Updated April 8, 2008

Frequently Asked Questions about the Somerset Folk Harp Festival - answered by the Festival Director

What is the Festival Like? It is like a three-ring circus, a harp feeding frenzy, a family re-union, and your wildest harp dreams come true! You will get to meet and talk with and play with other great folks who share your addiction to the harp. You will get to swap "war stories" "craziest wedding stories" and "Why I started to play the lever harp" stories. There are lots of good harpy things going on - see next paragraph- but the one thing that really makes the Festival is all the other harpers there. Harpers are the friendliest, most supportive, non-competitive folks I know. You will have an instant group of best friends at the Festival - including the stars of the harp world. You will find that you can talk with icons like Louise Trotter and Ray Pool, just as easily as you would talk with the other harpers in your harp circle. And if you are new to the harp world and don't yet have a support group - you will be welcomed most warmly and drawn into the family!

OK- so what else? There will be an incredible selection of stuff to try out, read through, buy, dream about, plan for, and tale home. Harps, Cds, sheet music, doo-dads, jewelry, artwork, music stands, carts......etc. The Exhibit Hall is open Thursday 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm; Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

The concerts are designed to give you a diverse and broad exposure to the non-pedal harp world. Celtic, yes, but lots of other ethnic music, classical, jazz, popular, and many sorts of harps including bray harps, cross-strung harps, wire strung harps, double strung harps, harps with other instruments, and more! Diversity is highly treasured in our culture, and our harp world is a paradigm of diversity.

The workshops range is incredible. Some of them are really substantive and challenging - some will pique your curiosity - some will inspire you to play better and some will be an occasion to let your hair down. The worst thing about the workshops is that you cannot take them all.

For the duration of the Festival you will eat, sleep, talk, work and dream harps. Do try to pace yourself!

1. I see several workshops with similar titles and contents. Should I plan to attend only one of these?

Different artists have different slants on the same topic. Improvisation will be very different when taught by two different harpers. That several workshops address the same topic is an indication of how important that topic is, and that there are many ways to approach it. If you are hoping to improve your improvisational skills, by all means attend more than one improvisation workshop. If you like ensemble playing, attend several ensemble workshops.

2. There are lots of things on the schedule. Will I be able to do everything I want?

Well, there are seven workshop slots and seventy workshops offered! So you will NOT be able to attend them all! Pick about 10 that really appeal to you, knowing that the max you can attend is seven- there are seven workshop periods.

3. There is a very full schedule. What are some coping strategies?

Try to identify the things that are most important to you . If shopping for a new harp is high on your list, be sure to attend the harp tastings. Set aside enough time to try out several different harps. You may even choose to give up a workshop session in order to take the time you need to harp shop.

You will not be able to do everything on the schedule unless you short yourself on eating and sleeping! The Festival is like a three-ring circus. The schedule lists things from 8:00 am to the jams at 10:00 pm to midnight or beyond! In addition, there are always unscheduled things that happen, like a jam of like-minded members in the lobby during the lunch period, an extended dinner with conversation between new friends, a gab fest with a well-known harper you've always wanted to meet. Be open to all these possibilities, and remember to enjoy yourself! Do take time to sleep, eat, socialize, and schmooze.

You will note that the schedule looks like there are some significant holes - Lunch period is 11:00 - 1:30 and dinner is 5:00 - 8:00. Note also that there are harp tastings from 11:30 - 12:30 and there will be other events during this period. During the dinnner period, the mini-concerts are at 5:30 and the Music reading sessions are also during this period. So there is lots going on.

4. What to wear?

Anything neat and clean that covers what needs to be covered! The Festival is not a fashion show - be comfortable. Remember that all events occur in the Hilton Hotel, and the hotel is air-conditioned. You may want to have a sweater or sweat shirt just in case.

5. Is food included in the Festival admission?

Nope! The hotel is a full-service hotel, and in addition to fine restaurants and room service will have small convenience food stations near the exhibit area. For the noon time concert events - the harp tastings and other events, you can grab a sandwich, salad or wrap and bring it in to the concert area and eat while you are listening. This is actually a time-saver and very cost effective!

6. What do I do with my harp when it is not in use?

If you are staying at the hotel, please return your harp to your hotel room. You will note that there is plenty of time between workshops and other activities. There will be a "harp jail" where you can leave your harp at your own risk, but the times the jail is open may be limited to just before and just after workshops.

7.Do I need to bring a harp to the Festival?

No. Not only are there workshops that do not require a harp, but in those workshops that do recommend a harp you can learn a lot by listening on full brain power, using a recording device - with the assent of the teacher - and writing things down. I - your friendly Festival Director - frequently go to harpy events without a harp. I find myself in some ways more likely to watch, listen, and learn when I am not having to haul my strings around! However, if you DO bring a harp you will have ample opportunity to use it.

8. What is expected of me in a workshop?

Arrive on time, be tuned BEFORE the workshop begins and do not noodle on the strings (no linguine either!) once the workshop has begun. There will be handouts - please do NOT collect an extra set or two for a friend who is in another workshop or at home. This may result in a shortage for folks who are actually in the workshop.

9. The workshop descriptions often say "intermediate" or "advanced" - what does that mean?

These descriptions are for your convenience and comfort. You will not have to take an entrance exam for a workshop. If the description says that you will learn by ear - do not expect that there will be sheet music! If you are a great and experienced musician on other instruments who has been playing harp only six weeks, don't go into an advanced class without accepting that you may be overwhelmed - but if you are interested in the topic, go anyway. It's amazing what you may remember later when you are more competent on harp!

10. Are workshops assigned ahead of time, and how will I know which ones I can go to?

Workshops are not assigned ahead of time. I know that sounds chaotic, but it has worked in the past seven Festivals. I assign the largest rooms to the workshops that I think will attract the largest attendance. You might start the Festival with a certain list of workshops you want to attend, and find that your preferences change as you go along. This way you are free to explore!

11. What about lessons, how does that work?

You indicate on your registration form the name of the performer you want to study with. I give the lists to the performers, and let both sides have each other's e-mail. That way you can arrange for a mutually agreeable time and place for the lesson. Lessons can take place in hotel sleeping rooms, or the Festival meeting rooms that are unused at - for example - the lunch hour. We try to stay flexible, but nevertheless it is a good idea to book lessons in advance.

12. Do you assign roommates?

Nope. But we do keep a list of folks looking for roommates and put them in touch with each other. That way you can phone or e-mail back and forth and see if it is a match! In the past this system has worked well and helped start great friendships.

13. What will there be to help me relax (surely I am kidding!) Between events?

There will be yoga sessions in the morning. The hotel has indoor and outdoor swimming pools and an indoor hot tub. There will be a massage therapist available to help you relax!

14. So the Festival looks out for body as well as mind.

Yes, and soul, too . There are two Morning Meditation concerts, Friday, and Saturday morning in a variety of styles.

15. Will there be a harp regulator there?

Yes, Liza Jensen of Harps International will do re-string, lever regulation and minor repairs. If you want re-string you will have to provide a complete new set of strings. Watch the "News Page" for details - you will have to e-mail Liza in advance for an appointment.

16. If I bring a harp "Companion" what will there be for him/her to do?

In addition to relaxing at the lovely hotel facilities - including swimming pool, companions have admission to the exhibit hall, all the concerts and SOME workshops. Those workshops will be listed on the web site -- and will be ones of general interest. Also, the hotel has free shuttle service to the nearest Metro (Subway) station. There are a TON of things in the Washington DC area that are accessible from the Metro system. Check out the Metro web site www.wmata.com

17 . What about children? Is there anything for them to do?

Your harp "Companion" can take the kids via Metro - see question 16 above - all over the Washington DC area! So while there may not be much for the kids to do at the Festival itself, there is lots to keep them busy in the area!

There are no activities planned for children only at the Festival. The Festival is designed to meet the needs of adult players but children under 18 can attend workshops or concerts with special permission. We love children, but this is YOUR time. It is very distracting, and not fair, to the serious adult in a workshop or concert, to have to deal with the needs of children who are not motivated to be in a harp workshop. On the other hand, some of our very youngest attendees have been an inspiration and a delight!

Please DO feel free to call me, Gerry Serviente, at 717-243-9721 if you would like to talk about special permission in the case of an exceptional student. If a student can carry her/his own harp, attend the workshop without a parent, sit quietly and be interested, ask appropriate questions, is recommmended by her/his harp teacher, and in all ways act as a mature member of the workshop, then she/he will be welcomed.

18. What will there be in the exhibit hall?

Harps, for starters! At each previous Festival there have been over 200 harps for sale at the beginning of the Festival. No one store can offer you that selection! Sheet music, music stands, jewelry, strings, and lots more. Most retailers will take charge cards.

19. What are the accommodations like?

The Hilton Mark Center Alexandria is a modern, full service hotel. All activities of the Festival will occur in the hotel. For some of us, having arrived at a certain discretionary age, the idea of having a full service hotel with a room and bath which we need not share, air conditioning, elevators, room service, etc, is very appealing. Rooms will sleep up to four people, so attendees who choose to save a bit of money can do so by sharing a room.

Please call early for rooms . We have a fairly large room block, but it is always a good idea to reserve early. Call the hotel at 1-703-845-1010  and be sure to mention that you are attending the Folk Harp Festival.

20. Where is the nearest airport?

Reagan International in Washington DC. The hotel has free shuttle service to this airport only. Dulles and BWI are also in the area and have shuttle service available.

21. Is there parking at the hotel?

Yes, and it is free for registered guests.

22. What is a harp tasting?

A blind testing that allows you to hear and compare the sounds of several harps without knowing their brand! There will be tasting for small harps - 29 strings and fewer, and over 29 strings. Depending on interest, there may also be a testing of other harps.

It has come to my attention that various claims are being made about such and such a harp "winning" the Harp tasting at the Somerset Festival. Please be aware that the harp tasting is an opportunity for the listener to make a purely subjective judgement on the merits of the sounds of harps in the tasting. Often when appraising a harp, other factors, such as its physical beauty, brand name recognition, string action, feel, and price may affect judgement, hence the harp tasting is a blind test that allows the listener to make a subjective judgement by sound only.

Each listener is given a sheet on which to record his/her impressions during the tasting. Each harp is assigned a number. The harps are played by a professional harper who plays the same selection on each. The harps and harper are hidden behind a light curtain. At the end of the tasting the identity of each harp number is revealed. Results are never tallied, no votes counted, and no awards given.

Harps are as varied and individual as the harpers who play them. To claim that any one harp is the "best" or the "winner" is to claim that one size fits all, and we know that isn't true!

23. Are there opportunities for volunteers?

Yes, but most attendees would rather attend workshops than work for the Festival! We have a full and competent staff but from time to time we need ushers for the concerts, folks to lock and unlock the harp jail, etc., hand out notes, etc. If you are interested, send me an e-mail and let me know at harpsomerset@aol.com

24. I have a harp I'd like to sell at the Festival. Do you have an opportunity for me to advertise and sell my harp?

No. Think about this: the exhibitors who are there to sell harps pay for the privilege of doing so, and frown on anyone else selling harps - in many cases lower in price. So, my recommendation to you would be to contact your harpmaker and see if he would be willing to sell your harp on consignment. Also, any private arrangements could be done outside the purview of the Festival.

25. Can I bring flyers or ads from my local luthier and leave them around for people to pick up?

No - see the question above! The exhibitors deserve sole consideration for having paid for exhibit space and schlepped their merchandise to the Festival. If you have info about a non-profit harp-related event or organization, you may request permission from the Festival Director to display that material on a special table in the registration area.

26. Can I record the concerts or workshops?

Because of copyright issues you may not record the concerts in any way. Please DO purchase CDs of your favorite harpers at the performer's booth. If you do any audio recording in a workshop, be sure to ask the presenter first.

27. Why are there no pedal harps in the concerts or workshops?

Because by definition this is a non-pedal harp event. To use a common cliche, I like pedal harps, lots of my friends play pedal harps, but there are no pedal harps at the Somerset Folk Harp Festival!

28. How Do I go about getting CEUs for attending the Festival? If you are a graduate of a therapeutic harp program, such as MHTP, IHTP or Bedside Harp, check with your program director. On the list of workshops on this web site, you will see some workshops are starred ** . These workshops will be granted CEU credit by MHTP, for other programs, check with your program director.

29. I am interested in taking just one workshop, is that possible? Yes, the fee is $75 and that includes admission to the vendor hall for that day.