In March this year Sarah Boyd and I came to England at the invitation of several people who had bought lyres through Lyre Enterprises, but had no possibility of obtaining lyre lessons. We organised 3 one-day workshops, in Stafford, near Gloucester, and Maidstone, and when we advertised we had a very good response. Although I was teaching basic lyre technique, improvisation, and easy pieces to every group, each group turned out to be entirely different, depending on who was attending – I always find this a fascinating phenomenon.

Participants from every group have asked me to return, and I will be very happy to do so, but this experience has led me to wonder why there are so few lyre teachers in the U.K. and Ireland. I do believe that many more people could teach the lyre, if they had more confidence, and some focused training.

The need for more lyre teachers certainly exists, as the lyre becomes more well known (this seems to be happening more quickly at the moment). So I would like to begin a lyre Teachers’ Seminar, which would consist of a minimum of 6 – 3 day weekends (beginning this November 2005). Participants would need to be proficient on the lyre, and also have some music theory background (as this will be worked on and extended). I could begin with a minimum of 4 people, and a maximum of 8. Depending on where the participants live, we will move from place to place each meeting, So that each participant hosts one weekend.

Topics covered will include teaching of children, adults, and special needs, development of lyre technique, singing with the lyre etc. There will also be work to do in between meetings.

For a fuller description of the course, application forms, or any questions, please contact me at aprokhovnik@hotmail.com or at 28 Belfast Road, Holywood, Co. Down, and N. Ireland. BT18 9EL.

This feels like a very exciting venture that will help to bring the lyre out to many more people who are waiting for it.