Researching, Building Instruments, Teaching and Performing Healing Music since 1982
PO Bx 443, Bowie, Arizona 856o5

...An outreach of Saint Michaels Abbey

Abbot Dr. Mar +David Michael, MEd, MS, DD, ThD
719 421 9109
abbotdavid@protonmail.com

Providing Hands-on training, experience and performance in Music Theater and in making instruments in the sacred Hebrew tradition of the Tabernacle of Moses and the Temple of Solomon.

Sutton Hoo Lyre-Harp Coming Soon for $130 plus $18 shipping!

        Sutton Hoo Lyre-Harp is claimed to be of Saxon design but many consider it to be of an earlier Celtic influence.  This instrument comes as either a 6-stringed Pentatonic tuning or as a 10-stringed Diatonic tuning in replacing the horned harp currently being sold on this site.  

The plans of the Sutton Hoo Lyre-Harp below show its construction.  In our case, we are adding a piezo pickup system to each of these instruments that we sell.   The cost for the 6-string version is suggested to be $130 and the for the 10-string version is $150.  We should begin shipping later this month with a dark Mahogony frame and Werstern Red Cedar back and front.  The tuners will be standard zither pins with an included tuning wrench.  

Battleharp Music Now Offering Performance Workshops Workshops     We currently offer harp making and in playing the kinnor lyre-harp with the development of a 12 part harp choir.  Future workshops include: Scenography Lighting Design Sound Production Music Composition Costuming Acting Directing Scriptwriting Voice in Song Harp and Voice Choir* Interpretive Dance Harp Making* Harp Choir      We are very excited about our harp and voice choir in the ancient style of the Temple of Solomon where 12 people will play 12 harps and sing 4 to 12 separate polyphonic melody lines - all in harmony.     Each harp-singer will play and sing the same melody line with the words of the psalms in English but re-translated to follow the metric and word order and importance of the original Hebrew words of the Psalms.  When combined with other harp-singers, this provides for minimally a 4 part harmony of harps and voices.

Beginnings
    Battleharp Music has existed in various expressions since 1982 wherever Abbot David has lived.  Over the last 25 years, he has taught music, harp making and performance to kids and adults alike.  Since these early days, David has earned a BA (High Honors) in Dance Drama and Music and is K-12 Teacher Certified in DoDDS in Music, Theater, Video Production and various computer-based technologies. 
    In addition, Abbot David holds a MEd in Educational Administration, a MS (With Distinction) in computers (think computer music and digital robotics here) and a DD and ThD in Theology.  He is also a University of Hawaii Certified Historical Preservationist.
    These  credentials complement his passion for theater, music and performance which he now carries into the exceptional classes he teaches in encouraging students to think outside the conventional theater, music and instrument making 'box' to achieve new music and acting' fusions and in  the invention of new kinds of instruments and performances.  
    His over 25 years of teaching K-12 and college classes in Hawaii and Colorado gives him great confidence in the classroom and on the stage having performed extensively in the US and Britain. Battleharp Music will be offering workshops starting in the Fall of  2015 in Buena Vista, Colorado.  

Bible Character Performances
    A list of Bible Character performances offered by Dr David for church and other events will be available soon.  For booking these performanbces, contact Abbot David directly.  abbotdavid@protonmail.com

Music Certification Diploma

• Scenography
• Lighting Design
• Sound Production
• Music Composition
• Costuming
• Acting
• Directing
• Scriptwriting
• Voice in Song
• Harp and Voice Choir
• Interpretive Dance
• Harp Making

Making , Playing and Composing

    This is the only book in print that provides detailed step by step instruction to even the novice in making, playing and composing on the ancient 10 stringed Lyre-Harp. This harp called a Kinnor by the Israelites dates to the time of King David and has been an instrument of importance for over 3000 years in many cultures.
    This simple construction method in fully explained steps with lots of pictures reveals the secret theory behind how resonance is designed and created in an instrument. This is a must have books for any stringed instrument maker whether they are just beginning or advanced in their skills.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Concert Temple Kinnor
The Concert Kinnor Harp-Lyre is made by special order only.  it is made of the wood of the bible harps called Acacia that is found in Hawaii known as Koa.

CONCERT HARP NO LONGER BEING MADE FOR PUBLIC SALE!

The Concert Kinnor Lyre-Harp comes with tuning key and 1/4" thick plywood nagahyde covered plush case.  Also included is the new book  written by Abbot David Michael called, "Making and Composing on the 10 Stringed Lyre Harp" seen to the left of this column.