Between Friday 22nd and Tuesday 26th October, Ryde plays host to the seventh annual Harp on Wight Festival.
Spanning over five days, the 2021 Festival offers 14 workshops and eight concerts.
Strong Celtic influence
This year the festival is especially strong on Celtic music, with three world class harpists both performing and teaching workshops – Anne-Marie O’Farrell from Ireland, Catriona Mc Kay from Scotland and Lily Neill from the USA, who is returning to the festival after her outstanding concert in 2018.
Eight concerts
The opening concert at Ryde Methodist Church on October 22nd sees the Festival’s Patron – harpist Anne Denholm joining forces the Voices of the Isle of Wight Choir.
Saturday brings two concerts – An afternoon session with Tara Viscardi an Maria McNamee – the winner and runner-up of the 2021 North London Festival Camac Harp Competition. The evening concert features Lauren Scott playing music from her debut solo lever harp album, Beyond the Horizon.
Sunday welcomes Alexander Rider, who will be commemorating the centenary of Camille Saint-Saens at 2pm, whilst Catriona McKay will be premiering music from her new album, Love in Secret.
There’ll be an impromptu harp ensemble on Monday afternoon with Lauren Scott’s workshop students, whilst the evening concert welcomes Anne-Marie O’Farrell, who is highly respected for her unique levering techniqies.
Lily Neill performs the closing concert on Tuesday 26th October, with more highly dramatic melodies from ragtime to tango, to Eastern European and Nordic tunes, jigs, reels and Renaissance music.
Workshops galore
The range of workshops at this year’s festival cater for absolutely beginners to intermediate harpists.
Those who need help with their basic technique can learn how to approach with confidence, simple but beautiful melodies. There’s an exploration of fun and funky extended techniques on lever harp. Learn tricks and techniques from Catrion McKay, as well as exploring Eastern Europe with Lily Neill and Irish Airs with Anne-Marie O’Farrell.
Display of harps
A popular daytime feature of the festival is the free to attend display of harps made by national manufacturers in the Methodist Church where you will also find sheet music and harp accessories.
Book now
You can buy tickets for individual concerts – there are eight of them – or grab yourself a season ticket for all concerts for £75.
Buy online, in person at Monkton Arts Ryde, or by calling Vic King on (01983) 730 930.
Full details can be found on the Harp On Wight Website.
If you require any further information about the Harp on Wight Festival please email [email protected] or call (01983) 730 930.
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