Helen Arnold - harp soloist

Helen Arnold (harp)

Brighton Orpheus Choir Christmas concert
Saturday 4 December 2004 at 7.30 pm in St John's Church, Preston village, Brighton

home page more about the concert

Helen Arnold began her studies of the harp at the age of fourteen in Bristol and within a year became a member of the National Youth Orchestra. During her four years with the orchestra Helen trained with Marisa Robles and Fiona Hibbert, and she travelled widely playing under leading conductors both in this country and abroad. She went on to the University of Surrey in Guildford and was awarded an honours degree in Performance. Post-graduate studies with Sidonie Goossens followed, and then a teaching qualification.

Helen gives solo recitals and demonstrations throughout the country but mainly in the south-east, to schools and to music clubs, as well as playing in orchestras and in chamber music. She is frequently asked to play for functions and for weddings.

She has a large teaching commitment solely for harpists and acts as tutor for the harp sections of several youth orchestras. She is an examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Helen is married to pianist Timothy Arnold, and they have two teenage daughters.

Helen plays on a Salvi Diana harp and her clarsach harp was made by Pilgrim Harps of South Godstone. She sometimes plays on a rare early nineteenth century single action Grecian harp made by Erard.