Category Archives: Travel

Let’s Travel!

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Let’s Travel!

Military Tattoo Mini Getaway! Aug 5 – 10th

Turns out it’s not a great time to go to Ireland.  But never fear, when it’s time to pivot, we’ve got a plan – welcome to your Scotland city getaway! Let’s take on Glasgow and Edinburgh in true style and enjoy a great European getaway. Let’s enjoy the high Summer season and the world famous Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo. This marquee event is one of the best cultural traditions that Europe has to offer. We’ll surround our show with lots of the amazing sites and musical sounds that make these anchor cities cultural treasures.

You might have already been to Scotland but have you experience the Tattoo?  I know I haven’t and I can’t wait Wondering what we could possibly see? How about: Flying into/out of Edinburgh or Glasgow (or into one and out of the other!). We’ll use a mix of public transport and private transfer to enjoy the historical centers and their sites. We’ll balance our time with organized tours and independent downtime, with marquee sites for the first-time visitor and local gems for the tenured guest. You know that I’ve got my favorite spots and views and I’m excited to see if you agree!

How will we spend our time? Like this –

On Day 1, we’ll meet up and get to Glasgow. We’ll check in with the local scene on the High Street and walk off that jet lag with a welcome dinner in true Scottish style.

Day 2, our Glasgow adventure will continue as we take in some of the local sites and iconic places. We’ll spend the day enjoying all things Scottish. We’ll spend a little time learning tunes (and appreciators will do things us harpers will be envious of). We’ll round out the day with dinner which is just a walk away from our hotel.

On to Edinburgh which awaits us with plenty to see and to do on Day 3! We’ll arrive in style by train and pull into Waverly Station. From here, we are just a short distance to our hotel, just off the Royal Mile. We’ll set out to enjoy the local area and enjoy learning another tune before dinner.

On Day 4, Edinburgh continues to delight and today we will take in one of the marquee events! After enjoying Rosslyn chapel to the south of town, we’ll have an early afternoon workshop before heading to the Military Tattoo at the Castle. This spectacular show never disappoints and promises to entertain and delight.

I can see our seats! (just kidding, sorta).

We’ll round out our time in Edinburgh with a few optional tours and destinations and complete our workshop series on Day 5. There will be plenty to choose from depending on your interests. From The Whiskey Experience to Holyrood Palace, we’ll get you started in the right direction to enjoy all Edinburgh has to offer. We’ll end the day with our signature farewell dinner then give everyone a little time to pack up before our airport transfers tomorrow.

Day 6 is Departure Day.  But before we say goodbye, we’ll fit in your final hours with any last minute activities or venues that might interest you. You know that you will leave magical Scotland with a song in your heart, a new tune in your head, and a smile on your face (and perhaps a reason to return soon!).

What’s Included?

  • Breakfast at our hotels and dinners at unique locations daily.
  • Balance between scheduled experiences and unscheduled time to explore further or relax as you choose.
  • Plenty of downtime to enjoy unscheduled moments any way you please.
  • All attraction tickets and passes for experiences and guided tours (always with local experts).
  • All transportation including airport transfers upon arrival and departure.
  • Daily music workshop time to develop those crucial skills on a harp that will be there waiting for you.

As always, we take your interests into account and as we get to know you, we will be able to find those little corners of Scotland that delight and enchant. From magical bookstores, fabled artworks, and secret passageways, we’ll share with you those little things that make this the experience of a lifetime.

Our total trip cost for the 2024 season is $2900.00 plus airfare.

So you’re interested, right?! We’ll be hosting an online Q&A session so contact us to join the meet up and for more information and all the details. And you know you can always send me questions too. A minimum of six participants is required for this experience so invite your favorite travel companion/harp appreciator to come along – ’cause what could be more fun than visiting Scotland with me?!

Coming? Let me know in the comments! I have some great tunes lined up!

Updated Gift Guide

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Updated Gift Guide

It is holiday time and someone might ask you what you’d like to receive.  A couple of years ago, I posted a Gift Guide and it’s that time again, so I thought I’d add to the list. 

Don’t just go out and buy these things for yourself – leave them as gift opportunities!  You can be very specific so you do receive what you want.  It’s easy when you send a link and include the size, color, number with it!  And your givers will be delighted to have gotten you something you are sure to enjoy.

Some things (including your suggestions):

  • A nice, comfortable, packable performance dress. Preferably washable and flattering.  And pockets! (gotta put your key somewhere while on stage!).
  • A nice, comfortable pair of performance shoes to go with that dress.
  • Memberships/Subscriptions to your favorite Harp Journals – Folk Harp Journal, American Harp Society, Harp Column, Scottish Harp Society of America
  • Accessories bags. Corral your stuff in your harp case pocket or gig bag!  A bag for your spare strings or your electronic tuner or your key.  You need a place for your stand lamp, your cough drops, Kleenex, etc.  Believe me, it’s easier to find stuff when you need it if it’s organized!
  • Music sounds – cds, downloads, membership to some horrible-rip-off-streaming-service – we all learn better by listening.  It’s also good to hear new-to-you music.
  • Music paper – sheet music you’ve been drooling over but haven’t been able to justify buying? Here are some excellent choices!*
  • Workshop or lessons – there are loads of workshops, summer schools, and getaways offered all over the country (actually the world). And lessons or coaching are always a good idea!
  • Travel – What could be more fun than going on a cool trip – with me to a places known for harp?!  Check out the 2024 itinerary here.*
  • Tickets – few things are as exhilarating – or motivating – as attending a live performance!
  • Cleaning supplies – whether you prefer a Swiffer or a soft bristle brush, put it on your list. You could get two, one for home and one to keep in your case.
  • Harp jewelry – can you ever have too many harp necklaces or earrings?  And you can support a small business while you’re at it.  I’ve really enjoyed the things I’ve gotten from harpjewelry**

So, while you’re making your list and checking it twice, what else would make wonderful holiday gifts that you’d love to get?  Let me know in the comments!

* Shameless plug!  ** Unaffiliated, but if you’ve ever met me in person, you know I love my harp necklace!

Ireland 2023

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Well, I’ve had an incredible summer with loads of excellent harping and wonderful travels! I’m finishing up in Ireland which sort of brings them together! But only sort of because it’s a beautiful country with loads to see and do and I had great travel companions in my cousins who have been many times! Since technically I’m still on travel (I’m sending this from Ireland!), I just wanted to share some of my photos with you! I’d love to hear what you like best (or what I missed!).  Here’s some of the fun stuff I’ve been seeing:

I’ve been studying Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) and many things gave been easy to read. But someti.es the words are nothing alike!

First stop (sort of) Book of Kells – 😲. This was worth every accolade you have heard!

Apparently,  I can also find harps everywhere:

And where do you find books? In a library! In this case, the library at Trinity College – where the Trinity Harp is housed. After the fire at Notre Dame (in Paris) many historic properties are reviewing their fire plans and restoring with an eye to preventing loss – so the books have been removed…but the harp is still there!

Apparently,  I can also find harps everywhere (but then i forget to photograph them!). Here’s another, random find.

And on occasion, you open a door and see the unexpected –

In restaurants

And on this poster

On street corners

And in person! Totally randomly, we ran into Lynne Saoirse at Kylemore Abbey where she performed in the Gothic Chapel. It was wonderful to see her again and to hear her play!

We did a little family history research. We really enjoyed the EPIC museum which included some interesting (and interactive) exhibits.

It was epic, for sure

Unsurprisingly, the Titanic Experience was captivating.

But I really enjoyed the manhole covers in Belfast

We had a fantastic trip. If you want to know more (or see more photos) let me know in the comments!

 

(PS I’m still on the phone so please forgive typos, weird formatting,  etc. It looked fine from here)

 

 

 

Harpa 2023 Post 1

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Harpa 2023 Post 1

I’m arrived in Edinburgh today (hence the slightly late post).

But, Edinburgh never disappoints, and today is no exception – clear skies and beautiful – as always. 

Harpa are gathering in Edinburgh and are preparing to spend a little time in Edinburgh participating in the Edinburgh International Harp Festival! So excited to see everyone, learn new things, perform our new set of American tunes.  Then we’ll head out and see more of Scotland and play a few more times for various charities.  Does anyone have a better life? I don’t think so!

Harpa LogoHarpa was started by Beth Kolle creating a cultural exchange tour.  Over the years, the group has traveled to Norway, Sweden, and Scotland.  The composition of the group changes with each trip and this year Harpa is Beth Kolle, Sue Richards, Therese Honey, Kelly Brzozowski, Martha Hill, Donna Bennett, and me.   Each HARPA member pays their own way and each tour is hard work, from the initial rehearsal on the first day to the closing concert. Each musician must take time off and turn down paying performance jobs to join the tour.  

We’ll be posting to our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Harpaniks and our individual pages – Keep an eye there!

Travel on my mind

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Since we celebrated World Tourism Day before, travel has been on my mind.  Ok, that’s not entirely true, because travel is         a-l-w-a-y-s on my mind!  I should have a little framed cross stitch like this:

But anyway.  While traveling is always fun – especially if you are not one of those passengers who scream at Flight Attendants, Gate Agents, or other passengers – traveling with your harp does have some challenges.  I talked about some of those here and here.  Those have to do with the transport of your harp.  This week, let’s talk about when you get there.

Because while 99.999% of the 7 billion people on the earth l-o-v-e the harp, the remaining 0.001% will be booked into the room next to yours.  Never fails.

I should start by pointing out that I have played on the balcony of my hotel and thereby met new, interesting and interested people.  Just like if you’re playing at home, few things draw people to you like playing your instrument and sharing your music. 

However….and I learned this the hard way, sometimes people are not so happy to learn you play an instrument.  Once, I was in Memphis TN (yes, known as a music city) with that powerful sound generator, my Harpsicle – when someone called the front desk to complain.  Yup, it happened.  Funnier – someone else was practicing the bagpipes in that same hotel…some people’s kids.

So, keep in mind that quiet and discretion are important while staying in accommodations like hotels, motels, and B&Bs.  But how do you get quiet and still get to practice or play?  Here are a few ideas:

The first is a physical intervention. Weave a scarf or tie between the strings. Push it close to the soundboard.  This acts as a muffle and therefore makes your playing quieter.  Don’t put off selecting your scarf for the last minute – the scarf (or tie) needs to be long enough to run the length of the strings.  It also needs to be narrow enough (for a scarf) or thin enough (if you use a tie) so that it doesn’t bunch up (which results in too much “thup-i-ness” that I find distracting). This is not as easy as using your hat to muffle your trumpet, but it is infinitely better for the harp (after all, we’re not playing the trumpet and I’ve tried waving my hat in front of the harp, but it didn’t make it any quieter!).  I wish I could tell you I thought up this tip but I learned it from Therese Honey.

The second method is to use a musical technique. This one seems to be tricky – just play more quietly!  You might have seen this marking before –

pppp

But have you ever tried using it?  Ok, now I’m being a bit snide.  Dynamics are a thing… and you can use them in your practice.  You could play as pianississimo as possible and see what happens to your playing.  You can also do this at home, no need to wait to be booked into a hotel.  There are some things that happen when you play quietly.  You will be able to play slightly faster (yup).  You may be more accurate – because you’re being careful.  You may find that you even have time now to close (whodathunk?).  And because of all that you might find that, overall, you’re just playing better.  In addition, learning to control your volume will make you a better musician.

Both of those work well for practicing or playing for enjoyment.  This last suggestion is really for practicing rather than playing for enjoyment – you can “placeplay”.  I do this with my students (and I’m pretty sure they hate it, but it works!).  “Placeplaying” is moving through the finger shapes of the tune.  Place the first shape, then close the fingers (don’t play, just close) and place the second shape.  Remember that between these is actually another shape where the shapes overlap which is its own separate shape.  Keep going: place – close – place – close – place – close – place – etc. through to the end of the tune.  Keep placing but do not play.  I love this because you learn things about the tune while you’re doing it.  You can develop a new appreciation for the tune through this – you see shapes you missed, musical ideas you can see but not hear and you learn to think about the tune on a different level (like how although auditorily a “musical idea” is finished, on a physical level you’re actually in the middle of the idea).  This is also an excellent way to learn a new tune – because you have to break it down and really look at it.

So, there you have it – three ways to play your harp in a hotel room and not bother other guests.  Have you found other ways to coexist with other travelers?  Hope you’ll share in the comments!

World Tourism Day

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It’s World Tourism Day!  Of course, it’s difficult to celebrate since there are still travel bans and restrictions in place all over the world.  But all that will pass soon enough.  Not soon enough for me, but in the grand scheme of things, soon enough.

World Tourism DayTravel is exciting and fun.  It tops the bucket lists of many, many people.  And very fortunate people have the opportunity to travel frequently. 

Travel with your harp is thrilling and exciting (and occasionally heart-stopping) but so worth it.  Having a harp with you can be a solace (especially in long waits, jet-lagged nights or trying times of travel).  It can also be a real bridge builder.  If gives strangers an opening to interact.  It gives you a way to chat when you don’t even speak the language!  I’ve met some really delightful people because I was playing my harp.

And you get plenty of exercise!  You never realize how heavy your harp really is, or how large an airport is, until you’ve carried it through one!

While the pandemic continues, tourism continues to be significantly impacted.  To put this into perspective, according to the United Nations, 10% of the world’s population work in tourism and have been sidelined by the loss of travels.  That’s nearly 800 million people all waiting for things to get back to normal.

You might (or might not) know that I started this blog in 2009 to promote the Harp the Highlands and Islands trips.  I was (and still am) so excited by the chance to travel with harp friends to a place I love to visit.

I conceived of the whole shebang at the Ohio Scottish Arts School the summer before.  I dreamed of playing the tunes we learned in the places they were inspired by.  What could be cooler, I reasoned, than sitting at the Soldier’s Leap on the River Garry and playing Killiecrankie?  Or to be on the Isle of Skye  playing Morag of Dunvegan, or Mrs. McLeod of Raasay, or MacDonnald, Lord of the Isles, or any of the other gazillions of tunes from Skye!?  Or to sit just about anywhere and play a tune tied to that place?

But it was a later, chance conversation with my Partner-in-Crime David (who had begun working as a tour guide) that added the secret sauce to make it all happen.  I mentioned that thought and he made it a reality!  And so, the trip was born.  He plans and leads delicious and delightful travel experiences and I put together tunes referencing places, people, history, and emotion that stitch it all together.  We share the tunes and everyone has a blast!

What could be better than travel to a place that calls to you, with people you enjoy, to share music and laughter and fun?  If you said, “Pretty much nothing could be better!” you are right!  And if you didn’t say that, you should probably come along with us – then you’d see what I mean!

We were bummed when we had to postpone the 2020 trip.  And we were dismayed when we, understandably, had to postpone again to 2022.  We’re hoping against hope that we’ll be good to go next summer.  Because…Scotland! (voted the most beautiful country in the world)  Because…harp! (the original traditional instrument of Scotland)  Because…music! (do I really to have to say anything pithy here? I didn’t think so.)

Until we can travel as we once did, we’ll have to content ourselves with celebrating World Tourism Day with the rest of the world from our own homes.  We’ll eagerly await our trips.  Until then, you can still go places.  Local travel and tourism will scratch the itch for a while.  Bring your harp along to add a delight element to your trip.

If you’d like to come on a trip with us – let me know.  Want more info? It’s here on the website.  Best bit, you don’t have to carry your harp, it’ll be there for you!

How are you going to celebrate World Tourism Day?  Where are you going to take your harp next?  If you haven’t traveled with your harp before – by car, by bus, by subway, by train, by plane – and wonder if it’s as difficult as it looks, ask your questions!  I’d love to hear what you’d like to know.