Stamford Harp Festival Highlights 2003 Thank you for all the wildly euphoric letters, phone calls, and e-mails full of thanks for the weekend. It makes it all worth it to know that it was so obviously enjoyed. It will indeed be a hard act to follow. This year it was a huge treat to listen to Ismael Ledesma performing in UK for the first time. To be supported by a really organised team of helpers who took charge of what needed to be done. To be supported again by the Arts Centre Staff who never hesitated in networking the concerts and the weekend. To have teachers recognising `a need` last year and then following it up successfully with a class... like Mark`s rhythm class, or Rosemary and Margaret insisting on teaching or Keith Beechy researching English music especially for the festival... And, to hear Diego take charge of 20 players (who knew nothing about Colombian music) and have them playing after only a short time....and then, even better, for it to be brought to REAL vibrant life with his quatro guitar. Magical! Music Therapy from Veronika. Something to think on. Nicole! Self-taught, passionately jazzy lady with harp took her entire class into realms of real rhythm. “What me, play Jazz?!!?” Yup!!! And a festival CD to be proud of! Stamford Live! But, perhaps what stands out the most this year, was the amazing skill of so many of the players who came along to play, or just to hang out....... Chinese music in a concert, a stunning visiting harpist-singer from Tasmania; a spooky prelude from a classical harp that made your hair stand on end; the stunned silence of an audience that has been mesmerised by the mood! AND the sound of 150 chairs being pushed back, for a standing ovation. Great moments! Thank you to all the great musicians who came along, for not a lot, once again. Thanks to those who came and took part. We tried to keep the costs down! Within musical events like this one, there can be created a rare spirit. It enlivens your life, banishes for a time less pressing demands and gives a new sense of life's proportion. So thank you for supporting the festival in any way, wherever and whoever you are. Andy Lowings