Triplett is looking to support ONE harp group, “the Triplett Harp Ensemble”, in Hong Kong.  This learning program is designed to train and provide opportunities for students to participate in a harp ensemble. 

Triplett is one of the best known brands in the lever harp world where they are known for their exceptional tone.  The high octaves and mid-range are notable for their brilliance and clarity, while the bass is full and resonant.   Triplett is an undeniable benchmark and even pedal harp makers acknowledge Triplett’s miraculously sound.

Team Structure and Course Details

• The Triplett Ensemble has a maximum of 6 members
• There are 16 sessions in each intake over a 4-month period
• Each session is 90 mins long
• During the first 4-8 sessions, the Ensemble will be divided into 2 sub-teams (Team A & B) and each team will have their sessions separately, i.e. 3 members in a session.    For the remaining part of the intake, Team A & B will have sessions altogether
• 70% of the Course is on learning and practicing harp in an ensemble;
  15% on lecture (including group performing skills);
  15% on individual harp playing skills in a group
  (including video tape evaluation by overseas professional harpist)

• Course repertoire will be determined and customized to fit the needs of the Ensemble
• At the end of each intake, the Ensemble has an opportunity to perform in a presentation concert at the Chamber
• A full evaluation report (including the presentation concert performance) from the Chamber’s instructor, Chamber’s Chief Advisor (Executive Director of USA International Harp Competition) and a 3rd party professional harpist will be issued to each member
• Members may choose to continue to join the next intake
• For outstanding harpists, they will be invited to audition for the ‘Hong Kong Harp Chamber Ensemble’, or to play in a concert hall as part of professional concerts organized by the Chamber

Ensemble Learning ≠ Group Learning
Harp Ensembles are a venerable tradition in the harp community.  Players gain tremendous experience through participating in an ensemble, including learning new skills:

How does my part fit in with all the sounds around me?  How am I supposed to look at the music, the strings and the playing partners all at the same time?  How to tune while others are tuning?

Expand repertoire, learn to appreciate harp of different style, learn team work, provide an incentive to improve, challenge oneself to learn more music, refine rhythm and listening skills

And have more fun along the way in a team….

Application and Other Details

• Audition
• There is a live audition at the Chamber.  The purpose of the audition is not for screening, but for the Chamber to determine the applicant’s existing skill level.
• Although there is no screening audition, admission is not just based on a first-come-first served basis. It also depends on whether there are similar levels of applicants to be grouped together in the founding team

• Applicants are required to put down a full-course fee as deposit at application
• The deposit will be 100% returned to the applicants immediately should the application be declined for the reason stated above
• Should applicants choose to drop out after being admitted but before the program starts, 90% of the deposit will be returned.   Once the program starts, no refund will be made

• Members can choose to bring his/her own harp or use the Chamber’s harps chosen by the instructor  
• Please note that if members bring their own harps, they must be prepared to allow other members to play them, since it is part of the training to rotate harps for practicing
• Examples of harps that the Ensemble will use to practice and perform include but are not limited to Triplett Nino and Celtic II (34 strings),  Dusty Strings Ravenna (26 strings) and Lyon & Healy Prelude (38 strings) and Style 85 CG (47 strings)

Sponsorship and Other Awards
Triplett will sponsor 30% of program fees for up to 3 intakes of the founding members of the ‘Triplett Harp Ensemble’.

Triplett asks the Chamber to point out that the award of a sponsorship place is exceptional to support local harp activities.   Members who choose to receive such sponsorship must achieve 80% of program attendance of each intake, otherwise, their further participation to the sponsorship may be denied.

On a performance based at the end of each intake, Triplett Harps will provide a ‘Captain Prize’ to selected member of the Ensemble to encourage further improvement.