The Harp in Irish Music Sessions

In this episode of In Tune with Tradition, Tara chats with harper Janet Harbison at the Donegal Harp Summer School in Dungloe.

Janet has spent a lifetime around the Irish harp, but this conversation is as much about belonging as it is about the belonging of the instrument.

Tara and Janet talk about sessions as social life and practice, the difference between a harper and a harpist, learning the core session repertoire and why Janet now describes herself as a teacher of social musicianship.

Along the way, Janet traces a musical life through Dublin, Belfast and Donegal, and reflects on the musicians, teachers, students and sessions that shaped how she thinks about traditional music.

“Where there was traditional music, there was my tribe.”

Mentioned in this episode:

Patrick MacGill Festival

Visit www.patrickmacgillfestival.ie for more details.