News from the American Harp Society, Inc.
November 2015
Welcome to the November American Harp Society, Inc. (AHS) newsletter. We're excited to announce our fall Grants Program recipients, share more news of the upcoming National Conference next summer in Atlanta, and roll out our convenient new online store.

And a most happy and joyful Thanksgiving to all! 
Nominations Open Online Through November
Online nominations are open through November for board positions, committee service, and Lifetime Achievement Award nominees. Let us hear from you! 
Fall Grants Announced
In This Issue
The dedicated AHS Grants Committee has carefully reviewed 17 applications for the American Harp Society, Inc. Grants Program this fall. Nine projects were selected for funding, but the choices were difficult as there were so many more deserving applications than the available funds allowed. The fall awards, totaling $9,500, are:

 
Los Angeles Chapter of the American Harp Society, Inc. for the "Los Angeles Celebration of the Harp: New Music" for composition competition prizes  
$1,800 
AHS, Inc. member Laura Sherman for "Bach on the Triple Harp" 
$   400 
AHS, Inc. members Danielle Bash & Liz Huston for "Philadelphia Harp Boot Camp" student scholarships  
$2,000 
AHS, Inc. member Kathryn Harms to commission a piece "I ran out of black paint and sunshine" for string quartet and harp by composer Kurt M. Mehlenbacher 
$1,000 
Nashville Chapter of the American Harp Society, Inc. for the Chicago Harp Quartet Masterclass and Concert
$1,250
AHS, Inc. member Angela Schwarzkopf to commission a piece for solo harp by composer Monica Pearce
 $1,000
Georgia Chapter of the American Harp Society, Inc. to commission a harp ensemble arrangement for the 2015 National Conference
 $   500
AHS, Inc. member Karen Miller for the Mesa Public Schools Harp Scholarship Program 
 $1,500
Midwest Harp Festival for student scholarships
 $  500


 

Congratulations to the awardees, as well as everyone who took the time and
effort to apply. And many thanks to the Grants Committee for their hard work. The second round of grants will be made in the spring, with an application deadline of March 15, 2016; $10,500 is available for these grants. Projects must reflect the mission of the American Harp Society, Inc., and individual members or chapters are eligible to apply. Please visit http://harpsociety.org/About/Programs/GrantsProgram.asp for all of the program details.
AHS Online Store Debuts!
Looking for that perfect holiday gift for your harp teacher? Need to put something on your own wish list to suggest to family? AHS's sponsored publications are now easily ordered online in our new AHS Store.  Secure payment can be made by credit card or PayPal, and several shipping options are offered for each order.

Students of the
Salzedo School
will recall this
famous tapestry.
Available in a
limited edition
poster in the
 AHS Store
The Salzedo Centennial Fund has published four works arranged, transcribed, or composed by Carlos Salzedo which previously had not been published in complete form. A unique two-CD set presents Salzedo as he sounded, both in interviews and performances, in a series of national radio broadcasts originating from New York City as early as 1934. Contributions to the Grandjany Centennial Fund made possible the production of videotapes derived from home videos made in 1972 and an audio cassette first released in celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of the AHS. A compact disc has been remastered from the audio cassette released in 1972 which includes the program personally selected by Mr. Grandjany and additional works.  And the recently-debuted AHS edition of Aristid von Wurtzler's Space Odyssey for Four Harps is also for sale.

Your purchase will help AHS continue to provide access to otherwise unavailable resources such as these publications. Please visit the AHS Store today!
Restore Yourself at the AHS National Conference in Atlanta
Fall is winding down and winter is coming, but the host committee in Atlanta can think of nothing but summer! The National Conference, June 30th - July 3rd, will be warm and welcoming.

One theme of the conference, drawn from the new AHS mission, is empowerment. Being a harpist comes with some unique stressors, and the Conference program offers several resources for improving your personal and professional wellness. 
 
Dr. Noa Kageyama.
Dr. Noa Kageyama, on the faculty of The Juilliard School, specializes in working with performing artists, teaching them how to utilize sport psychology principles and more consistently demonstrate their full abilities under pressure. Dr. Kageyama will present a two part workshop exploring several strategies that will help you demonstrate your full abilities in high-stakes auditions, competitions, and performances. You will learn to train yourself to become more engaged in even the most stressful performances, play through distractions and mistakes, and get into "the zone" on a consistent basis.

Dr. Dawn Neely 
Soprano and Yoga Instructor Dr. Dawn Neely is Assistant Professor of Voice and Director of Opera Workshop at the University of West Georgia. In addition to her career performing and directing, Dr. Neely researches and conducts studies on body awareness and alignment methods for musicians. Neely earned her 200-Level Yoga Teaching Certificate through the Yoga Alliance in 2014, specializing in developing yoga routines for musicians according to the demands of their instrument. Her two-day presentation in collaboration with harpist Dr. Sarah Crocker will guide participants through yoga poses that specifically address the needs of harpists both on the mat and at the harp.

Dr. David Cutler 
Certainly pursuing one's art while also making a living can add to life's stresses.  Dr. David Cutler serves as the Director of Music Entrepreneurship at the University of South Carolina and has had a varied career as a performer, composer, conductor, presenter and entrepreneur.  One of the world's leading voices on arts career and entrepreneurship training, Dr. Cutler will share insights to help you: 1) build a career; 2) earn a living; and 3) make a difference. He will examine critical elements often overlooked or misunderstood by musicians, such as entrepreneurship, product development, branding, marketing, networking, the new recording paradigm, personal finance, funding, relevance, and legacy. His workshop will help you take control of your career by discovering opportunities that are both prosperous and meaningful. 
 
Make your plans now to come to Atlanta for some warm southern hospitality, great music, delightful social times, and to restore your body and mind. Registration, housing information and more program details will be available very soon at www.harpsociety.org/ConferenceInstitute/2016Conference.
Online Membership Database
Access the AHS Online Membership Directory any time, anywhere in the world. Find old friends and make new ones!  And please help us stay in touch by updating your member record when something changes.
Sharing on #GivingTuesday
After the flurry of shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the goal of #GivingTuesday on December 1st is to create a global day of giving back which celebrates generosity and kindness. AHS members embody that spirit every day, performing for nursing homes and senior centers, entertaining young cancer patients and their families, and contributing their talents to charity fundraisers.

Grant Park Music Festival  
Facebook UNselfie 
In the spirit of #GivingTuesday, please show us how you or your chapter gives back in your local community with an "UNSelfie"!  Take a photo of your giving in action (especially if it involves a harp!), or with a sign about your giving, tag it #UNselfie and #GivingTuesday, and share to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter now through Dec. 2nd.  Share it with your giving story to the AHS Facebook page and we'll highlight some of the most creative UNselfie's in the December newsletter.  Find more information and ideas here . . .

We also hope you will respond to special #GivingTuesday appeals with a financial gift to help support the important programs of the American Harp Society, Inc. Your contribution might underwrite a deserving student's registration for the Atlanta National Conference, support the Audition & Evaluations program for students, or contribute to AHS's exciting Grants Program. Watch your inbox for more information. Thank you!
Membership Questions?
 
Please contact Barbara Sooklal
Membership Secretary 
805-410-4277 (HARP)

For your security, please do not email credit card numbers.
Membership forms may be sent by secure fax to (508) 803-8383.

AHS Sponsored Publications Store Online

 
Use Goodshop to support American Harp Society

American Harp Society, Inc. | 805-410-4277
[email protected] | www.harpsociety.org
624 Crystal Ave
Findlay, OH 45840