The post of Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales was reinstated in 2000. The Prince re-established the position of harpist to help celebrate and foster musical talent in Wales.
The first player to be appointed to the re-established position was Catrin Finch, who was Harpist to His Royal Highness from 2000-04. She was succeeded by Jemima Phillips, who held the position since 2004.
Historically, previous postholders have included Welshman, John Thomas (1826-1913) who succeeded the Englishman, John Chatterton in 1871 as Roy harpist to Queen Victoria and continued as the King’s Harper to King Edward until his death in 1913. Nansi Richards (1888-1976) – student of John Thomas, was appointed Royal Harpist to the Prince of Wales at his investiture in 1911.
CLAIRE JONES BECOMES NEW HARPIST TO
HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES
Winner of the Welsh National Eisteddfod 2006, and one of Wales’ brightest young talents, harpist Claire Jones has been named the Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales.
Claire made her debut in the role at a black-tie dinner for Assembly Members, hosted by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at Cardiff Castle on Wednesday June 6th.
The post of Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales was reinstated in 2000 to help celebrate and foster musical talent in Wales and to raise the profile of the harp as an instrument. Claire is the third person to take on the role, following in the footsteps of acclaimed harpist Catrin Finch and the current postholder, Jemima Phillips who was appointed in July 2004. She will hold this position for two years.
Claire, 22 from Crymych, Pembrokeshire, is currently undertaking a BMus Honours degree at the Royal College of Music, London, with Professor Ieuan Jones. She is due to join the Royal Academy of Music as a Postgraduate Scholar in September, where she will study for two years under the direction of Skaila Kanga.
Claire, who is very much hoping that her new role will enable her to encourage young harpists in Wales by regularly visiting schools with her harp.
On being appointed, Claire said:
“I am extremely honoured to have been given this prestigious role as Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales.
“I am very proud to be able to promote the harp as an important part of our culture and heritage in Wales, and to continue Catrin and Jemima’s fantastic work in celebrating the harp and harp music at official royal functions. I also hope I can continue to visit schools during my term of appointment and inspire young people to learn this very special instrument.”
Claire began playing the harp when she was ten years old, when a local harpist, Meinir Lloyd introduced her to the instrument. From that point onwards she knew the harp was to become an integral part of her life and insisted she wanted to find a harp teacher and begin having lessons.
At Preseli Comprehensive School in her home town of Crymych, Claire continued to play the harp, under the watchful eye of her teacher Buddug Stephens. “Buddug has always been there from the very beginning, her support has meant so much to me.”
Claire is no stranger to royal patronage. In 2001, aged just 16, she performed as a soloist in front of Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to Haverfordwest, in Pembrokeshire.
Last year, Claire performed for HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during their annual tour of Wales; upon their visit to Cardigan Castle and the Abbey of St Dogmaels.
Claire’s appointment as Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales comes as her solo career gathers momentum. In the past couple of years, Claire has given solo performances at The Houses of Parliament, Portcullis House, St. James' Palace, Kensington Palace, the Welsh Assembly, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
In competitions last year (2006), Claire, was not only the winner of the harp solo at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, but she was also a finalist at the Third International Harp Contest in France and winner of the Royal College of Music Harp Competition.
Claire is currently working on her debut CD which will be available later this year.
