Ohio Scottish Arts School- Day 1

There is a flurry of activity as 33 harpers and 5 instructors assemble in the large lounge in this building on Oberlin College and Conservatory campus. Besides harpers, there are classes for highland dancers, bag pipers, drummers, and fiddlers. 

After playing a few tunes together, everyone introduces themselves.

We attended our morning and afternoon classes with our first instructor of the week and had some time to explore town. Over the weekend, Oberlin hosted its annual sidewalk chalk art celebration. Remnants of the artwork still cover the sidewalks.

After dinner, we lounge for a few minutes before all students and teachers from the various disciplines assemble for a photo.

We are all wearing our purple shirts. Each year, we are given a different color of t-shirt.

Wendy and Carol are sure to have their lanyards with their identification around their neck. Since so many youths attend this school, this readily identifies those who belong. And if Debbie Doty ("Mom" to all the camp attendees) catches you without your lanyard, you can expect to be humorously reprimanded in public and be required to perform your rendition of "I'm a Little Tea Pot" with motions. 


Carol (center) won 1st place in the Harp & Vocal Competition at the Ohio Scottish Games on Saturday with her beautiful Gaelic song.

As we played our harps during an a jam session outside, this young woman came by. She was enthralled with how many harps and players there were. She is on campus for a early music school.

The young woman's name was Katina, and she specializes in medieval French songs and plays a historic harp. She played and sang her arrangement of "The Trees They Do Grow High".

The jamming continued late into this pleasant summer evening. Tiffany, on the far left, was awarded 1st place in the Master Level Solo Harp and 2nd place in the Harp & Vocal Categories at the Ohio Scottish Games.