Northern Colorado Summer Harp Festival
12th Annual
Presents
On Wind & Wings of Song
July 14 - 20, 2024
Held at Immanuel Lutheran Church
in Loveland, CO
Concert Information Click Here
At the 12th Annual
Northern Colorado Summer Harp Festival
Experience Wonderful Music, Friendship, and a Common Bond of Love for all things Harp!
Our festival theme this year is
"On Wind and
Wings of Song"
Harp ensemble participants of all ages (youth, teen, adult) will have the opportunity to play a diverse program of music with selections inspired by many different fantasy, classical, and historical sources featuring beautiful harmonies, some well known melodies, and some exciting guest instrumentalists!
Harpists of all ability/skill levels are encouraged to join in the fun. In each of the ensembles, the music (5-7 songs) is assigned to the harpist based on their current ability and comfort level. The goal for the week is to work on stretching musical creativity and help to build performance confidence while playing in a relaxed ensemble setting.
We will start the festival week off with a Colorado Harp Quartet concert featuring special guests on Sunday, July 14th at 6:00pm. There will also be several interactive workshops held during the week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon. (Outside participants welcome for just the workshops)
After a full week of harp intensive classes and rehearsals, all festival ensembles come together on Saturday evening (July 20th) to present an exciting Harp Extravaganza Concert that is open to the public.
See more information below about the Amazing Workshops and the Evening Concert details below.
Artistic Director and Conductor: Alaina Bongers
Original Artwork by Lia Rudeen
Come Join in the Music
Prerequisites
Ages: 8 through Adult (No upper age limit for adults)
One year or more of harp lessons or is student has played less than a year, written permission from current harp instructor is required.
(No Auditions Required)
Bring your own lever or pedal harp to play
(Harps will be locked up securely overnight, so no need to haul a harp every day)
Other Information to "Note"
All Workshops are included in the Ensemble Registration
.
Outside participants are welcome to attend the workshops and a separate registration can be found below.
Music (5-7 Songs) for each of the harp ensembles is sent out shortly after the registration is received and music will be collected again at the end of the festival. You are welcome to write any notes on the music if needed.
Festival Ensemble Music needs to be prepared and ready to rehearse with the other ensemble members by the first rehearsal
Harp Teachers! If you have a student who registers for a Harp Festival Ensemble, you can participate in the Adult Ensemble at no cost.
Since this is a "day camp", we encourage harpists to carpool if you are coming from further away. We do not organize the carpool, but we would be happy to possibly put you in touch with another harpist from your area who has registered for the festival. If you are interested in finding out more please contact us by clicking HERE.
Schedule
All Festival Events are held at Immanuel Lutheran Church
4650 Sunview Dr, Loveland, CO 80538
Sunday, July 14th: 4:00 - 4:30 pm Optional Harp Drop/Set Up
Sunday, July 14th: 6:00 pm Colrado Harp Quartet Concert
Monday - Friday, July 14 - 19, 2024
Daily three hour intensive harp ensemble rehearsals
Minuet Ensemble (age 8 – 15)
1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Monday (15th)
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday - Friday
Nocturne Ensemble (age 16 – adult)
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
Tuesday - Thursday, July 16-18th : 4:15-5:15 p.m. Interactive Workshops with Special Guest Harpists (See more info below)
Saturday, July 20th: Combined Ensemble Dress Rehearsal & Concert Performance
All Ensembles Dress Rehearsal 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Harp Extravaganza Ensemble Concert 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.
(This is a free concert and open to the public, so invite your family and friends.)
Cost
Festival Ensemble Registration $320
(Ensemble Registration includes all three workshops)
What a deal for over 20 Hours of Instruction time!
Registration for this event is refundable (minus processing fees) up to June 1, 2024.
After June 1, 2024 only half of the registration cost will be refunded.*
*In light of COVID 19, the participants health and safety is of upmost importance. If there are any major changes to the gathering guidelines due to COVID 19 these will be taken under advisement. If this event has to be postponed or cancelled due to changes in the guidelines, 85% of the registration fee will be refunded as the remaining 15% covers operating expenses.
Photos from Past NoCo Harp Festivals
Register for Harp Festival
(All three workshops are included in the Ensemble Registration)
What Harpists are Saying about the
Noco Summer Harp Festival
Joy H. Says...
“I have participated in Harp Festival (adult ensemble) for three years in a row. It has definitely helped me become a more proficient musician. I have really improved in the area of playing with other harpists, understanding rhythm more succinctly and learning new pieces more quickly. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who is interested in improving their musicianship and making new harp friends!”
Malia R. Says...
“Harp festival is amazing because it allows harpists from all over the area to collaborate and meet one another. I love the music that we get to play in ensembles, and the learning that comes along with it.”
Emily J. Says...
“I have participated in harp festival for four years, both in the youth and teen ensembles. I love meeting fellow harpists and playing new songs with them. The pieces we learn are interesting and fun while also improving skills like rhythms and counting. Alaina is a wonderful teacher to work with and she makes sure that everyone has fun while we learn.”
Lily P. Says...
“The music is so accessible for the diverse group of harpists that participate to feel comfortable about what they are playing. I love how much thought Alaina puts into selecting music for the ensembles to play and her arrangements are always fun to play as well!
Also, the guest artists that come in are wonderful as they offer a fresh perspective and teach us something new about the harp that we never knew before.”
Three Interactive Workshops
Music Theory, Not Just a Bunch
of Yucky Words... Workshop
Join us for an interactive music theory workshop where we will explore the fascinating language that brings music to life. In this workshop we will discuss some basic music theory concepts in an approachable way and learn how they affect music and how to incorporate them into our playing.
ALL LEVELS (Pedal or Lever Harp)
Tuesday July 16th, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Workshop With Special Guest Harpist
Meredith McCrindle
Wednesday July 17th, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
How to Survive a Gig, Plan a set list, and much more!
ALL LEVELS (Bring Pedal or Lever Harp)
Arranging Music and Improvising at the Harp
Thursday July 18th, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
We will build on our previous workshop discussion about those "yucky" music theory words and concepts. In this class we will use those theory building blocks and explore how that can open up a whole new world of creativity and expression by adding your personal touch to any performance.
ALL LEVELS (Both Pedal and Lever Harp)
Workshop Only Registration
Not able to attend the whole week as an ensemble member, but still interested in attending one or more of the interactive workshops?
Outside Participants are welcome and we encourage you to attend the workshops and concerts! You can register for one or two of the workshops à la carte ($25 each) or you can take advantage of the combo discount and attend all three workshops for $60. Simply click on the links below to register for the workshop(s) of your choice.
While we encourage harpists to bring their harps to each of the interactive workshops, you may also attend without your harp and just experience the class. These classes are for both lever and pedal harpists of all ages and experience levels, so sign up today!
Questions? Contact Alaina Bongers at harprevelations142@gmail.com
Our Special Guest Musicians
Alisa DeWitt:
Bio Coming
Rebecca Moritzky:
Bio Coming
Rebecca Quillen (Flute)
Bio Coming
Harp Concerts
Colorado Harp Quartet
Sunday July 14th at 6:00 p.m.
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Loveland, CO
Join us for an enchanting evening concert, as we present the debut performance of the Colorado Harp Quartet, themed "On Wind and Wings of Song". This special concert will take place on July 14th at 6:00 pm.
Immerse yourself in a captivating program of music, beautifully arranged for the harp. Our quartet will also be joined by special guest musicians on cello and flute, adding a rich textrue to the performance.
No tickets are required for this event, but we gratefully accept free-will door offerings. We look forward to "taking flight" on this musical journey with you.
Questions? Contact Alaina Bongers at harprevelations142@gmail.com
Harp Extravaganza Ensemble Concert
Saturday July 20th
at 6:00 p.m.
Immanuel Lutheran Church
in Loveland, CO
After a full week of rehearsals and workshops, join us for the Harp Extravaganza Ensemble Concert! This event will showcase the talents, hard work, and dedication of our ensemble participants from around the country. The program themed "On Wind and Wings of Song" will highlight the versatility and beauty of the harp and we will be joined our special guest musicians on flute and cello. This concert is FREE and open to the public. You do not need to purchase tickets in advance.
Be sure to join us for this musical harp celebration!
Questions? Contact Alaina Bongers at harprevelations142@gmail.com
COVID 19 Safety Precautions
We take our participants safety and health very seriously! We will continue to follow the current guidelines and safety recommendations.
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Masks or Facial Coverings are currently optional to be worn by participants, guest artists, and the ensemble conductor during rehearsals and workshops.
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We ask all participants to wash their hands before entering the rehearsal space and hand sanitizer will also be available in the rehearsal spaces as well.
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We ask all participants to please be considerate of your fellow harpists and not attend rehearal, workshops, or the concert if you are not feeling well. Especially if you have a fever of 100 degrees or higher or have any other COVID-19 symptoms (or within the past 72 hours) we ask that you do not attend the rehearsal or workshop.
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A signed Medical Release Waiver and COVID-19 Release Waiver Form will be required in order to participate in the Festival.