Students return year after year for the inspiring American Youth Harp Ensemble Summer Institutes! These programs not only nurture musical ability but provide the camaraderie of a summer camp experience where students form lasting friendships. The combination of outstanding faculty, a rich musical environment, and the company of talented students makes for an exciting, memorable, and rewarding summer experience.
Your AYHE Summer Harp Institute Customized Daily Schedule Offers:
– Daily schedule of ensemble rehearsals, classes, workshops, practice and individual attention
– Private harp lessons with each of our world-class teachers!
– A supportive and inspiring environment for students at all levels – from beginners to advanced
– Repertoire selections tailored to student abilities and placement determined by age and skill level
– Attention to individual needs, learning style, and physiology
– Emphasis on developing effective practice skills, memorization techniques, and performance etiquette
– An exhilarating and challenging musical experience
– Performance opportunities, including solo and ensemble concerts
– Harps available for use at in-person Institutes
– Fun social activities, and more!
WORKSHOPS
Arts Management
As a professional musician or arts entrepreneur, success depends on your ability to connect and engage diverse communities through marketing, fundraising, strategic planning, leadership, and so much more. In this class, you will gain practical skills to support your artistic endeavors and insight into what it takes to become a visionary leader in arts and culture.
Conducting:
Learn basic skills of conducting and leading an ensemble. Students will prepare a short score while conducting with their peers. Students also have an opportunity to conduct the final performance.
Composition and Arranging with Chris Marshall:
Chris’ compositions have been played by many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, and London Mozart Players. In the class, students will explore new harmonic textures, structures for melody, and rhythmic ideas, developing a foundation for writing music.
The Gig Musician:
A realistic exploration of the business aspects of a career in music, including its joys and realities. Students develop a wedding repertoire list and book, create individualized contracts, learn marketing strategies, and acquire other practical knowledge about the life of a professional musician.
Introduction to Dalcroze Eurhythmics:
Founded by Swiss music educator Emile Jaques Dalcroze, Eurhythmics is a unique approach to developing musicianship through movement, ear training, and improvisation activities.
Introduction to Improvisation and Jazz for Classical Musicians:
A brief lecture on the history of jazz. Students learn the basics of improvisation.
Music History
Each daily session explores music history in a broad fashion. The class introduces the music of the Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, and Modern periods. The course focuses on listening but covers history, society, architecture, and other art forms.
Music Theory
All students take a theory placement test to be placed appropriately in a beginner, intermediate, or advanced theory class. Students learn the language, terminology, and mechanics of music, plus the fundamentals of sound, notation, intervals, chords, musical forms, and analysis.
Music Therapy Overview:
Learn about music therapy, including the emerging field of harp therapy. Exciting new research, applications, and possibilities will be explored.
The Orchestral Harpist:
During this informative session, students gain insights into orchestral playing from orchestral harpists and a professional symphony conductor.
Practical Seminar for the Music Student:
This class guides careers in music, competitions, and places to further musical study. Guest faculty include professors from conservatories and music schools.
Practice Like a Pro!
Explore tips, tricks, and techniques for efficient and effective practice. “The habits of greatness” make all the difference. Year after year, students (and their teachers) say this seminar inspires the most profound growth.
World Music and Rhythm
Take your rhythm to the next level with this fun and engaging class. Chris Marshall will take all pupils, whatever their level, and start at the beginning. What is Rhythm? You will learn how to internalize and develop your rhythmic skills through a series of exercises and fun games. As we develop our rhythm, we will start exploring new, exciting, and more advanced concepts as we look at music from around the world. Music from Cuba, Africa, and the Balkan countries of Eastern Europe will be just some of what we will cover.
Masterclasses with guest artist faculty, performances, and so much more… visit www.greenspringmusic.org/summer for more information.
Quotes from students:
“Intensely rewarding and intensely fun!… Plus, I made incredible new friends!” — L. W.
“A motivating, inspirational, and life-changing experience and a musician’s dream come true.” — L. B.
“The AYHE Summer Harp Institute helped me decide that I wanted to pursue harp as my career. I have a deeper appreciation of music because of the music history and theory classes, which were incredibly inspirational. It was truly an amazing and life-changing experience for me!” — A. M.
