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Frequently-Asked Questions

 

Contact or Tickets
For a full brochure, all queries or tickets please contact the Administrator:

Lindsay Robertson
25 Dreghorn Loan
Edinburgh  EH13 0DF

or email

or telephone: 0131 478 8446 (ansaphone)
During the Festival only, mobile no: 07929 838 186 top

Concert Tickets
are also available (mid February onwards) from:

Ceilidh Culture Box Office
Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Tel: +44 (0)131 228 1155
www.usherhall.co.uk

During the Festival only, tickets for all events may be purchased, subject to availability, at the Festival Reception in Merchiston Castle School. Please buy in advance if possible. top

Concessions
The concession rate applies to concert tickets only. There are NO concession rates for courses or workshops - sorry. 

Concert ticket concessions are available for the following groups:
Any student taking a minimum of one 5-day course or a weekend course
All senior citizens, students, children, unemployed and disabled. top

How Can I Pay?
We prefer a cheque payable to The Edinburgh International Harp Festival.

Direct Bank Transfer can be used provided you opt to pay ALL charges at your end. Details are below:

Royal Bank of Scotland
Colinton Branch
Bridge Road
Edinburgh  EH13
Sort code: 83-19-01
Account number: 00198132
IBAN: GB78 RBOS 8319 0100 1981 32
Swift Code: RBOS GB2L

Accommodation see downloadable booking form for more details or contact the Administrator. Please book asap as there is limited availability. top

What is the Venue?
Merchiston Castle School, 294 Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH13 0PT top

How do we Get There?
Look at our Directions page. top

Public Transport
There is easy access to the city centre by bus numbers: 10, 16 or 45 (approx 20 mins) top

Car Parking
There is free campus parking but cars must be parked in the designated areas and NOT obstruct entrances or exits from any buildings. NB: there is no parking adjacent to the Theatre, exhibition or classrooms except for disabled badge holders. top

Harp Transportation
Contact John Macleod
www.andarach.com
www.john@andarach.com   top

Level and Standards for Courses
NB: It is essential that you read the course level descriptions carefully and book appropriate courses, for your own satisfaction, for course success and the sanity of our teachers! To help, we have listed the course choices at each level with their times. Please note some courses cater for two levels. If in any doubt, check with your teacher or call for more advice: +44 (0)131 445 2022

Beginners: You have no experience of playing harp at all.
Post-beginners: You took last year's course, have had relatively few lessons or require help with basic technique.
Elementary: You can perform simple tunes, require further help with technique and wish to work slowly and carefully.
Intermediate: You have good basic technique and wish to work at a moderate pace.
Advanced: You are a proficient player, can work quickly and learn new music fast.
Mixed Abilities: This category is for all the levels, except Beginners or Post-Beginners. top

What do I Need to Bring?
Unless a complete beginner when harps are provided, you will need the following:

harp and case (please ensure it is labelled clearly with your name)
stool
music stand
  top

Harp Hire

  • I am sorry, but the EIHF does not have harps for hire except in extreme cases of difficulty.
  • Several of the harpmakers are happy to arrange harp hire and bring the harp to the Festival for you. We request that this opportunity should be restricted to participants from abroad who would otherwise have difficulty in travel.
  • Please look at the Harpmakers section and contact either Pilgrim, Holywell or Starfish Designs. Should they be fully booked, then please contact the Administrator to see if she can help. top

Harp Storage
Harps may be stored, at the owner's risk, in the rooms provided during the Harp Festival. These rooms are locked and the building secured at night. All instruments and cases must be clearly NAMED and INSURED BY THE OWNERS since the Harp Festival CANNOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY for loss or damage sustained during the Harp Festival. This disclaimer also applies to personal effects. top

Can I Have Individual Lessons?
Yes, these are available for all harps and from most tutors but will only be bookable at Reception during the Festival.
Cost = £28 for 1 hour
Pre-booking is not possible as often the tutors timetable is not confirmed until nearer the Festival due to extra courses, etc. top

Are there Practice Facilities?
Free practice rooms are available to students, bookable at Reception. top

Massage
There will be a fully qualified masseuse available, offering head, neck, shoulder, arm and hand massage. These sessions will be bookable at Reception. top

Is there Food/Drink Available?
Yes - two options on site and several in the local village to have a meal or buy things. top

On site: The dining room where hot meals and snacks are served most of the day.
The EIHF operates a bar on most concert evenings and there is a bar at the ceilidhs and open session. top

Can I Help with Stewarding?
If you would like to help with stewarding during the Festival, please notify Helen Forster on 01875 852996. In return for stewarding three or more events, a complimentary concert or workshop voucher will be given. top

What will be the Festival dates in 2009?
Dates for the 28th Festival are provisionally 3rd April - 8th April 2009. top