Spring 1999
Newsletter
Internet edition
©1999 FHF

In Harmony with Ray Pool

The Florida Harpers and Friends 1999 workshop was presented by Ray Pool and coordinated by Melody Anglin. This year 32 harpers and friends participated in private and/or group lessons and 38 people attended the dinner and concert. Here's a report from Marg Chauvin:

Rumor has it the 1999 FHF Workshop was a resounding success. Now this reporter is simply noting the harmony that was heard in late January in Daytona. The event began on Thursday evening when several members of FHF dined with Ray Pool, the celebrated pop harpist, teacher and workshop presenter. Friday was dedicated to private lessons with Ray, the Annual FHF board meeting, and the traditional evening Harper's social. Bambi Fischer serenaded the group with a slide presentation on "The Famous and Not-So-Famous Harpers." She brought the harp out of the closet for Ben Franklin and Marie Antoinette.

Saturday was a melodious day; the prelude included snacks in the hospitality suite and harp setup and tuning in the classroom. Ray Pool orchestrated two class sessions on harmony, chords, and his technique for the lever harp. The morning class exercised the basics, the afternoon frolic included lead sheets, accompaniment, and group dynamics. After Ray had challenged the fingers and minds the annual membership raised their voices in song(meeting). The intermission break was a banquet and silent auction, and the closing sonatas were the mini-concert and harp jam. To close the day the musicians waltzed to bed.

For those not attending you missed a wonderful experience. Ray is an inspiration and everyone left with new tricks, talents, sheet music, and recorded music. If that wasn't enough Melody Anglin (workshop coordinator) booked this event at a luxurious hotel with ocean views, excellent food, and bargain rates. Melody Anglin is the unsung hero of the event and deserves a huge round of applause. Without her knowledge, talent, contacts, and persistence there would not be an annual FHF workshop. Thank you Melody.

Here's a reaction to the workshop from Barbara F. Mullen:

I was thrilled with the workshop last weekend. I enjoyed Ray Pool and am looking forward to putting to use and practice all those things I learned. However, what really excites me is that Terecita, Marie Jo, Mary Fran, John Trinkes and myself plan to start getting together on a regular basis and have our own harp circle. As I told Melody, she and Marg Chauvin have made such a difference in my life and brought about much happiness and excitement on my part; I can never thank them enough. Thanks again for the workshop or I would not have met all these lovely people. I will do what I can for the success of FHF.

Sincerely,

Barbara Mullen

Click here to see photographs of the event!

A Message from Melody:

I would like to thank all those who worked hard at the workshop not only through attendance and attentive class presence, but in labors of love. Thank you to Vice President, Bambi Fischer for her organization of the "Silent Auction" which made approximately $317 and thanks to all of those who gave of their possesions and crafts to help FHF have a financially successful year. Thanks to Secretary, Caren Traynor and Dr. Albertha E. Boston for stuffing folders; Chris Purdy for monitoring lessons on Friday; Treasurer, Marg Chauvin for paying everyone and helping me balance the accounts late Saturday night at the hotel; Julia and Bob Hood for the photos taken and a needed jaunt to Office Depot; Historian, Penny Huster and the Mansurs for looking after anything that I could not do; to Barbara Mullen for helping in the suite with the food and to all of you who just worked in the space and schedule we had with a smile right along with me, even when the hotel had double booked our meeting room because of a million dollar reception upstairs! You are all truly a wonderful people! It was a lovely location and all in all, we really had a wonderful time. Finally, thanks to Ray Pool for the inspirational lessons and classes that had energy and information to inspire us to play with thought and theory. I look forward to next years workshop and working with the next artists that we hire, but mainly, I look forward to seeing you all again!!

I am sincerely yours,

Melody Long Anglin,
Workshop Coordinator

News from our Members

In December of 1998 the students of Bambi Fischer gave a Christmas recital in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Melendez. Performing were Chelsea Bastin, Sharon bastin, Barbara Fischer, Ely Melendez, Carolyn Melton and Rachel Webb. Guest artists were Andrea Melendez on piano and Lizmar Melendez on violin.

At the Jacksonville Scottish Highland Games Harp Competition, held February 20, the results were:
· Novice Class, Gold Medal: Jeffery Dickey, Hinesville, GA.
· Beginner Class, Gold Medal, Most Promising Harper: Nancy Crawford, Jacksonville, FL.
· Amateur Class, Gold Medal Harper of the Day: Marg Chauvin, St. Augustine, FL.
· Professional Class, Gold Medal: Peter Jackson, Orlando, FL.

Florida Harpers & Friends 2000

Barbara Mullen and Marg Chauvin held a brain-storming session and came up with some ideas for next year's workshop. Your comments are invited.

• Offer a scholarship to someone who will sell between sessions.
• Have the hospitality suite near/adjacent to the class area.
• Offer a table to "Music Swap." Bring what you don't want and take what you want. No accounting for money or sales. Simply a "clean out your closet" and pass on what you no longer want/use.
• Do something Sunday AM -- perhaps a breakfast/brunch and a Jam.
• Have a Jam list and/or jam book.
• Have the dinner a catered buffet rather than a sit-down dinner.
• Have a follow-up survey.
• Use local talent from Music Schools (i.e. Stetson) to teach an AM session for the "other" instruments and have all instruments in the PM session.
• Have a session on Friday PM.
• Allow more free time on Saturday.
• Have a club tee shirt and/or canvas tote bag. Barbara volunteered to work on the tee shirt, pricing, ordering, etc.

 
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