Play your part in our Christmas harp orchestra
Learn one of two beautiful Christmas arrangements, film yourself playing at home, and we'll bring everyone together into one big festive video. It's completely free, and there's a part for every harpist.
- Our 7th year
- Free to join
- Five levels, real beginner to advanced
- Play from home
- Premieres 10 December
Harpists all over the world, playing together
Every year we invite harpists of every level to play together. Everyone learns their part at home, films it, and sends it in. Then we weave every single video into one performance and premiere it on YouTube for the whole harp community to enjoy.
Sign up
Click Sign up for free and you'll be straight into the course area.
Pick your part
Choose a tune and the level that suits you. The sheet music is ready and waiting.
Learn and practise
Lessons, guide tracks and live practice and Q&A sessions help you every step of the way.
Film and send
Record yourself playing along and send it in by 27 November. Then watch yourself in the premiere.
Ready to play your part? It only takes a minute.
Sign up for freeTwo tunes. Choose one, or play both.
Gentle, glowing and much loved. The perfect carol for the harp, and a lovely place to start if this is your first collaboration.
Shimmering, rhythmic and full of sparkle. Those famous ringing patterns sound wonderful on the harp.
Both arranged especially for this collaboration by Heather Downie, our founder.
Which tune will you choose? Sign up and see the music.
Sign up for freeThere's a part for every harpist
Each tune comes in five parts, so you can play something that feels good under your fingers and still be part of the big sound.
Simple, singable and lovely to play. A gentle way to join in. Suitable for small lap harps.
A real beginner part. If you've only been playing a little while, this one is written for you. Suitable for small lap harps.
For when you're comfortable with the basics and ready for a bit more.
A fuller part with more going on in both hands.
The most challenging part, with plenty to get your teeth into.
Found your part? Come and join us.
Sign up for freeWhat you get
Some of it is ready the moment you join, and the rest arrives through October and November. It all lives together in one tidy course area, so you always know where to find it.
Sheet music for every part
All five parts for both tunes, ready to download the moment you join.
Step-by-step lessons
The first lessons are ready now, with more released through October.
Live practice and Q&A sessions
Practise along with us live and bring any questions you have.
Guide tracks
Play along with these so you stay in time with everyone else.
Backing tracks to keep
Play your part for friends and family all through the festive season.
Recording guide
A step-by-step guide and video showing you how to film your part and send it in.
Sing along
We'll show you how to adapt Harp 2, 3 or 4 into a vocal accompaniment for the festive season.
A friendly harp community
Join harpists from all over the world who are learning the same music as you.
A stellar line-up
Play alongside some of the harp world's finest in the finished video. Meet them below.
All of this, completely free. Join us now.
Sign up for freePlaying alongside some of the harp world's finest
This year we're joined by a host of guest harpists who have taught and performed with us over the years. And in the finished video, you'll be performing right alongside them.
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Amanda Whiting
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Amelia Romano
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Amy Turk
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Anna Dunwoodie
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Ben Creighton Griffiths
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Bill Taylor
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Corrina Dawn
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Eleanor Turner
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Gwenllian Llyr
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Karen Peterson
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Keziah Thomas
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Laura Penman
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Lauren Scott
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Marianne Gubri
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Nadia Birkenstock
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Nicole Muller
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Pippa Reid-Foster
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Rachel Groves
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Stephanie Claussen
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Tamsin Dearnley
Want to be featured alongside these amazing harpists? Join us now.
Sign up for freeYour road to the premiere
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NowSign up and start learning
Sheet music and the first lessons are waiting for you.
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Through OctoberNew lessons released
We'll take you through your part a step at a time.
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NovemberLive practice and Q&A sessions
Practise along with us and ask any questions you have.
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Friday 27 November, 5pm UK timeVideo deadline
The last moment to send in your recording.
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Thursday 10 December, 7.30pm UK timeThe premiere
Grab a mince pie and watch the finished video with us on the How To Harp YouTube channel.
The sooner you start, the more time you have to practise.
Sign up for freeWatch our past collaborations
Every one of these videos is made from harpists just like you, filming at home and sending their part in.
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear and The First Noel
O Little Town of Bethlehem and Deck the Halls
Little Children, Wake and Listen
O Holy Night
The Christ Child Lullaby, Away in a Manger and We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Silent Night and Let It Snow
This year, it could be you in the video.
Sign up for freeThings people often ask
Is it really free?
Yes, completely. The music, lessons, live sessions, guide tracks and backing tracks are all free. It's our Christmas gift to the harp community.
Do I need to be a How To Harp member?
Not at all. Everyone is welcome, whether you've been with us for years or this is the first time you've heard of us.
I'm a beginner. Can I really take part?
Absolutely. Harp 1 is a true beginner part, and the melody part is lovely and gentle too. We'll help you every step of the way.
How do I choose my part?
Have a look at the sheet music for a couple of parts and pick the one that feels comfortable rather than a stretch. You'll enjoy it more, and it will sound lovely.
I'm nervous about filming myself.
That's completely normal, and you're not alone. A phone is all you need, and the course has a step-by-step recording guide and video to help you. Nobody is expecting perfection. It's the joy of playing together that makes it special.
What harp do I need?
Any harp is welcome. For both tunes you set your harp up for C major. Carol of the Bells isn't actually in C major, but it's arranged so those settings work for most of the piece. The Melody and Harp 1 parts are suitable for small lap harps. Silent Night has no lever or pedal changes at all. In Carol of the Bells, the Melody, Harp 3 and Harp 4 parts have two simple lever changes (F sharp and G sharp), both in the same place during a section of rests. On pedal harp, those three parts have pedal changes throughout Carol of the Bells.
Can I adapt a part?
Yes, please do! You're welcome to adapt any part to suit your harp. And if you'd like to sing these carols this Christmas, we'll show you how to adapt Harp 2, 3 or 4 into a vocal accompaniment.
Can I play both tunes?
Yes, of course. Play one, or film both if you'd like to be in each.
When is the deadline?
Your video needs to be with us by 5pm UK time on Friday 27 November. The finished video premieres on the How To Harp YouTube channel on Thursday 10 December at 7.30pm UK time.
Still wondering? Sign up and have a look. It's free.
Sign up for freeCome and make music with us this Christmas
There's nothing quite like seeing yourself among harpists from all over the world, all playing the same music together.
Sign up for free It's free. When you sign up, we'll also send you our weekly newsletter. You can unsubscribe any time.