Harp in Worship Workshops 2023
Frank Voltz
You've Got Rhythm
This hands-on workshop will start with the basic building blocks of rhythm (time signatures, notes, rests, beats, etc.) and move into different rhythmic patterns. We’ll learn the value of rhythmic patterns in the left hand for playing lead sheets, and once you get the hang of that, we’ll explore rhythms of other musical traditions including Latin music. Some will be easy and some will be challenging. We will discover the fun of syncopation, complex rhythms, and conducting patterns. There will be lots of clapping and tapping, and you’ll be able to immediately translate these rhythmic concepts to the harp, so bring along your instrument. By the end of class, you’ll be excited about rhythms—both old and new—and you’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned to your playing. ALL LEVELS
Cascading Arpeggios
What does the harp do best? Arpeggios and glissandos. When you see and hear a harpist play ascending and descending arpeggios up and down the harp non-stop, it takes your breath away. Why? Because you wish you could do THAT (and because it is just simply gorgeous)! In this workshop, we will break them down into small bites, understand how to intertwine them, practice them, and polish them. Voila, you just added a new arsenal to your harp toolbar. We will start with “three fingers per hand” arpeggios and continue with “four fingers per hand” arpeggios. Think about it—if you’re going to play the harp the rest of your life, how many arpeggios will you play between now and then? A lot! Learn to play them NOW so that you can enjoy playing them the rest of your life! INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED LEVELS
Building Your Harp Ministry
When we think of heaven, we think of angels playing gilded harps all the time giving glory to God. Well, why can’t we do the same on earth? We can! The first time most people play their harp in public, it is usually in church. How do you keep the momentum going so that you can come back and play again, or continue playing in churches all around town? We will discover many approaches, possibilities, and opportunities to performing in church, how to create a varied and interesting program, and how to “discuss” compensation (if you’re not volunteering). ALL LEVELS – No Harp Required
A Music Tasting with Frank Voltz
Ask Frank to play anything from his vast catalog of arrangements and original compositions! Frank will take requests from his list of publications, which are available through his website and from Melody’s Music. This is a great opportunity to “hear it before you buy it” and to ask for recommendations. Plus, who wouldn’t enjoy an hour of listening to Frank?!
Angi Bemiss
KISS Weddings
Keeping It Simple & Serene ‐ Does the thought of playing your harp for a wedding frighten you? Or, have you ever arrived at a wedding gig in a tizzy because you didn’t “have your ducks in a row?” This workshop could be entitled “The Scout’s Guide for a Wedding Harpist.” (The scout motto is “Be Prepared.”) Angi is a management consultant who has used her organizational skills to develop a basic, well‐ thought‐out system for wedding harpists. We will discuss the entire process, from the initial conversation with the bride‐to‐be to your “Wedding Notebook.” We’ll talk about essential repertoire and supplemental pieces, plus what to carry in your “Gig Bag.” The combination of a logical system and a reliable repertoire will serve you well. You’ll look forward to weddings, and you’ll show up well‐prepared and serene!
CopyRights, not Wrongs
Recording, Publishing, Copyrights and Royalties ‐ Someone walks up to you as you’re playing and asks, “Do you have a CD of your music?” You sheepishly reply, “No, sorry.” You’ve heard that it’s too hard or too expensive. And aren’t copyrights really tricky? This workshop will address your concerns and answer your questions. We will cover the basics of 1) making a CD, 2) royalties and licensing, and 3) publishing original compositions and/or your arrangements of others' compositions. For CDs, we will discuss the basics of music selection, recording studios & engineers, and manufacturers. Then, we’ll cover the facts about copyrights, as well as the process of obtaining permission for usage and the payment of royalties ‐‐ hopefully dispelling some common misconceptions about it being a difficult, even prohibitive, process. Recording & publishing are fun, and we will look at ways to do it easily & legally.
Creating Your Own Arrangements for Church
It can be great fun to create your own harp arrangement. Always remember that a harp that’s played simply but well can sound beautiful, so your arrangement doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. In fact, too many notes can sound muddy on the harp. Being able to create your own arrangement gives you the flexibility to play your favorite songs and/or to confidently accompany a soloist (voice or instrument).
A Music Tasting with Angi Bemiss
Here is an exciting opportunity to ask Angi Bemiss to play any of the arrangements she has published from her 12 books and over 100 pieces of sheet music. (In all, there are over 500 songs. What a repertoire‐builder!) Her publications include popular songs, classical themes, lead sheet basics, contemplative instrumentals, church music, wedding music, and Broadway/movie themes. Angi’s arrangements are well‐known in the lever harp world for their beautiful harmonies, playability, and accessibility for intermediates. Angi will take requests from her complete list of publications. It's a lot of fun.
Laura Logan Brandenburg
Christmas Carols Through the Ages and Across Many Lands
Travel on a fascinating journey through time as we discuss the history of caroling and carol traditions, from its ancient roots to the modern church. Learn the stories behind some of our most beloved Christmas carols. Laura will also share some of her favorite arrangements for harp, as well as her top recommendations for building your personalized collection of holiday repertoire.
Kimberly Snaufer DeRosa
Musical Expression
This step by step approach defines and facilitates the creation of those “moving moments” of self-expression that connect you to the music and with your audience, whether that’s a room full of people or just you and Fido! Bring your harp. ALL LEVELS
My Hands Are Shaking: Managing Performance Nerves
Exploring physical and mental approaches for a more enjoyable and secure performance. Kimberly shares her best techniques and exercises designed to ensure smooth, confident playing in all situations. Discussion class. Bring a solo (optional). ALL LEVELS
Cindy Horstman
Jazz Techniques for the Harp / All Levels
Award winning composer and arranger, Cindy Horstman, will demonstrate fun and easy techniques to create beautiful, rhythmic arrangements with that jazz feel. Learn the Slap Bass technique and how to add certain notes to the accompaniment to create a colorful "jazz" sound. Bring your harp.
Reading from a Lead Sheet / All levels
Cindy Horstman will demonstrate how to improvise over a hymn using a lead sheet. The workshop will consist of: A discussion of how to approach improvisation one step at a time including: How to read or create a lead sheet and how to use parts of the melody for improvisation. Bring your harp.
Learning and Understanding the Nashville Number System / All Levels
Cindy Horstman will discuss the basics of the Nashville Number system that will help you to adapt your part quickly in a worship setting. Bring your harp.
Elaine Pack Litster
Sacred Choral Literature Featuring the Harp
Every sacred setting is enhanced by choral music. It is made even better when the harp accompanies. Elaine Litster will discuss, explore, and demonstrate sacred choral works that call for harp. Assist your choir director by bringing home a list of beautiful harp friendly sacred compositions that will inspire and enhance your worship services.
Bonnie Mohr
With the Harp and Voice of Song! (Psalm 98:5) God calls us to sing His praise with harp and with song. Singing with the harp adds another dimension to worship music and to your practice time. A wonderful voice is not a pre-requisite for this workshop. All are welcome to come and "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!"
A Musical Palette
The artist has an array of colors from which to choose when painting. We as harpists have a collection of notes and phrases from which to sculpt our musical paintings. Explore color chords, dynamics, techniques, and guitar style strums to deepen your pallet and create your unique arrangement. Tools to add that heavenly touch to your music.
Knowledge of basic chords and theory will make the “Colorful Chords” easier to understand. Bring harps!
Mary Radspinner
The Amateur Small Ensemble
You have friends or relatives who play various instruments, and you’d like to put together a group (or they are urging you to join their group). You’re used to reading the notes on the page, but one member of your group plays by ear, and you’ve been asked to play for a friend’s wedding. What to do?? This workshop will guide you to choosing repertoire and organizing or arranging it for yourself and your recreational group. For the beginning to intermediate harpist, this class will help you feel more comfortable and give you confidence playing in a group. Bring your harp. Other instruments highly encouraged - guitar, violin, flute, recorder - let's play!
Andy Rose
Pulling Out All the Stops
The organ has its origins three centuries before the birth of Christ, and pipe organs have been associated with churches since the ninth century. In places of worship fortunate enough to have a beautiful instrument, organ music begins and concludes a worship service, a wedding, a funeral, and even a baptism. It serves as a solo instrument or an accompanying one, and is its own orchestra, capable of a myriad of sounds. Andy Rose, organist and organ technician, leads us on an up close and personal tour of the magnificent Anne S. and Henry B. Paup Sanctuary Pipe Organ of First United Methodist Church – Fort Worth. Built by Dan Garland Pipe Organs and dedicated in 2015, it is the third-largest pipe organ in Texas. It has five manuals, 150 ranks of pipes, and is classified as an American eclectic instrument.
Mary Stevens
Introduction to Therapeutic Music
This session will begin with an introductory description of therapeutic music: its definition, value, and effect, comparison to leading worship, and comparison to performance in style. Mary will discuss the importance of training, skills and equipment needed, appropriate instruments, and recommended books to read.
Therapeutic Music as Extension of Church Music Ministry
Panel: Mary Stevens, Susan Carol, Joanna Whitsett, Laurence Furr, and Jocelyn Obermeyer
This discussion of how therapeutic music can function as an extension of your church music ministry will begin by comparing sacred therapeutic music to more traditional music ministry from the podium, as well as comparing generic therapeutic music practice to spiritual therapeutic music ministry. Other topics covered will include the importance of knowledge of local church sacred repertoire, home visitation ministry to shut-ins, and connection to congregational members. Hear stories of spiritual therapeutic music sessions and learn about successful model programs already in place. (Monday)
Anna Vorhes
Write It Down: Using Software to Notate Your Own Arrangements
Have you wondered how to make your arrangements readable for yourself and professional in presentation? Or have you tried Sibelius and wondered how to do particular notation specific to harp? This workshop will show you how to work with Sibelius software to set music. We will also look at the free software MuseScore. Entering notation through your computer keyboard or a midi keyboard will both be examined.
Elizabeth Webb
A Harp in the Worship Band
Drawing from her own years of experience, Elizabeth shares practical tips on how to smoothly incorporate the harp into a church worship band. Hint: there are no written-out arrangements or harp parts. Learn what to do with a lead sheet or even just guitar chords and no melody line! Understand what role the harp needs to play in different groups: Are you the melody? The harmony? The percussion? Embellishments? Practice playing worship songs with an actual live worship band!
What is harpli™?
Come see a demonstration of innovative products by harpli™, where harp & technology collide. We make learning the harp accessible, growing your harp business attainable, and owning a harp affordable. Harpli will be giving away door prizes at the end of the session including 1) A 6-book printed set of the Learn The Harp Curriculum 2) A printed 2-book set teaching how to play from lead sheets in a worship band with sheet music 3) A 6-week membership to harpli.com 4) A wooden gift box with the full Learn The Harp digital curriculum on a USB and a silver music necklace and 5) A 50% off voucher towards the purchase of a Starter Harp by harpli™
Peter Wiley
Peter Wiley, aka “The Harp Doc,” presents a one hour workshop and demonstration on harp care and maintenance for pedal and lever harps of all makes and models. It’s everything you ever wanted to know about how your harp works, what to do when things go wrong, and how to keep your instrument performing at its very best.
Thomas Williams
A Festival of Hymns
The singing of hymns in corporate worship, for teaching, meditation, and the edification of believers has a rich and storied history in the life of the Christian Church. Join Music Director Thomas Williams and Organist Peggy Graff as we sing and celebrate beloved hymns of the faith, incorporating the harp.
Pamela Wing & Rebecca Moritzky
The Praise Band Experience
In a fun and interactive workshop setting, explore what it means to become a member – or a leader! - of the praise band with your harp. Learning from seasoned band members Pam and Becca, you will hear stories of their personal journeys, learn how to interpret music you are given and how to improvise, and gain an understanding of recommended equipment. Take away some tried and true tips for becoming a team player, along with best practices for developing a meaningful praise and worship ministry.
More workshops to be added! Check back soon!