News & Events

2021 Yvonne LaMothe Schwager Virtual Competition

APPLY HERE

Application Deadline: Saturday, May 1

Video Submission Deadline: Wednesday, May 12

Competition Judging:  Monday, May 17

Winners Recital: Sunday May 23, featuring special guest artist, Chloe Tula

Please see below for a PDF containing more information for our 2021 competition. A huge thank you to our competition committee: Karen Gottlieb, Jessica Schaeffer, and Susie Spiwak.

Resources from Karen Gottlieb’s Harp Tech Lunch Break:

What Harpists Need To Know

Maintenance Info

Cleaning Article

String tying/changing

Tuning Article

Tips on sanitizing your harp in the time of COVID-19 from Peter Wiley:

COVID-19 Guidelines from Salvi Harps:

Prevention tips COVID-19

Every Wednesday at Noon

**Begins Wednesday, May 6th!**

In this strange time, we want to bring harpists together, let our harp students hear amazing performers, and showcase the rich talents of our chapter.  We are launching a new online harp series.  We will congregate online every Wednesday at noon to hear local harpists perform, give workshops, and more. These concerts are *live* and interactive.  Come, enjoy, and meet the performers!
 

Access via Facebook Live | Donations accepted below

Sadly, due to COVID-19, the American Harp Society has announced that their 2020 National Conference in Orlando will be rescheduled.  For more information, click here.

So many are struggling right now. We know there is tremendous need.  Any little bit to help feels like a just drop in the bucket compared to how big the need is.  As small a thing as a weblink is, we do want to share what resources we can that may be helpful for our community of harpists. A whole website dedicated to helping harpists navigate COVID-19 from the national American Harp Society: https://americanharpsociety.wordpress.com/ Resources from the national level of the American Federation of Musicians: https://www.afm.org/covid-19/   Online teaching resources from BACAHS member Diana Rowan: https://youtu.be/REPBuFVntgo  https://www.facebook.com/dianaharp/videos/10158331683262743/ A wide array of critical resources from San Francisco’s Center for New Music: https://centerfornewmusic.com/resources-for-artists-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/ Relief fund and health department resources from Chamber Music America: https://www.chamber-music.org/programs Relief fund information from American Federation of Musicians, Local 6: https://afm6.org/musician-emergency-relief-request/ Resources from the American String Teachers Association: https://www.astastrings.org/Web/Resources/Update__COVID-19.aspx Fractured Atlas’ Resources for Artists of Color: https://blog.fracturedatlas.org/coronavirus-resources-for-artists-of-color Fractured Atlas – The Payment Protection Program – A Guide for Artists https://blog.fracturedatlas.org/ppp-resources-artists-freelancers-independent-contractors Fractured Atlas – Mental Health Resources for Musicians in Time of COVID-19 https://blog.fracturedatlas.org/mental-health-resources-artists-covid-19 Mental Health Resources to Help Prevent Creative and Professional Burnout – UC Berkeley Extension https://bootcamp.berkeley.edu/blog/mental-health-resources-to-help-prevent-creative-and-professional-burnout/ The American Harp Society National Conference – Online Resources from the Presenters https://www.ahsconference.org/watch-now Alliance of Artists Communities Artist Resource List, covering everything from CARES Act to small business assistance to CDC planning guides to artists relief funds https://www.artistcommunities.org/news/aac-alert-covid-19-preparedness-residencies Creative Capital Resource Page featuring online workshops and grants for artists https://creative-capital.org/2020/03/13/list-of-arts-resources-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/ Resources and relief fund from New Music USA: https://www.newmusicusa.org/content/covid-19/?utm_source=New+Music+USA&utm_campaign=3f0af91dd9-listening_forward_20200424&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8d3ef45613-3f0af91dd9-65910073 Kids stuck at home?  Missing attending concerts?  Here are free digital concerts and educational resources: Note: Some of these are experiencing high user demand right now that occasionally impacts their website. San Francisco Symphony Music Connects: https://www.sfsymphony.org/Calendar/MusicConnects?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=19MeNews4-14155172&utm_content=version_A San Francisco Opera – Opera is On program: https://sfopera.com/opera-is-on/ San Francisco Conservatory of Music Tiny Dorm Concerts: https://sfcm.edu/tiny-dorm-concerts San Francisco Center for New Music: Encore Concerts https://www.facebook.com/pg/c4newmusic/events/?ref=page_internal San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’ SFGMC TV https://www.sfgmc.org/sfgmctv LA Opera At Home https://www.laopera.org/discover/laoathome/ The Kennedy Center https://www.kennedy-center.org/digitalstage/ Berliner Philharmoniker https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/home The Metropolitan Opera https://www.metopera.org/ Detroit Symphony Orchestra https://livefromorchestrahall.vhx.tv/browse?_ga=2.17413305.1037995715.1584465851-343925516.1584465851 The American Harp Journal’s Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_v9sekpYBNR_rbrvya2luA/featured Arts and Ideas – UC Berkeley’s Online Hub for the Arts https://www.ideas.berkeley.edu/

Coming to San Francisco May 29-31, 2020

Please note that this event has been postponed

Performances, Masterclasses, Workshops and more!

All events are FREE but registration is required.  To sign up and view an events schedule, please click here.

Weekend of February 29-March 1st, 2020
Julia Kay Jamieson is Coming to BACAHS!

Bohemian Rhapsody Harp Ensemble Workshop

February 29th, 2020
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Harps Etc.
1601 N Main St, Suite 106, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

A harp ensemble workshop featuring Julia’s new arrangement of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. Followed by a class on improvisation. People may participate in one or both parts of the event. Those participating in the harp ensemble workshop are invited to perform Bohemian Rhapsody the following day as part of the recital Julia will be giving at Congregation Beth Sholom. There will be harps available for use at Harps Etc.

Dress Rehearsal

March 1st, 2020
1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth Sholom
301 14th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118

This is a rehearsal and gathering for participants of the Feb. 29th workshop who are choosing to perform in the March 1st evening concert.

Julia Kay Jamieson Concert

March 1st, 2020
6:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth Sholom
301 14th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118
Followed by a reception

Come gather with our local Bay Area harp community for a vegetarian potluck
January 26th, 2020

Please sign up here.
Questions? Contact Jennifer at harpellis@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you!

Yvonne LaMothe Schwager Competition Winners’ Recital 2019

Presented by the Bay Area Chapter of the American Harp Society

Congratulations to all our participants in the Yvonne LaMothe Schwager 2019 Competition! 

The winners’ recital will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 5pm at Crowden Music Centre, 1475 Rose Street, Berkeley.
Come hear the wonderful winners of the Yvonne LaMothe Schwager Competition perform!

We are looking for volunteers for the Yvonne LaMothe Schwager Winners’ Recital on June 2nd in Berkeley.  If you can make it, please email Sarah Goss at harp@sarahgoss.com.

Welcome to the Bay Area Chapter of the American Harp Society’s newsletter for October 2018!   We wish you all a wonderful start to the school year!

1. Membership Reminder
2. Yvonne LaMothe Schwager Competition
3. Josh Layne Workshop Invitation from the Santa Barbara Chapter
4. Writing Opportunity
5. Housekeeping
6. Upcoming Member Events
7. Member News
8. Classifieds

1. Renew Your Membership!

Membership Renewals were due last month! If you haven’t already, please renew your membership at the link below:
bacharp.org/membership/
Thank you for your continued support – we can’t do this without you!

2. 2019 Yvonne LaMothe Schwager Competition Recap

We are looking forward to hearing many harpists play for the Yvonne LaMothe Schwager competition! The details were announced in August. Just to recap, we’ve included the most important information below:

Application Deadline: April 15th, 2019

Competition Date: May 19th, 2019
Venue: Peninsula Jewish Community Center
Address: 800 Foster City Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404

Winners Recital Date: June 2nd, 2019

Application Information: The application form will be made available on the BACAHS website on January 1st, 2019.

Repertoire and Other Information: Click here to open
(Note: if you have trouble opening the link, please try going to the top of this email and clicking the link to view the newsletter in your browser.)

Questions? Contact Sarah Goss at harp@sarahgoss.com.
Invitation from the AHS Santa Barbara Chapter

3. Heading to the Central Coast? Check out this great concert and workshop with Josh Layne hosted by our sibling AHS chapter in Santa Barbara.

Workshop
November 10, 2018
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Topics: Memorization, Composition, Technique, and Practicing Performance
Price: $25
Please arrive by 10:30 a.m. to have time to unload your harp.
To reserve a spot, please contact malawer@gmail.com.

Concert
November 11, 2018
2:30 p.m.
Goleta Presbyterian Church
6067 Shirrell Way, Goleta, CA
Tickets – $15 at the door or online

4. Writing Opportunities!

Do you have article ideas for the BACAHS newsletter? Would you like to write a concert review or discuss ideas for practicing sight-reading or share tips for getting harps up terrible stair cases? Share your perspective! This is an open call for short articles on any topic related to the harp and our local harp community for our newsletter and blog. Interested? Email BACAHS Newsletter Editor Jennifer Ellis at harpellis@gmail.com for more information.

5. Housekeeping:

Please send us your member news!

Whether you’re performing in public for the very first time, or playing as a member of a symphony, we want to have an ongoing calendar of all your musical pursuits.

No matter how large or small your harp-related event is, we’d love to hear about it to allow other members to support you!

You can submit your recent news, member events, and classified ads just by clicking on the following links:

Classifieds:

Classified Ads

Member News:
https://goo.gl/forms/mRZH7ZYdpnhZyjhi1
Upcoming Member Events:
https://goo.gl/forms/1igGOStOO2h8xLYp1

Please submit by the 1st of the month to guarantee inclusion in that month’s newsletter.

Questions?
Email Jennifer Ellis at harpellis@gmail.com

6. Upcoming Events From Our Members:

All Members can submit upcoming events: https://goo.gl/forms/1igGOStOO2h8xLYp1
Event information will appear as submitted.

October 20th – Jessica Siegel
Learn How To Put Strings on Your Harp! Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Harps Etc. in Walnut Creek. 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Fee: $25.00 due at time of registration. RSVP by October 18th at 800-836-5559 or email info@harpsetc.com. Learn the tricks of the trade to make replacing the strings pedal or non-pedal harp easy! You can bring your harp and change your strings or use a store harp for practice. Please let Harps Etc. know if you need a set of strings so we can be sure you have fresh strings for the workshop.

October 26th – Meredith Clark
On Friday 10/26, Meredith will play with the SF Gay Men’s Chorus for a 40th Birthday Concert celebrating the chorus’ past, present and future. The Chorus will perform the reflective “When We No Longer Touch.” Composed in 1991, this work is the first requiem dedicated to those lost to AIDS. This concert will be performed at St. Ignatius Catholic Church at 8pm. 650 Parker Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118. Tickets are available here: https://www.cityboxoffice.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=2492

October 28th – Meredith Clark
Sunday 10/28, Meredith will perform a recital with cellist Emil Miland (also a member of the Joshua Trio) at 4pm at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Lafayette. The recital will feature varied works both written specifically for cello and harp, as well as arrangements by the artists. The program is focused around the Lou Harrison Suite for Cello and harp, and will also feature a work by David Carlson written specifically for the duo. Works by Wagner, Saint-Saëns, von Paradis, as well as some harp solos will round out the program. 1035 Carol Lane, Lafayette, CA 94549.

November 3rd and 4th – Kristin Lloyd
Kristin Lloyd will play in the performance ensemble for the fall concert for the National Association of Composers/USA, San Francisco. This concert, entitled “Cycles of Light” will feature chamber works for harp, oboe, violin, cello, and piano. The first performance will take place on Saturday, November 3, at 8pm at the Foothills Congregational Church, 461 Orange Ave, Los Altos. The second concert is on November 4, at 3pm at St. Theresa of Avila, 1490 19th St, San Francisco, CA.

November 7th – Meredith Clark
On Wednesday November 7th, Meredith joins forces with soprano Ann Moss and many other Bay Area Musicians for a Joni Mitchell 75th Birthday Tribute Concert. The performance is an expansion of Ann’s ongoing and evolving project, The Joni Mitchell Suite. The project explores the broad and multifaceted spectrum of musical worlds Ann inhabits, through the processes of arranging, performing and recording the music of Joni Mitchell. This concert takes place at 7:30pm in Berkeley’s The Back Room – an all-ages, BYOB (for those 21+) space, dedicated to acoustic music of all kinds. 1984 Bonita Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704. More information and tickets may be found here:
https://backroommusic.com/events-1/2018/11/7/joni-mitchell-75th-birthday-tribute-concert

December 1 – Stephanie Janowski ,Heather Paschoal, and Anna Maria Mendieta
20 Harps for the Holidays Harpeggio Music will present their holiday concert on Saturday, December 1, 2018, 4pm at Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Avenue, Los Altos. The program features our studio ensemble playing festive seasonal music. Guest artist, Anna Maria Mendieta, is known for her classical, flamenco and tango harp music and has performed internationally for audiences including European royalty, heads of state, and Pope Benedict XVI. For more information, see harpeggio.com/concert.html. For tickets, contact Stephanie Janowski at (408) 366-8810 or events@harpeggio.com. Proceeds go to Harpeggio Music to help support studio activities, including this concert.

7. Member News:

—
All Members can submit member news here:
https://goo.gl/forms/mRZH7ZYdpnhZyjhi1
News will appear exactly as submitted.

From Jessica Siegel
New at Harps Etc! Join the Saturday Harp Circle directed by Jessica Siegel. We meet one Saturday a month from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Learning to play music with others is a wonderful skill and will enable you to play with other instruments and ensembles. You’ll play a wide variety of music. We have harp parts for all levels of experience. You’ll make new friends and dramatically improve your playing and sight reading skills. This group is intended for harp students between the ages of 6 – 18 with at least one year of lessons. Older students may participate upon request. Contact Harps Etc. at 800-836-5559 or email info@harpsetc.com for audition information. Auditions are by appointment. Class meets on Saturday, September 8, October 6, November 3, December 1 and December 8. Our recital is on Sunday, December 9th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. We’ll provide the harp, you bring a bench, music stand, tuner and tuning key. Come join the fun of creating music with others. Fee: $175.00, plus the cost of the music, due at the time of registration.

8. Member Classifieds

Ads appear in the newsletter as they are submitted to our website.

Members can place classified ads by clicking on the link below and filling out the form at the bottom of the page:

Classified Ads