News
Oakie Excels at Summer Harp Program
Annaliese Anderson (‘21) spent a week this summer playing traditional harp at Oberlin College, Ohio, as part of a program run by the Ohio Scottish Arts School.
Annaliese first learned about the program through Oakcrest’s Instrumental Director, Alix Baldwin. Ms. Baldwin, who is an accomplished harp player herself, signed up to attend the week-long intensive harp program hosted by the Ohio Scottish Arts School. She then encouraged Annaliese, who is a member of Oakcrest’s Harp Circle, to join her. Annaliese jumped at the chance and the two of them traveled to Ohio in June to spend a week immersed in traditional harp playing.
During her week at Oberlin, Annaliese worked with four experts in traditional harp. Out of the four levels of harp players—Novice, Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master, Annaliese played in the Journeyman group. She learned traditional harp tunes by ear and received instruction from experts in fingering, arranging, and technique. She also attended lectures and enjoyed going to late-night Celtic jam sessions. In addition, Annaliese took a private lesson with Sue Richards, an internationally known Celtic harp player.
Annaliese received one of four scholarships to return to the program next year. “This means that her abilities, work ethic, and promise as a musician were recognized by the four teachers, and they want to give her encouragement to return and continue her study of traditional Celtic music,” Ms. Baldwin explains. “It was a great honor, there were many very fine students there!”
Oakcrest’s Harp Circle welcomes students who want to sharpen their skills as well as those who have never played before. It meets in two different sessions a week—one for beginners and one for more advanced harpers. Harp Circle members perform at a variety of events; most recently they played at the United Nations Headquarters for the anniversary of the World Day of Families.
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