Harp in Worship Workshops 2021
Paul Baker
Tools for Arranging Hymn Tunes for Lever and Pedal Harp
- How to best feature melodies
- Introductions, interludes and endings
- Textures and accompaniments
- Using extended techniques
- Keeping it simple
Improvising with Pedal Points
Simple ways to think about improvisation by employing pedal points and repetition. For both lever and pedal harp.
Tools for Arranging Hymn Tunes for Lever and Pedal Harp
- How to best feature melodies
- Introductions, interludes and endings
- Textures and accompaniments
- Using extended techniques
- Keeping it simple
Improvising with Pedal Points
Simple ways to think about improvisation by employing pedal points and repetition. For both lever and pedal harp.
Rhett Barnwell
1. The Compleat Harpist
A “whole-istic” approach to increasing your musical, mental and technical prowess.
By taking a progressive approach, from mental preparation, to “technique tuneups” to decreasing performance anxiety, this workshop will look at the “whole picture” of making you a better musician and harpist overall. Some issues addressed will be: effective warmups, breathing and relaxation, finger technique, how to really learn a piece, memorization, and actually enjoying performing in front of others! We will also touch briefly on practical matters such as tuning, arranging and repertoire selection. There will be time for Q & A. All levels
2.The Joy of Bach
An informative and sometimes humorous approach to the harp music of Johann Sebastian Bach, or rather, the lack thereof. Find out why this powdered-wigged master of polyphony seems to have written nothing for the harp, and what has been done to correct this grievous omission. We will explore the life, music and spirituality of Bach, often called the "Fifth Evangelist" and look at clever transcriptions of some of his greatest pieces which can now be readily enjoyed on lever and pedal harp. All levels, lecture and hands on, using the text, “Basically Bach” (available for optional purchase).
3.“The Sacred Nature of the Harp”
The harp is one of the oldest documented musical instruments, and originated in ancient cultures as a sacred and ritualistic instrument. We will explore the earliest uses of the harp, particularly by the ancient Israelites, and trace the path of the harp into the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, and the revival of interest in the harp as a sacred instrument in the 20th and 21st centuries. All levels, lecture and instructor demonstration.
4. “Taizé Music”
The Taizé Community in the Burgundy region of France has produced a repertoire of simple, meditative worship music which transcends musical styles and has become popular in the United States. This workshop will explore the origins of the Community, its mission and worship practices, and take an in-depth look at the repertoire. Taize music is ideal for use with the harp and other instruments, and the current editions and arrangements will be examined. All levels, lecture and hands-on.
Laura Logan-Brandenburg
Glissando 2.0 This hands-on masterclass builds on skills learned in the Glissando 101 workshop, but is less music theory centered and more focused on playing all types of glissandi effectively and beautifully. Explore and interpret extended gliss techniques. Open to pedal and lever harp.
Summer Practice Challenge In this workshop, you will learn strategies for more productive practice sessions in as little as 15-20 minutes a day. Participants will leave the conference with the skills and tools to complete a six-week practice challenge along with an optional accountability partner. There will be an opportunity for a follow up session over Zoom at the end of the challenge.
Greg Buchanan
With God’s Grace and for His Glory – Greg’s innovative style draws the listener into the very presence of our Lord, from tender worship to foot tapping, hand clapping, jazz-styled praise. His love for the Lord and appreciation of his deliverance give him a genuine love for others that is expressed powerfully through his ministry.
Robbin Gordon-Cartier
“Let the Spirit Move You” - What music fits where, how to know what denominations use what music and the different ways they are played. Be able to go from a synagogue to a Pentecostal church with ease and assurance. Let’s explore arrangements, rules and repertoire.
“Praise the Lord with the Harp” - How great it will be to play and create arrangements on the spot. Many times, this is what is required during worship and there are tools that can have you playing along with everyone. We will learn the basic tools and put them to work in this workshop.
Ellie Choate
“Crown of Glory” -Ellie’s recording features distinctive arrangements for solo harp and harp with strings and winds: Beloved melodies that will bring you home in your heart, home to your faith and inspiration.
Bonnie Mohr
Jam session- Join along and play wonderful songs of Faith! Play along with drums, guitar, piano and harp! Lead sheets to popular Christian songs will be provided to play with the team from the comfort of your home.
Vicki Garcia, and Maryruth Culver
When do I stand, and where do I play? A look at Catholic Liturgy .This workshop will help a harpist asked to play for a Catholic service or wedding in a Catholic church to understand the mass, and it's spiritual tradition. Appropriate music and liturgy that works on the harp will be discussed.
Cindy Horstman
Creating Fun Hymn Arrangements for Solo Harp/ All Levels
Award winning composer and arranger, Cindy Horstman, will demonstrate fun and easy ways to arrange hymns. The workshop will consist of: A discussion of how to approach a piece one step at a time including: how to create an introduction, bass line, and supporting harmony based on the melody.
Easy Approach to Improvising over Hymns / All levels
Award winning composer and arranger, 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.
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. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!
Online Worship 101 - Help! -and other Tech mysteries.
2020 pushed us into new ways of worship and learning new technology.Recording video, digital sheet music, garage band, mics, amplifying harps, electric harps and sound systems will be some of the items discussed.
Mary Stevens
Description and Discussion of Therapeutic Music
This session will be presented live over Zoom and begin with an introductory description of therapeutic music, the history of it, training programs that are available, use as an extension of music ministry, and adaptations that developed because of COVID-19. The remainder of the time will be spent as a question and answer time. Questions from those attending live over Zoom will be accepted and addressed as time allows. Those who would like to see specific questions addressed are encouraged to submit those questions beforehand to Mary Stevens at HarpforHealing@gmail.com for inclusion in the discussion.
Using Modal Scales in Improvisation and Musical Expression
This session will introduce each of the most common modal scales, explain how to find them and how to use them to expand your musical expression, all without changing key signatures, which means no lever or pedal changes! Have your instrument handy since you will have the opportunity to improvise in each mode as the instructor plays a simple accompaniment.
Modes and Accompaniment Styles for Therapeutic Music
This session will explore using different accompaniment patterns and use of modal scales to enhance expression. The instructor will demonstrate each accompaniment style and mode and give examples of where the style/mode could be used for personal self-care or in a professional bedside therapeutic music application.
Anna Vorhes
We Sing Our Traditions Old and New: How Our Beloved Hymns Become Traditional
Sharing emotion, experience and theology through hymns is a beloved Christian tradition. This workshop looks at some of the hymns that are common across many denominations. We will consider the origin of the hymns, some of the changes that have occurred over time, and listen to harp transcriptions of selected hymns.
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.
Elaine Litster
Every Church Choir Needs a Harp! The harp is the perfect accompaniment to any choir, but there is so much more sacred harp choral music than Benjamin Britain's "Ceremony of Carols! Explore the varied choral harp repertoire, discuss effective communication skills between the harpist and conductor, and explore ways to make the harp an integral and successful part of your church choir! Elaine Litster will be joined by choir conductor Bonnie Graeve for this musical workshop.
And more workshops coming soon……………