Performance
Chad McAnally, a talented and accomplished musician, has made performing on the Clairseach, or Gaelic harp, his life's work.
That effort and dedication was rewarded on June 27th, 2009, when Chad competed in the national harp competition at the Scottish Games held in Wellington, Ohio, sponsored by the Scottish Harp Society of America. He is only the second wire-strung harper to take the title of National Scottish Harp Champion in the history of the competition, despite formidable competition from nylon lever harpists.
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The Scottish Harp Society of America is proud to introduce you all to the new National Scottish Harp Champion! Wire harper Chad McAnally took the prize at last weekend’s National Championship in Wellington, Ohio.
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— Kelly Stewart, SHSA
Chad has played the harp professionally for over 20 years, performing at large venues such as the Festival of Nations, the Minnesota Revels, and the Winnipeg Folk Festival as well as intimate occasions such as weddings, funerals, christenings, and gallery openings. He has played for personages including the US ambassador to India, the Minnesota State House, and many other political and church dignitaries.
He currently teaches harp at the Center for Irish Music and was also invited to perform and teach at world-renowned clairseach authority Ann Heymann's invitation-only wire harp retreat in 2008. He is active in the Twin Cities traditional music scene, where he plays in the band Rumgumption and regularly takes part in local sessions.
A gregarious and well connected musician, Chad has a large network of other local musicians who are available to accompany him, notably singer Shawn McBurnie, featured in the recording May Morning Dew.
In addition to having a sizable repertoire of traditional music, Chad is noted for his rare gift of improvisation. As a composer, he has many pieces to his credit ranging from harp pieces to larger works. He has often been asked to write original pieces in honor of special occasions—and can do so for yours, creating an enduring gift or memorial.
Chad loves to share his music with others. His unique and eloquent playing style adds a special and memorable air to any event. Irish fiddler and storyteller John Gerharty may have put it best: “Hearing Chad play harp is like stepping back in time to the days when the harpers roamed the countryside. In his hands it is easy to see why the Irish of old loved this instrument so.”