I volunteered for the task of Convenor at the final AGM of the Stamford and Rutland Clarsach Society 2008. With members from a wide area of the East Midlands and the nearest sister society being in Bristol, we agreed to acknowledge this by a change of name.
Being convenor of a branch of the Clarsach Society does not mean you have to be a brilliant harpist. Having only taken it up in 2006, it would be odd if I was.
But I make up for what I lack in skill with enthusiasm and dedication!
I hope to use this site to encourage networking between members. The Stamford and Rutland Branch had a good track record of putting on excellent events and workshops. This is something that its successor organisation will continue.
One of my recent harp obsessions has been the Robert ap Huw Manuscript. I was introduced to this at a wonderful workshop put on by early music enthusiasts in Lincoln.
Bill Taylor http://www.ardival.com/Bill.htm is an acknowledged expert on this amazing collection of pre 17th century Welsh tunes.
The manuscript offers a transformation in understanding of the so-called ‘grace-notes’ of the modern Irish and Welsh tradition. Huw’s “principles of the pricking” gives names to fingerings that subtly change the tone.
A bound copy of the Robert ap Huw Manuscript can be purchased at a very reasonable price from http://www.lulu.com and is also now available on www.amazon.com
