Decorator Tissue Box

As my sister pulled various embroidered images from a bag that she planned to put on the front of decorator tissue boxes she was creating, I said, "You need to find one that has a harp on the front." 


"Now that you mention it," she said and dug into the bag and pulled out the harp image that she later added to this gift she made for me.

Traveling Trophy

The cool thing about the Traveling Trophy is that it has the name of each National Scottish Harp Champion of America engraved on it since the inception of the competition in 1984.

Mark Examines the Awards

This photo needs a caption. Any suggestions?

Clan Currie President

Clan Currie is the proud sponsor of the National Scottish Harp Competition. I am pictured here with Robert Currie, President of the Clan Currie Society. Thanks to Clan Currie whose bardic heritage extends into their legacy of supporting pipers, harpers, and Tartan Day celebrations on Ellis Island.                                        

And yes, this still feels like a dream from which I have yet to awaken. Hmmm... or maybe my thinking is just hazy. Seeing "Clan Currie" in print suddenly reminds me that Kathleen Currie Hall is the name of my Highland Dancer friend who visited earlier in the day.

www.clancurrie.com 

www.tartandayonellisisland.com 

www.pipesofchristmas.com

Male Harpers

There were six male harpers at this year's National Scottish Harp Competiton!

Judges

Sue Richards and Jen Narkevicius were the judges for the competition. Sue is a four time National Scottish Harp Champion and internationally recognized recording artist, performer, and teacher. Jen is the current president of the Scottish Harp Society of America. What an honor to be in the company of two people who give so much to the harp community. 

There are two trophies pictured here. The golden cup is a traveling trophy which has the engraved names of each National Scottish Harp Champion since the inception of the competition. As the recipient, the award resides with me until the following year when it is passed on to the next National Scottish Harp Champion. The Crystal Trophy is the one which resides with me permanently. Yay!

Special Categories

There are also four special categories: Historical Harp, Harp and Vocal, Harp in an Ensemble, and New and Emerging Forms.

I competed in the Harp and Vocal Category and was awarded 1st place.

Pictured here is the Dunham Harp Ensemble. They are from Columbus, Ohio and are directed by Candyce Dunham. She is the harp teacher for all of the harpers here. Her students continue to climb through the ranks with their stunning and solid performances. Two of her own children are now competing. Candyce's husband is the builder of all five harps on stage. He is playing boudhran with their daughter on the right. The Dunham Harp Ensemble was awarded 1st place in the Harp in an Ensemble category.