Events Calendar 2024
To sign up or ask any questions please feel free to email us at events@harpsnorthwest.org.uk
Booking and Paying for an event. To book a place on any of our events please contact events@harpsnorthwest.org.uk Harps North West (HNW) is committed to providing opportunities to play and appreciate the harp. To cover costs we ask members for a voluntary donation for many events (suggested minimum of £5) or we ask for a specific fee for workshops. Non-members are asked to join HNW. Payments can be made by bank transfer or, from outside the UK, by Paypal.
A Taste of Past Events
JAN 1st - 31st2022 | JaNEWary Challenge 2022Mary introduces us to exciting new tunes in bite-size portions each day, with plenty of hints on technique. A great way to learn. | Open to all. Videos published online (youtube, facebook, website) each day. |
JAN 12th & 31st2022 8.30pm | JaNEWary Challenge 2022 - Live ZoomA chance to play together through the first piece of this years challenge, "O'Carolan's Dream" Led by Mary Dunsford | Zoom Session, open to all. |
FEB 12th SAT2022 10.00am - 12.00 | Guest Tutor - Luke Webb - An Introduction to Irish Traditional Music.Online workshop, we look forward to welcoming Luke. You can find out more about him at www.lukewebbharpist.com | Zoom Session. £10 fee. |
FEB 27th SUN2022 10.00 - 13.00 | Playing Session - Live. Bring Your Favourite TunesSession led by members, event leader Ann Woolley. | Ladyholme Centre, Windermere. Free to HNW Members |
MAR 12th SAT2022 11.00 - 13.00 | Skills Session - Tutors Mary Dunsford & Susan Lambert. "Finger Agility"2 simultaneous workshops covering the same topic at 2 levels. Elementary & Intermediate/Advanced. | Slyne with Hest Church Hall £10 |
MAR 12th SAT2022 13.45 - 16.30 | Absolute Beginners' Workshop - Mary DunsfordA workshop for anyone wanting to try the harp, tell your friends! No experience/harp necessary!! | Slyne with Hest Church £25 |
MAR 27th SUN2022 10.00am - 12.00 | Guest Tutor - Eira Lynn Jones "From the first note"Eira will direct a session on the six steps to follow when you start a new piece. A guide through her practise method with technical hints and a tune or two. | Zoom Session £10 |
APR 12th TUES2022 20.0 - | Play for Ukraine - Zoom playing session FundraiserJoin us for an evening of Ukrainian music being led by members and guests of HNW. Contact us via email for the links and sheet music, and if you would like to lead any of the pieces. | Free event on Zoom, with links to make private donations to relevant organisations. |
APR 24th SAT2022 13.30 - 16.00 | Composer in Residence - Lauren Scott - 3rd Piece.Lauren introduces us to the 3rd piece in her position as composer in residence. We can't wait to hear/play it! | Threlkeld Village Hall Free to members |
MAY 21st SAT2022 10.00 - 12.30 | "Spring into Summer" Playing SessionA chance to share and play your favourite pieces with a seasonal theme. | Orton Market Hall. CA10 3RX Free to members |
MAY 21st SAT2022 13.00 | Committee meeting | Orton Market Hall. CA10 3RX
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MAY 26TH THURS2022 20.00 - 21.30 | Flexible Fingers for Frolicking Fun!Mary returns with a bang with this fun and informative session designed to follow on from Susan’s fabulous skills workshop back in March. Keep those fingers working for, and with, you! | Zoom Session Free to members Donations welcome |
JUNE 9TH THURS2022 20.00-21.30 | Optimising your Small Harp - Mary DunsfordDo you own a smaller harp, with reduced bass notes? Does it sit in the corner gathering dust as it just feels too daunting, or perhaps when you do play it you find yourself dissatisfied? Join Mary for this online session where you rekindle the joy of playing your small harp as you learn how to approach it as an instrument in its own right. | Zoom Session Free to members Donations welcome |
JULY 5th TUES2022 19.30 - 21.30 | Online Workshop - Playing in a Session - ZoomLed by Susan Lambert. In preperation for the late night session at the festival, or any other session. Where to start, and how to join in. | Online. Contact Mandy to sign up. Free to members, donations welcome. |
JULY 17th SUN2022 10.30 - 16.00 | Guest Tutor - Ailie Robertson Full Day WorkshopDevelop your skills alongside learning some fun and challenging arrangements by the highly renowned Scottish harpist, Ailie Robertson. The session is designed to include harpists of all levels. | Bardsea Malt Kiln Village Hall, LA12 9QT. £30
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JULY 30th SAT2022 9.30-12.00 | Absolute Beginners' Workshop - with Alice PellHave you always fancied having a go at playing the harp? or know someone who has always wanted to try it, now is your chance! no experience necessary, we provide the harps, you bring your enthusiasm. Come along and see why we're all so addited to these wonderful instruments! Email us to sign up. | Open to all In person workshop Ambleside university campus £25
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JULY 30th SAT2022 1.00 - 17.30 | Youth Session Led by Mary Dunsford with Guest Festival TutorsCalling all under 18 harpists! join us for an unmissable and free afternoon of workshops with our fabulous teacher Mary Dunsford and guest workshops with our festival tutors, Lauren Scott and Charlotte Petersen . | Open to all young (18-) harpists In person workshop Free to attend Ambleside University Campus
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JULY 29th - 31st2022 | HNW Festival 2022 - AmblesideTutors - Mary Dunsford, Jean Altshuler, Charlotte Petersen & Lauren Scott. Harp servicing and repair by Teifi. Exhibitions of sheet music and harps, plus extra activity sessions. | Open to all. Booking will be available soon, in the mean time you can you can register your interest with us at events@harpsnorthwest.org.uk |
SEP 17th SAT2022 10 for 10.30 - 12.30 | Introduction to the Christmas Party Music - Tutor Mary Dunsford In preparation for the Christmas Party on the 3rd of December, Mary will introduce the music - an opportunity for a get together and a shared lunch after the summer. | Quaker Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, Penrith. CA11 7TR Free to members |
SEP 17th SAT2022 13.30 | AGM - Open to all. HNW AGM live & on Zoom All members will be sent the Zoom meeting link a few days in advance. | Quaker Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, Penrith. CA11 7TR Open to all. |
SEP 24th SAT2022 10.0- 12.00 | Play Mediaeval Music - Guest Tutor Wendy Stewart A recording of the workshop will be available. Come and learn some lively dance tunes, wistful slow airs and elegant melodies from a bygone era. | Zoom Event Fee £10 |
OCT 1st SAT2022 10.0- 12.00 | Beginner's Session - with Mary DunsfordMary Dunsford will be running beginners’ sessions on behalf of Harps North West as part of the Barrow Music Week. https://barrowmusic.co.uk/project/harp-workshop/ | Open to the public - Come and try the harp. £5 plus booking fee. Contact Barrow music festival to book. |
OCT 2nd SUN2022 15:00 - 17:00 | Guest Tutor: Lily Neil - RagtimeSynonymous with the piano, Ragtime is a uniquely American genre that offers an exciting array of possibilities on the lever harp. In this workshop we’ll delve into a classic American rag, exploring arrangement ideas and some fun, challenging technique tips along the way. Please note this event will not be recorded. | Zoom Event Fee £10 |
OCT 14TH FRI2022 19.30 | Karen Marshalsey in Concert at the Farmers' Arms. The Farmers’ Arms, Lowick Green.This will be the night before her full day workshop. Hoping you will be able to support this event. | Tickets £10, under 16s attend free of charge if accompanied by an adult. To book: https://lakedistrictfarmersarms.com/whats-on/harps-north-west/ The Farmers’ Arms, Lowick Green |
OCT 15th SAT2022 10:00. for 10:30 - 12:30 12:30 Shared lunch 13:30 - 15:30 | Live - Full day workshop - Guest tutor Karen MarshalsayCome and learn some of Karen's favourite tunes that she's written for harp. There's a wide range here - some have a Latin flavour, some are from 'The Lay of the Land' suite from her time as composer in residence with Harps North West, and there may be some surprises too! | Live event Shap Memorial Hal Fee £35 |
OCT 19TH WED2022 20.00-21.30 | Christmas Party Rehearsal - On Zoom.Programme | On Zoom Link will be sent to all members Music has been sent to all memebers. Email us if you are missing any pieces. Free to members |
NOV 11th - 13th2022 Full weekend. | Higham Hall - A Weekend with the HarpTutors - Shelley Fairplay & Rachel Newton Open to all. go to www.highamhall.com formore info and booking. | Open to all. |
NOV 20th SUN2022 10 for 10.30 - 12.30 | Christmas Party Rehearsal10am - Tuning - Christmas Party Practice with Mary Shared lunch | Skelton Toppin Memorial Hall CA11 9TE |
NOV 20th SUN2022 Arrive 13:15. Workshop 13:30 to 16:00. | Absolute Beginners' WorkshopHave you always fancied having a go at playing the harp? or know someone who has always wanted to try it, now is your chance! no experience necessary, we provide the harps, you bring your enthusiasm. Come along and see why we're all so addited to these wonderful instruments! Email us to sign up. | Skelton Toppin Memorial Hall CA11 9TE £25 harps and music stands provided. No Previous experience needed. |
NOV 20th SUN2022 1.30 | Playing Session1.30 pm - Playing Session led by members. Carousel of Dreams/Seasonal Tunes | Skelton Toppin Memorial Hall CA11 9TE |
DEC 3rd SAT2022 10am for 10.30 - 16.00 | Christmas Party! - Hosted by Mary Dunsford Morning - rehearsal | Live |
DEC 17th SAT2022 15.00 - 17.00 | Christmas Carols Online Christmas Carol Play-along with Susan Lambert An afternoon of festivity. Dress up in your finest christmas attire, decorate your harps, get the mulled wine and mince pieces ready for our online carols session. | Zoom Free to members. Donations welcome. |
JAN 1st - 31st2022 | JaNEWary Challenge 2022Mary introduces us to exciting new tunes in bite-size portions each day, with plenty of hints on technique. A great way to learn. | Open to all. Videos published online (youtube, facebook, website) each day. |
AUG 19th - 21st2023 Weekend event | Higham Hall - A Summer Break with the Harptutors tbc | Open to all. go to www.highamhall.com for more info and booking. |
SAT 18TH DEC - CHRISTMAS CAROL SESSION
Our annual online gathering to play through the HNW Carol Book. led by Susan Lambert. With mulled wine, mince pies and decorated harps.
SAT 11TH DEC - HNW Christmas Party
Fabulously festive day rehearsal and performance of pieces recaping the many projects of 2021, and a few extra christmas pieces. Including our own arrangement of "I Saw Three Ships" which we recorded to be featured on BBC Radio Cumbria over Christmas. Led by Mary Dunsford.
12TH - 14TH NOV - Higham Hall, Residential Weekend
A Weekend with the Harp
The second of this years residential weekends, learning harp with Ailie Robertson and Wendy Stewart, in the gorgeous setting of Higham Hall.
SUN 31st OCT - Guest Tutor - Tamsin Dearnley, Jazz &.
Blues on the Harp.
Fun filled morning online with the wonderfully talented harpist Tamsin learning Jazz and Blues techniques on the harp.
Access to a recording of this workshop is available for £10, please contact events@harpsnorthwest.org.uk for details.
23RD OCT - Harps for Harmony Live Recording of Pachelbel's Canon at St Bees Priory co-ordinated by Mary Dunsford.
21ST SEP & 12TH OCT - Harps for Harmony Rehearsals - Pachelbel's Canon Tutor - Mary Dunsford.
"Get up to speed and in the zone"
Two one-hour rehearsals for all playing abilities, in preperation for recording live at St.Bees Church for the Harps For Harmony Project - All members welcome.
SUN 10TH OCT - MacMillan 'Coffee Morning' Play along Session
A fun afternoon playing along to our favourite pieces, members took it in turns to lead pieces and donations were made to raise money for MacMillan cancer support.
SAT 11TH SEPT - Preparation for the HNW Christmas Party - LIVE SESSION
A fabulous morning practising together in real life! for the up coming Christmas Party, we have some spectacular pieces to play this year, musically recaping the year we have had!
9TH - 11TH AUG - Higham Hall - Rescheduled date - LIVE
A residential weekend with the harp. Tutors Jan Bennett & Mary Dunsford.
SUN 18TH JULY - Composer in Residence Lauren Scott
2021 presents 'Beatles Medley'
SAT 19th JUNE - Composition Competition Winners
2021 Announced!
Sun 11TH July - Composition Pieces Play along Session
2021
SAT 22ND MAY - Guest Tutor Lucy Nolan.
2021 O Mio Babbino Caro, Puccini
Lucy brought us a fantastic workshop focusing on her multileveled arrangment of this classic Aria. She warmed us up nicely with some mind bending exercises that really got us thinking and trying out new techniques, and made this beautiful piece of music accessible to all of us.
SAT 8TH MAY - Play Along Session - Favourite Classics
2021
In a session led by Susan Lambert, we played a selection of popular classics including:
Brahms' Lullaby, Pucinni's La Musetta's Waltz, Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherezade.
We had a treat playing Mary Dunsford's Classical ensemble arrangements, made all the more fun with her fabulous multitracked videos, so we could play along and hear all the parts together! As well as a play through Shelley Fairplay's beautiful arrangemnt of Beethoven's 'Shepherd's Prayer'
SUN 28TH March - Composer in Residence Lauren Scott
2021 presents 'Black Sheep'
In the first installment of this years Composer in Residence project Lauren presented 'Black Sheep' a fantastically fun piece to play, inspired by the resurgance of the sea shanty and the force to be reckoned with Jackie Weaver.
Find out more about the project and hear the piece here.
SAT 20TH March - JaNEWary Live Playalong - Zoom
2021
A great afternoon revisiting the music of the last 6 challenges, led by Mary Dunsofrd and a guest apprearance from one of the composers Eira Lynn Jones. Each piece played at 2 speeds to give us a chance to join in or just sit back and listen. You can find out more about our music learning challenges here.
SUN 14th March - St Patrick's Day Irish Tunes Playalong
2021
32 members from far and wide joined us on Zoom for an afternoon of Irish tunes led by Susan Lambert. Dressed in green we played our way through some Irish classics including Molly Malone, Londonderry Air, Salley Gardens and a few O'Carolan arrangements.
SUN 7th MAR - Composition workshop (2)
2021
A relaxed look at ways of getting creative with our harps, using the skill set we already have.
We worked on finding inspritation for our melodies, harmonies and techniques and looked at how to start fitting them together.
SUN 21st FEB - Rachel Newton "First Hint of Spring"
2021
The wonderful harpist and singer Rachel Newton guided us through a beautiful tune composed for our workshop called "The First Hint of Spring" first we studied the melody, working on placing and rhythms, then looked at ways to embelish with grace notes and cuts. We then looked at the accompaniment and by the end of morning had a gorgeous new tune under our fingers.
Open to all members - donations welcome.
SUN 14TH FEB - Valentines Day Play Along Session.
2021
A romanitically relaxed morning playing together over zoom. With different members of HNW leading their favourite romantic pieces.
SUN 31ST JAN - Composition - where to start? Workshop.
2021
With the aim of inspiring us all to have a go at getting creative with our own music, this workshop focused on where to draw inspration, ideas of how to practise compossing, and a brush up on the musical theory blocks we need to help get those ideas from inside our heads onto our harps.
Free and open to all members - open to donations.
SAT 16TH JAN - Shelley Fairplay "You can do it!"
2021
Kicking off our 2021 workshop series, Shelley brought us a fantastic workshop on how to play ANYTHING! With her contagious enthusiasm and energy she showed us how to break down even the most complicated of music into manageble exercises and patterns.
Free and open to all members - open to donations.
SUN 20TH DEC - Christmas Carol & Song playing Session
2020
A festive morning of Christmas carols and songs on Zoom, hosted by Susan Lambert.With christmas cake and mulled wine in hand, we had a good catch up and playing session, playing our way through the Chrismtas Carols booklet.
Free and open to all members
SAT 5TH DEC HNW Virtual Christmas Party!
2020
What a fantastic festive afternoon with Master of Ceremonies Mary Dunsford. 43 of us got togther to celebrate with Chrismtas play alongs, recorded performances and videos from HNW members, fancy dress competitions, best decorated harp competitions and a quiz.
Free and open to all members
SAT 14TH & Shelley Fairplay - Zoom Workshop
SUN 15TH NOV "Come Hail or Higham Water"
2020
Shelley gave us two jam packed mornings, learning everything from fundamentals to extended techniques, all based around a piece compossed especially for us this weekend as a comfort to missing Higham halls weekend workshop. Wonderful workshops! we can't wait for her return in January.
Free to members - open to donations
SUN 8TH NOV - Tutor Led Rehearsal for the Christmas Party
2020 by Mary Dunsford, on Zoom.
A festive morning of working through our Christmas party pieces, wonderfully guided by Mary. We worked on 'Seal Lullaby' 'Carol of the Bells' 'Walking in the Air' and a revision of the epic 'Pachelbel's Cannon'.
Free to members - open to donations
SUN 18th OCT - Tutor Led Workshop - "Session Tunes"
2020 by Susan Lambert, Zoom.
A relaxed Sunday morning learing and playing session tunes together. Playing along with slow and fast recordings of tunes from our collection (available for free on our webite Session Tunes page) With focus on how to and memorise the melodies and approach creating your own accompaniment from the chord symbols.
Free to members - open to donations.
SAT 3rd OCT - Online Coffee Morning Playing Session
2020 For Macmillan Cancer Support
A nice and relaxed morning with 22 people taking part! We played 5 pieces, each led by different members of the group, had a good natter with a good excuse to have cake for breakfast! Raising over £300 in the process.
Free to members
SAT 26th SEP - Harping Across the Border
2020
Saturday morning members of Harps North West and Dumfries Branch of the Clarsach Society got together on zoom to play together. Wendy Stuart guided us through the beautiful tune Lord Galway's Lamentation, Now the Green Blade Riseth and the funky Snademill Summertime Swing. Whilst Mary guided us through a theme and variation on Hela'r Sqyfarnog, the sailors hornpipe and a fantastic experimental piece specifically composed for playing together on Zoom. The piece was a pattern of notes that fit together with the delay of zoom to create an amazing ripple of sound and for the first time in months we could play together!! A very fun session and lovely to see our friends over the border.
SUN 13th SEP - Christmas Tunes Rehearsal Session
2020 and AGM
Our first Face to face session with 6 attendees and a live link to 11 more members via zoom, joining in from home.
Free to members
SAT 22nd AUG - Online Workshop with Lauren Scott
2020 Beatles 'Across the Universe'
Lauren will guide us through a wonderful Beatles songs she has arranged for lever harp. Free to members but remember to sign up to save a space.
Free to members
SAT 15TH AUG - Committee Meeting
2020
If you have any issues you would like us to raise at the committee meeting please feel free to get in touch.
SAT 25 JULY - Lockdown Arrangements
2020
Online Playing Session
Led by different members of HNW sharing their own arrangements from this time in lockdown, including "Somewhere over the rainbow" and "We'll Meet Again"
SAT 27 JUNE - HNW First online workshop
2020
Guest Tutor Lauren Scott - 'Harps Across the North' project. 'Freshwater Tears'
From the comfort of our own homes, 34 of us attended Lauren's workshop where she expertly guided us through her ensemble project. It was a morning of learning new techniques and playing Lauren's stunning 'Freshwater Tears' together. The piece is based on the Rain Stone Poem by Simon Armetage
FRI 19TH JUNE - Online Premiere of Harps For Harmony,
2020
Lauched on facebook at 7.00pm and youtube at 6.30pm, we revealed the first stage video of our harps for harmony project. All watching together from our own homes we saw 109 harpists playing the beautiful Pachelbel's Canon together.The video has been seen all over the world and has had over 80,000! views so far and still rising, it has also been shared by Classic fm online. Well done to everyone involved!
SAT 14 MARCH - Absolute Beginner's Workshop
2020
led by Mary Dunford, arrive 13.15 playing 13.30-16.30. No musical experience necessary! To book on to our next beginner's workshop contact Mandy on events@harpsnorthwest.org.uk
SHAP MEMORIAL HALL, CA10 3NL
SAT 14 MARCH - Harps 4 Harmony Rehearsal
2020
Tutor: Mary Dunsford, arr. 10 for 10.30 start until 12.30
Committee Meeting 13.30 - NB a new date & time.
SHAP MEMORIAL HALL, CA10 3NL
SUN 16 FEBRUARY 2020. Valentines Weekend Playing Session
NEWBIGGIN HALL NR PENRITH
A morning session of playing together, we brought along our favourite tunes to play together, with an emphasis on our favourite love songs. The session also provided the perfect chance to play through Pachelbel's Cannon in preperation our for Harps for Harmony
SAT 18 JANUARY 2020 - Workshop - how to play in a 'Session'
BURTON IN KENDAL.
Twelve of us had a lovely morning with Susan Lambert, learning how to play session tunes. Whether you want to join in a pub session but aren’t confident, or go to a session at e.g. Edinburgh festival, this was the session for you.
Susan concentrated on 2 well-known tunes, Mairi’s wedding and John Ryan’s Polka. The tunes were learnt first from memory and then with notes, and then Susan bombarded everyone (very nicely!) with lots of advice on what to do with the left hand. She ran through typical chord progressions and how to use them in any key. Everyone came away having learnt lots of new things, and hopefully gained the confidence to join in a session. Carol Coldwell
7 DECEMBER Christmas Concert and Party
GRIZEBECK VILLAGE HALL
32 harpers all in a room! Congratulations to all involved, what a wonderful day we’ve had sharing music and merriment! You’re all amazing 🎵🎶🎵
Thank you to everyone who came along and made it a success. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas from HNW 🎶 🌲
Higham Hall Success! A weekend with the harp.
15th-17th November.
A wonderful weekend was had at Higham, learning the secrets of the Welsh harp tradition from Robin Huw Bowen and exploring the world of stunning Scottish music with Charlotte Petersen.
Next years dates: 13th -15th Nov 2020
email: admin@highamhall.com
Absolute Beginner's Workshop
Saturday 9th November - Led by Mary Dunsford.
Nine enthusiastic absolute beginners made excellent progress and played some really good tunes by the end of the afternoon.
Thank you Mary for your guidance and inspiration. We welcome a number of new members and hope they love playing as much as we do!