ensemble

From left to right - Honor Bouch, Barbara Griggs, Pam Adams, Sarah Deere-Jones, Liz Rowe, Ann Hughes, Morrigan Brown.

'Harpers Bizarre' Harp ensemble was formed in 2004, and are past or present pupils of Sarah Deere-Jones plus Sarah herself, who runs the Cornwall Harp Centre. They regularly meet at the centre and rehearse their unique repertoire of pieces especially arranged for up to eight harps. They performed their first concert at the Penventon Hotel in Redruth in November 2004 as part of an exhibition by Salvi Harps of London, and were filmed by the BBC.

Their repertoire consists mostly of classical, traditional and contemporary music, producing a surprisingly varied mix of music for concerts, interspersed by solo contributions. In 2006 they were invited to play at the Wales International harp festival in Caenarvon, and to Denmark performing with the 'Harpetraef' ensemble in Copenhagen. They also produced their first CD 'A Cornish Pastiche' - a collection of music especially arranged and written for 7 harps by Sarah Deere-Jones.

National Harp Day

29th APRIL 2007

As part of the Arpa Viva Cymru symposium's 'National Harp Day' celebrations, Harpers Bizarre performed a concert at the famous Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, near Penzance. Basking in warm sunshine, the audience included seals at the foot of the cliffs and gulls and choughs circling overhead!

From left to right: Pam Adams, Barbara Griggs, Gail Morwood, Lucy Burrow, Anne Hughes and Sarah Deere-Jones.

'A Cornish Pastiche' CD by Harpers Bizarre

is a lighthearted 'cornish pasty'

of pieces from traditional, to classical to specially written pieces for harp ensemble.

For details of how to order please go to 'Sheet music and CDs page'

In April 2006 we were invited to perform at the Welsh festival, surrounded by other professional harpists the ensemble had to perform a lunchtime concert, as well as hold a 'hands on harps' workshop for beginners, and back up a 'jam session for all' in the afternoon. The Welsh festival made a special effort to invite harpists from all the Celtic areas and we were representing Cornwall. This was of course a terrific experience which we all enjoyed!

Above left, hysteria approaches as we get ready for the concert. Middle, everyone concentrating hard during the concert!

We were lucky enough to be invited to Copenhagen in June 2006 by Helen Davies and her harp ensemble. We had a wonderful day's sight seeing around the city on Saturday 10th, and were treated to glorious sunshine and boiling temperatures. A delicious evening meal at the Tivoli gardens that evening rounded off a brilliant day. On Sunday 11th work started, the two ensembles rehearsed together all day, and the Danish harpies treated us to a homemade delicious dinner before going on to Virum Kirke for the evening concert.

Harpers Bizarre would like to thank Helen Davies and all her harpists in Denmark for their friendly hospitality and provision of harps during the weekend which was a wonderful experience! We are hoping that one day they may be able to come and visit Cornwall!

Left, Bude Music Festival July 2006, Right, Christmas Carols at Cotehele house, December 2006