Northern Indiana & Chicago Harpists

On December 12th, I was scheduled to play a Christmas concert on the harp at the Peabody Public Library in Columbia City, Indiana.  A winter storm threatened to drop two feet of snow on Northern Indiana, but the show went on!  It never got quite as bad as predicted, and a little bad weather never bothered me - we spend Christmas in South Dakota! 

It was a slim crowd, so I asked for requests from the audience.  I love playing stump the band!  The program started with a set of old English carols, followed by more traditional songs, and ended with uptempo popular tunes.  In between, it was audience favorites.  We covered everything from Boar's Heads to Rudolph!

If you missed the concert, I'll be back at the Peabody Library (Columbia City, IN) for the open house and dedication of the new auditorium.  I'll be providing background music from 2-4 pm on Sunday, January 16th.  There will also be crafts for the kids and refreshments served.  If you are looking for a musician for your wedding or event, this would be the perfect opportunity to stop by and hear the harp!

While I was playing the concert, Jeff was headed west to Lake Forest, Illinois.  This was for a combination adult birthday party and an infant's baptism celebration.  It was held at the home of the grandparents of the child, and Jeff played a variety of Christmas songs, Classical selections, and lullabies. 

Not everything we do is for weddings!  We love being a part of all of life's celebrations, from christenings to birthday parties, from engagement parties to retirements.  The music of the harp adds elegance to any event!  Please contact us if you are interested in having a harpist for your celebration.

Chicago Harpist & Northern Indiana Harpist

Southwest Michigan Wedding Harpist ~ St. Mary's Catholic, Niles, MI

Out of all our December weddings this year, this was the only one that wanted Christmas music!  I had been working with the mother of the bride primarily, and her goal was to incorporate her family's Irish heritage into a traditional Polish-style wedding.  There isn't a better way to do that than with the music of the harp (the national symbol of Ireland)! 

The afternoon ceremony took place at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Niles, Michigan.  During the prelude, the bride had chosen some traditional Christmas carols, along with the traditional classical wedding pieces, "Canon in D" and Bach's "Prelude in C".  As with most weddings, we didn't get started exactly on time, so I filled in with similar pieces until everyone was ready to go.

For the seating of the grandmother and mother of the groom, I played the "Air" from Handel's "Water Music".  The mother of the bride entered, carrying and surrounded by her grandchildren to the Shaker tune "Simple Gifts" (also known as "Lord of the Dance").  When the bridal party entered, I switched to the Christmas carol "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" - one of my personal favorites! - and to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" for the bride's processional.

It was not a full Mass with Eucharist, but they did include a responsorial psalm and the Celtic Alleluia, sung by the bride's aunt.  I was glad that she sent me the music in advance - it's possible to sightread at the wedding, but definitely better not to have to!  The devotion to Mary was accompanied by the traditional Schubert "Ave Maria", and the recessional was to "Trumpet Tune".

As is the tradition in the bride's family, the reception took place at their home, an old farmhouse located on the highest point in Berrien County.  I played for the cocktail hour, set up in what is usually the dining room (serving as the bar and dance floor that evening).  The whole house was beautifully decorated for Christmas, and the music as guests mingled and enjoyed appetizers included everything from The Beatles to traditional Irish airs to an especially fitting "Winter" from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons". 

They had hoped for snow, but Michigan weather is unpredictable, and we had rain & ice.  The snow waited until the next day!  Congratulations to Shannon & Bryan!

Southwest Michigan Wedding Harpist

Christmas Harp Music ~ Elkhart & Mishawaka Indiana

During the holiday season, even weeknights are popular for parties!  There is one law office whose party I've played for since 2006, and it's always a good time!  Each year, it's been held on a Tuesday evening at the Midwest Museum of American Art in Elkhart, IN. 

They set up a beautiful buffet of appetizers, a dessert station, and two top-shelf bars.  The harp is set up in the center of the room, right in front of a bronze sculpture. 

Later that week, I played for a candlelight Christmas dinner at the Waterford at Edison Lakes in Mishawaka, IN.  Jeff & I have provided harp music for several of their events this year, from open houses to a Mother's Day dinner.  This was a lovely evening, when families & residents could enjoy a good meal and their favorite holiday songs on the harp. 

It's never too early to start planning your 2011 holiday events!  Contact us if you are interested in having a harpist for your party or family gathering.

Notre Dame Christmas Party

While I was playing for the wedding in New Paris, Jeff was providing music for a Christmas party at Notre Dame. The harp is the perfect instrument for holiday music, and it's some of our favorite music to play!

Events on the Notre Dame campus are always exciting! This party was for the finance department of the university, and was held in the Main Administration Building - also known as the Golden Dome. It was built in 1879, and is located in the center of campus. Jeff played during the cocktail hour that followed the Mass and preceded dinner.

We are available to provide harp music for weddings, parties and events anywhere on the Notre Dame and St. Mary's campuses - contact us for details!

New Paris Wedding Harp Music | Maple Grove Church of the Brethren

December is usually a slower month for weddings, so I always enjoy having at least a couple to play in the midst of all the Christmas parties.  This wedding took place in New Paris, in the heart of Northern Indiana's Amish country.  Yes, I saw several buggies on the way there & back!

When I met with the bride & groom, they told me that the service would be conducted by candlelight.  They incorporated their guests into the ceremony by having each one light a candle and place it on the altar as they arrived in the church.  The parents of the bride did the same at their wedding ceremony, so it was a meaningful touch to include this in their honor.  By the time the ceremony began, the whole front of the church was aglow with candles!

They selected the ebony Venus Penti pedal harp to coordinate with the black & white wedding colors.  That's one of the perks of hiring a harpist with multiple harps available - you can choose the one that looks best with your decor!

The bride is also a musician, and didn't want the traditional wedding music.  They decided on "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin for the seating of families (this was played at the wedding ceremony of the groom's parents), "Come Sail Away" by Styx for the bridal party processional, and the introduction to "Boston" by Augustana for the bridal processional.  Not exactly "typical" wedding music, but it all sounds great on the harp!

During the ceremony, I played lightly under the pastor's welcome & opening prayer.  The grandmothers of the bride & groom gave a heartfelt and entertaining message on how to have a successful marriage.  When they concluded, I played a solo:  the traditional Irish tune, "Danny Boy".  The recessional was an upbeat classical piece, "Trumpet Tune".

Looking for a harpist in Northern Indiana?  Please visit my website!

South Bend Harpist | Chicory Cafe

On December 3rd, Jeff & I participated in a South Bend tradition - downtown First Fridays!  This month was a holiday open house theme with many local businesses offering specials, refreshments, and entertainment.  We were set up in the Chicory Cafe (a French Quarter Style Coffee House), and played harp duets of Christmas and contemporary popular songs. 

Lots of people stopped by after the Christmas tree lighting in front of the Football Hall of Fame.  It's always fun for us to see how children react to the harp.  They are never afraid to ask questions, and will sit and watch us - fascinated - for ages! 

Thanks to Jill for the picture!

South Bend Harpist

Fort Wayne Harpist ~ Embassy Theatre Christmas Party

The 2010 holiday season started off with a great party at an amazing venue - the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  One of my favorite things about playing the harp is that I get to see such beautiful places, and when they are all decorated for Christmas, it's even more impressive!

The lobby of the theatre was filled with Christmas trees that had been decorated by area businesses.  The guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres accompanied by traditional carols and popular Christmas tunes on the harp. 

Although I was planning on playing all Christmas music, when a guest asks for "the craziest thing you can play", I'm happy to oblige with a little Led Zeppelin.  He was happy to join along in singing "Stairway to Heaven", too!

Looking for a harpist in Fort Wayne?  I play for weddings and other events throughout the area - contact me for more information!