September 2006: Ligonier Highland Games

Report by Dreama Powell, Coordinator
Sue Richards, Judge

Novice
1st - Marcia Deist

Apprentice
1st - Steve Schack
2nd - Carly Traina
3rd - Laura Wahba (tie)
3rd - Lorraine Fornof (tie)

Journeyman
1st - Sairey Miller

Ensemble with harp
1st - Faith Stenning and Jerry Agirl

Vocal with harp
1st - Steve Schack

The Harper of the Day and recipient of the St Andrews Society of Pittsburgh Trophy was Steve Schack.

June 3, 2006: Ohio Scottish Games, Wellington

Report by Dreama Powell, Coordinator
Cynthia Shelhart, Judge

Beginner
1st - Sophia Riehemann
2nd - Marcia Deist

Novice
1st - Keith Rowley

Apprentice
1st - Sophie Dickinson
2nd - Kori Kinard (tie)
2nd - Carly Traina (tie)
3rd - Steve Schack

Open Journeyman
1st - Sairey Miller
2nd - Kaylaya Crutcher

Open Master
1st - Allison Miller
2nd - Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni
3rd - Haley Hewitt

Ensemble with harp
1st - Kaylaya Crutcher, harp; Amber Dudley, whistle
2nd - Abbie Palmer, harp; Abbie's Mother Cathy, fiddle; Abbie's Father, guitar
3rd - Evelyn Tiffany-Castigilioni, harp; Joe Castigilioni, accompaniment

Vocal with harp
1st - Steve Schack
2nd - Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni
3rd - Keith Rowley

The Harper of the Day and recipient of the Andrew Turner Memorial Trophy was Sophie Dickinson. The Most Promising Beginner was Marcia Deist.

June 3, 2006: Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games, Arlington

Report by Rebekah Passmore, Coordinator
Therese Honey, Judge

Youth Beginner
1st - Dorothy MacFarlane

Open Beginner
1st - Renee Johnson

Youth Novice
1st - Sarah Hales
2nd - Amy Farnell
3rd - Erica Tupin

Open Novice
1st - Tenesa Russmussen

Youth Apprentice
1st - Rachel Hales
2nd - Joiey Gaston

Open Apprentice
1st - Carla Wethington

The Harper of the Day was Sarah Hales, and the Most Promising Harper was Joiey Gaston.

Therese Honey was our special guest artist and harp judge for the weekend. She did an exceptional job, and we look forward to seeing her again soon. I would like to especially thank Garry Barnes for his outstanding assistance and advice throughout the whole festival. He worked hard to put this together with me. All the competing harpers and members of the North Texas Harp Ring also helped greatly in keeping things running smoothly. Other supportive and involved harp members at the festival include Trudy Stewart, Beth Richards, Linda Whitaker, Tambri Tomaro, Carolyn Carson, Sidney Howell, Mackey Harper, and all the parents, family, and friends of the performers.Thank you for coming, and for all your help and support! This was truly a team effort. I look forward to another delightful Scottish Harp Competition June 2007.

May 15, 2006: Houston Highland Games

Report by Cheri Webb, Coordinator
Judith Peacock Cummings, Judge

Youth Beginner
1st - Kimberlyn Bartel
2nd - Katie Martin
3rd - Autumn Hogeland
4th - Christy Harleaux

Open Beginner
1st - Tori Thompson

Youth Novice
1st - Dustin Koonce
2nd - Nicole Larson

Open Novice
1st - Wing-Sze Wong

Youth Apprentice
1st - Melissa Berger

Open Journeyman
1st - Beth Richard

Open Master
1st - Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni

Ensemble with harp
1st - Seeds of Yesterday (Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni, harp; Eden Schmeichel, flute; Joe Castiglioni, C clarinet)
2nd - Betsy Paine Ensemble with Betsy Paine, Cheri Webb, Dawn Theaker, Susan Synott, and Mary Radspinner.

Solo singing with harp
1st - Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni

Non-graded
Beth Martin - adult beginner
Karen McGarrett/Mary Radspinner - harp duo

The Harper of the Day was Wing-Sze Wong, who was presented with the traveling trophy sponsored by Clan Lamont of Texas. The trophy was presented by Karen McGarrett, last year’s winner.

We had a splendid Scottish Harp Competition at the Houston Highland Games on May 14, 2006. SHSA Distinguished Judge Judith Peacock Cummings, harpist and vocalist of the Whistlebinkies for 18 years, served as adjudicator. Prior to the competition, Mrs. Cummings presented a fun and highly informative Scottish harp workshop attended by about 14 harpers. Drawing on her background as a national mod winner for traditional Gaelic singing, she taught several Gaelic tunes, including an air and a waulking song arranged for harp. Special attention was given to Scottish ornamentation and harmonization.