Bambi Fischer
Newsletter Editor
fischarper@yahoo.co
Those who missed this convention, missed one of the most "fun" ones ever. The new hotel was gorgeous and right in the middle of shopping. Bambi and her "cousins" had everything very organized and welcoming.
The Friday evening appetizers were so hearty that none of us felt a need for supper. There were more venders than ever before. I got a set of harp napkins, harp decorations, and lots of music. Many of us were talking about having so much music at home yet to learn, yet we were all buying more.
After an evening of socializing we retired upstairs for cookies and milk provided by the hotel. The "angelic harpists" that we are, had gotten louder than we realized and were all shocked when a security officer asked US to tone it down as he was getting complaints about how loud we were. Not wanting to tarnish our "halo's", we all just went to bed.
Workshops started promptly at 9:00 A.M. and continued all day long EXACTLY ON SCHEDULE. Sergeant Bambi Fischer made sure of that. Verlon Eason started the day with a workshop on chords, harmony, scales, key signatures, and an overview of music theory.
Angi Bemiss gave 5 workshops (besides private lessons and a concert). Her notes on left hand patterns and her transposition charts were VERY well received. Many of us were inspired by her writing music on the computer workshop. She made it seem so easy. Every one of her workshops left us wanting her to just keep on teaching....she is a wealth of information, very well prepared, and caring.
As if that was not enough for one day, we also had a workshop on harp therapy, a slide show by Dr. Rosyln Rensch, a workshop on photography with Robert Hood, and one on harp maintenance. Jim and Boris told us many interesting facts...like you always tune up to pitch.....never start from a note that is too high and go right to the note...tune lower than the pitch and go up to the correct pitch. I hope we have them back every year.
With Bambi Fischer organizing this convention, you can be sure there was lots of fun, Bambi style craziness, and special touches besides. We had Irish dancing, Irish dinner music and "sing-a-long" by Larry Fisher, a wedding cake and celebration for Roslyn and her new husband, Ed, lots of door prizes, and special take home gifts. Many thanks to so many who worked extra hard.....especially Bambi, Barbara, and Angi. I can't wait to see what Bambi comes up with next year.
As Victoria Garcia played The Bridal March on the harp, Dr. Roslyn Rensch-Noah and Mr. Edward Noah walked, hand in hand, through the joyous crowd at the FHF 2005 Conference. The newlyweds were married in September in Saint Simons, Georgia then quickly fled the area to escape the predicted arrival of a hurricane. Thus, the couple enjoyed wedded bliss, but never had a reception honoring this glorious occasion.
Florida Harpers and Friends presented the married couple with a beautiful two tier wedding cake topped with an elegant harp. Dr. Rensch gave a very gracious thank you to the crowd and the crowd responded with overwhelming tears of joy and magnanimous applause!
It was the perfect Scottish day for Florida, cool, misty, a slight wind, and later rain. And, it was the perfect day for having a Harp House. There is space for a stage, sound system, audience, display and vendor areas. Over 20 harpers attended, from Florida and Georgia, eight shared their talents in the competition, and others shared the open mic.
Nancy Bick-Clark was our honored guest, adjudicator; and workshop presenter A few words about Nancy’s workshop… On (1) ornamentation “Ornamentation is like icing on the cake, it is essential but too much and you loose the cake.” And (2) strathspey, her ideas on fingering and lift are essential to making a strathspey work. Lastly, Nancy is a wonderful, knowledgeable teacher and an accomplished performer. Don’t miss her when she is in your area.
Florida Harpers and Friends were well represented, Becky Brock (panhandle), Janet Phipps and Marg Chauvin (southeast), Rosemary Stout and Kathy Pearce (northeast), and David Dirlam (GA). This is the only Scottish Harp Competition in Florida, so get ready for next year.
Competition Results:
Laura Murphy, Critique, Savannah, GA
Joan Ricks, 1st Beginner, Gainesville, FL
Erin Simmons, 1st Novice, Savannah, GA
Ann Durant, 1st Journeyman, Savannah, GA
Katherine Mullins, 1st Youth Apprentice, Savannah, GA
Christine Sanford, 1st Adult Apprentice, Jacksonville, FL
Kathy Pearce, 1st Master (MSR), Orange Park, FL
Marg Chauvin, 1st Master (T/V), Lantana, FL
Marg Chauvin & Bill Messer (guitar), Ensemble, 1st, Lantana, FL
Katherine Mullins, Most Promising Harper
Marg Chauvin, Harper of the Day