Harp Quest
When you but touch my strings
You shall a harper be.
When all have touched my strings,
The world will be in harmony.
One of the most interesting harp sites available on the web is the
Harping for Harmony Foundation which aims to . . . .
promote harmony and community, locally and globally, through harp music.
Its work calls on anyone who makes or plays, to add harmony to the world and the universe by touching the strings of a harp and encouraging others to do the same.How could I resist?
A quest is a vision, an adventure, and a chronicle or story.
John Lozier the Executive Director then came up with the wonderful idea of getting harpers/ists to publicly announce a self dedicated quest. At the end of the year (or two) if you have attained all your personal goals and documented your exploits accordingly, you will then be able to claim your title.
To be worthy, your quest should stretch your "comfort zone" as a person and a performer. Your skill level doesn't matter. It should be a substantial effort with a year-long target for completion
The idea appealed to me and over the last few months of 2004 I thought about what I wanted to do. However, it wasn't until the Winter Solstice weekend in December that I managed to put down in words my own personal project. So, in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Millennium Harper Awards Program I humbly submit my own quest.
I do hereby announce my Millennium Quest ~ to undertake during the 12 months of 2005, a harp journey around the ancient lands of Dumnonia; that is Devon, Cornwall, western parts of Somerset and Dorset (England) and also Armorica, which is now known as Brittany (France).
During this adventure, I intend to play my harp at 25 Sacred Sites where either Divine waters flow or ancient stones stand. In doing so I will honour the Goddess, strengthen my connection with this land and stretch my harp-playing self in pursuit of the title of
I promise to document my exploits and wherever possible, obtain proof (either photographic or signatory) of each individual site I visit. I pledge to overcome my nerves and English-embarrassment at playing uninvited, in open spaces and in front of others.
Finally, by completing this quest I hope to increase my repertoire, learn to play without relying on manuscripts, overcome shyness and increase physical stamina. Of course, this is assuming that it doesn't rain . . . .
Weary traveller, do rest yourself and let me entertain you with some Tall Tales . . .
