Harp Play in Schools - Creative Communities Scheme Funding
SEPTEMBER 2024 funding round
THAMES COROMANDEL DISTRICT COUNCIL CCS FUND
SEPTEMBER 2024 funding round
THAMES COROMANDEL DISTRICT COUNCIL CCS FUND
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Opoutere Adventure School In this Harp Play experience we had three groups of around 40 students who each had 45-60 minutes of intensive harp time. I think my favourite question of the day, from one of the younger students was ' how do you fingers know what to play?'. Such a good question and such a great place to talk about how we practice, whether it's sports, music or other practice, to get to a point where we can show our skills to others. Also, I was playing without any music, and we had a good chat about how many of us learn from sheet music first, and then play from memory. |
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Tapu School, Thames Coast Oh, my... what an amazing little school. See those seven kids? They are it! The total number of students at Tapu school. I was able to teach these seven students the same sort of lesson I would give a private 1:1 student and they all learnt to name all the strings, and play Frere Jacques, in response to me playing, but also as a two part round. Such an awesome bunch of young people and soooo enthusiastic! PS: Another school with the best sea view on the peninsula! |
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Coromandel Area School on a hot afternoon, in a lovely cool, large room. These students were amazing. We had a lovely start with everyone lying down to listen to music and then comment on what went through their heads as they listened. So great to see young people who know what to do when they are asked to relax and listen. There were some really good budding musicians, and a few girls who decided they liked singing with the harp, and composed their own songs.... on the spot! |
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Te Rerenga School - what a magical little place in paradise! Such a musical group of students and they sent me fabulous feedback (I'll try to attach it here one day). I was chuckling before I even got into the classroom as a little fella yelled out from the playground 'oh look, its the kapa harpa lady' ... Look out for the photo with my awesome harp helper, James, who carried harps for me, and on our way out of the school we met 'Mrs Jones', the school bassett hound who is a therapy dog and spends her day in the class with the kids! |
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SEPTEMBER 2024 funding round
HAURAKI DISTRICT COUNCIL CCS FUND
HAURAKI DISTRICT COUNCIL CCS FUND
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Netherton Primary School - it was somewhat chilly in the school hall, so we didn't lie down and listen to harp music, but rather huddled! This group of students was fascinated by the science of the harp... and how much it costs!
Thanks to these awesome lads for helping to carry harps to the car! |
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Kerepehi School students and teachers - we had such fun with you! We ran two sessions of about 45 minutes each and saw the junior students and the senior students, and in between the staff put on a beautiful morning tea for us. Lots of students here who had other musical skills they were able to transfer over to the harp. Love those older boys who think the harp is not for them, then can't keep their hands off it! Thank you Kerepehi kids and thanks to Andrea the DP for setting this Harp Play up. |
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Kaiaua School - what an awesome place to spend a hot Friday afternoon!! I love seeing their new principal, Carrie, seated on the floor of the classroom observing the students at harp play. You can see also, my fabulous harp helper, Svargo as she goes around showing the kids how to play 'Twinkle Twinkle' I really wanted to visit Kaiaua School as my grandfather, Tom Dunwoodie, had been the sole charge teacher/principal there in the 1940s... slightly different school and buildings then! Miller Ave School - we had great fun with you - we even had a baby in the class for one session ... delightful!! You can see from the feedback below that not everyone comes into a Harp Play session expecting to have fun, but we all, always do! Harps are infectious! You can't do anything wrong with them, and you always, always make a great sound. Thanks to Stacey for inviting us to Miller Ave School and thanks also to Alice from the Valley Profile who wrote about our Harp Play session today. |
Such lovely feedback from Miller Ave School, Paeroa.
A huge thanks Anna and Svargo, the kids totally enjoyed their harp session.
Our big kids.... went into the session a bit "Yeah, nah- not me really attitude" and came out with an amazing buzz and each student fizzed with their individual successes. It was amazing how you read the vibe of the group and catered/individualised your teaching programme to our needs and interests- you were spot on in your delivery. All the students had a huge smile as they left the room, and the kids that we thought 'just weren't going to participate'- got a harp in their hands and had a wonderful time.... with many of their attitudes dramatically changing after the experience.
Again, a huge thanks to you, what an amazing experience, we feel really privileged to have had had it.
I have also heard in staffroom conversations that the Junior kids also really enjoyed their session, going in with a high energy, stressed buzz and coming out feeling "calm, relaxed and in control again". This is a real compliment, as teacher stress and kids stress is high at present- and managing behaviour is such a huge factor in teaching. I think all the teachers said they had a very peaceful day that day - and would love to invite you back any time you have time.
Again, thanks
Nicolle Green
A huge thanks Anna and Svargo, the kids totally enjoyed their harp session.
Our big kids.... went into the session a bit "Yeah, nah- not me really attitude" and came out with an amazing buzz and each student fizzed with their individual successes. It was amazing how you read the vibe of the group and catered/individualised your teaching programme to our needs and interests- you were spot on in your delivery. All the students had a huge smile as they left the room, and the kids that we thought 'just weren't going to participate'- got a harp in their hands and had a wonderful time.... with many of their attitudes dramatically changing after the experience.
Again, a huge thanks to you, what an amazing experience, we feel really privileged to have had had it.
I have also heard in staffroom conversations that the Junior kids also really enjoyed their session, going in with a high energy, stressed buzz and coming out feeling "calm, relaxed and in control again". This is a real compliment, as teacher stress and kids stress is high at present- and managing behaviour is such a huge factor in teaching. I think all the teachers said they had a very peaceful day that day - and would love to invite you back any time you have time.
Again, thanks
Nicolle Green
SEPTEMBER 2023 Funding Round
THAMES COROMANDEL DISTRICT COUNCIL CCS FUND
THAMES COROMANDEL DISTRICT COUNCIL CCS FUND
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It was 'Pink T-Shirt' day - anti bullying at Ngatea Primary School. I've never worked with so many princesses, faeries and magical young folk in one day - they were awesome and buzzing from the minute we arrived at school. |
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Thames Coast Community Kindergarten (Te Puru)
What a bunch of cuties! So much hope for the future!!!! |
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Without fail these kids continue to impress me - all the schools I visit have such wonderful environments, full of curiosity, discovery and exploration, and the children ask interesting questions that show their minds are working hard to understand the world around them. Yes, I know I only get a snapshot of their day, and that they are have cheeky and challenging times, but all these little schools are amazing, with dedicated and caring staff. With the right support at home, these kids are going to fly!
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Thames High School - my old school! This lucky bunch of students had a different harp play experience. We had the Marie harp in town, with touring Canadian harpist, Josh Layne... not one to miss an opportunity, I took Josh into THS to show the senior students how we play, and compose for the orchestral harp - the pedal harp, and how it is different from lever harps. The brave students had a go at playing it too! They made some great sounds for teens who hadn't touched a harp before! |
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St Francis School, Thames There were a lot of kids packed into a small space for this Harp Play demo, but they were amazing. It was also 'Cultural Clothing' day... dress up to show your heritage, so they were really lovely and colourful. I don't normally name names, but there was one little fella (aged 5) who I really want to bump into in 15 years time. His dad is the principal, and he stuck fairly close to dad, apparently not that interested in the instruments, until the last 5 minutes, when he became fixated on what the levers did to the strings, and how things moved... I wonder if he will be a scientist and in what area of science.... move 15 years ahead..... |
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Te Puru School - I don't know how anyone focuses on their work here - the view over the water is stunning! Here I played and gave a bit of a talk about the history and construction of the harp to the whole school, and then we went off to the junior classes to let them have a play. Some lovely words from the teachers: "Thank you for coming to visit us. I was watching the children while you were playing and it was so magical. They didn't move! That is saying something, but they were totally entranced by the beautiful music. Such a new and unique experience for so many of them." |
What do we do in a Harp Play School visit?
We listen to me playing the harp (often lying in a comfy position on the floor with our eyes closed), and then we talk about the images the music evokes. The kids, at all ages, are amazing at this, and often come up with ideas like ... gaming or video music (and they aren't wrong, more traditional and world music is being used in gaming, and harps are a common sound now) and nature images such as being on the water or in a forest, and for some it reminds them of being in a special place with their family. Then we talk a bit about the history of the harp (it's really OLD) and where in the world we find harps, and the development and construction of the instrument. We can often get sidetracked here as it gets quite scientific (which is awesome) talking about how strings go in and out of tune depending on temperature, and how wood has a memory so it can change when the temperature changes too). They are often interested to know how much the harps cost and how long they take to make.
Then we get into the serious business... playing the harps - even the students who are the most challenging, or think they aren't really interested, have a go and find they are easily able to play it, make it sound nice, and learn a familiar tune. They can pluck different strings, play tunes they have learnt on other instruments, and play glissandos (a fancy name for sliding your fingers over the strings and making the ripply, watery effect.). I am always so impressed with these young people. They are considerate of each other, despite each really wanting to have a go, and really respectful of the instruments - and they often try to play all eight to ten harps we have in the room to see how the sound differs.
Who can take part in Harp Play?
Anyone! Have a look at the photos above - we have 3 & 4 year olds at kindy and high school students all having a go. And... in the Miller Ave School photos, you will see the teachers having a go too - all the teaching staff have a pluck too!
No prior experience of any part of life needed to make a beautiful sound and have a bit of harpy fun!
How can we get Harp Play at our school?
The 2024/5 funding session is complete now, and with funding, it doesn't cost anything to the school. I'll be applying again and hopefully successful to do this again in 2026. So if you want to be involved when I have further funding, please get in touch and I will let you know when I have funding to do it again.
In the past I have worked around both the Hauraki and Thames/Coromandel districts with funding.
If you are view this from outside these districts, maybe you can get funding for me to travel to your school???
We listen to me playing the harp (often lying in a comfy position on the floor with our eyes closed), and then we talk about the images the music evokes. The kids, at all ages, are amazing at this, and often come up with ideas like ... gaming or video music (and they aren't wrong, more traditional and world music is being used in gaming, and harps are a common sound now) and nature images such as being on the water or in a forest, and for some it reminds them of being in a special place with their family. Then we talk a bit about the history of the harp (it's really OLD) and where in the world we find harps, and the development and construction of the instrument. We can often get sidetracked here as it gets quite scientific (which is awesome) talking about how strings go in and out of tune depending on temperature, and how wood has a memory so it can change when the temperature changes too). They are often interested to know how much the harps cost and how long they take to make.
Then we get into the serious business... playing the harps - even the students who are the most challenging, or think they aren't really interested, have a go and find they are easily able to play it, make it sound nice, and learn a familiar tune. They can pluck different strings, play tunes they have learnt on other instruments, and play glissandos (a fancy name for sliding your fingers over the strings and making the ripply, watery effect.). I am always so impressed with these young people. They are considerate of each other, despite each really wanting to have a go, and really respectful of the instruments - and they often try to play all eight to ten harps we have in the room to see how the sound differs.
Who can take part in Harp Play?
Anyone! Have a look at the photos above - we have 3 & 4 year olds at kindy and high school students all having a go. And... in the Miller Ave School photos, you will see the teachers having a go too - all the teaching staff have a pluck too!
No prior experience of any part of life needed to make a beautiful sound and have a bit of harpy fun!
How can we get Harp Play at our school?
The 2024/5 funding session is complete now, and with funding, it doesn't cost anything to the school. I'll be applying again and hopefully successful to do this again in 2026. So if you want to be involved when I have further funding, please get in touch and I will let you know when I have funding to do it again.
In the past I have worked around both the Hauraki and Thames/Coromandel districts with funding.
If you are view this from outside these districts, maybe you can get funding for me to travel to your school???
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A big thanks to the funders - Creative Communities NZ/Creative NZ and the admin teams at TCDC and HDC!