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Update #14 (Final Class) Date: Dec 13, 2006 12:23 AM
Subject: Braille Institute Harp Class Update #14
Hi all,
What a wonderful final class we had! It started out on a truly sweet note as Marion gave everyone a pretty little package of homemade Christmas cookies. Thank you, Marion!
Then there was another sweet surprise: Leah had put together a "Joy to the World" background tape (using a keyboard synthesizer & fancy software) in a nice slow tempo for the students to practice with. (She calls this "harpaoke"--karaoke for harps!) Meg had made copies of the tape, each tied with a colorful ribbon, & she presented them to Lilian, Lucille & Omagh after demonstrating the tape. Then everyone tried playing along with the tape--and they were delighted. I think they'll be using those tapes for a long time. Thank you, Leah & Meg! (And thank you, Anna, for pointing out that "Joy to the World" can be played year-round since the tune was originally not a Christmas song...and for donating funds for a tuner!)
Patricia had just recovered from the flu & was so happy to be able to make it to the last class, she came flying through the door with her harp. Unfortunately her wings weren't working as well as usual & she took a tumble, landing on the knee that had been hurting & scraping her hand (ouch!). Of course her main concern was her harp, which luckily sustained no damage. But even while sidelined with an icepack and bandage she was still a helpful harp angel, taking these nice pictures of the class (see attached). Thank you, Patricia!
And so concludes our Beginning Folk Harp class at the Braille Institute, which has been a magical and miracle-filled experience. Now we are looking forward to the new Joy of Harps class, which begins January 3. I hope to see you all there....
In the meantime, I can't resist wishing everyone "Harpy" Holidays! :-)
With gratitude,
Harriet
Update #13 Date: Dec 5, 2006 3:29 PM
Subject: Braille Institute Harp Class Update #13
Hi all,
Last Wednesday's class was a special experience. We talked about Pat, the shock of her passing, how much she had loved the class and how we all missed her. To help dispel the sadness I shared some good news: they can look forward to having private harp lessons every other week, beginning sometime after this class ends. Jeanne Martin has agreed to be Omagh's teacher, Patricia will be working with Lilian, and Lynette may be teaching Lucille (there's a chance we may need another harp teacher--I'll keep you posted). "Overjoyed" is not too strong a word to describe the students' reaction--they were so happy to be assured that the end of the class wasn't going to mean the end of learning to play the harp.
Then Omagh stepped forward and handed me an envelope, and in her lovely soft Southern accent she said: "We all wanted to express our appreciation for what y'all have done for us with this class." She went on to explain that Pat would have wanted to contribute too, but in light of present circumstances they wanted to call their donation the Pat Condon Memorial Harp Fund. Later when Marion and I opened the envelope we found a thank you note signed by Lilian, Lucille and Omagh, along with $300 (3 checks of $100 each). What an amazing and generous thing for them to do! We are planning to use these funds for continuing their private harp lessons.
Although the class may have spent more time talking than working on "Joy to the World," there was still plenty of harp-string plucking going on, thanks to the help of hovering harp angels Meg, Marion, Patricia and Anna.
Tomorrow's session of "Beginning Folk Harp" will be our last, at least for this semester. But on Sunday most of us are planning to attend the Patrick Ball concert together, which we're all looking forward to. (For info on that event, visit
http://www.joyofharps.com/jo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=37 )
Next semester we'll start up "The Joy of Harps" again. I'll be in touch about that very soon!
Happy harping--
Harriet
P.S. Thanks to Patricia for taking these delightful photos on Nov. 29.  Anna & Omagh  Lilian  Lucille & Marion  Harriet, Meg & Friend
Update #12 Date: Nov 27, 2006 9:25 PM
Subject: Braille Institute Harp Class Update #12
Hi all,
Our class last week was different because both Meg and Patricia were away for the holiday. That left Anna, Marion and me to have fun "playing" with Lilian, Lucille & Omagh--& that's just what we did. Of course we also "worked" on Joy to the World, as well as a finger exercise or two. But there was plenty of chatting & laughing going on--after all, that's what happens when the teacher is absent!
The only thing that marred the festiveness was when I had to explain the absence of Pat Condon. Breaking the news about her leukemia diagnosis was very hard. But more sad news was to come...
On Sat. I called Pat's number & her daughter answered. Choking back tears, she told me that her mother was near death...the leukemia was far more advanced than anyone had realized. She said that Pat was unconscious & the hospice workers were there & doing a wonderful job. We talked about how much Pat loved the Braille Institute & her harp & learning to play. Afterwards I felt so sad, I just couldn't share the news with anyone but my husband.
Today Lucille called to tell me that this afternoon it was announced at Braille that Pat had passed away. Of course everyone was in shock--it seemed so sudden. I checked my calendar & saw it was exactly a month ago that I went to Pat's place to stick the bumps on her harp & tune it for her. She was getting ready to go see The Queen (the movie, not the monarch) with a friend & she seemed fine--"fit as a fiddle." She even insisted on giving me a big slice of fresh-baked fruitcake to take home. It turned out to be delicious (I don't usually like fruitcake so I had been apprehensive) & I called her a few days later to let her know. She was such a dear lady, truly delightful & giving & fun to be around. I didn't know Pat very well but I knew her enough to love her--& I think that's probably true of almost anyone who was lucky enough to spend a bit of time with her.
If anyone has any ideas about what we can do to help celebrate her life, please let me know.
Thank you--
Harriet
P.S. The attached portrait of Pat is one that Patricia took at our class on 9/20/06. I liked it so much I gave Pat a copy of it & will make sure her family gets a copy too. (Thanks to Patricia for her photographic gifts!)
 Pat Condon
Update #11 Date: Nov 21, 2006 11:44 PM
Subject: Braille Institute Harp Class #11 Update Hi all,
Last week's class was fun even though one of our students, Pat Condon (the delightful Irish lady who bought a harp from Folk Mote), was absent. When I called her the next day to see if she was all right, the news wasn't good: she had just been diagnosed with leukemia. Please keep her in your prayers. (I have postponed writing this update because that news was so upsetting to share...)
On a happier note, before the class started the students approached me and announced that they wanted to donate to our chapter! They said they wanted to do this to show their appreciation for our efforts with this class.
More good news: Leah Young has donated her Triplett lap harp for use in our Braille Institute classes. Thank you, Leah! We now have a total of four donated harps (two are at students' homes, and two stay at the Braille Institute).
As always, a huge thanks to Meg for teaching and to the harp angels--Anna, Marion and Patricia--for assisting.
Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving--
Harriet P.S. The photos are courtesy of Patricia who is a much better photographer than I am.
 L-R: Lilian, Meg, Lucille & Marion.  Meg aglow.  Harping away!
Update #10 Date: Nov 14, 2006 8:33 PM
Subject: Braille Institute Harp Class #10 Update
Hi all,
Although I wasn't able to be there last Wed., Meg was kind enough to send me an update which I'd like to share:
"Lynette came today and was a great help. Omagh says the stool you bought is really helping but we still noticed that she is bending to the side.
We worked on relaxation today, which I think we could do even more of next week. I added the octave leap, and everyone's tendency is to do the "claw", as Lynette so elegantly put it!
Patricia, Anna and Marion were all there to help so it was a very productive class."
Thanks, Meg! And a huge thank you to Lynette for teaching the class with Meg...and to our Harp Angels--Marion, Patricia and Anna--for their invaluable assistance.
Tomorrow will be our 11th session, with just three more to follow before the semester ends. We are still working out the details of how to stretch the $500 mini-grant from the SB Foundation to cover private lessons for our four dedicated students. I hope to have some good news to report on that soon. Stay tuned--and in tune!
Happy harping--
Harriet
Update #9 Date: Nov 3, 2006 10:43 PM
Subject: Braille Institute Harp Class #9 Update
Hi all,
Our ninth class was truly a joy: the first 8 to 14 notes of "Joy to the World" could be heard over and over again from the students' harps! It was obvious that they'd been practicing. (Remember, these are students who are all in their later years and with varying degrees of visual impairment...) Although Meg was feeling as though she might be coming down with the flu, she managed to keep the session on track and everyone had a great time. (If you've never been to this class, you can't imagine how much fun it is for both the students & us harp angels!) Thanks, Meg, for being such a trouper.
Our Harp Angel Team has a new member (actually a returning one): Anna Campbell, just back from a trip to Peru (where she got to hear some Peruvian harp music). Anna had assisted at our second session and we're glad to have her back--thanks, Anna! And as always our veteran harp angels, Marion and Patricia, deserve a round of applause.
My call for help for next week's session has been answered: Lynette has volunteered to help with the teaching, which will take some of the pressure off Meg. And Anna said she'd be there again to assist (along with her harp). Thanks, angels!
I'll miss the class next Wed. but look forward to returning for the 11th session. After that there are only 3 more sessions, so if you haven't yet participated I hope you will soon. This is a very special group!
Happy harping--
Harriet
P.S. In the attached photo, Anna is standing at the back next to student Omagh, and Patricia (sitting to the right) is busy tuning a harp as everyone listens to Meg explain something of great importance (too bad I didn't make a note of what it was!).
Update #8 Date: Oct 30, 2006 3:10 PM
Subject: Braille Institute Harp Class #8 Update
Hi all,
Thanks to our newest harp angel, Mylene Furey, the latest class was another delightful experience. Our four faithful students were there as usual, along with a student who has only been able to attend sporadically because she's recovering from surgery. Mylene was able to demonstrate some fun new techniques for remembering finger placements, & she brought a fresh perspective to our teaching efforts. Thank you, Mylene! And thanks again to our veteran harp angels, Marion and Patricia, for always being there to lend a hand & a harp. Of course we missed Meg (she says she missed the class too!) & we're looking forward to her return this Wednesday.
Good news: Thanks to Meg's efforts, our chapter has been awarded a $500 "mini-grant" from the SB Foundation. (And thanks to Marion for having alerted Meg to the grant application info.) According to the notification letter: "Funds are to be used for harp lessons for visually impaired students." What a blessing! Now we just need to figure out how to stretch those funds to cover ongoing weekly harp lessons for our four students... If anyone knows of an entity that might like to do a matching grant, or if you have any other ideas, please let me know.
Hope to see you this Wednesday!
Happy harping--
Harriet
P.S. In the attached photo, that's Patricia standing at the front of the class, Marion is standing at the far left, & Mylene is standing next to Bill, who I've dubbed our "guardian harp angel"--he likes to just listen to the harps & watch over the class. :-)
 Update #7 Date: Oct 24, 2006 10:11 PM Subject: Braille Institute Harp Class #7 Update Hi all, We're half-way through the semester and it's exciting to see our students making progress from week to week. And now that all 4 have harps at home (hooray!) they are finally able to practice what we've been preaching. :-) In last week's update I noted several needs, & miraculously all were fulfilled: 1) Folk Mote donated a Troubadour tuning key--thank you, Nadine & Cherie! Today I went up to Lucille's home (where the harp from Mary Jane Barton's estate is currently living) & was finally able to properly tune the harp, much to her delight. 2) A new harp angel has alighted: Mylene Furey just moved to SB from Philly, & at Sunday's Harp Circle she was kind enough to agree to help us out at this week's class during Meg's absence. Thank you, Mylene! 3) Thankfully, Patricia was able to assist last week--the night before class she wasn't sure if she'd be recovered from a rather grueling gig, but she didn't let us down. In fact, she hasn't missed a class--wow, a perfect attendance record. Thank you, Patricia! As always, a huge THANK YOU to Meg for teaching, & to Marion for continuing to assist. Our "harp angel team" is the best! And anyone who would like to join the team will be welcomed with open wings. Happy harping-- Harriet
P.S. Attached are a couple of photos from the class--more to follow...   Update #6 Date: Oct 17, 2006 9:59 PM
Subject: Braille Institute Harp Class #6 Update
Hi all,
As you can see from the attached photos, last week's class was delightful as always, thanks to Meg's good work and the students' enthusiasm. Meg deserves a special acknowledgment for agreeing to continue teaching beyond class #6--she originally committed to teaching the first 6 classes and had intended to let someone else take over for the 8 remaining sessions...but as we are still awaiting "someone else" to materialize, I think Meg is an angel for keeping the class going! (Note: Meg will not be available for Oct. 25 & Nov. 22--so if anyone is able to step forward for "harp angel duty" on those dates, you will be forever adored & appreciated!)
Speaking of angels, I also want to acknowledge Marion for having been the driving force behind getting the Lyon & Healy harp delivered to the Braille Institute from Mary Jane Barton's estate. On top of that, Marion took care of replacing its broken string. As you may know from last week's Update, that harp is now at the home of student Lucille Pringle, who is now able to practice between classes thanks to this harp loan. ( We still need a tuning key for this harp--does anyone have a spare Lyon & Healy key? If so please let me know...)
Our other harp angel, Patricia, also deserves a special mention for bringing a harp for use during the class. Now that our two larger harps are loaned out to Lucille and Omagh, it really helps to have another harp available. (News Flash: I just learned that Patricia isn't feeling well & may not be able to come to tomorrow's class...so if anyone is able to stop by the Braille Institute between 11am-noon, your presence would be a gift--& you'll have a great time!)
For those who receive the Folk Harp Journal, page 59 of the Fall issue has my article on The Joy of Harps. :-)
Hope to see you tomorrow (Wed.) at Braille...
Happy harping--
Harriet
P.S. Braille Institute location info: http://www.brailleinstitute.org/Centers/SantaBarbara.htm
 
Update #5
Date: Oct 10, 2006 4:21 PM
Subject: Braille Institute Harp Class #5 Update Hi all,
Last week's class began with some wonderful news: one of our students, Pat Condon (who has a delightful accent from her native Ireland), announced she had just bought a harp from Folk Mote! She went there intending to rent one but decided she had to have her own harp. We were all just thrilled by her news, which really helped start the session off with a special feeling. As always, Meg did an amazing job teaching the class, and our faithful "harp angels" Marion & Patricia were there to help keep fingers on strings and smiles on faces.
Another student, Lilian Guthrie, has been bringing her own small harp (a gift from her bagpiper husband--she'd had the harp for years but never took lessons before). So now that Pat has one too, this meant 2 out of 4 students have harps they can practice on at home. But what about the other 2? Well, we decided to loan harps to them so they also can practice at home. Since Braille students don't have their own transportation, the Harriet & Henry Harp Delivery Service was utilized to transport Mary Jane Barton's Lyon & Healy to Lucille Pringle, & the Triplett to Omagh Ettman. (Omagh, who was named for an Irish county, was recently featured in the Braille Institute newsletter--you can see her photo & read the article here: http://www.brailleinstitute.org/FeatureStory_2.htm .) Henry & I delivered them today & I wish you could all have been with us to see how ecstatic & grateful these ladies are--they were so excited to have a harp at home!
Hope to see more of you tomorrow at the Braille Institute between 11am and noon--more harp angels are needed....
Happy harping--
Harriet Update #4 Date: Sep 29, 2006 9:40 PM
Subject: Braille Institute Harp Class #4 Update
Hi all,
Our most recent class was a delight--the students are slowly but surely making progress, thanks to their willingness to learn and Meg's tireless efforts. Harp angels Marion and Patricia again played an important part by providing gentle hands-on guidance and kind encouragement. And at the conclusion of the class, Marion came up with an ingenious "homework assignment" by demonstrating how you don't even need a harp to practice finger placements. Since most of the students don't yet have their own harps to practice on at home, this concept was truly helpful.
Our harp inventory is growing--Leah was kind enough to loan her sweet little lap harp, and Marion brought a string to replace the broken one on the Barton harp. Thank you!
At our meeting this Sunday I'll be sharing more info about the class, including anecdotes and photos. Hope to see everyone there!
Happy harping--
Harriet Update #3 Date: Sep 23, 2006 9:15 PM
Subject: Braille Institute Harp Class #3 Update
Hi all, I thought you might like these photos (attached) from our most recent class. The big harp in the second picture is our newest acquisition--it's the Lyon & Healy donated from the estate of Mary Jane Barton. This harp was recently delivered to the Braille Institute thanks to Marion's persistent followup efforts (thank you, Marion!). It's missing a string but otherwise seems fine and we're very grateful to have it. The class continues to be wonderful--the students are progressing very well and their enthusiasm is unflagging. Meg is doing an outstanding job, and Patricia and Marion are providing expert assistance. Thanks for all your good work! It would be ideal if we had another "harp angel" to assist at the class. Anyone who stops by the Braille Institute on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-noon will find out how much fun it is to lend a "harping hand" to these delightful students.
Hope to see you there-- Harriet  
Update #2 Date: Sep 13, 2006 12:13 PM
Subject: 2nd Braille Institute Folk Harp Class Update
Hi again,
Today was our 2nd session and once again Meg did a wonderful job. (I just found out she has never previously taught anyone how to play the harp, & here she is teaching 6 visually impaired students!)
This time we had enough harps for all 6 students, thanks to Patricia who brought a beautiful full-size Celtic harp & who also once again provided invaluable assistance. Marion and Anna also came to help out and, along with Patricia, hovered like angels over the students, gently correcting finger misplacements while offering encouragement as well as instruction. Thanks to all of you!
Again, anyone who can stop by the Braille Institute on Wednesdays between 11 am-noon is welcome to participate. Whether you bring a harp or just your hands & heart, your presence will be a gift. :-)
Hope to see you soon--
Harriet
Update #1 Date: Sep 6, 2006 7:09 PM
Subject: Re: Braille Institute Folk Harp Class Update
Hi all,
I just wanted to let you know that the first session today was wonderful! Meg did an amazing job, and the six students were very enthusiastic. (Their visual impairments range from partial to total blindness.) We had 5 harps, so two students had to share one, but next week there will be more--that is, more harps & possibly more students! We hope you will stop by, & feel free to bring a harp. :-)
Patricia was there to help out & also took a few pictures to add to our future "gallery" at joyofharps.com. Thanks, Patricia! And a huge thanks to Meg for making this incredible class a reality.
Hope to see you all at Pam's party Sat.!
Happy harping--
Harriet
On 8/14/06, Margaret Hontos wrote: Greetings! I am excited about embarking on the next phase of our work at the Braille Institute. The first hands-on harp classes begin on September 6 and I will be coordinating the first six classes. They will be held at the Braille Institute from 11-noon on Wednesdays, Sept. 6, 13, 20, Oct. 4 and Oct. 11. Once we have a feeling for our student's needs and our own resources, we will make a plan for the remaining 8 classes of the fall semester. I have applied for a grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation in the amount of $3000, to help defray our costs for private harp lessons. The awards will be announced Oct.1 and funded Nov. 1. If we receive an award it will have a bearing on how we proceed. Harriet wrote an article for the Folk Harp journal which describes the progress and her vision for the evolution of the Braille Program. You can read it on the www.joyofharps.com site she her husband have put together. Check out the site- it's a great resource. We will need to gather several items before we start in September and I am hoping we will be able to get what we need by asking for donations. The following are the items we need. Some of them we only need to borrow: 1. Boss TU-80 Tuner/metronomes (Please consider purchasing one for yourself that we can borrow and return after our first series of classes) They list for $39.50 but you can get one from Musician's Friend www.musiciansfriend.com for $28.99. 2. Packets given to us at Christina Cotruvo's workshop with rubber bands and clear dots inside. 3. Battleship games (yard sales or neighbors with grown kids?) 4. Straps and stands for the lap harps (3) Please let me or Harriet know if you can provide any of these items. Here is the outline for our first six classes. September 6: Introduction: Goals and Methods Hand Placement and Note Identification C4-D4-E4-F4 Tuning Your Harp September 13: Introduction: Why harp? Review C4-D4-E4-F4; add pivot Right and left hand scales September 20: Introduction: Battleship (rhythm 1) Review scales Intervals: Playing 3rds and 5ths (pattern recognition) Left hand 5ths as an accompaniment September 27: Introduction: World War II (rhythm 2) Intervals: Review 3rds and 5ths; introduce 4ths, 6ths, 7ths, Octaves Sing the intervals (song recognition) Chords: Root position and Inversions October 4: Introduction: No-C Notes Demonstration Sharps, flats, accidentals Begin No-C Notes songs October 11: Introduction: Braille Music Programs and Resources No-C Notes songs I will be away until August 21 but will check email when I get back. Sincerely, Margaret Hontos
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