The Nightingale “Beyond-the-Page” Workshop: Create Your Own Solo & Ensemble Arrangements

– With Deborah Henson-Conant

Discover how to transform a beloved melody into your unique arrangement—at your own skill level! This workshop isn’t just about learning “The Nightingale”—it’s about discovering a new approach to arranging, playing, and collaborating by learning to ‘break down’ this song into its patterns and framework.

You’ll leave with a personal connection to the piece, a deeper understanding of arrangement techniques, and a beautiful, personalized version of the melody at your unique technical level – from Fledgling to Advanced skill levels.

Once you learn to do this with “The Nightingale” you’ll be able to apply these skills to other pieces.

In this fun, full-day, hands-on workshop you’ll learn to:

• PLAY THE SONG beautifully at your unique skill level by crafting your own arrangement after identifying the framework and patterns that make the piece easier to learn.
• ACCOMPANY OTHERS & Improvise your own interlude based on the song’s fundamental theme – so you can accompany instruments like flute, clarinet, violin – or singers (including yourself!).
• CREATE AN ENSEMBLE version to play with other participants in the workshop, building confidence and skills in ensemble playing for multi-level players
• TELL THE STORY WITH MUSIC using a snippet of the theme combined with simple spoken word to connect with your audience whether on a concert stage or at the bedside.

This workshop is for you if you want to :

• Create arrangements that fit your current technical level
• Learn to play more expressively with the skills you already have
• Develop confidence in adapting pieces for different settings
• Learn to collaborate with other musicians at different skill levels
• Understand how to maintain a piece’s essence while adapting it and making it your own
• Create ensemble arrangements that are simple, and beautiful and maintain a song’s essence
• And of course … you’ll walk away playing your version of “The Nightingale”

Schedule, Workshop Materials & What to Bring & Wear

• Schedule:
• • Morning Session: 9:00 -10:30 am & 11am-12:30pm
  • Lunch Break. Last chance to visit the Exhibit Hall too! (12:30 – 1:30)
  • Afternoon Session: 1:30 – 3pm & 3:30 – 5pm
• What to Bring: Harp, notebook, pen, music-stand. While you won’t be rigidly ‘reading music’ you will get a chart to help you follow the form.
• What to Wear: Please dress comfortably and come ready to move and to play.
• Workshop Materials include:
  • A Handout with an overview of the workshop and Simplified and advanced sheet music in G
  • Video access to revisit the workshop content.

Cost & Registration

• Join the First-to-Know List: Link to this Form to sign up

Location & Hotel

• Princeton, NJ: Somerset Harp Festival