The month has almost come and gone! Are you, like me, wondering how we got to almost-snow season already? We're working hard at not turning on the heat yet, but I know the day is coming. I am lucky enough to have the house to myself this morning, so I have the time to make a nice cup of coffee with a big chug of chocolate syrup and post about lots of stuff.....like The Highland Games, carpal tunnel surgery, new music and MHTP Thereutic Harping!
The Highland Games
We have wonderful Highland Games in New Hampshire at Loon Mountain. We are late to this party, and only started going 2years ago, but goodness we love everything about it! This year I took a personal day off from school and we spent the good part of a day sitting in the sun watching the sheep dog trials. Throughout the weekend people are jurying their bagpipes, so the sound is everywhere!!! I like it enough to consider taking lessons, but the only teacher in our area lives here just part-time....and they're so hard to learn, right? There are harp workshops and competitions throughout the weekend. Maeve Gilchrist was the pro 3 years ago, but for the past 2 years it's been Kim Robertson, my idol. (Though sometimes I do get tired of her big open 9th and 10th chords...) I didn't. Attend any workshops this year, but went to the New England Open Competition and of course Kim's concert. Next year I'm going to enter, and I've already selected two out of the three songs I'll need. You get on-site parking if you're a competitor, which is a great incentive! But we really go to the games to hear Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas on fiddle & cello. This year I think we saw them 3 times, including a set where Kim R sat in. The food! The wonderful people from all over our country! The great-looking men in kilts! It was a wonderful long weekend.
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
My doctor does this in a clinic, which makes it a bigger deal than it is. I think I was out for maybe 10 minutes, and went to work the next day with a band-aid over my 6 stitches. It is great to finally sleep through the night, but because I waited so many years to take care of it, I might never get full feeling back in my fingers. Argh, the numb tingling is annoying, but thankfully it doesn't really distract me from playing. Maybe in mid-November I'll get the other hand done.
New music
I've worked up my own arrangement of a fiddle tune, Mrs. Jamison's Favorite, song #1 for the games next year. I am also determined to learn Kim Robertson's The Selkie, which is a challenge for me because I have almost no technique -yet!- playing open octaves. I have also been playing through her Celtic Christmas book. Sharon, do you have this? There are 2 chants in it that would be great for your Sunday afternoon services. I try to spend an hour sight reading once a week, though that doesn't always happen. If I can learn The Selkie by January, I'm going to reward myself by ordering Janet Witman's new arrangement of Moondance. I have no idea how to do those jazzy lever swoops, but by God I want to learn! We - my husband and I - are playing out twice this month, at local coffeehouses, same old songs with maybe the addition of Pachelbel's Canon.
MHTP Weekend
In early October I went to the second of five long weekends training to play at bedsides in hospitals, nursing and private homes and hospices. So much to learn, and a little frustrating: all the other instrumentalists have single-note instruments, and because a lot of healing music is simple, I'm playing lots of very slow, one-note phrases. But such an interesting thing happened - the session leader did not bring her own harp and used mine. Other than the afternoon that I bought it 4 years ago, I had never sat across a room and heard how deep, expressive and resonant it is!! Maybe 15 minutes of listening has changed the way I play. Kim R said she was planning to live 10 years past the normal age because playing the harp is so spiritual. Haha, I feel this way about my own harp now!
By gosh, the longest post ever. Thanks for listening. Have a great weekend and a happy Halloween. And Andi, that photo with the cat right in front of the lens is priceless!!!!
The Highland Games sound delightful, I'm almost tempted. I know my husband would like it. He plays small pipes. Wonderful to have Kim and Maeve! Next year all you'll have to do is think of the parking when you feel nervous and that'll cure it!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear someone else play your harp, isn't it?
It is! And really, I say I'm tired of the KR big chords, but they're what I want to play everyday, so I must really love them. And next year - I expect to see you there at the Games!!
ReplyDeletePam! So glad you got to the games! I was only there once, the year I competed, and I believe I also got in for free as a competitor. That, plus the parking- great incentive! And that weekend I was also dealing with the car that died on the way up to Loon, and needed to be towed and worked on up there amidst all the regular performance nerves! Thank God Mary Graham was up there with her family and staying in the same motel, so I was covered.
ReplyDeleteI do have a Christmas book by Kim- have not really checked it out in awhile! Will look for the chants!
I didn't realize your carpal tunnel issue had already created that numbness in your fingers. If I wasn't already impressed by your playing, I certainly am now- and I already was! Healing thoughts heading your way- and how are the knees? I am blown away by your full schedule- you are still teaching full time as well- you are truly an inspiration. Can't wait to hear you and JP play this Saturday! YAY!