This summer, the American Harp Society (AHS) will celebrate its 60-year diamond anniversary June 22–25 at the 44th AHS National Conference in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We asked conference chair Anna Vorhes to give us an inside look at the plans for this milestone conference.

Harp Column: The AHS Conference has not met in person since 2018—what does gathering in person allow you to do that isn’t possible online?

Anna Vorhes: There’s no substitute for the spontaneous conversations and personal interactions that accompany a live conference event.

Our exhibitors provide a significant part of the value of attending a live conference. For me, exhibits on a website are not nearly as much fun as walking into a room filled with harps of all sizes and styles, all ready to try out even if you won’t be buying today! There are also bins and bins of music that purchasers can go through and try out on a harp before buying. Those of us who have been to conferences always look forward to spending time in the exhibit hall.

HC: Tell us how the 44th National Conference will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the AHS in 2022.

AV: The most exciting thing is the Diamond Celebration Harp Ensemble. Robbin Gordon-Cartier and Laura Zaerr have put together an exciting group of pieces, all with accessible parts for lever and pedal harps. We’ve reserved a huge space in the First Lutheran Church for rehearsals and the concert. Players can choose their participation level, from playing one piece to playing all the pieces.

There will be displays to celebrate the history of the American Harp Society, we’ll formally acknowledge the 60th anniversary during the annual membership meeting, and we have some surprises planned for the evening receptions that will celebrate the 60-year legacy of the AHS!

HC: What themes do you see in this year’s programming?

AV: We’ve worked very hard to create programming that celebrates the diverse cultural and musical options available to harpists, while staying true to the AHS mission to inspire excellence and empower the next generation of harpists. The Israeli Chamber Project will anchor our chamber music offerings, including side-by-side chamber music coaching sessions, workshops on sustaining a career in chamber music, composing and arranging for chamber ensembles, and a solo master class with Sivan Magen.

HC: What event or aspect of the conference are you most excited about?

AV: There are two things that are very exciting to me as a conference chair. First, the chance to share the musical and community resources of my city. Secondly, the programming that invites not only harpists, but also band and choral directors, to experience the harp. We will have workshops for band and choral directors, both in their own fields and sharing harp repertoire suitable for young bands and choirs.

HC: How did you choose the lineup of performers and presenters? Tell us about a few we should be sure to check out.

AV: As we started thinking about the conference in Sioux Falls, we thought about different types of harps and all the ways harps are used to make music—the facets of a diamond!

United States Military Band harpists Gréta Ásgeirsson, Grace Bauson, and Megan Sesma will be joining local wind band players for an evening concert of music for harp and band. The Crimson Duo (Jaymee Haefner, harp, and Matt Milewski, violin) will present a program including new works by the South Dakota Symphony’s oboist and composer Jeff Paul and by Minnesota composer Libby Larsen. Their presentation will include visual images that coordinate with the music.

Performances throughout the conference will also feature the winners of AHS awards such as the Weiger-Lepke-Sims Family Sacred Music Award and the 2021 AHS National Competition.

We will have workshops on the cultural music traditions of Scotland and Ecuador, and concerts featuring chamber music, band and wind ensemble music, choral music, and so much more.

HC: As the AHS host chapter for this conference, what is the Jubal (South Dakota) Chapter most looking forward to?

AV: We are looking forward to sharing midwestern hospitality in a lovely city with an active arts community. Our performance venues are amazing, and our city is warm and welcoming. Our restaurants offer world-class food, and the downtown is a lovely walking venue, all within a few blocks of the performance and workshop venues. There are unique shops along the way, including some that feature Native American art and products.

HC: Tell us some highlights of this year’s venue and accommodations.

AV: The Washington Pavilion features a world-class concert hall and additional smaller performance venues. The building is a stunningly repurposed early 20th-century high school and includes an art museum, a science museum, and a small cafe space. The two churches directly across the street from the Pavilion—First Lutheran Church and First Congregational—are known for their acoustics and their ambience.

The Butterfly House and Marine Cove, the Great Plains Zoo, the Pettigrew House, the Old Courthouse Museum, and various shopping areas offer exploration and entertainment for family members and friends. Natural attractions include numerous city parks, including Falls Park, a short walk north from downtown Sioux Falls.  

HC: How can harpists register for the conference?

AV: Registration information is on the AHS website at harpsociety.org. Adult, student, and online registrations are available to members of the American Harp Society. We have family member registration rates for non-harpists. Anyone registered (in person or online) will have access to the conference programming via AHSLive! on the AHS website, following the conference.

HC: Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about the conference?  

AV: Come join us! We are ready to be together as harpists, meeting new friends and connecting with old friends. We plan to have a lot of fun and share a lot of wonderful music! •