McFadden, Tintagel, 36 Victoria Street, Stonehaven, AB39 2LH Tel: 01569 766200 Email: skirlie@uwclub.net Honorary Secretary Pamela McFadden, Tintagel, 36 Victoria Street, Stonehaven, AB39 2LH Tel: 01569 766200 Email: pamelamc@uwclub.net Website www.facebook.com/ClarsachNorthEast It has been a difficult year for the North East Branch and we have struggled with getting members to commit to attend events. The committee has endeavoured to come up with new ideas but alas commitment from our members has been discouraging. Perhaps it’s just that people are very busy and our suggested dates didn’t suit. However, it has not been all doom and gloom and there are lots of positives.

Again our membership has remained constant. At last year’s AGM we welcomed back our original Musical Director, Irene Watt from her travels in Qatar.

We had our annual fundraising ceilidh which wasn’t as profitable as previous events but we made the decision to purchase a second Clarsach to hire out as we had had a few enquiries from potential new players. Thankfully both instruments are on permanent hire – one to our youngest member who is only 5 years old.

Harps of Gold was, as always, a great success. This year’s concert was no exception raising the roof and at the same time raising an amazing £850 for the Grampian Children’s Bereavement Network.

A big highlight for the Branch was that one of our members, the very talented Rachel Groves, was the winner of this year’s Young Composer Award with her composition “Sun, Moon and Stars” which was written for clarsach and pedal harp. She began the pedal harp a year and a half ago and has lessons with Sharron Griffiths, at the Junior Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. Rachel and one of our other members, Gina Gallacher, performed the piece at the Sunday afternoon concert at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival 2017. In December 2016 Rachel was named a joint winner of the Times’ Carol Competition and performed her piece with the Bach Choir in London.

For the first time this year we held a summer afternoon tea and informal concert fundraising event. Several of our members performed through the afternoon along with members from the Mearns Choir. Our members donated home bakes for the teas and we had craft stalls. It was a very successful afternoon and there was lots of positive feedback.

This will be the last report that I write for the North East Branch as I will be resigning as secretary at our AGM in September due to picking up my bagpipes after 20 years of not playing! I would like once again to thank our committee for all their hard work and efforts.

Pamela McFadden, Honorary Secretary

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Northumbrian Branch

Convenor Sarah Grabham Tel: 0191 4785313 Email: sarahgrabham@yahoo.co.uk Secretary Morag Pugh Tel: 01670 772234 Email: moragpugh@hotmail.com Website www.clarsachnorthumbria.co.uk We have had a very enjoyable year. Our activities fall into three main categories: regular meetings and annual special occasions; workshops we organise with visiting tutors; and playing in public.

This year’s regular meetings have been successful and mostly very well attended. Once a month we run a workshop with a local tutor. This is free to members and covers a range of ability. It is particularly appreciated by those who do not have private lessons. Our Music Director, Janet Bennett, co-ordinates the tutors and sorts the music. On the third Monday of each month we have a session for more advanced players.

Foremost among our annual occasions is the joint meeting with the Edinburgh Branch. This year it was hosted by Edinburgh in the delightful Paxton House. Jan and Isobel brought lovely new tunes for us – including “Pothole Polka” by Isobel, which brilliantly evokes senior citizens dealing with a bumpy bus ride. We also had an enjoyable Christmas jam session playing carols followed by a celebration lunch.

We had three workshops this year. Charlotte Petersen brought a wealth of wonderful music for us to play. We held our regular Beginners’ Workshop with Janet Bennett, including a children’s session in the afternoon. Finally we held the annual joint workshop with Isobel Mieras and Janet Bennett. The music is beautiful and playable – it includes tunes composed by Jan for her grandchildren. The workshops were very well attended.

Our group, Harps Northumbria, has been busy. Among several ‘gigs’, we played for Craster WI Christmas celebration, and recently the Flower Festival at Wooler Church. Performing is good for us – it concentrates the mind wonderfully and forces us to listen to each other. It is also fun – which is the whole point of our Society!

Sadly Biddy Tweddle, a founder member of our Branch, died in May. She was Convenor for many years; her enthusiasm and energy nurtured the Branch in its early years. When she became too frail to play her harp, she donated it to the Branch and we treasure it. She was held in great affection by all who knew her.

All our activities depend on the hard work and expertise of our committee. Morag Pugh, our Secretary, is calmly efficient and puts in countless hours making everything run smoothly. Claire Steel is Treasurer and takes bookings for courses, Miye Lee keeps track of the membership. Margaret Thompson organises public playing. David Walker (Vice-Convenor) curates our archives. Jacqui Deans has the tremendously time-consuming job of harp hire. Janet Bennett is our fantastic music advisor, and Christine Cowan, Treasurer for many years, hosts our meetings and gives us wise advice based on her experience. All bring excellent ideas to meetings and help at every event. You couldn’t ask for a better group of people; heartfelt thanks.

Sarah Grabham, Convener

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Argyll Branch “Fyne Class Act” opening the Tarbert Ceilidh (from left to right) Ola Szim, Jenny Carlile, Alicia

Chapple, Jayne Jones and Tony Jones

Bristol and West of England Branch workshop with Robin Ward (from left to right) Frances Younson, Catherine Dack, Marie Carson (Wales Branch), Robin Ward, Gareth Swindail-Parry (Wales Branch)

Dumfries & Galloway Branch (from left to right) Heather Downie, Hilary Hawker, Angela Pearcey, and Mary Wislon – though only her harp!

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Edinburgh Branch Performance at Fringe Festival 2017 conducted by Isobel Mieras

Glasgow Branch enjoying their new venue in Milngavie

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Highland Branch (from left to right) Katie Ferguson, Marian Waumsley, Isbel Pendlebury, Susanne Lloyd-Jones,

Cheyenne Brown, Patsy Burr, Helen Skudos and Maureen Marshall

Isle of Lewis Branch (from left to right) Alison Tyler, Fiona MacKenzie, Mairi Anna Binns, Helen Oldfield, Jann Skelly, Claire Whyman, Janet Cameron, Mairi Macleod, Cara MacLachlan, Barbara Ziehm, Janet Moores, Calum Macleod

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London & South East Branch (from left to right) Ursula Grainger, Patsy Seddon and Maureen O’Sullivan

North East Scotland Branch Christine Edwards tutoring Iona McFadden

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Northumbrian Branch When we play in public, everyone is fascinated by the instruments.

Transpennine Branch public recital at Cliffe Castle in Keighley in June

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Wales Branch members meet at Pentrecwrt Village Hall for an ensemble practise led by their Convener, Judith Hannington

Wire Branch (from left to right) Michael Haisch, Hilary Macleod, Anne Cairns, Bill Taylor, Miriam Dilworth, Daniel Hintermann and Rachel Hunter

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Transpennine Branch

Vice-Convenor Stella Gurney Email: stellaclairegurney@gmail.com General Secretary Claire Dale Membership Secretary Susan Carr Email: susan.carr3@btopenworld.com Website www.transpennineharps.org.uk It’s been a busy year for the group, with twenty-three new members. We have continued to offer a mixed programme of events, and completed our first public performance as a group. We continue to operate without a Convenor so the responsibilities of the role are split out across the Committee but we’ve found this works well and we communicate regularly by email in between Committee meetings.

The group tuition sessions with Eira Lynne Jones that began earlier in 2016, carried on in the autumn. Eira gave us a great start and introduced us to Lucy Nolan, one of her talented post-graduate students. Lucy agreed to tutor a series of sessions running from February to June, and the format of improvers, mixed ability orchestra and advanced sessions has provided something for everyone. Members could also book private lessons with Lucy, which was useful for those who don’t have access to another tutor.

Lucy did a wonderful job of inspiring and shaping us and we mastered some lovely new pieces such as “Flight of the Mountain Bluebird”, “Star of the County Down” and “Harps of the Four Corners”. Over twenty members attended sessions and fourteen took part in our concert at Cliffe Castle, which was a great success. Committee members had done a wonderful job liaising with the museum and we commanded an audience of around one hundred people. The programme of music comprised ensemble pieces as well as solos, pieces by a trio and advanced group pieces. It was certainly an experience taking part – especially for those who hadn’t performed in public before.

We have also offered workshops with guest tutors – a highly enjoyable day in October with Rachel Hair, and in March Gillian Fleetwood visited for a day of Scottish music – and a number of more informal play togethers including our now traditional New Year party. A harp technician from Teifi offered harp servicing and regulation on all makes of harp.

An exciting development is the formation of a group in Old Malton organised by Annie Jones. This provides a more convenient location for some of our members and has encouraged new members to join our Branch.

The Committee will shortly be updating members on events for the rest of 2017 into 2018 – our next newsletter will be sent out in August. We encourage members to follow our Facebook page for up-to-date information. We look forward to another year of harping.

Stella Gurney, Vice-Convenor

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Wales Branch

Convenor Judith Hannington, Penralltgeler, Llangeler, Llandysul, Carmarthenshire, SA44 5ES Tel: 01559 370580 Email: clarsachwalesbranch@gmail.com Secretary Sheila Evans-Pritchard, Riverside Mill, Pentrefelin, Cellan, Lampeter, SA48 8HY Tel: 01570 493177 E-mail:secretary.clarsachwales@gmail.com Website www.facebook.com/The-Clarsach-Society-Wales-Branch We ended last year looking forward to testing our ensemble skills and trying to remember the 'Golden Rules' of playing together. Well, they were indeed well tested at Aberglasney Gardens in September when a small group of our members accompanied the Diocesan Choirs and also played out in the sunshine for visitors to the Garden. A thoroughly well enjoyed day! A good number of our Branch members attended this year's Edinburgh International Harp Festival and as always, really enjoyed the opportunity to learn from different tutors and to hear such a variety of harp playing styles and genres in the concerts. In addition to catching up with friends it was also the opportunity to make contact with tutors for Branch workshops, laying down the foundations for future plans. We welcomed Sixto and Juanco Corbalan back to the Branch in November for a fabulous day of Paraguayan music - they never fail to teach us in an entertaining and enthusiastic manner, even as we had to unexpectedly share the hall with the local knitting machine club! Susan kindly led us in a Christmas 'get together' workshop in December and this was followed by a New Year workshop with local harpist and Branch friend, Shelley Fairplay. She taught us a few of her new compositions and arrangements in preparation for her weekend of harping at the National Botanic Garden of Wales - more on that next year. In May we welcomed Lily Neill to the Branch for the first time - kindly 'delivered' to us by Harriet Earis. She taught a techniques and tunes workshop where our posture, hand positions, and quality of sound were thoroughly examined and hopefully for all, improved. In between these tutored workshops we have had several Branch ensemble sessions with the intention of readying ourselves for some more 'out and abouts'. We are playing at The National Woollen Museum for a couple of dates in the Autumn to coincide with specific events they have planned, hopefully to be enjoyed by visitors to the museum but also with the intention of attracting new potential members to our Branch.

Judith Hannington, Convenor

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Wire Branch

Convenor/Secretary Laurina Strachan, Renagour, Station Road, Plains. ML6 7JB Email: wirebranch@gmail.com The Wire Branch held seven workshops in Edinburgh between September and June. They were lead by Bill Taylor, and welcomed players of all sizes of wire-strung harps, at all levels; gut-strung harps were also welcome. The workshops were generously hosted by Tony and Miriam Dilworth at their home, where Branch members have met for many years. We explored traditional and historical music, arranged by Bill.

A new feature of the workshop was a thirty-minute session for beginners and new players, intended to support those unfamiliar with notation, giving a preview of the music studied at the main workshop. This encouraged several less-experienced players to attend and remain with the group for the afternoon.

One theme of the workshop repertoire was spinning and weaving songs from Scotland and Ireland. These included arrangements of Alison Kinnaird’s “Kilbarchan Weaver”; spinning songs from South Uist collected by Margaret Fay Shaw, “Three Loobeens” (‘lúibín’) from Bunting’s “Ancient Music of Ireland”; and six spinning songs from Petri’s “Complete Collection of Irish Music”.

Bill created a special arrangement for the Christmas season of the medieval German carol “In Dulci Jubilo” with variations. After the New Year, we reviewed the spinning songs, and included an arrangement of the untitled (A Scots Tune) from Lady Jane Pickering’s lute book, along with a counter-melody composed by Hilary Macleod, a member of the group.

Bill arranged some English and French medieval songs, and he composed an independent counter-melody, allowing for players at different levels to choose from several parts. For each song, Bill provided hand-outs showing the original medieval manuscripts and discussed the notation.

In the summer the group looked at two songs from the “Scots Musical Museum” (1787-1803). This huge collection of six hundred songs is a treasure trove of Scottish music, much of which is unknown nowadays. The group is hoping to change all of that, learning “Were na my Heart light” and “Afton Water” in arrangements with separate parts for melody and accompaniment.

The season’s final workshop, in June, was followed by a delicious meal provided by Miriam Dilworth.

We say a fond farewell to Karen Marshalsay who, after many years of effort, is stepping down from official duties and leaving the Branch. Karen unstintingly supported us with her dedication, professionalism and energy on a wide range of activities, including our Branch and Facebook page. We thank her wholeheartedly.

Finally, due to my other Clarsach Society commitments, I am stepping down as Convenor of the Branch and look forward to handing over to a new Convenor and team who will continue to support Wire-harp activities.

Laurina Strachan, Convenor

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36th Edinburgh International Harp Festival Report The Festival concert programme covered a wide range from the performance by over sixty children of school age on Magic of the Harp to the French chamber music concert by Catrin Finch and Mr McFall’s.

Magic of the Harp took the form of a story written and told by Heather Yule with the help of Mairi Macleod’s Gaelic lines, integrating music and song played by the children to illustrate the excitement, sorrow, magic and even the happy ending to the story. Heather, Charlotte Petersen and Isobel Mieras supplied the music which was directed by Isobel Mieras and Rosemary Mckerchar. The children, aged from 7 -19, who took part came from all over Scotland. The soloist at the concert was 15 year old Mod prizewinner Anna Nicneacail sponsored by The Royal National Mod and we also enjoyed a set of tunes from students at the Junior Conservatoire of Scotland led by Jessica Burton.

Catrin Finch’s performance included much loved and well know pieces by Debussy and Ravel as well as the lesser known Conte Fantastique by Andre Caplet, on this occasion accompanied by the narrative from Edgar Alan Poe’s Masque of the Red Death, which was Caplet’s inspiration for the piece, read by Gillean McDougall. With suitable —but subtle –lighting effects, it was a riveting and exciting performance.

We celebrated Irish music with Laiose Kelly’s Albiez Tro , Italian music with Adriano Sangineto and sister Caterina, and Breton with Triston Le Govic’s Trio and Francois Pernel, all with their own personal and contemporary touches. In the Breton concert the exploratory, ground breaking music of Francois was complemented by the exuberance of the aptly named Trio, Dans—who had the audience dancing in an atmosphere of sheer joy. In the middle of the performance, Patsy Seddon, Mary Macmaster and Corrina Hewat joined Tristan and François in a moving tribute to the late Kristen Nogues.

Scotland was well represented. The Sunday evening concert began with Clarsach player Mairi Chaimbeul, originally from Skye, combining her considerable talents with those of fiddler Jenna Moynihan. Both steeped in traditional music, they met while studying in Boston at Berklee and their arrangements are fresh, adventurous and exciting.

In the same concert, Corrina Hewat began the second half with a compelling and evocative solo performance skilfully building up with the addition first of harpist Heather Downie, then incorporating the fiddle and voice of Kate Young and the percussion and voice of Signy Jakobsdottir into a superb melange of sounds. Most of the music was Corrina’s own, celebrating and paying tribute to people she has known throughout the years.

We were proud to present the winner of our Young Composer Award, Rachel Groves, at our Sunday afternoon concert where she was joined by Gina Gallacher in her piece for pedal harp and clarsach. The concert was completed by Cheryl Ann Fulton from USA playing contemporary music by composers from California. Cheryl was joined by 2 of her students, Jennifer Hurley and Catherine Stiles and singer Susan Rhode Morris in pieces inspired by the Arizona Desert, the Alaskan Wilderness and even The Lord of the Rings.

Our Afternoon Tea concert featured students from all over the world, currently studying traditional music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in a delightful and stimulating mix of solos and ensembles mostly arranged and composed by themselves. The concert began with a solo performance from Ciorstaidh Beaton, originally from Skye, delighting, charming and moving us with her own compositions and arrangements.

Wednesday afternoon saw the concert in which we regularly present the Festival Orchestra, Edinburgh’s own harp ensemble, na Clarsairean, augmented by festival students, this year from Scotland, the rest of UK, Korea and Japan. They closed the concert with a polished performance of Isobel Mieras’s suite The Megget Valley. The concert opened with an intriguing and fascinating performance of medieval music on historical harps by Angelorum, a ten strong ensemble from California. With singer Susan Rhode Morris and directed by Cheryl Ann Fulton, they evoked the ancient sounds of monastery and cathedral in the Memorial Hall. This was followed by a beautiful performance by Pippa Reid Foster of excerpts from her recent CD Driftwood Harp.

To close the Festival in style we invited Diego Laverde Rojas who brought his wonderful musical friends, Jeanette Rojas and Damilo Menjura, to play at our final concert. To the delight of the audience, they filled the stage with the sunny, rhythmic music and songs of his native Colombia, explained and introduced with good humour and much laughter-a hard act to follow! However, in the second half, the Rachel Hair Trio filled the bill

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to perfection. Rachel’s strong lead harp was perfectly complemented by Jenn Butterworth’s guitar and voice and the virtuoso bass playing of Cameron Maxwell as they swept the Festival to its conclusion with a great mix of old favourites in contemporary arrangements and sparkling new, but memorable, pieces.

At the very start of the Festival the opening gathering began with a reception with wine kindly supplied by the French Institute and a welcoming speech by our distinguished guest, Betty Matthews. Author Stuart Eydmann was on hand to sign copies of the newly published history of The Clarsach Society In Good Hands and we enjoyed Cameo performances from some of our Festival performers and teachers.

At Monday night’s ceilidh there was much enthusiastic fun and dancing to the music of Freeland Barbour and the Occasionals with the help of caller, Sheila McCutcheon.

Workshops

We offered three workshops on harp related topics each day except for Monday, when there were six, making eighteen in all.

Harps were welcome at six of them: The Latin Harp, Dephasage, Irish harp and Fiddle, Exploring Pibroch, Fingers, Feet, Heart:Cape Breton Step Dance and McMath: the Silent Page led respectively by Diego Laverde Rojas, Francois Pernel, Laouise Kelly with Tola Custy, Bill Taylor with Barnaby Brown, Dominique Dodge and Wendy Stewart.

Catrin Finch gave a Masterclass, Corrina Hewat taught Harmony Singing; Cheryl Ann Fulton covered The History of the Triple Harp. The Life and Work of Kristen Nogues was discussed by Tristan le Govic and Patsy Seddon, Mindfulness by Elinor Brown, Heloise Russell – Fergusson’ work by Stuart Eydmann and Helene Witcher, Fruitful Collaboration by Corrina Hewat and Mr McFalls’ Chamber, Acoustics by Murray Campbell while John Hoare demonstrated Harp Care and Maintenance. Ceilidh Dance was taught by Sheila McCutcheon, Breton Dance by Tristan Le Govic and Songs and Dances from Italy by Adriano and Caterina Sangineto

Courses

We offered twenty-nine 5-day courses at all levels from beginners to intermediate/advanced and included mixed abilities. There were two weekend courses covering elementary/intermediate and intermediate/advanced levels and three 3-day courses, two of which covered the same level. There were also two children’s 3-day courses for 5-8 years and 9-14 years. We offered come and try sessions on Wire Harp, Pedal Harp, Gaelic Song and Tin Whistle. Attendance at all was good with several courses being sold out.

The next Edinburgh International Harp Festival will take place at: Merchiston Castle School, March 30th- April 4th

Isobel Mieras & Patsy Seddon, Joint Artistic Advisers

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL HARP FESTIVAL

30 March - 4 APRIL 2018

MERCHISTON CASTLE SCHOOL, 294 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH13 0PU

www.harpfestival.co.uk

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Finance and Administration Committee Report

The Finance and Administration committee has met fewer times than normal over the past year due to increased demands and workload as a result of the staffing difficulties we have encountered recently. Please do not think this has resulted in other aspects of The Society suffering, as the F&A committee, plus other members have volunteered more of their time both remotely and in the office. The F&A committee were tasked with finding new staff which included writing job descriptions, advertising, reading CVs and applications, interviewing candidates, conducting staff inductions and ensuring the handover of temporary staff to new employees went without a hitch. To everyone who helped with this, I'd like to thank you very much. I'm delighted to say that our new employees: Catriona Smith and Eleanor Thom are hard working, knowledgeable and enthusiastic and already their contribution to the running of the National Office is considerable. I'm confident that the F&A committee have chosen the right staff for the job. I'm delighted to say that the F&A committee also made the decision to purchase six new clarsachs to further bolster the hire harp stock. These instruments were purchased in April 2017 and are all Camac Hermine harps. Another success story was the publishing of The Clarsach Society's new book 'In Good Hands' which was officially launched at this year's Edinburgh International Harp Festival. It was written by Stuart Eydmann but was only possible due to a large amount of time and effort from a handful of members: Laurina Strachan, Isobel Mieras, Mary Scott and John Macleod. This book is fantastic and I hope all members will purchase a copy. I welcome any member to get in touch should they have any questions for myself or the F&A Committee. I can be contacted at convenor@clarsachsociety.co.uk Jennifer Port, Finance and Administration Committee Convenor

Harp Hire Scheme

The Harp Hire Scheme remains central to the work of the Clarsach Society, encouraging new learners by facilitating access to harps at an affordable price, and generating income to support the Society’s workshops and performances. At the time of writing, we have 122 harps out on hire, which will generate over £35,000 for the Society per annum. In June 2017 The Clarsach Society's two new administrators, Catriona Smith and Eleanor Thom, began work in the National Office and took over the running of the Harp Hire Scheme. They will stay in touch with people on the waiting list to reassure them that they are moving up the list, which will hopefully reduce the number of withdrawals. Catriona and Eleanor will also ensure that hirers are always given a warm welcome when they come to collect their instruments. The National Office processed 49 new hire contracts since July 2016, with eight people on the current waiting list, which is meeting our projection of hirers having to wait 10-12 weeks for their harp. We have enabled five commercial hires since July 2016, which have brought in £325. We are very grateful to all of our volunteers who assist with harp hire by tuning the harps, checking them, and making any necessary adjustments when they are returned to us. This ensures that our harps are carefully maintained and always ready to make a good first impression when they go out on hire again. Eleanor Thom, Administrator

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Music Committee Report As usual, the Music Committee has met twice over the last year in May & November and has discussed all musical matters including the Young Composer Award, the annual scholarships and the Royal National Mòd. We are in regular contact with An Comunn Gàidhealach and thanks to our Gaelic Adviser, John Macleod, we maintain strong links between the two organisations.

I am joined on the Music Committee by Laurina Strachan, Isobel Mieras, John Macleod, Mary Scott, Mairi Macleod, Margaret Collin, Heather Yule, Charlotte Peterson and two new recruits: Gwen Yorke and Toni Russell.

We were delighted that Holly Hart represented The Clarsach Society at the Pan Celtic festival in Carlow, Ireland. The Music Committee will select another young player to compete at the 2018 Pan Celtic Festival and again will fund their expenses to this fantastic competition.

Please encourage any members needing financial assistance to apply for an Annual Scholarship which has a closing date of November 1st 2017. Thanks.

Jennifer Port, Convenor of the Music Committee

Annual Scholarship 2017 Each year the Society offers Scholarships to encourage promising players at any level who have limited resources, financial or otherwise. The scholarship will be a fixed sum (up to £300) for use towards the cost of tuition and accommodation at an approved course with Scottish content, e.g. Edinburgh International Harp Festival, or for a course of private lessons, or instrument hire. Applicants must be a member of the Society. The closing date for receipt of applications is 1st November each year. Further information and the application form are available from the Society's website: www.clarsachsociety.co.uk

Annual Scholarship Award Reports I used the money from the scholarship to go to the Edinburgh Harp Festival in April this year. I really enjoyed my time at the harp festival. During the 3 days I took part in a course, some workshops and went to some concerts. In the course I learnt 6 different Welsh and Scottish pieces. On the first day at the course we were learning a piece in D major and the lady next to me had an A flat harp and I helped her put it into the right key because she was’t sure. This was good for my learning as I learnt about a different harp and I was pleased to be able to use my knowledge to help someone else. At the end of the course I bought a book of Welsh duets for my friend and me to play together. On the second day I was there, I went to a ‘care and maintenance of the harp’ and when we were on our way back to where we were staying I was telling my mum which way to put my harp in the car properly. I also learnt about how to clean my harp so that it doesn't get greasy. If it gets too greasy it can turn the wood black. On the last day I went to an acoustics workshop and I learnt about harmonics and how when you pluck a harp string the vibrations it makes to produce the note. On the first evening we went to a harp concert performed by a French harpist. He played jazz on the harp using the sound board and lots of glissandos. On the second day we went to a concert performed by Catrin Finch. I loved it so much, one day I want to be as good as her. After the concert Mum Googled her, she started the harp an the age of only 6 and by the age of 9 she had done grade 8. I was very inspired! On the last day I went to a concert by my harp teacher. I learnt that if I practise hard I can be a really good harpist. I used the last of the money to pay for my grade 1 harp exam. I passed with distinction! Kezia Conran, Aged 10, Scholarship Winner

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I wish to thank the clarsach society for gifting me a scholarship this year. This was very much appreciated and meant that I was able to further my clarsach knowledge and ability by using the money to attend the Edinburgh international harp festival. I chose to go on a course which was all about learning to play traditional Scottish pieces as this is my favourite style of music to play. At the festival I also attended many workshops. These enhanced my skills and general knowledge about the harp as an instrument. The experience overall has made me a much better performer, musician and has helped to grow in confidence. I was also able attend several concerts at the festival and at other venues this meant I was able to see some of my favourite artists perform. I have now heard a variety of different artists and styles. This made me realise that the harp is a much more versatile instrument than I thought and can be played in many different ways. This has inspired me to branch out my taste in music by choosing more pieces from different genres and cultures meaning that I have lots of variation in my repertoire. The scholarship gave the opportunity to improve myself as a harpist and without it; I couldn’t have progressed as far as I have.

Chiara Robertson, Scholarship Winner

Young Composer Award Report

My interest in composition began when I began playing the clarsach aged 11, and although I've written for different instrument combinations, there's something really special about creating music to play on the harp. I have been writing music for the past few years, but especially since attending the Sound and Music Summer School in 2015, a weeklong composing course for 14-18 year olds. I've always been really interested to hear the previous entries of the Young Composers Award and thought I would love to compose something for the competition myself. I was so surprised and delighted when I got the letter to say I'd be able to play my music on the Edinburgh International Harp Festival stage!

I decided to write a duet for clarsach and pedal harp, as there isn't a lot of music around for this combination, and I think they each have something unique to offer. The light, delicate sound of the clarsach balances well with the fuller timbre of the pedal harp and its rich bass. The composition is called 'Sun Moon and Stars' and divided into three music movements, each evoking the atmosphere created by the three 'lights' of the sky. I'm very grateful to the Edinburgh International Harp Festival for setting up this award and to the Imlay Foundation for their support in funding it. In September 2017 I'm heading to Edinburgh University to study music where I'll have the chance to work with experienced composers. It's such a privilege to be able to play and create music on this wonderful instrument!

Rachel Groves, Young Composer Award Winner 2016

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Young Composer Award 2017

The Clarsach Society invites submissions for the 2017 Young Composer Award. Composers from 16 - 25 years of age are invited to present an original piece of music lasting no longer than 15, and no less than 10 minutes, suitable for:

a) Solo Clarsach/Non-pedal harp b) Clarsach/Non-pedal harp and up to 3 other instruments and/or voices

Award

£500 plus a premier performance at the 37th Edinburgh International Harp Festival in 2018

Competition Rules:

1. All entries must be received by 5pm on the closing date of Thursday, November 30th 2017. 2. The work must be the unaided work of the entrant and be an original composition. It must not have been previously performed, published or disseminated in any way. 3. The full score in .pdf format plus recording of the composition in MP3 format must be submitted together. 4. The recording must match the score. 5. The composer’s name should not be stated on the score or MP3 file. 6. Entrants under 18 year of age must have permission to enter this competition. 7. The successful entrant must also be willing to write a short report on winning the award for publication in the Society’s Annual Report and on its website. 8. The copyright of the music shall remain with the composer. 9. The cost of the premier performance only, including travel costs for musicians involved (limited to travel within the UK) will be met by Edinburgh International Harp Festival. The composer must be available to perform their composition at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival on Wednesday, 4 April 2018. 9. In the case of a non-harpist submitting a work, it is the composer’s responsibility to find the artist(s) to perform the work at the premiere performance on Wednesday, 4 April 2018 at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival. 10. The judges’ decision shall be final.

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Folios Published by The Clarsach Society Folio 1 Simple Airs for Beginners ................................................................ arr. Jean Campbell Folio 3 Twelve Gaelic Songs with Clarsach Accompaniment ...................... arr. Jean Campbell (in course of revision) Folio 4 Twelve Traditional Scots Ballads .................................................... arr. Jean Campbell Folio 5 Ten Songs of the Hebrides ............................................................... arr. Patuffa Kennedy-Fraser Folio 6 Advanced Solos ................................................................................ various arrangers Folio 7 Nine Popular Scots Songs ................................................................. arr. Jean Campbell Folio 8 More Solos for the Celtic Harp ........................................................ various arrangers Folio 9 Sangs o’ Court and Luve ................................................................... various arrangers Folio 10 Twelve Burns Songs ......................................................................... arr. Jean Campbell Folio 12 Eight Haydn Trios (harp, violin & voice) .......................................... trans. Mary Fleming Folio 13 Ten Scots Songs ................................................................................ arr. Mary Fleming Folio 14 Northumbrian Studies for Beginners .............................................. arr. Ank van Campen Folio 15 A Selection of Airs for the Clarsach ................................................. arr. Anne Macdearmid (Jubilee Book) Folio 16 Gaelic Songs and Melodies .............................................................. arr. Anne Macdearmid Folio 17 Songs and Solos ............................................................................... arr. Gwen McGill Folio 19 Solos and Songs ................................................................................ various arrangers Folio 20 For Ensembles (voice & 2 clarsach) ................................................. arr. Jean Campbell Folio 21 First Steps ......................................................................................... Anne Macdearmid Folio 22 Gaelic Songs ..................................................................................... various arrangers Folio 23 Party Pieces ...................................................................................... Anne Macdearmid Folio 27 Nine Easy Pieces ............................................................................... Diana Barrclough Folio 28 Scottish Airs ...................................................................................... arr. & comp. Isobel Mieras Folio 29 Eight Songs of Love and Longing ...................................................... arr. Isobel Mieras Folio 30 Clarsumbria ...................................................................................... arr. & comp. Janet Bennett Folio 31 Musical Arrangements from “Airs & Melodies” ............................. comp. Cpt Simon Fraser Price: £7.50 arr. Stephen Nash

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Folio 33 Jean Campbell Memorial Folio Price: £10 Folio 34 Millennium Folio .............................................................................. Twenty pieces composed/ Price: £10 arranged by well-known artistes Folio 35 “The Solitary Reaper” by Wordsworth ............................................ set to music by Stephen Nash Price: £7.50 Folio 36 “Trois Kartiennes” for Clarsach, opus 52 ........................................ Stephen Nash Folio 37 “Celtic Quest” Six Pieces for Celtic Harp ......................................... Stephen Nash Price: £7.50 Folio 38 “For Robbie the Pict”, opus 43 ...................................................... Archibald Smith Price: £7.50 Folio 39 75th Anniversary Margaret Daunt Memorial Folio Price: £10 Folio 40 Lullabies, Airs and Dances. Vol 1, Elementary Level ....................... The Clarsach Society Price: £10 Folio 41 Lullabies, Airs and Dances. Vol 2, Elementary Level ...................... The Clarsach Society Price: £10 Folio 42 A Tapestry of Scottish Tunes. Vol 1, Intermediate Level ................ The Clarsach Society Price: £10 Folio 43 A Tapestry of Scottish Tunes. Vol 2, Intermediate Level ................ The Clarsach Society Price: £10 Folio 44 A Tapestry of Scottish Tunes. Vol 3, Intermediate Level ................ The Clarsach Society Price: £10 Folio 45 Flying Fingers, Advanced Level ........................................................ The Clarsach Society Price: £10 Folio 46 Esme’s Adventure – The Girl with the Purple Harp ........................ various composers Price: £10 Please note that folios: 2, 11, 24, 25 and 26 have been discontinued. Folios 1, 18, 33 & 39 - 46 are available from Creighton's Collections www.creightonscollection.co.uk Tel: 029 2039 7711 Cost of folios except where shown separately above: Photocopied typeset editions: £7.00. Photocopied manuscript editions: £6.00 The folio of Royal National Mòd Test Pieces is published in October, one year in advance - price £7.00. All other folios are available from the National Office. The Clarsach Society, Studio G43, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG office@clarsachsociety.co.uk Tel: 0131 554 0212 The Clarsach Society owns the copyright of all listed folios and music, unless stated otherwise. No fee is payable, but due acknowledgement is requested when music is performed. Please contact the copyright holder if in doubt.

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Royal National Mòd, Oban, 2016: First Prize Winners Junior competitions B320 Solo singing with self accompaniment Màiri Callan The High School of Glasgow

B321 Solo playing (Introductory class) Mairi Anna Binns Sgoil Sir E Scott B322 Elementary (Grade 1) Ròsaidh Mackintosh Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce B323 Solo playing (Intermediate 1) Erin NicGillIosa Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh B323A Solo playing (Intermediate 2) Jessica Muir Àrd-sgoil Greenfaulds B324 Solo playing (advanced) Anna NicNeacail Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh B330 Clarsach duet (under 13) Mollaidh Nicholson & Sorcha Thompson Àrd-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbuig B330A Clarsach duets (13-18) Fiona Bell & Jessica Muir Àrd-sgoil Greenfaulds agus Àrd-sgoil Dhùn Bhlàthain B332 Recital Class (Grade 6 and above) Anna Tait Westwell Dùn Èideann

Senior Competitions B325 Solo playing (Elementary) Claire Whyman Am Bac B326 Solo playing (Intermediate/Advanced) Anne Stephen Obar Phuill B333 Clarsach duet Anne Stephen & Morag Philips Obar Phuill

Open Competitions B329J Composition Anna Pearson Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce B331J Clarsach ensemble The Lewis Branch of the Clarsach Society

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THE ROYAL NATIONAL MÒD 2017 The 114th Royal National Mòd will take place in Lochaber between the 13th and 21st of October this year

The clarsach competitions will take place on Wednesday, 18th October

Prizewinners from the day's wide range of competitions may, if available, be invited to take part in evening

concerts during the Mòd week

Please give your support to this event and help promote clarsach playing

AM MÒD NÀISEANTA RÌOGHAIL 2017 Thèid an 114mh Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail air adhart ann an Loch Abar eadar 13 agus 21 Dàmhair am-bliadhna.

Thèid na farpaisean clàrsaich air adhart Diciadain, 18 Dàmhair

Faodar cuireadh a thoirt do bhuannaichean bhon raon fharsaing de dh’ fharpaisean, ma bhios iad an làthair,

pàirt a ghabhail ann an cuirmean oidhche tro sheachdain a’ Mhòid

Feuch an toir sibh ur taic don tachartas seo agus mar sin

a bhith a’ brosnachadh cluiche na clàrsaich

www.acgmod.org

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