All registered harpists were welcomed to join the 2024 AHS National Conference Ensemble, Sunshine Harps. Learn about about the schedule, performance, coaches, and repertoire here.
This was a unique opportunity for harp quartet arrangements or compositions to be workshopped by preeminent harp ensemble arranger, Willi Maerz. Working with a select few arrangements and a quartet of professional harpists, Mr. Maerz offered his perspective on options that highlight the distinctive characteristics of the harp quartet.
This fun first look at jazz improvisation on the harp with Ben Creighton Griffiths covered a variety of styles - no previous experience required!
Harpists preparing for an orchestral job audition played five minutes of their excerpts for an esteemed panel of orchestral harpists and heard their helpful feedback.
Alix Raspé Gray is an award-winning harpist, music educator and a 500-hr Yoga-Alliance certified yoga instructor. Alix led free yoga classes three mornings of the Conference, and presented a workshop about tools and performance benefits of yoga for harpists of all levels, focusing on mindful movement and pedagogical tools for musicians.
National Conference shirts are still available in multiple colors, styles, and sizes, from zip-up hoodies and sweatshirts to tank tops! Kids sizes too! Order yours today!
On Saturday, June 15th, the Central Florida Chapter of the American Harp Society graciously hosted a free public “Harp Discovery Day” for the greater Orlando community. We are particularly grateful to the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation of Winter Park, Florida, who provided funding for the event as well as complimentary tickets to the Sunday evening concert for local jazz students.
In the morning, a panel including Stella Sung, Dan Crozier, Alex Burtzos, and Jan Jennings explored the “Mysteries of Writing and Arranging for Harp”. Invitees included members of the Central Composers Forum, the Young Composer’s Challenge, and composition students from the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, and local high schools. Of course anyone was welcome.
The afternoon offered the public a chance to hear and learn about the harp – it’s history, how it works, and a performance by the Chapter ensemble. It wrapped up with a delightful “Harp Petting Zoo” to offer hands-on opportunities to potential future harpists, on pedal and lever harps of all sizes.
Location: Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1655 Peel Avenue, Orlando FL 32806
