Harp

2024 Calendar

HIGH SCHOOL
Grades 9-12 next school year

Session 1 June 26 – July 7
Session 2 July 10 – July 21

INTERMEDIATE
Grades 7-9 next school year

Session 3 July 24 – August 4
Session 4 August 7 – August 18

Blue Lake’s Harp Program provides an intensive experience for young harp majors in a non-competitive environment. In keeping with Blue Lake’s core value of being a first-come, first-served program, harpists at any level are welcome. Each camper focuses on improving their musical skills through private lessons, harp ensemble, music theory, music history, and individual practice time. Students do not need to prepare music ahead of time, but instead are given appropriate level ensemble music and a new solo piece at the beginning of the session. All music is selected based upon the student’s harp questionnaire submitted with application. Submit your survey by signing into your account.

Additional chamber ensembles and orchestral opportunities that include harp are also available based upon selected repertoire. In session 2, advanced harp majors have the opportunity to perform with the Masterworks Orchestra. The 2024 repertoire for Session 2 is Borodin – Symphony No. 2 in B Minor.

Harps are provided for all harp majors. Eight Lyon and Healy, Salvi and Venus pedal harps of varying sizes are available for camper use, as well as twelve Lyon and Healy Troubadour lever harps. Dedicated practice rooms and ensemble rehearsal rooms are accessible throughout the instructional day. The session culminates in a student recital. In addition to performing as a harp ensemble, each camper performs a new solo piece.

Harp majors can complete their instructional day by choosing a Minor, allowing them to experience another area of interest while at camp. Students also have the opportunity to attend Summer Arts Festival performances, as well as participate in recreation, camp activities, and attend arts-focused educational events in the evening.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Blue Lake’s harp program differ from studying privately at home or participating in a school music program?

Spending each day at camp exclusively studying harp allows for an in-depth approach to the instrument. In addition to activities that a student would participate in at home, such as practicing and taking lessons, time will be spent on harp ensemble, music history, and music theory. Because of the intensive nature of each day, campers are frequently amazed at the amount of music they learn during their time at Blue Lake. It is also enjoyable and encouraging to meet other young harpists. Many harpists find they learn a lot from their peers in addition to the harp faculty.

Do I need to bring a harp?

You do not need to bring a harp. Blue Lake provides eight pedal harps, made by Lyon and Healy, Salvi and Venus of varying sizes. Lyon and Healy Troubadour lever harps are also available. Music stands and a variety of benches and stools are provided.

What are the practice and rehearsal spaces like?

Blue Lake’s harp department is located in the lower level of the Student Arts Center. It includes a large ensemble room, eight practice rooms, and access to the Blodgett Recital Hall.

Do I need to prepare the music for camp ahead of time?

You do not need to prepare any music ahead of time. After we have received your questionnaire, the harp faculty member will pick ensemble music for everyone and a new solo for each camper. On the first full day of camp, everyone will be given their music and begin learning it through individualized practice time, private lessons, and ensemble rehearsals. The harp faculty member will help you to tackle everything, learn it well, and will make adjustments as needed throughout the session.

I have a lot of solo music that I’ve been studying recently. Will I have a chance to work on this at camp?

Generally your time at camp will be so busy with learning your new solo piece and all of the ensemble music that you won’t have much time to work on anything else. You might have a bit of extra practice time that you can use to work on music from home, but most campers focus exclusively on their new music.

What kind of music history will we study?

Usually the focus is specifically on harp history, studying major harpists from the past (and a few present day ones as well). There are a variety of resources within the department and harp history can take on all sorts of forms – sometimes it is project based, presentation based, or there might be group discussions and trivia games. Many campers are excited to learn more about their pedagogical lineage and the significance of the music they play by harpist-composers.

How does music theory work?

Harp students join the piano department every afternoon to study music theory. There they are sorted into one of two levels, based on a placement test, and participate in a class with the piano majors.

What musical supplies do I need to bring with me?

All you need to bring is whatever music you’re currently working on, a tuner, a metronome, and a pencil. Please note that Blue Lake has a strict no cell phone policy, so if you normally use your phone as a tuner and metronome, you will not be able to do so at camp. Please note that although the other music campers all are required to bring a folding stand to camp, you do not need to do so.

Dr. Molly O'Roark

Harp Department Coordinator

Dr. Molly O’Roark, a native of Memphis, TN, is a dynamic performer and composer known for crafting exciting and energetic programs that showcase her love of music and the harp. Since moving to Atlanta in 2017, Molly has maintained an active freelance career around the Southeastern United States and has performed with Sarah Brightman, Evanescence, Josh Groban, Lindsey Sterling, and with numerous regional orchestras. 

Dr. O’Roark is the Artistic Director of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble, a nonprofit partner . . . 

at Drew Charter School in Atlanta, GA. UYHE is one of the largest public school harp programs in the country and serves over 70 harpists in the wider Metro Atlanta area through daily harp classes and after-school programs. Additionally, Molly maintains an active private harp studio in the Atlanta area and serves as the harp instructor at the University of North Georgia. Molly also serves as the harp department coordinator and faculty at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan. She has been a guest lecturer/teacher/performer at Illinois Summer Harp Class, Connecticut Valley Harp Intensive, Michigan State University Harp Day, Nazareth College, Fresno State University, Adult Harp Retreat in North Georgia, and the American Harp Society National Conference.

Molly holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts and a Masters of Music degree in Harp Performance from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In May 2013, Molly received her Bachelor’s Degree in Harp Performance, Art Leadership Certificate, and the prestigious Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.

Molly resides in Decatur, GA, with her husband. In her spare time, Molly loves to cook, garden, and play board games. For more about Dr. O’Roark, visit: http://www.mollyoroarkharpist.com.