Description

Please watch the video below for an overview of the project

Please note this is the sign up page for in person retreat option, if you would like to sign up for the online option please visit this page >>HERE<<.

THIS IS THE YEAR that The Dynamic Harps Virtual/In Person Ensemble will be

creating an album and YOU can be part of this!

Join this unique experience to play your harp on the Dynamic Harps Album.

Rehearse and record with us during the year online or in person, by the end of the year celebrate with us and hold a professionally recorded CD in your hand with your name on!

Accommodation at the main hotel is fully booked but I am delighted to be able to open up 12 more spaces as they have a beautiful ’sister’ hotel called ‘The Great House’ (Website here: https://www.great-house-laleston.co.uk/wedding-venue-bridgend/book-a-showround only 5 minutes drive away . We will work out a way to shuttle everyone to Court Coleman Manor and your harp can of course stay at the Manor for the full weekend. All meals except breakfast will be at Court Coleman Manor. If you would like to make a booking on this basis I would be delighted to welcome you to the project, the sign up page is here: Please book as soon as you can, I would be so sad for you to miss out! Thank you and with all best wishes, Shelley 

 What?

9 track Dynamic Harps album recording in 2023 and YOU are invited to be part of this!

When?

The 9 track album will be rehearsed during the first nine months 2023, recorded in October and released in December alongside an ensemble music book compendium, with every performer and supporter of the project named.

Who?

There are opportunities to join online or in person. Music is written carefully in order to be accessible to all ages and abilities.

How?

Rehearsals

Pre-Recorded Lessons: Once a month a new ensemble pre-recorded lesson will be released, including a teaching video for each individual part, a professionally videoed play along for each part and with all parts playing as an ensemble.

Live Rehearsals Online: On the 1st Tuesday of each month we will have a live session to rehearse together the pieces and for students to ask any questions and glitch fix. The replay will be posted following each session.

Live Rehearsals In-Person: For harpists based close enough to Cardiff, the ensemble will rehearse the CD pieces during their face to face meet up sessions over the year. If you are interested in joining the face to face ensemble please email me on info@harpwales.com.

Recording

CD Recording In-Person: All harpists from our Dynamic Harps global family are invited to join us in person for The Harp Project ’23 recording retreat on the 13^th-16^th October 2023 at a beautiful manor near Cardiff, South Wales, UK (accommodation and food on site). We will rehearse and record the CD during this week, alongside enjoying concerts, workshops and a celebration dinner together.

CD Recording Online: The final track of the CD will be an audio collaboration. Harpists from around the globe will be invited to record an audio line for the CD and then have their part edited into the full group performance, thus opening the possibility of everyone being able to join us, even if the in-person recording is not possible. This track will be have parts available to play lap harps without levers (as well as parts for other harp types) to make it as inclusive as possible.

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE RETREAT 

The following information is if you are going to sign up to the monthly lessons online AND the retreat with album recording sessions in October. If you will be attending the online option only please visit this page for sign up >>HERE<<.

Friends/family members are welcome to join us, please just sign them up as NON-HARPIST, they will then be able to join us for all meals and the concerts over the weekend.

If you are signing up as a HARPIST the fees below include the online lessons (so you do not need to sign up for the online option in addition to this).

The timetable will be released ASAP, the main weekend runs from Friday afternoon until late Sunday (we will have a post recording party that night!).

The retreat is being held at Court Colman Manor, Pen-y-Fai, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales, CF31 4NG, you can look at their website here: https://www.court-colman-manor.com. The booking of accommodation for the weekend itself (13th-16th October 2023) is direct with me as I have currently block booked the hotel for our event. If you would like to stay before or after the event at the hotel, please book those nights directly with the hotel. There is a space to indicate on the booking form if you have done this so I can make sure you keep the same room for the whole duration of your stay.

For overseas students, flying into London / Bristol / Birmingham airports and connecting via train or bus to Cardiff is one option. Taxi or car hire may be the preferred method for the final part of the journey, it is around a 35-40 minute journey by car. Cardiff also has its own airpot which is worth considering depending on where you are flying from, it is a 35-40 minute taxi/car travel away from Court Coleman Manor. If there is demand I will look to help International visitors with this final part of the journey (perhaps with local harpists being willing to help?!). There is a space on the booking form to indicate if you would like any assistance planning your journey. Please don’t let logistics get in the way of your attendance, I will endeavorer to help you find a suitable solution if I can!

Application process to attend retreat:

Harpists and Non-Harpists will each need to:

1. Read this full page including the terms and conditions.
2. Fill out and submit the google docs form (embedded below)
3. Please make the 40% booking fee payment via the Fairplay Harp School Website.
4. Await confirmation regarding your booking, any add ons and payment plan if requested (this may take up to 72 hours).
5. You will be invoiced according to your preferred payment plan (either 5 instalments due March to July or the 60% final balance payment due by 31^st July 2023)
6. Commit to practice and rehearsing the 9 tunes using the monthly lessons released via the Dynamic Harps Virtual Ensemble lessons (you will be send details of these following sign up.

Payment options:

To secure your place as at The Harp Project ’23 retreat, you will need to pay an initial 40% booking fee. The 60% balance payment will be due by the 31^st July 2023.

All bookings made before the end of February 2023 will have the opportunity to pay the 60% balance split over 5 monthly instalments (March – July)

All harpists signing up to the weekend retreat will also received all the online Dynamic Harp sessions, sheet music downloads and one physical copy of the CD recording.

Daytime only/non-residential HARPIST (includes lunch and dinner from Friday lunchtime to Sunday night)

• Full fee = £265
• 40% booking fee = £106, balance due by 31^st July 2023.
• For bookings made before the end of February 2023, there is the option to split the balance into five £31.80 monthly payments to be made March to July.

Daytime only/non-residential NON-HARPIST (includes lunch and dinner from Friday lunchtime to Sunday night)

• Full fee = £165
• 40% booking fee = £66, balance due by 31^st July 2023.
• For bookings made before the end of February 2023, there is the option to split the balance into five £19.80 monthly payments to be made March to July.

Overnight/residential HARPIST (3 nights, Friday to Monday, includes full board from Friday lunchtime to Monday morning)

• Full fee = £565
• 40% booking fee = £226, balance due by 31^st July 2023.
• For bookings made before the end of February 2023, there is the option to split the balance into five £67.80 monthly payments to be made March to July.

Overnight/residential NON-HARPIST (3 nights, Friday to Monday, includes full board from Friday lunchtime to Monday morning)

• Full fee = £365
• 40% booking fee = £146, balance due by 31^st July 2023.
• For bookings made before the end of February 2023, there is the option to split the balance into five £43.80 monthly payments to be made March to July.

Add on options will be invoiced separately and payment will be required to confirm. No payment plans will be available for the add ons.

What will I expect from you?

Commitment! You will need to download the music each month, learn your chosen part and ask me any questions during the live sessions (or send your questions in advance and watch the replay) so that when we meet in person we can work on the ensemble elements, recording skills and create the album!

Terms & Conditions – The Harp Project 2023

1. Acceptance of Terms and conditions

By completing this application (payment and sign up form) you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.

2. Payment

All fees must be paid by the specified date. Failure to pay in full will result in your place being cancelled with no automatic right to refund. Invoices will be provided (detailing payment plans where appropriate) and a link to a payment gateway and/or bank details will be provided. All fees must be paid in GB Pounds (£).

3. Refund

Tickets and project fees are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend the event for any reason you may offer your place to another harpist.

4. Postponement or change of venue

In the unlikely event that we need to postpone or change the venue, we will advise you of this as soon as possible.

5. Liability

In relation to any postponement, cancellation, or change of venue, our sole liability will be limited to the total fee paid by you. We will not be liable for any consequential losses such as travel costs. Taking out your own insurance to cover travel is recommended.

6. Your obligations

By completing this form you agree to comply with any safety requirements of the venue and the organiser. Any damages caused are the responsibility of the attendee and not the organisers.

7. Photography, filming and recording

As the outcome of the Project includes the production of a CD, photographs and video recordings will be made throughout the event and all attendees may be filmed and/or recorded, and these images/recordings may be used for future promotional purposes. Please let the organisers know if you would prefer not to appear prominently in any images and we will try our best to keep you in the background!

8. Data Protection

We will store your information safely, and only share it when necessary for the safe operation of the event e.g. with the accommodation and transport providers. You may request deletion of your details at any time after the event apart from payment records which will be maintained as long as required for tax purposes.

9. Travel, accommodation and refreshments

You are responsible for making and paying for your own travel and lodging arrangements to and from the retreat. We are not obligated to provide you a refund or to postpone the start of the programme until you arrive if you are late to the workshop or unable to attend because of a missed flight or other unforeseen circumstances. The booking form specifies what refreshments will be given.

10. Disability, medical conditions and dietary requirements

Please inform the organisers of any disability or medical condition, especially if you require any special arrangements. Dietary needs will be accommodated as much as possible providing the organisers have been informed in advance.

11. Limitations of liability

Although the organisers will take all reasonable measures to maintain the security and safety of the workshop, we will not in any way be liable for any loss or damage you may incur in connection with the workshop. Our total liability for any matter within this contract shall not exceed the total amount paid for the event.

Dynamic Harps Virtual Harp Ensemble:

Here are a few testimonials in case you are sitting on the fence!

Shelley’s teaching was brilliant making people feel at ease and encouraging for the early harpist as well as the more advanced. Excellent well done.

Shelley is a generous, fun and extremely apt teacher. Having completed her free beta version of Dynamic Harps Virtual Ensemble, I would not hesitate to take a paid class with Shelley in the future. She really knows how to teach to multiple levels at once and the music is beautiful!

What an amazing experience! I loved the welcoming feeling I got each time I signed on for our weekly practices. No matter what your level you will feel wanted and appreciated. Shelley’s enthusiasm, energetic and down to earth personality combined with her teaching skills always left me feeling happy that I learned new things and looking forward to the next week’s practice. From learning about the importance of shapes, new warm-ups, kerfuffles, glissandos, and on an on the Dynamic Harp Virtual Ensemble is just that – DYNAMIC!

Shelley has so much enthusiasm, drive and passion for teaching the harp. She is determined to ensure everyone gets the best possible experience. The ensemble was an amazing experience and I felt so welcome and valued. She truly wanted everyone to enjoy the experience and stopped at nothing to provide the best experience possible. Thank you so much Shelley! I will certainly be doing more courses/workshops with Shelley in future and would definitely recommend.

Shelley’s energy is out of this world. She provided this workshop and harp ensemble for harpists worldwide during the pandemic, which was a weekly lifeline for me and I’m sure others. The effort she puts into preparation for all levels, making pieces interesting and fun, accessible to all, flexible, challenging, pushing you to improve, is all so inspiring. Shelley you are fantastic! Thank you for the bottom of my heart!

Shelley is a breath of fresh air with her exuberant, fun but reassuring teaching style. I treasured Being a part of this virtual ensemble during the pandemic and would happily sign up for other harp adventures with Shelley 😊

This ensemble was a remarkable experience. Shelley is such a supportive, encouraging, creative, intuitive teacher. Her energy comes through the screen. She can somehow tell how more than 70 students are learning and target just what we needed to succeed. Shelley somehow makes it seem like yes, of course, we are all wonderful musicians no matter what our background or experience. The arrangements were all beautiful and accessible to all levels. Her arrangements and improvisation exercises taught me more than years of trying to figure out music theory and arranging on my own. I learned so much about playing as part of an ensemble, learning to embrace imperfection, and how to have fun with music in a way I never had before being part of this wonderful group.