STUDENT EVALUATIONS PROGRAM Spring 2024
March 2nd, 2024: 1-5 pm (MT) Online Zoom Format
& April 6th, 2024: 1-5 pm (MT) Hybrid in Person/Online
We are excited to offer student evaluations with an online/in-person hybrid format.
See Updated Information Below.
These evaluations are held to help our Mile High Chapter Members improve their playing and musicianship. It is our hope that students (of all ages) will gain experience playing for and listening to others while receiving feedback from a guest advisor.
AN OVERVIEW
From The American Harp Society Website
"Auditions and Evaluations is an educational program for harp students sponsored by the American Harp Society, Inc.
Participants come specifically to be heard and to hear one another. Because this is a unique two-part program, there is
special focus on the improvement that can be made by participating on both days.
The word “audition” comes from the Latin [audio] which means “to hear.” We must not confuse our Harp Society “Auditions” with the more common usage of the word audition; for this is not a competition. On the first day, participants play pieces of their own choosing for an advisor and for one another. The advisor gives each student feedback on their performance. A performer’s worksheet or traditional theory test is given. On the second day of the program, about a month later, participants show their improvement by playing the same pieces again. Because this is not a competition, no prizes are given, however everyone who participates both days receives a Certificate of Participation from the Music Education Committee of the American Harp Society."
INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2024 MILE HIGH CHAPTER STUDENT EVALUATIONS
There will be two evaluations – The first will be held on March 2nd from 1:00 - 5:00 pm
and the second will be held on April 6th from 1:00 - 5:00 pm.
The first evaluation will be held in a completely virtual setting (as previous years)
and we will use the format found below. The second evaluation will be held in person at Faith Bible Chapel South in Denver, with an online hybrid option if participants do not feel comfortable being in person due to Covid-19 concerns, illness, or travel hardships. The Mile High Chapter member's health and safety has high priority, and we want to respect everyone's comfort level with being in person.
1. For the evaluation, participants should prepare 3 to 5 minutes worth of music. This can either be one piece, several shorter pieces, several orchestral excerpts, or an excerpt of a piece that is longer than 5 minutes. (See below in the FAQ for more information) If you are new to student evaluations, you can ask your harp teacher for help in selecting your music and if you have further questions, please reach out to the Mile High Chapter.
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We would also like the student to announce the title of their song(s) before playing each piece in the video recording. Please send your unedited recording as either an .mov or .mp4 file to milehighahs@gmail.com. The submission date for the video recording is February 28th by 11:59 p.m.
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Additionally, please attach a pdf file of each song that the student is performing and be sure to put (Name) Student Evaluation Recording 1 in the subject line of the email. (If you do not own a scanner there are several apps that convert a picture taken with your cell phone to a pdf file.)
A few tips to help make your recording session go smoothly:
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Don't worry if your performance isn't perfect. We want to hear the real you! To help take some of the pressure off, try recording the song several times and then use the best take of three.
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Be sure to record your "practice" takes as well. Sometimes it is the recording that you are the happiest with as you are more relaxed.
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Enlist a family member to help press record/stop. Also, that family member can help to keep background noise to a minimum.
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Dress for success! Sometimes wearing clothes that you would normally perform in can help get you in the zone.
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Don't forget to give your harp a good tune up before recording!
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Have fun and remember to breath.
2. On March 2nd participants will be assigned a time (about 20 minutes) to receive live feedback and work with the guest harp advisor in real time through Zoom. We encourage you to sign on to the Zoom meeting early or stay on after your assigned time to listen to at least one other student work with the advisor. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to hear other harpists perform, learn something about their songs, and support one another. (Participants or their teachers are welcome to stay signed in for the entire Zoom session if they so desire.)
The Zoom meeting link and the assigned feedback time will be emailed out to the participants using the email provided when registering 24 hours prior to the event.
3. Participants will receive written feedback from their assigned guest harp advisor based on the video performance. The participants can then take this feedback to their teachers, and they have the opportunity to work on incorporating the comments into their piece over the next month.
4. The second evaluation is scheduled for April 6th in person at Faith Bible Chaple South in Denver. If the student participant has Covid concerns or traveling hardships, they will follow the same format as listed above for the first evaluation. *See 4a for more info regarding online only for the second evaluation
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For students participating IN PERSON on April 6th, we ask you to arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled performance time. There will be a pedal or lever harp available for you to play on, however if you feel more comfortable on your own harp you may bring it as well. Students will have the opportunity to play their music for everyone and then receive additional feedback from your evaluator. The second evaluation will be of the same music in order to demonstrate improvement in performance and show mastery of the music. If possible, we would like the songs performed from memory at the second evaluation.
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The Mile High Chapter Board encourages participants to arrive early or stay after their assigned time to listen to at least one other student work with the advisor. This is a great opportunity to show support for your fellow harpists and learn about other fun harp music you may want to learn as well!
*4a. Students in need of online accommodation will submit the second video recording of their songs by 11:59 p.m. on April 3rd and complete the second Evaluation Virtually as well. The second recording will be of the same music in order to demonstrate improvement in their performance and show mastery of the music. If possible, we would like the songs performed from memory at the second evaluation. The student will also receive additional feedback and comments the second day from our guest evaluators.
5. The registration fee is $15 dollars and students need to be current members of the local Mile High Chapter of the American Harp Society in order to participate. If you are not a member of the Mile High Chapter, you can pay membership dues online and participate in this event and other events in the future. Space is limited, so be sure to register soon!
All students who complete both evaluations will receive a
Certificate of Participation from the American Harp Society, Inc.
Please register and pay online by clicking the event button below.
We are pleased to announce that our 2024 guest advisor will be
Alisa DeWitt!
See more information about our guest advisor below.
Evaluation Schedule
FAQ
WHAT IF MY SONG IS NOT VERY LONG? (EXAMPLE UNDER 2 MINUTES)
Students are encoraged to play more than one song for the evaluation if their perfomance time is under two minutes. Just be mindful that the total performance time for all songs combined cannot exceed 5 minutes.
DO MY MUSIC SELECTIONS NEED TO BE” PERFORMANCE” READY?
No. As long as the music is out of the learning notes stage and can be played at a steady tempo it is expectable to play it as a piece in progress.
DO I NEED TO BRING MY HARP?
Not for the first evaluation as it will be held in an all virtual setting. We are able to hold the second evaluation in person and there will be a lever and pedal harp available for participants to play. You are welcome to bring your own harp instead for the second evaluation if you are more comfortable playing on it instead. We ask that if you are bringing a harp please arrive early to get your harp unloaded and possibly tuned, so we can stay on schedule.
DO I NEED TO BE AN AHS MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE?
Yes, you need to be a current member of our local Mile High Chapter to participate in the student evaluation program. Student Member ship dues are $15, regular membership dues are $20, and the registration cost is $15
IS THIS A COMPETITION AND WILL MY PERFORMANCE BE COMPARED TO OTHER PARTICIPANTS?
No. This is an opportunity to grow as a performer, gain more mastery of the music, learn from others, and support your fellow harpists.
IS There an age limit for students to participate?
Students of ALL ages are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Alisa DeWitt
Alisa DeWitt holds master’s degrees in harp and music theory from Michigan State University and has previously taught at the University of Northern Colorado and Laramie County Community College. She is currently the Associate Professor of Harp at Metro State University as well as an active harp teacher, performer, and member of the harp community in northern Colorado. She continues to pursue her interest in harp music from the early 19th century and hopes to own an early double action pedal harp someday.