Woman’s Handpan Festivals!
Next month will be the US’s first Woman’s Handpan Gathering—Super Bloom in upstate New York. I have donated a Xenith in support of the festival that will be raffled off to one of the attendees!
The first ever all woman’s handpan gathering happened in September of 2018 in England. Similarly, I sent an instrument in support of the festival with one stipulation: I asked to have a letter ready aloud to those in attendance before raffling the instrument. Below is the letter I sent, this is the first time I’ve shared it publicly.
To the wonderful woman of this gathering:
It is with great excitement that I write this letter to you. Why? Because you are attending the first woman's’ handpan gathering! Funnily enough, I harbor no jealousy as I feel as though I have been attending all men handpan gatherings this whole time <joke>! It is a great initiative to gather both as woman and as handpan players. It has always been too much of a boys club and I am thrilled to support this first gathering of its kind.
I was raised by a strong feminist and am surrounded by female energy in my home. Supporting this festival goes beyond just donating an instrument; it's an opportunity for me, through my actions, to show the woman in my life that I love, respect, and support them.
This particular instrument was made with deep intentions. It is the smaller Æther and its size will help accommodate the generally smaller frame and laps of woman. The handpan world is dominated by both my men and instruments in D minor; this instrument is designed to counter both of those truths. Being in F Major, it is the relative major to D minor meaning in any D minor jam it will allow the player to shift the mood to a more positive and uplifting key (I assure you that my intentions are not to say that women can only play major scales). On D minor instruments, Bb3 is the haunting and moody diminished 6th but in F major it is a warm and rooted 4th, thus augmenting the classic diminished 6th feel. Higher in voice it will gracefully dance on top of any lower D minor instrument, complimenting the savory with a dose of sweet.
My hope is that this instrument will give the player the opportunity to not only join in the standard D minor jam but allow her voice to be both welcomed and unified.
With deep respect and admiration:
Son. Husband. Father.
Colin Foulke
Super Bloom will also receive a letter of intent with the same request, to read it aloud to those in attendance. I we continue to see our wonderful community grow I will continue to do by best to support it. I hope they have a wonderful gathering!
