Harpython 2027
GLASBURY ARTS HARPS IN SCHOOL – HARPYTHON 2027
The harp is Wales’s national instrument, yet many children never have the chance to learn about it or to play it.
Through our local Harps in Schools programme, we provide free harp lessons and instruments to local children, regardless of family income, in two of our local mid-Wales state schools, Gwernyfed High School and Church in Wales Primary School, Clyro. Today, 31 young people are learning the harp because of the generosity of our supporters each year.
Why is the programme free to all children? The programme is unique because normally where children do learn to play,parents have to pay at a time when it is estimated that 85% of Welsh parents cannot afford to, meaning that only 15% of children in our schools have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument. This despite the fact that international research shows that playing a musical instrument can increase academic performance and intellectual capacity as well as enhancing confidence and wellbeing.
The cost per year for our programme in two schools is £8000 and we try to stay one year ahead with our funding but would like to be two years ahead to make planning easier. In addition, at some point expanding into one or two more schools. As things stand at the moment we have enough funding to take us through to March 2028. We would like to raise a further £8000 to take us through to March 2029
To try to raise the money we are organising a “Harpython” between 13 and 28 February 2027.
How does a “Harpython” work?
We invite anyone who plays a harp and would like to help us, to perform an online concert, for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to an hour between these dates, on day and time of their choice, using the online system of their choice, e.g. Zoom, Teams, Whats App, YouTube etc. The player invitesfamily and friends to attend, provide the audience with a brief explanation of our programme and explain how viewers can donate. If the player let us know the online link we will publicise it widely to help increase the audience size.
Glasbury Arts will supply a description of our Harps in Schools programme, (there is also a film about our work – see below) here is also provide an online donation link so players do not have to collect donations, publicise each event and provide a dedicated email address so players can ask for additional information and support as well as providing post event information update such as total amount raised.
Could you help us reach even more children? If you would like to play a “Harpython” concert contact :johnfitz59@hotmail.com – to donate, or sponsor someone in our online Harpython fundraising challenge go toglasburyarts.co.uk/film – that will also give you access to a film with Catrin Finch and Jo Brand that gives a visual view of what we do.
