About

• What is the Minnesota Scottish Harp Weekend?
• What is our Purpose?
• Who is the Organizer?
• History of the Event

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What is the Minnesota Scottish Harp Weekend?

“I had SO MUCH FUN during the harp weekend! Can’t wait to come back next year!” – Allison S.

The Minnesota Scottish Harp Weekend takes place bi-annually in the Twin Cities metro, with the Minnesota Scottish Fair. Harp Weekend events will interest both harpers and the general public!

A typical Minnesota Scottish Harp Weekend might feature:

• Scottish Harp Competition | Harpers compete in a friendly and low-key environment.
• Evening Concert | Competitors join our judge on stage for a showcase of Scottish music.
• Minnesota Scottish Fair and Highland Games | Pipe bands, dancers, musicians, and Scottish vendors with tasty food and wares meet in Eagan.
• Harp Workshops | Learn a tune or two, perfect a new Scottish ornament, or learn strategies for coping with performance anxiety. The topics change every year.
• Scottish Brunch | What’s more fun than meeting other harpists? Join us for Sunday brunch.
• Music Jam Session | Come prepared to lead a tune, or to follow along. No experience necessary!

See our event page for this year’s lineup. We are an un-incorporated not-for-profit organization.

What is Our Purpose?

We have three goals that each focus on a specific group of people:

1. Active Harpers : Our first goal is to foster confidence in harp students and players of all levels in a friendly yet stimulating environment. We also strive to help harpists advance their knowledge of traditional Scottish technique, style and repertoire. Graduated categories from beginner to master ensure that harpists of any ability can take part. All non-pedal acoustic harps are welcome.
2. Scottish Community : The state of Minnesota enjoys a thriving Scottish community. Our second goal is to connect local harp players in the Scottish tradition to other Scottish events that take place all over the Twin Cities. Do you need a harper to perform at your event? Do you play harp and are looking for interesting and culturally relevant paid performance opportunities? Be added to our list of contacts! Email us!
3. Community Engagement & Harp Awareness : Our third goal is to promote interest in playing harp among the general population. We find people that are casually interested in the harp, and turn them into active students. We will answer their questions, and remove blocks to the first steps on their musical journey.

Who is the Organizer?

Chad McAnally, performs on Gaelic and bray harps and is also a prolific composer for the instrument. Chad was the winner of the National Scottish Harp Championship in 2009. He is only the second wire-strung harper to win the title in the history of the competition. Chad teaches wire-strung and lever harp as well as tin whistle, flute and dulcimer at the Center for Irish Music in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Siobhán Dugan, a traditional singer in Gaelic and English. She has been involved in the Twin Cities Celtic arts community for over 20 years as a writer, organizer and performer.

Contact Chad and Siobhán

History of the Event

Ann Heymann, a world-renowned wire-strung harper, and her student Cindy Schaufenbuel began the Minnesota Scottish Harp Competition in 2010 as a half-day event that was held at the Minnesota Scottish Fairgrounds. Ann carried the organization and running of the event for many years.

Stephanie Claussen was invited by Ann Heymann to take on planning the event in 2014. Under her care, she grew the event from just a short competition, to a weekend-long retreat for harpists to learn, make friends, compete, and grow in the Scottish tradition.

In 2017, Emily Taege has followed in her predecessor’s footsteps by growing its attendance and renewing partnership with the Minnesota Scottish Fair.

Check out our competition results from previous years!

Also see our “Thank You” page for a list of past judges and organizers for their names and websites.