It was a fine soft day with a Nor’easter blowing at the Meadow Highland Games and Celtic Festival, the site of the 2011 US National Scottish Harp ChampionshipTM. Inside the tent the competitors guesses on the temperature ranged from 30 – 40F. Either way, despite the rain, the wind and the chill, all the competitors played wonderfully, with excellent airs and marches and dance tunes that raged!

Clan Currie, the Title Sponsor, was represented by President Bob Currie and we were fortunate to once again have this delightful bardic clan with us. Clan Currie sponsorship is vital to the ongoing success of the competition. Virginia Harp Center was the Prize Sponsor and with their generosity, every competitor went home with a prize.

I am so pleased to tell you that the 2011 SHSA US National Scottish Harp ChampionshipTM winner is Kelly Stewart Brzozowski! She played a beautiful set including the air, Where Does the Bonnie Lass Sleep Tonight? and a rousing SMR (that’s a Strathspey, March, Reel – which is a twist on the traditional piping set) of Scotch Mist, Arniston House, Blair Atholl.

Stand by for the upcoming announcement of the location of the 2012 SHSA US National Scottish Harp ChampionshipTM. Be sure to keep an eye on the SHSA website (http://www.shsa.org/) and the Kilt and Harp (an exclusive benefit for SHSA members) for the full results and for other upcoming competitions.

And throughout the year, I’ll share thoughts about how you can prepare to compete – whether you decide to enter or not – competition (or the promise of it!) will help you build your repertoire and your “chops” to perform anywhere.