Cass Tech's century-old harp program hits a high note
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Students quietly plucking harp strings in a Cass Technical High School classroom are following in the footsteps of a century's worth of peers.
Why it matters: Storied Cass Tech is commemorating this fall the 100th anniversary of its harp program, which it says is the longest-running at any public school in the U.S.
- The program began in the 1920s as an experiment and has since become internationally recognized, providing students with rare access to the complex instrument.
State of play: Lydia Cleaver, the third main harp director in the program's history, started as a student in the program in the 1970s — and now, she's been teaching harp at Cass Tech since 2007.
- "It's a legacy," Cleaver says. "All three of the main teachers were students in the program."
Between the lines: With small classes averaging 25–30 students across the program, it provides a close-knit environment that helps students find their place in a large school, Cleaver says.
- Many students come in without prior musical training, so they progress from learning the basics to performance readiness in a short time, she says.
- "It's my job to convince them that this is something they can do, which I believe is really important … they have to learn critical thinking, they have to apply knowledge," she says. "They begin to realize, this is really special, this is extremely unusual."
Recent performances include one at the Detroit Metro Airport, where travelers heard Cass Tech's harp and vocal ensemble.
- "That was a wonderful experience, to see people in tears because of the unique blend of harp and women's voices," Cleaver says.
Inside the room: During Axios Detroit's mid-December visit to Cleaver's beginner harp class, most students practiced individually while studying sheet music, the notes across their 10 harps creating a calming background.
Ninth grader Jillian Jones, in her first semester of harp after playing the piano, told Axios the class is hands-on. "From the first week, we got to be on the harp," she said.
- Jones added that it was "really cool" how Cleaver told the students that harp program directors came from the ranks of students, and anyone could be next someday.
"I've never seen any other high school that has a harp program," said 10th grader Adriana Hernandez.
- She added that she enjoys how each string sounds distinct when struck on its own, but they fit together in unique ways when played together.
What's next: Cass Tech's centennial harp celebration includes fundraising, as harps are particularly pricey instruments and the program hopes to buy a new electric harp, as well as build a reserve for repairs and maintenance.
- A performance is planned in June at the Masonic Temple. More details are forthcoming.