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A Message From Our President
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Hello Harpists!
As we enter August, we are all considering our plans for the coming school year and season. While it seems certain that this “back to school” season will be anything but normal, we hope to still find opportunities to connect and share the joy of harp playing with each other. School aged students, please sign up to play in our virtual student recital on August 30th and show off your hard work over the summer! Stay tuned for announcements coming up in the next few months about upcoming events and the Milligan Competition repertoire and registration. Please send me your ideas for other programming you would like to see happen, virtual or otherwise! Also, a friendly reminder that our membership year runs from September–August, so now is a great time to renew your membership. Your membership fee gives you access to all of our website features and events, and helps us to continue providing programming that supports the Houston harp community. Stay healthy and safe and, as always, feel free to reach out to me at any time.
—
Hope Cowan
GHC President
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Houston Symphony principal harpist Megan Conley has begun a series for kids called “Mornings with Megan.” Check out the second video here.
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River Oaks Chamber Orchestra harpist Laurie Meister has concluded her eight–part series of Salzedo’s Suite of Eight Dances with “Bolero.”
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Emily Klein performed Rusalka’s “Song to the Moon” with flutist Rachel Blumenthal.
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1) Milligan Competition Committee
One of our most successful and exciting chapter events is the Mildred Milligan Scholarship Competition. Every other year, school–aged harpists prepare and compete in an adjudicated performance. We are looking forward to the next competition in the spring of 2021, but we need help! Typically the Milligan committee meets once during the summer to select repertoire and set the schedule. Then, a few administrative tasks are done virtually throughout the fall and spring. On competition day, committee members assist judges, coordinate competitors, and help with logistics.
2) Composition Contest Committee
The GHC would like to start a composition contest for young Houston area composers, with the goal of fostering creativity, generating exciting new repertoire, and providing opportunity to young and emerging composers. We need 3–5 people to form a committee to discuss and determine the format and rules, set schedule, and organize the competition. The committee would meet as needed and report to the board.
3) Harp Grants Committee
The GHC board would like to explore the possibility of starting a grant application program for our local chapter to support members and local harp projects. We would like to form a committee of 3 or 4 people to discuss, research, and implement grant application procedures. The committee would meet as needed and report to the board.
If you are interested in serving on any of these committees, please contact Hope Cowan (hope.k.cowan@gmail.com) for more information.
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Fall Registration Open for HYHE
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The HYHE has announced their upcoming fall semester: The Great Outdoors! There are a number of changes that will be implemented to make it as safe as possible for participants:
- Participation will be limited to 6 students. We have measured the rehearsal space and feel confident that the room can be arranged in such a way to give each harpist enough personal space.
- Students will be asked to unload their harps one family at a time to limit the total number of people in the room, and parents and siblings are kindly asked to not observe rehearsals.
- We will be modifying both our cancellation and absence policy. You can view more information about that here.
- Masks will be required for both students and directors during the entirety of the rehearsal.
- The final concert may look different than past seasons. Our tentative plan is to offer a live-streamed event, so students can still benefit from a final, collective performance, and audience members can enjoy it from the comforts and safety of their homes. We will make a more concrete decision about this in the fall.
Register at https://houstonyouthharpensemble.com/registration/ to get one of the last remaining spots!
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Our chapter recital has been modified to a virtual event! This concert will be held via zoom on August 30 at 3 pm. This fun, non–competitive performance opportunity is open to harp students grades K–12. Students and their teachers must be current members of the GHC of the AHS. Please note: both active 2019–2020 memberships or memberships for the 2020–2021 year are valid for this event. You can sign up to participate here. The deadline to sign up is August 15.
To become a member, visit https://houstonharpists.com/join/. Each student should prepare one piece (or movement) of their choice to share with their peers, friends, and family. A memorized performance is preferred, but not required. Any questions and comments can be directed to Hope Cowan at hope.k.cowan@gmail.com or 507-993-4969. Please mark your calendars and save the date for what will be a truly fantastic event.
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Hope Cowan, President
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Kate Gabriele, Vice President
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Alaina Graiser, Treasurer
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Stephanie Gustafson, Secretary
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Elizabeth Webb, Webmaster
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Like the information you see here? Want more content in real time? Be sure to join the discussion on our Facebook page by clicking on the button below!
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We want your harp news! Email upcoming events, professional announcements, classifieds, and photos of past GHC events to stephanie.gustafson2@gmail.com.
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