Latest News

Corporate Membership

At the close of 2022, the UKHA committee met to discuss and review the administration of corporate membership and how best we can support our corporate members moving forward.
We are aware that the current economic and political climate, has increased the demands on small businesses. We have implemented the following changes that we feel best supports our corporate members.
 From the 1st of February (2023) the annual corporate membership fee will be £75.00 which entitles corporate members to one small advertisement within each issue of HARP magazine, published twice yearly, in the Spring and Autumn. The publication of a full-page advertisement in the magazine’s inside covers or back (outer) page, will be charged additionally at £100 per issue.

If you are considering corporate membership with the UKHA, please contact: vice-chair@ukharp.net
(27/01/2023)
 

UKHA WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT

Our current president, Sioned Williams will officially step down from her role at the World Harp Congress in Cardiff this Summer. After her wonderful presentation and tribute to the UKHA at our recent online AGM, we were delighted to be able to announce that Elinor Bennett will succeed Sioned as president. Elinor is already a veteran of the committee, having been involved on a number of levels since the inception of the association. Elinor stated that ‘I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for inviting me to be the next President of the UKHA - an organisation that is very close to my heart. I am deeply grateful for the honour - and also aware of the responsibilities that it brings.  Taking on the Presidency after Sioned will be a very hard act to follow - she has done a magnificent job.’ We could not agree more with her comments on Sioned’s fantastic service. We are equally honoured to have Elinor as our new president, and look forward to her wisdom and input in  the next chapter for the association.
(April 2022)
 

SIONED WILLIAMS- HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

The committee of the United Kingdom Harp Association is delighted to present Sioned Williams, our long-time president, with an honorary membership in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the association. Sioned became president upon the passing of John Marson back in 2007 and since then has been an indefatigable worker (and diplomat) on our behalf.  Her boundless energy for the harp (and everyone who loves it) has meant that no detail is too small, and no room for improvement overlooked. Not only has she been president for these 13 years, but she's been a member almost since the inception of the organization, and has done numerous stints on the committee.

It is interesting to note that Sioned was only the third harpist to ever hold the position of principal Harpist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and only the fifth to hold the title of UKHA president! 

Sioned will step down at the World Harp Congress in Cardiff, 2022. This will bring a fitting close to her official activities as president – though knowing Sioned, we know we can rely on her warmhearted involvement and attention. We also know that this will give Sioned more time to focus on her vital and fascinating research, particularly on the works of John Thomas.

Thank you, Sioned
(April 2021)

 

Wild Strings collection now available as a PDF download

Want the UKHA Wild Strings Jazz & Pop Harp Collection on your tablet? In a foreign country and can’t yet buy a copy? Want to take a Trinity exam with a jazz piece? Can’t wait to hear what the pieces sound like?

As of March 2021, the book is available in PDF format from poppyharp.com HERE 
UKHA members can find their discount code on the Wild Strings page in our Members Area.

Videos for at least 6 pieces, including most of the Trinity syllabus selections, are published on the UKHA youtube channel: HERE

We’re really excited about making this publication available worldwide, letting the legacy of Wild Strings live on. This collection, written by artists connected to the 2018 festival, shows part of the great UK jazz harp potential. And what better mascot than our favourite tiger to carry the imagination, skill and dedication in the UK further afield!

The collection includes pieces for solo harp (lever & pedal), ensemble, and voice & harp. Five of these are on the new Trinity Syllabus.
We hope you love them! If you or any of your students play a Wild Strings piece let us know what you think with the hashtag #wildstrings.

Trinity Syllabus pieces:
Lever harp:
Grade 5 - Moving House Rag by Tamsin Dearnley https://youtu.be/Q18pAtbZmJs
Grade 6 - Bregar’s Guitarp by Brenda Dor-Groot https://youtu.be/namyuB6HCE4

Pedal harp:
Grade 6 - Song for Jo by Christopher Norton https://youtu.be/Zkvu3zbtmUI
Grade 7 - Harp Solo Blues by David Snell https://youtu.be/5APuS_6OX_o
Grade 8 - Floresta Tropical by Amanda Whiting

The UKHA Wild Strings Jazz & Pop Harp Collection 2018 is still available in hard copy at Poppyharp.com, The Harp Studio, Camac Harps Wales, Morley Harps, the Jazz Harp Foundation and at UKHA events. Proceeds go to the UKHA on behalf of Wild Strings to help us support jazz and pop harp in the UK.