We hope you’ve enjoyed this years Edinburgh International Harp Festival. We’d love to know your thoughts and ideas on aspects of our festival whether you joined us in-person at George Watson’s College or attended an online zoom course.
We ask for just a few minutes of your time to answer a short 4 question feedback survey.
We really do listen to your feedback and several new features of our 2025 festival were as a result of the feedback you provided in last years online and paper feedback forms.
In celebration of St Patrick’s Day we’re treating you to a throwback at-home concert from our online festival – a wonderful set of tunes that Séamus Ó Flatharta filmed for us in 2020.
Click the image below to watch the video or click HERE
Tunes played: The Battering Ram & Cailleach An Airgid
We can’t wait to finally welcome Séamus to perform in person this April, together with his sister Caoimhe. From the Gaeltacht region of Connemara, Ireland, they’ve delighted audiences worldwide performing traditional Irish tunes on harp and fiddle alongside their spine-tingling a-cappella style sean-nós singing.
They’re both teaching courses on harp and fiddle, as well as a workshop together.
CONCERT SÉAMUS & CAOIMHE UÍ FHLATHARTA TARAB TRIO Saturday 12th April, 7.30pm Sponsored by UK Harp Associationand Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh
COURSE IRISH HARP with Séamus Ó Flatharta WEEKEND COURSE: 4 sessions Saturday 12th April 9am – 10.30am & 1pm – 2.30pm Sunday 13th April 9am – 10.30am & 1pm – 2.30pm LEVEL: Intermediate/Advanced TEACHING METHOD: E+M – Teaching by ear initially with written music given out during the session.
COURSE IRISH FIDDLE with Caoimhe Ní Fhlatharta WEEKEND COURSE: 4 sessions Saturday 12th April 9am – 10.30am & 1pm – 2.30pm Sunday 13th April 9am – 10.30am & 1pm – 2.30pm LEVEL: Mixed Ability TEACHING METHOD: E+M – Teaching by ear initially with written music given out during the session.
WORKSHOP IRISH HARP & FIDDLE with Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta Sunday13th April 11am-12noon Supported by the Wales Branch of The Clarsach Society
While the spotlight often falls on the talented musicians and their breathtaking performances at the EIHF, there’s a whole lot going on behind the scenes that brings the magic to life.
This month we’ve “pulled back the curtain” to have a chat with Calum Macleod, the festival’s sound engineer and technical manage.
How did you become involved with the Edinburgh International Harp Festival?
I began playing harp aged 5 and one of earliest harp memories was attending an EIHF course taught by Catriona McKay and Corrina Hewat. My family have always been involved, volunteering at the festival and I became the first official “junior” steward, helping out by putting up posters. I grew curious about the technical side of things and began shadowing (or rather pestering!) the EIHF sound engineer Moray, during sound checks, asking endless questions. After a while, I graduated to being able to assist Moray – I learnt so much from him. The skills I learned through doing this have been a huge part of shaping my career and I’m now a freelance musician and sound engineer.
What exactly is your role at the harp festival now?
I’m the technical manager, handling anything electronic or digital. Throughout the year, I work with our staff to maintain systems like the website and ticketing platform, preparing the updates for each years launch. During the festival, I ensure the box office, payment systems, and merchandise run smoothly and that volunteers are trained and understand our systems..
I also manage the tech crew for concerts, coordinating sound, lighting, and any AV needs – like syncing videos with live performances, scheduling crew and rehearsals for this – making sure everything runs seamlessly.
Why do we need to amplify harps? We have a great audience that listens quietly!
We want everyone at EIHF to hear the harps as they naturally sound, but also clearly. My speciality when it comes to sound engineering is called acoustic reinforcement. I make sure acoustic instruments (like a harp) are amplified them in such a manner that you might not be aware that they have been amplified. It means they keep their natural sounding but are simply a little bit louder. In large spaces like the assembly hall, the front rows may hear every detail, but amplification ensures those at the back can hear just as clearly. It also allows musicians to play with full dynamic range without losing quieter notes.
In smaller venues like the music school auditorium, we use minimal amplification to ensure spoken introductions and any electronic elements are heard by everyone.
Calum (left) with Moray Monroe at EIHF 2019
Who else helps you at the festival
We have an incredible crew at the festival. On sound, it’s Murray, Joe or myself. Jamie handles lighting – he has a fantastic eye for creating a beautiful atmosphere that enhances the music without being distracting. Our stage manager, Mary Macmaster, plays a vital role in making sure artists have everything they need, are comfortable backstage and are ready on time. Having Mary focus on the performers allows the technical team to concentrate on sound, lighting, and other logistics, ensuring the festival runs smoothly from both the technical and performance sides.
Are there any different, unusual or particularly challenging concerts for you this year?
We have a concert with the Willow Trio, who will play harp simultaneously along with a film of ballet dancers, projected onto a big screen. This requires extra coordination, including a dedicated crew member to trigger video clips in sync with the music and careful rehearsals to ensure perfect timing.
Another big challenge is the “Host of Harps” concert, featuring over 100 harps. We’ll reconfigure the assembly hall, removing floor seats and clearing the stage to fit everyone and their harps in. For that concert, we’ll mainly amplify spoken introductions and vocals – all a unique but rewarding and worthwhile challenge.
On International Women’s Day 2025 we join the world in celebrating inspirational women. One of those is Eleanor Turner, who has filmed this video and message for us. Click to view, and please watch to the end!
This year’s theme of #IWD2025 is #AccelerateAction. The Edinburgh international Harp Festival stand with International Women’s Day call to Accelerate Action—because when we work together we can speed up progress for women everywhere.
Eleanor is teaching and performing at the EIHF so read on for more info.
See Eleanor perform…
On International Women’s Day 2025 we join the world in celebrating inspirational women. One of those is @eleanorstrings Eleanor Turner, who has filmed this video and message for us – please watch to the end.
This year’s theme of #IWD2025 is #AccelerateAction. The Edinburgh international Harp Festival stand with International Women’s Day call to Accelerate Action—because when we work together we can speed up progress for women everywhere 💪👏
See Eleanor perform… CONCERT: TĀLA TARANG (Eleanor Turner with tabla player Mendi Singh) // KEVIN LE PENNEC Sunday 13th April, 7.30pm Sponsored by David and Brenda Lamb & Pilgrim Harps
Learn from Eleanor… COURSE: Ragas to Riches 4 DAY COURSE: Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues 9-10.30am LEVEL: Intermediate/Advanced TEACHING METHOD: E+M – Teaching by ear initially with written music given out during the session.
COURSE – Spice up your Life 4 DAY COURSE: Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues 1-2.30pm LEVEL: Mixed Ability TEACHING METHOD: E+M – Teaching by ear initially with written music given out during the session.
WORKSHOP TĀLA TARANG – Bollywood Magic SATURDAY 11-12noon
Yes, that’s right EVERYONE who is coming to the Edinburgh International Harp Festival is invited to take part and play as a “forest of strings” at this year’s ensemble concert, Host of Harps: Music for Springtime, at 3pm on Monday 14th April.
Students, performers, teachers, volunteers, exhibitors and organisers of the festival are invited to play with ensembles from five branches of The Clarsach Society and The Music Generation Laois Harp Ensemble from Ireland, for a musical celebration of Spring.
Participation is FREE
There will be 4 pieces (plus the traditional Auld Lang Syne) to play along with.
Each piece will have 2 or 3 parts, roughly elementary, intermediate and intermediate/advanced level.
Once registered, you’ll receive a link to download the music.
There are videos to help you practice.
We’d love you to try to play each piece and we’d ask you to try to attend at least one of the 3 rehearsals during the festival. (More info on them at https://www.harpfestival.co.uk/hostofharps/)
Email office@harpfestival.co.uk with “HOST OF HARPS REGISTRATION” in the subject line and we’ll email you a link to download the sheet music.
For more information visit: https://www.harpfestival.co.uk/hostofharps/
Harp Hire Stage 2 is now open and we now welcome bookings from all participants attending our festival, regardless of where they are travelling from.
We support sustainable travel so if you’re travelling via public transport hiring a harp from us means you can leave your harp at home and travel freely!
It’s finally here! The 2025 Edinburgh International Harp Festival brochure is available to view online HERE.
What’s inside the brochure?
Full details of all concerts, ceilidh, courses and workshops.
Information on our venue, George Watson’s College.
Details on our free to attend events including the Harp Makers’ Exhibition, Open platform, Sessions and more.
Paper copies will be available from our Edinburgh office, branches of The Clarsach Society and at the festival.
*IMPORTANT* Our online box office will open on Tuesday 4th February at 10.00 (Please do not attempt to book any events before then as it will not be possible)
We hope that this sneak peak of the 2025 festival, a few days before the box office opens, will help you plan your visit and your purchases accordingly.
The Clarsach Society and Edinburgh International Harp Festival are proud to announce that the 2024 winner of the Iain Macleòid Young Composer Award is Vishak Ramaprasad.
Vishak, hails from Bangalore and is based in the UK following his studies in composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he was supported by the prestigious ABRSM Queen’s Silver Jubilee Scholarship.
One of the Britten Sinfonia Opus 1 Composers for 2024, and a member of the ABRSM Composer Mentorship Programme, he has written for groups including the Britten Sinfonia, Red Note Ensemble, National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain and the GAIA duo.
As a media composer and producer, his portfolio ranges from reality shows and podcasts, to commercials and theatre productions. Having contributed to over 15 Indian films, he has now signed to the major Indian entertainment company Viacom 18.
Vishak blends Indian traditional music with jazz, Western classical, pop and sonic arts, giving him a truly unique global style. Enthralled by the resonance of the Raagas on the harp, his award winning new suite Parasmai for celtic harp will be performed at EIHF 2025 by Scottish harpist Maya MacAdam.
The judging panel was highly impressed by the outstanding quality of the entries and extends congratulations to all participants.
