MHS recently hosted a harp workshop by renowned expert harpist Mr Yee Chern Chu. Thirty students from Years 9 and 10 attended, where they heard Mr Chu perform on our three wonderful harps and all had a go themselves on these beautiful instruments.
The workshop was generously funded by MHS Friends of Music as part of the School’s efforts to include harp within its celebrated instrumental music program. If all goes ahead as planned, Melbourne High School will become only the second Victorian state school to offer a harp program.
If you would like your child to have harp lessons in 2025, please complete this Microsoft Form by Sunday 6th October.
Further details, including costs, are below. If you have any more questions please feel free to email todd.mcneal@mhs.vic.edu.au.
Todd McNeal
Why does Melbourne High School want to start a harp program? Because it is an extraordinary and beautiful instrument with a rich history and offers a highly distinctive opportunity for our students. We also plan to include harp within our excellent symphony orchestra once the program is established.
Will I have to buy a harp? No. The School has three excellent harps, generously funded by the Friends of Music. This includes one full size orchestral pedal harp and two lever harps.
How will my son practice? Students will practice at school on our three harps. This is the same as currently happens with organ students, who practice at school. Students will be able to practice before and after school, at recess and lunchtime, as well as in free periods if they have them.
What will the cost be? A deposit of $225 will be payable by mid-October to secure a place in the program. The balance of $675 would then be payable in 2025, and may be paid in instalments.
How frequently will lessons occur? Lessons will happen every week in term time and each will last one period.
What ensemble options will harpists have? We hope to establish a harp ensemble at the same time. As the program grows we plan to include harpists in some of our other ensembles, including Symphony Orchestra.
Will lessons be individual? As with most of our instruments, lessons will be in small groups of two or three students at a time.
