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Ashley, the great teacher in Bavaria who taught many of the present Principal Harp performers in orchestras of many European countries, is Erich Schubert. Over 80, he is now retired and in a Seniorenheim in Lenggries, south of Munich. He is still arranging and publishing, however, and if you would write him at Karwendelstrasse 28-a, Apartment 210, Lenggries, D-83661, Germany, I think he would surely
Dear Nelleke Kerkhoff: In North Vancouver there is a wonderful harp teacher named (Mrs.) Rita Costanzi. She is busy teaching at the U. of B.C. there, and recording harp masterworks; but if she doesn’t have room in her schedule she could surely refer you to another qualified harp teacher. You can contact her either through the University, or by writing to her at 1719 Pierard Road, North Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V7J 1Y4. Which harp to start on depends on your goals that you want to achieve( after much practice!) with a harp. People have enjoyed all sizes, from a lap harp to the big concert harp. The larger the harp, the richer the sound, but also the expense increases with size, like with anything else. If you choose a lever harp your repertoire is pretty much limited to folk songs from all countries, carols, early type music, and hymns. If you choose a pedal harp, you will be unlimited in your choice of music. It is impossible for an outsider to tell you what to aim for; you must figure this out, with the help of a caring teacher. Then try to obtain the largest possible harp for the type of music you want to play, that you can afford. This will give you the most satisfaction as you do your practicing, because if you don’t enjoy the sound and range of your harp you may give up.
Dear Amanda Scheetz: Contact the Prinzregenten Theater (in the Bogenhausen section of Munich) and ask them to connect you with the harp professional who plays for all the operas and concerts performed there. The number will be in the Munich telephone book.Through this harpist you will be able to find a teacher in your part of the city, which is important, Munich being so very large and crowded now. Good luck! Patricia Jaeger
Dear Ashley, I have been teaching more than 45 years, and a good start on learning good repertoire for a harp student to eventually reach the famous masterworks, is to get a syllabus. England and Australia both publish lists of what is expected at various levels such as the first year, second year, and so forth. These lists are drawn up by very competent professional harp teachers who themselves had to be examined at each level before they could study the etudes and pieces in the next level until they finally obtained their cherished and hard-won teaching diploma. In democratic America we seldom see a syllabus because we are not so structured in our whole educational system, as those countries are. We could do a whole lot worse than following these lists to some degree, rather than teaching each student what happens to come to mind at the moment, or what is available in a local music store. By buying these syllabi over the years(alway updated) I have tried to teach to a global standard, rather than a local one, and have been rewarded by seeing my students accepted into colleges of music, and into orchestras, since I had given them correct material. Another way, if you do not travel, is to obtain catalogs of prominent music schools (Eastman, Curtis, Peabody, New England Conservatory, Juilliard, etc.) and the college harp course will be printed there. Often these same schools have a Preparatory Department, and four years of harp study materials for younger students may be printed in those catalogs as well. In a few years you will gain judgment as to which pieces and etudes are correct for the needs of your individual student, but at first I would use these helpful printed guides. Patricia Jaeger
Hello, you could try either of these two teachers: Mary Anderson in East Kew, Victoria (03-9859-9159) or Shirley Collins in Ferny Creek, Victoria (in “Deventer”, Main Road; I do not have her phone) They might have other names to suggest in case the distance is too great. I do not know an e-mail for these people. Good luck! Patricia in Seattle.
