School Presentations
The USAIHC offers Harp Start presentations for grade levels K-5. In 2019 we brought Harp Start to six preschool Monroe Smart Start programs newly established as a Community Foundation leadership initiative. These presentations are tailored to meet your school and classroom needs. Each presentation features a guest artist who presents about the harp and performs a variety of pieces. When a school schedules its first Harp Start presentation, USAIHC offers a complimentary DVD of WTIU’s Emmy award winning PBS documentary Harp Dreams which captures young musicians throughout the process of preparing to be contestants and actually participating in the 2007 Competition in Bloomington. It also shows footage of a harp being assembled at the Lyon & Healy factory, and can be shown to supplement the in-person Harp Start presentation. Harp Start presentations are engaging and interactive, featuring opportunities for children to review what they learn and ask questions. At the end of every presentation, students are invited to come up and play the harp! We are proud to expose children to the harp at these presentations, often for the first time. The memories and inspiration shared last a lifetime.
Retirement Communities and Libraries
Harp Start presentations are also available for senior living communities, libraries and other community organizations. These presentations feature a guest artist who presents about the harp and performs a variety of pieces, and also a facilitator who shares about the USAIHC. These presentations provide the opportunity for the community to become more involved with the USAIHC, learn about the host family housing option, other volunteer opportunities, and about what we are doing for the arts community of Bloomington.
Service Clubs
The USAIHC also offers Harp Start presentations for service clubs such as Rotary, Kiwanis and Lyons Clubs. These are usually 20-30 minutes in length (depending on your needs). A guest artist will perform various works for the harp, and a facilitator provides opportunities to learn about the Competition and how to become involved.
