Harp in Worship Workshops 2025

COMPOSITION/ARRANGING/IMPROVISING
 
Heidi Hernandez – “Create a New Song”
Writing original music with and without words for use in worship and classical settings. This workshop address both compositional elements and basic theory to support writing new songs.
 
Megan Metheney – “Guided Improv”
Let me convince you why harps are one of the easiest and most gratifying instruments to improvise on! All playing abilities welcome.
 
Elizabeth Hames – “Ensemble Arranging for Harps”
The harp is such a wonderful collaborative instrument! Let's explore how to arrange for the harp as a member of an ensemble. We will discuss both harp ensembles and harps working together with other instruments.

Cindy Horstman - Creating your own unique arrangements over Hymns from a lead sheet.
 
TECHNIQUE/PERFORMANCE SKILLS
 
Merynda Adams – “The Beauty of Descending Arpeggios”
The descending arpeggio is a signature technique for the harp. Learn to make the most of your descending arpeggios. They appear throughout harp repertoire and are the quintessential sound of water. Through technique, relaxation, and color, we can use subtle variations in tone to create a palette of sound, drawing the listener into the piece of music.
 
Elizabeth Hames – “How do I play that on the Harp?” 
Reading and Improvising from any type of score. Learn tips and tricks to successfully play from different types of scores such as four-part hymns, lead sheets, and chord charts.
 
Bonnie Mohr & Susan Carol – “Sing and Play”
Psalm 98:5:  Sing to the Lord with the harp and voice of song.  Enhance your joy of playing the harp by singing in your private practice or in public performance.
 
Elaine Litster – “Angelic Glissandos” 
Exploring tools to add beautiful glissandos to all your favorite sacred music, whether playing a pedal or folk harp.  Discussion will include everything from pedal and lever settings to different types of glisses, and how to save your fingers. 
 
Kimberly DeRosa – “The Shape of My Harp”
Pieces flow when the hands know where to go! Are you constantly looking back and forth from the strings to the music? Do you miss that chord as often as you get it? Tips and exercises to move more freely and confidently around your instrument. All levels.
 
CONTEMPLATIVE MUSIC/TAIZE
 
Alaina Bongers – “Harp in Meditative Service”
Experience the power of sound, scripture, and silence in a hands-on workshop with participation in a Taize service.   
 
KImberly DeRosa & Merynda Adams- “Be Still And Know That I Am God”
Merynda and Kimberly share their music, knowledge and experiences on programming and presentation of music, sound and silence to listeners for enhancing peace, joy, comfort and love during contemplative spiritual practices. All levels.
 
HARP EDUCATION & HISTORY/BUILDING COMMUNITY
 
Bonnie Mohr – “Harp in Scripture”
Scripture is full of references to the harp.  We will explore the role of the harp in ancient Israel and references to the harp from Genesis to Revelation. 
 
Elaine Litster – “Creating Sacred Harp Traditions”
Sacred music is loved when playing together. Tips for bringing all harpists together in your community, whether teacher and students, multiple professionals, or a few harpists of varied ages and abilities. Creating a special music event around Christmas, Easter, Lent, etc. How to include the entire community and make it accessible for all.
 
Anna Vorhes – “When Old Music was a New Song:  History of Worship Performance” 
A look at the development of worship performance in the context of historical music from the Baroque onward to the present.
 
Anna Vorhes – “What’s up in MuseScore, Sibelius and Dorico?”
An examination of the current score creation software including costs, facility, harp specific symbols and writing for harp, and other concerns.
 
THERAPEUTIC MUSIC
 
Mary Stevens – “Vibroacoustic Therapeutic Music (VATM)” 
This class will define and explore Vibroacoustic Therapeutic Music (VATM), formerly called Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy (VAHT). You will discover what VATM is, how it is used, the equipment that is needed, the instruments that can be used, the training that is necessary, and have an opportunity to experience VATM.
 
Barbara Lepke-Sims – “Exciting New Trends in the Field of Live Therapeutic Music”
What do Bono, Elton John, Renee Fleming and Mozart have in common? This presentation will give an overview of the current trends in the field of live therapeutic music.
 
Susan Carol – “Soothing Rhythms & Spiritual Awakenings”
Come and experience how the gentle music of the harp can be used in therapeutic settings. Discover how one Certified Therapeutic Musician offers reflective, sensory and spiritual encounters through therapeutic harp music in a variety of healthcare environments. This session is for those beginning their journey into the world of therapeutic music and those who may consider this meaningful field of ministry and service!  
 
HARP WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS AND VOICE
 
Alaina Bongers & Joel Bacon – “Harp and Chant” 
 Psalm 92, a song for the Sabbath day, begins with a call to sing praises and make music unto the Lord “to the melody of the harp”. This workshop will explore ways to integrate harp accompaniment into responsorial psalm singing with a cantor and congregation.
 
Laura Brandenburg & Joel Bacon – “Exploring the Majesty of Harp and Organ”
A survey of harp and organ repertoire graded by level from intermediate – advanced. Learn practical tips for collaborating on the “Queen and King of Instruments.” The workshop will include a demonstration performance of select repertoire. 
 
Elaine Litster – “Harp and Choir”
A vocal reading session with harp accompaniment. Includes a directory of sacred choral works with harp accompaniment, and recommended music that works well for harp and choir.
 
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
 
Tasha Smith & Pamela Wing- "Synergy of Sound"
Tasha will discuss her use of electric, electro-acoustic and acoustic instruments, percussion, extended techniques, and other unconventional tools in composition and how these can be used in a musical and practical manner.

Janet Collison – “Teaming Up with a Praise Band to Enhance the Worship Experience”
Since there is nothing written for harp to play with a praise band, explore easily played notes, chords, and glissandos that enhance contemporary worship music. Learn how to add the wonderful sound of the harp to praise songs and how to easily notate the music in a way you can understand. Adding harp is not as difficult as you might think! 
 
Cindy Horstman – “Learning and Understanding the Nashville Number System”
Cindy Horstman discusses the basics of the Nashville Number System that will help you to adapt you part quickly in a worship setting. Bring your harp. All levels.