Harps are now so popular on the Scottish music scene – are they the new black?  This year’s Harp Village in Cromarty will be held over the weekend of Friday Sept 2^nd – Sunday Sept 4^th and will be a totally unique event because it will feature a very special piece of music.

Commissioned by the Edinburgh International Harp Festival, ‘The Song of the Oak and the Ivy’, was written by Corrina Hewat to celebrate the 80^th Anniversary of the Clarsach Society and the 30^th Anniversary of the Edinburgh International Harp Festival in 2011.

The music itself was written for 6 harpers but by the end of this year’s Harp Village, we will see all the participants playing it in a special concert. This is the first time that one piece of music has formed the basis of the entire weekend programme and composer, Corrina Hewat said, ‘I can’t wait to get to Cromarty and get all these harpers playing this piece. This is exactly what it was designed for. All abilities will be able to take part because we will be sending out the music and audio files in advance of the weekend so the participants will be familiar with what they are going to learn. It’s a great opportunity for them to expand their skills and repertoire at the same time. They will have a working knowledge of the music and be familiar with it before they arrive’

Performers and tutors will be fresh from performing the piece at the Edinburgh Festival and excited to be presenting the music to a Highland audience.  The first concert of the Harp Village on Friday Sept 2^nd will feature ‘The Song of the Oak and the Ivy’ This wonderful and surprising piece of music will take you through love and loss, storms and musical tales of sun and moon, demonstrating beautifully how diverse the harp can be.

Electric harps, acoustic harps and wire harps performed by Mary Macmaster (of Sting fame), Corrina Hewat, Heather Downie, Wendy Stewart, Bill Taylor and Tristan Le Govic.

Whether you want to improve your playing, learn to play faster, build up your repertoire, meet other harp players and enthusiasts, this weekend is the perfect place, with workshops to suit all.

For an application form, please contact Cromarty Arts Trust phone 01381 600354

or email  info@cromartyartstrust.org.uk or you can download one from the website at www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk

Source: Cromarty Arts Trust