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A Taste of the Valleys in the Dales
 

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BBC to make TV documentary about Laura Rose Gee and Harpz The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble as part of a series on talent in the Midlands - watch this space!!


Saturday 5th December 2009
7.30pm The Kiln, Sharpe's Pottery Museum, Swadlincote. 
Harpz Christmas Concert
The kiln is "one of the most acoustically superior and intimate venues in the country".
www.sharpes.org.uk


Harpz - The Derbyshire Harp EnsembleHarpz - The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble.

HARPZ meets every Thursday from 7pm - 8pm

New members always welcome please contact Helen for more information.

Harpz: The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble now has its own Blogspot

 

Helen-Elizabeth is the director of Harpz - The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble, which is a group made up of Helen-Elizabeth's students and friends who have an interest in playing together for concerts and competitions. Junior Harpz is now also available to students ages 16 and under.

Click to enlargeHarpz members have competed in the National Eisteddfod of Wales, the Urdd National Eisteddfod of Wales, the Gwyl Cerdd Dant Cymru and the Leamington Spa competitive festival both as an ensemble and as individuals.

Helen will be competing in duet competitions during 2008 and giving recitals with Carmarthen based harpist Elin LLoyd - so look out for Helen ac Elin in Wales!

Click image to enlarge

If you would like to book Harpz to play at your charity function -  telephone Helen on 01332 540540

Click to enlarge: Harpz at the 2006 Gwyl Cerdd Dant CymruHarpz regularly performs in concerts and other competitions.
For further information please see our Events page

 

 

 


Harpz Garden Party 2009
What a wonderful day was had yesterday on 21st June 2009 by students and Helen Naylor, members and Harpz and Junior Harpz. A short open air recital was held in the garden featuring Thea Butterworth - shortly to be leaving us to attend the Royal College of Music, Laura Rose Gee a winner in the 2009 Urdd Eisteddfod, Junior Harpz and Harpz along with other students playing solos.

The recital was followed by a BBQ in the gardens of Town End Farm followed by a wonderful couple of hours spend making Harp Shaped Soaps with the fantastic party planners Fizzpotzz.

Please click the play button to see pictures of the fun and games

 
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Harpz Garden Party 2009
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Harpz Garden Party 2009
 
 

 

 


22 December 2008: The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble were invited to Radio Derby to entertain with Christmas Carols and seasonal music on the Shane O'Connors Breakfast Show22 December 2008: The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble were invited to Radio Derby to entertain with Christmas Carols and seasonal music on the Shane O'Connors Breakfast Show

Listen again (go to 1hr 35 min)

 

See Gallery +Harpz for more images

 

 

 


In 2008 Harpz will be attending the Teulu James Eisteddfod
at Pontrhydfendigaid
.

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Photograph of Harpz The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble @ Sharpe's Pottery Museum Saturday 4th October 2008 - a fantastic success.

Photograph of Harpz The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble @ Sharpe's Pottery Museum Saturday 4th October 2008 - a fantastic success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harpz held a wonderful evening of musical entertainment with world famous virtuoso harpist David Watkins on the 29th October 2005 and raised £250.00 pounds in aid of St Michael's Church Kirk Langley and the Leeke Memorial Hall floor.On the 29th October 2005 Harpz held a wonderful evening of musical entertainment with world famous virtuoso harpist David Watkins and raised £250.00 pounds in aid of St Michael's Church Kirk Langley and the Leeke Memorial Hall floor.

 

 

 

 

 

Ben Richards, Olivia Bennet and Kristina Kennedy as grade 4 students and members of the Cotswold Harp Ensemble.Member of the Ensemble were also able to enjoy a Master Class with David during the day and improve on their skills.

 

Ben Richards, Olivia Bennet and Kristina Kennedy as grade 4 students and members of the Cotswold Harp Ensemble.

URDD 2009

Laura Rose GeeHarpz The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble member Laura Rose Gee comes 2nd in the Urdd National Eisteddfod Cardiff Bay 2009 - The urdd eisteddfod is Europe's largest cultural youth festival and it was Laura's first attempt in the competition!
 
Follow the following link to watch Laura perform

http://urdd.s4c.co.uk/en/cystadlu/dydd-llun/18?clip=33 
 
Llongyfrachiadau / Congratulations Laura!


International Eisteddfod.

The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble Telynorion Cwm Derwent have been selected and invited to appear at the 2009 International Musical Eisteddfod at Llangollen!

Gwyl Cerdd Dant 2008

Telynorion Cwm Derwent came 2nd in the Instrumental Folk Group Competition at the Gwyl Cerdd Dant Dyffryn Clwyd

Dear Helen,
I really wanted to say what a great performance you gave with Harpz in the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol in August. I was sorry not to be there in person this time but I watched on the BBC live webcast. Harpz really did sound good and what a fantastic performance. I would certainly have given you first prize in the open instrumental group. I looked at the score again afterwards and realised what a long and complicated score it is. I think you've done so well to guide Harpz through such a substantial piece which must have taken so many hours of hard work. Harpz really is a fabulous showcase for harp groups and harp playing. I must also congratulate you on the cerdd dant performance as well, terrific. I know how much work and preparation these performances really take. Well done. Congratulations to all involved - an inspiration to harpists everywhere.
From a very grateful composer Diolch yn fawr Jona Musker Turner

Telynorion Cwm Derwent WIN the instrumental group competition at the National Eisteddfod of Wales Cardiff and area 2008Harpz The Derbyshire Harp Ensemble

Telynorion Cwm Derwent WIN the instrumental group competition at the National Eisteddfod of Wales Cardiff and area 2008!

Click photo for larger image and Click here to watch them performing!

 

 


Leamington Spa Competitive Festival 2008 Harp Day
Harpz and Junior Harpz members successes!!

 
Beginners Harp Solo - Less than one year's tuition - 3rd prize - Pia Robinson
Open Clarsach Solo (adult) 1st Prize - Gina Turner
Grade 1 and 2 solo class - 2nd Prize - Laura-Rose Gee
Grade 5 and 6 solo under 19 1st Prize - Rebecca McIlroy
Harp Recital Class under 14 2nd Prize - Rebecca McIlroy
Harp Recital Class 14 - 19 3rd Prize - Beth Neal
Harp & Other instrument / voice 2nd Prize - Harpz - Telynorion Cwm Derwent folk group.

Wales has its own version of the Robin Hood myth in Twm Sion Cati; an outlaw-hero from Tregaron, who roamed the west and mid parts of Wales. A wealth of popular myths, celebrated in poems, songs and stories, surround his exploits.

Lovable rogues often become popular cultural figures, in particular those who support or fight for the common people, and against the ruling classes. The mythical figure of Robin Hood, who is said to have roamed Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham as an outlaw, is still as popular today as it was 700 years ago.

Wales has its own version of the Robin Hood myth in Twm Sion Cati; an outlaw-hero from Tregaron, who roamed the west and mid parts of Wales. A wealth of popular myths, celebrated in poems, songs and stories, surround his exploits.

In most of the stories about Twm, he is perhaps best remembered for his kindness to his victims. Wishing to avoid severely hurting or killing them, he avoided maiming his enemy by placing a well shot arrow that pinned his nemesis to his saddle.

Members of Harpz performed during an ITV Central TV Weather ForecastMembers of Harpz performed during an ITV Central TV Weather Forecast. There are more photos in the Photo Gallery.

Some images of the Harp

Ensemble rehearsing at the Clive Morley Harps Stand at the National Eisteddfod in Mold 2007.Ensemble rehearsing at the Clive Morley Harps Stand at the National Eisteddfod in Mold 2007. Harpists included Helen Naylor (director) Kristina Kennedy, Amelia Rodgers, Ben Richards, Elin LLoyd, Ruth Martin and Viv Fletcher!

Ensemble rehearsing at the Clive Morley Harps Stand at the National Eisteddfod in Mold 2007.Helen-Elizabeth Naylor rehearsing at the Clive Morley Harps Stand at the National Eisteddfod in Mold 2007.

 

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