Harp Summer School 2026
GLASBURY ARTS
HARP PROGRAMME ROLL OF HONOUR
Directors of Music
Katherine Thomas (2011-2013). Harriet Earis (2014-2019), Eleanor Turner (2020-2022), sharing the role as Co-Directors; Eleri Darkins and Manon Browning (2023– present)
General Managers
John Fitzgerald, Alyson Hearn, Anne Schofield, Suzy Wildee, Late Micheal Harding
Tutors
Katherine Thomas (Classical Harpist) Gwenan Gibbard (Welsh Harpist & Singer)
Diego Laverde Rojas (Latin American Folk Harpist) Harriet Earis (Jazz &Celtic Harpist)
Lily Neill (Finnish Folk Harpist) Hannah Stone (former Royal Harpist)
Eleanor Turner (Classical Harpist) Eleri Turner (Welsh Harpist)
Adriano Sangineto (Italian Folk Harpist) Ailie Robertson (Scottish Folk Harpist)
Manon Browning (Classical Harpist) Emily Harris (Classical Harpist) Eleri Darkins (Welsh Folk and Triple Harpist) Alis Huws (Former Royal Harpist)
Amanda Whiting (Jazz Harpist) Marged Hall (Classical Harpist)
Associate Tutors
Manon Browning Catrin Meek
Gabriella Jones Martha Powell
Rose Graham Gareth Swindail-Parry
Mistletoe Chapman Bethany Coggon
Guest Harpists & Other Performers
Catrin Finch (Patron & first Royal Harpist appointed for 150 years)
Ben Creighton Griffiths (Jazz Harpist & Composer) & Ashley Long John (Double Bass Player)
Sioned Williams (Classical Harpist)
Katherine Thomas (Classical Harpist) & Laurence Kempton (Violinist)
Patrons
Catrin Finch, Katherine Thomas, Harriet Earis, Eleanor Turner, Jo Brand, Alan Salisbury, Kirsty Williams CBE Lady Margaret Lipsey & Late Lord David Lipsey, & Late Jeffrey Babb
Members & Supporters Our thanks to the generosity of individuals and organisations who have provided long-term financial support or in kind, including: Fran Hughes, Marie Carson, Liz Bowden, Sophie Goodman, Lindsay Allen, Jenette Arnold, Michael & Valeri Hartley, Mary Hughes, Rachel Podger, Alison Chappell, Angela Evans, Penny-Robin Riderring, Kathy, Clive & Darren Ricketts, Jane & Mike Ricketts-Hein, Sarah & Stewart Bradnock, Sheila Mather, Beth Walker, Pamela and Neil Kellett, Philippa May, Richard Greatrex, Nic Carter Jones, Catrin Slater, Hilary Bright and Harriet Tod, Lord Melvyn Bragg, The Kanneh-Mason family, Tasmin Little, Philip Douglas, Late Bill Johson & Geraldine Done, WJ Ricketts & Sons, Telynau Teifi, Mid Wales Music Trust, Camac Harps, Ty Cerdd Lottery Funding, Margaret & Gwendoline Davis Charity, Hearn Trust, Arts Council Wales, Theatr Brycheiniog, Gwernyfed Community Council, Gwernyfed High School and all the Trustees, Volunteers, Students & Parents, who have been part of our Harp Programmes over the last fifteen years.
- Harp Summer School
26 – 29 August 2026 at Gwernyfed High School, Three Cocks nr Glasbury, Powys LD3 0SG
As we approach our 14th Harp Summer School, we have made some changes to the structure that we hope will broaden the scope of the event by adding an additional group specifically for players of the traditional Welsh Triple Harp . This group will be led by Eleri Darkins, one of our Co-Directors of Music, and Gareth Swindail Parry, Associate Tutor, a former summer school participant. The main focus will be Welsh music. There will then be three more groups for players at advanced and intermediate stages of their musical development who will cover classical music and Scottish music plus improvisation, using arrangements for harp orchestra/ensembles.
These sessions will be led by Manon Browning, Co-director of Music, Ailie Robertson, renowned Scottish Harpist who will be making a welcome return visit to Glasbury Arts, and Emily Harris, a valued member of our core tutorial team, and assisted by Bethany Coggon, Associate Tutor, who will also be making a return visit. The final group will be beginners led by Rose Graham, one of our former summer school participants with us again as an Associate Tutor, and Mistletoe Chapman, Associate Tutor, also returning to our summer school.
In the summer school there will be three teaching levels, advanced (grades 6-8), adult intermediate (grades 3-6), young people intermediate (grades 2-5) and beginners (grade 1 upwards). Participants do not have to have sat grade exams but are playing music at those levels.
Booking a Summer School place.
Prices for 2026
| Early Bird up to 31st May | Price from June 1st 2026 | |
| Adult | £315.00 | £335.00 |
| Adult Members | £285.00 | £310.00 |
| Concessions (aged over 65) | £275.00 | £300.00 |
| Concessions (aged over 65) Members | £248.00 | £275.00 |
| Young people: under 18 or in fulltime education | £145.00 | £160.00 |
| Young people: under 18 or in fulltime education Members | £130.00 | £145.00 |
To book by credit card
If before booking you want to become a member (£10 for a single member or £15 for a double) then you pay the members rate for the early bird booking and the full cost.
BOOK HERE
When we receive the confirmation of payment we will send you an Information/Consent form for you to complete.
Alternatively, if you would find it easier to pay by instalments, or do not use credit cards, please email: johnfitz59@hotmail.com to follow a different process.
Concerts
The end of summer school concert is on Saturday 29 August at 2.30pm, in which all the participants will play, with at least 30 harps on stage.
Booking Concert Tickets
- Adult aged 21 – 64 – £15
- Adult Member – £13.50
- Adult Concessions aged 65 + or unwaged – £13.75
- Adult Concession member – £12.37
- Young people aged up to 21 and in fulltime education – £0.00
THIRD COMPOSITION HARP COMPETITION – RULES
1.The competition is for participants in the 2026 Glasbury Arts Harp Summer School, and who are at Grade 6 upwards. either by exam results or repertoire.
2.Each entrant should be able to demonstrate the beauty and breadth of the harp in their composition. Entries should be submitted in the form of a written score, arranged for harp. Entrants can if they wish, add an audio version as well. Entries should be sent by email to eleridarkins01@gmail.com no later than 5pm on the 12 July 2026.
3.The winner will be invited to perform at least part of their entry (dependent on length) in the summer school final concert on 29 August 2026.
4.The judges are Eleri Darkins and Manon Browning, and their decision is final.
Our thanks to the generosity of people and organisations who have provided long term financial support including Marie Carson, WJ Ricketts & Sons, Mid Wales Music Trust and Gwernyfed Community Council and Gwernyfed High School.
