Harpist in Mattoon ~ Christmas Eve Service Harp Music

On Christmas Eve, I was invited to play for the service at the First Christian Church in Mattoon, Illinois.  Once again, it was a clear and (relatively) pleasant evening.  We managed to make it through an entire Christmas season without having to shovel the harp out of the house!

Although the prelude wasn't scheduled to begin until 6:30 pm, the sanctuary was already filling up shortly after 6:00, so I started a little earlier.  As people arrived, they were greeted with the sound of the harp playing some traditional Christmas carols, along with a few classical works associated with the holiday and a few less familiar Christmas pieces from France, England, and Austria.

The service of lessons and carols alternated between scripture, congregational singing, and special musical selections.  The other musicians included a handbell choir, pianist, organist, and several vocal solos and duets.  For the harp solo, I played "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming."  It might not make the top of most people's favorites list, but it has always been one of mine!  During communion, I played the Appalachian carol "I Wonder as I Wander."

As candles were lit at the conclusion of the service, everyone joined in singing "Silent Night," followed by "Joy to the World."  After the service, we loaded up and were off to South Dakota to visit our family.  Since it was too cold to leave the harp in the car, we had to take it into our hotel room when we stopped for the night in Columbia, Missouri.  We always get some strange looks in the lobby!

I'm putting up my Christmas music for this year, but it's never too early to book for your parties and church services for 2012!  Visit my website ~ Christmas Harp Music ~ or call 1-877-HARP-578 for information on having a harpist for your holiday event.


From both of us, happy holidays and a blessed new year!


Devon and Jeff Haupt, harpists

Terre Haute Harpist ~ Christmas Music at Riley Bible Church

The joy of Christmas always calls for special music ~ and having a harpist for a Sunday morning church service is always memorable and enjoyed by everyone!  The Sunday before Christmas, I was invited to provide the music for Riley Bible Church near Terre Haute, Indiana.

I began with a 15 minute prelude of traditional Christmas carols as everyone arrived.  During the service, I played "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" for the offertory and "O Holy Night" for an instrumental interlude.  The words of both pieces were printed in the bulletin so people could follow along and know the meaning of the less-familiar carol.  "Angels We Have Heard on High" was the perfect way to close the service!

If you are planning a wedding, party, or church service in the Terre Haute area, please contact me about playing harp music for the event!  You can find more information on my site ~ Terre Haute Harpist ~ or call 1-877-HARP-578.

Granger Harpist ~ Christmas Harp Music at Harris Library

I've really been making the rounds performing at libraries this holiday season!  My last concert of 2011 was at the Harris Branch of the Mishawaka Public Library in Granger, Indiana.  Set up in front of the fireplace, it was a beautiful setting - with just a touch of snow outside to remind us that it's actually winter!

Along with the Christmas favorites I played to begin the program, I again took requests from the audience.  This time, they included "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "O Holy Night."

Live harp music can enhance any gathering!  With holiday music ranging from traditional to contemporary; Christmas carols to Hanukkah songs, having a harpist play for your guests, customers, or family is the perfect way to celebrate.  Give me a call at 1-877-HARP-578 or visit my website ~ Granger Harpist ~ for details!

South Bend Harpist ~ Christmas Music at German Township Library

After I played for an event last April at the main branch of the St. Joseph County library, the director of the German Township branch booked me for a holiday concert for her patrons.  It was a lovely Thursday evening to play for the people browsing the books and relaxing listening to harp music.

I played a variety of traditional and contemporary Christmas songs, and took a few requests from the audience that gathered (including "Pretty Paper" by Willie Nelson!).

Throughout South Bend and Northern Indiana, I am available as a harpist for holiday events, parties, and concerts.  For more information, call 1-877-HARP-578 or visit my website ~ South Bend Harpist.  Happy holidays!
 

Elkhart Harpist ~ Open House at the Midwest Museum of American Art

I've had the pleasure of playing for this holiday open house every year since 2006!  This year will always be memorable for the lack of snow.  We had rain, but the turnout was wonderful and the guests enjoyed the unusually mild December weather.

Hosted by the Elkhart branch of a law office, they invite their clients to celebrate the holidays at the Midwest Museum of American Art in Elkhart, Indiana.  The event offers hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, desserts, a coffee bar, and harp music! 

This art gallery is a hidden gem in a former bank building.  They are able to host private events, so you should consider it for your next gathering!  Having harp music completes the upscale ambiance.  You can contact me at 1-877-HARP-578 or visit my website ~ Elkhart Harpist ~ for details.  Happy holidays!

Harp Player in Columbia City ~ Concert at the Peabody Library

This year marked the second Christmas concert I've given at the Peabody Library in Columbia City.  Last year, the show went on, even through a blizzard.  This time, we were blessed with a beautiful day and much better attendance.  Throughout the holiday season, the library brings in several different performers to give free concerts, so be sure to check them out! 

I began with a set of old English Christmas carols, including "Holly and the Ivy" and "The Cherry Tree Carol."  Although they might not be the most familiar songs of the season, they are beautiful!  After that, I proceeded to a wide variety of traditional carols.  Some favorites requested by the audience were "O Holy Night" and "Away in a Manger."  I also included some uptempo popular songs ~ "Frosty the Snowman" and "Jingle Bells."

Planning a holiday party or gathering?  Entertain your guests with harp music!  If you visit my website ~ Northern Indiana Harpist ~ you'll find more information about the various types of music I perform and hiring me for your event.

South Bend Harp Player ~ Open House Music

When you want to create an elegant atmosphere, the harp is the perfect choice to provide the background music for your event!  A law firm was holding a holiday open house for its clients, and hired me to be their harpist for the evening.

The event was held on the top floor of the Key Bank building in downtown South Bend.  The views over the city and Notre Dame campus were beautiful, and it was even better to watch the sun setting!  As the guests gathered and enjoyed cocktails and an hors d'oeuvre buffet, I played a variety of seasonal favorites.  With the harp, it's easy to go from "Silent Night" to "Silver Bells."

A holiday gathering is never complete without hearing everyone's favorite Christmas pieces.  I am available for holiday events and weddings anywhere in the Midwest, and would love to work with you and make yours one to remember!  Visit my website, The Classic Harpist, for information on including harp music in your plans.  Happy Holidays!

Kalamazoo Harpist ~ Christmas Music at the Comstock Library

The first event of the year when I get to bring out my holiday music is always an exciting time!  This year, it was for a holiday open house at the Comstock Township Library near Kalamazoo, Michigan.  The library staff went all out to make this a memorable occasion for their patrons of all ages.

As I played a variety of Christmas and Chanukah songs, people gathered around to listen.  Some kids even gave me special requests for their favorites!  There were also cookies, cider, a visit from Mrs. Claus, and my favorite - reindeer!  They might have upstaged me a little, but I didn't mind!

This was also the first time I tried out using the sheet music I've stored on my iPad instead of a binder full of music.  It took some getting used to (I only tried to flip it over to turn the page once), but I loved having so much music available in such a small package.  When you're moving a huge harp around, it's a benefit to downsize everything else whenever possible!

For holiday events, the harp can provide for all of your musical needs.  From traditional Christmas carols to modern popular pieces and Chanukah selections, even a sing-along is possible!  Visit my website, Kalamazoo Harpist, for more information on having a harpist for your celebration.

Goshen Harpist ~ Wedding Ceremony at Liberty Community Church

We love it when we get to work with the same families for multiple weddings.  In 2006, Devon was the harpist for the groom's sister's wedding, and I was happy to get to play for them this time around!  Heather and David were married at Liberty Community Church in Goshen, Indiana.

The entrance of the wedding party and the family was packed full of wonderful song choices.  The processional began with the grandparents and parents entering to "You are My Sunshine."  The mothers of the bride and groom then walked to the alter to light the side unity candles.  While they were doing this, I played "In My Life" by the Beatles. 

Next came the bridesmaids' entrance.  For these processionals, Heather went more modern with the bridesmaids entering to "Glitter in the Air" by Pink.  The flower girls and ring bearers had their own entrance music, the Disney song, "It's a Small World."  The bride then made her entrance to "Marry Me" by Train.

During the ceremony, I provided music for the lighting of the unity candle.  The song of choice for this moment was "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain.  The bride and groom made their exit to "Love Story" by Taylor Swift.

If you are interested in having harp music for your Goshen area wedding, please visit our website, Elkhart County Wedding Harpist.  We can provide traditional, non-traditional, or any mix for your ceremony music!

Tiffin, Ohio Harpist ~ Wedding at the Ohio Memorial Chapel

This year, our November brides have enjoyed better weather than our summer weddings had!  The Saturday after Thanksgiving was another gorgeous fall day.  Erin and Jeremy held their wedding ceremony at the Ohio Memorial Chapel in Tiffin, Ohio.  The chapel is beautiful, and it has great acoustics! 

They opted for a harp & piano duet as their ceremony music.  The pianist was Joy Morin, and if you are looking for a piano teacher or performer in the Bowling Green area, you should contact her (http://pianostudio.joymorin.com/)!

The prelude was primarily popular pieces, such as "Can't Help Falling in Love," "I Cross My Heart," and "The Wedding Song."  With the harp & piano duet, we alternated who played the melody and who played the accompaniment.  It was a lot of fun to work with such a talented musician who was able to improvise and really make the music come alive! 

Because of where the piano was located, I had to set up the harp almost behind the pulpit.  It made it a little hard to see, but the pastor was wonderful about giving us cues!

When she let us know that the mothers were ready to enter, we played Bach's "Prelude in C."  The processional music for the bridal party and bride was "Canon in D" by Pachelbel.  As the couple lit the unity candle, we played "The Prayer" from Quest for Camelot.  The recessional to conclude the ceremony was "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven.  We continued the upbeat music with the postlude selections, including "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "You Are My Sunshine."

Whether as a solo harpist or working with other musicians (violin, cello, flute, piano, trumpet, or anything else you can imagine), I love providing music for weddings!  Stop by my website, Ohio Wedding Harpist, or call 1-877-HARP-578 to tell me more about your plans and how the harp can fit in with them.

Harp Music for the Holidays

During the month of December, we always have several performances that are open to the public.  If you'd like a change to hear the harp in person, this is a wonderful opportunity! 

Everything listed is free and open to the public.  If you need any more information about attending one of these events, please call us at 1-877-HARP-578 or send us an email.  We'd love to meet you and share some of our favorite Christmas, Chanukah, and other seasonal music with you!

• December 3rd:  1:00-3:00 pm, Comstock Township Library, Comstock, Michigan

• December 11th:  2:00-3:00 pm, Peabody Public Library, Columbia City, Indiana

• December 15th:  5:00-6:00 pm, German Township Library, South Bend, Indiana

• December 17th:  2:00-3:00 pm, Harris Branch Library, Granger, Indiana

• December 24th:  7:00 pm (pre-service music starts at 6:30), Christmas Eve Service, First Christian Church, Mattoon, Illinois

We also have openings for bookings for private events, so contact us or visit our website to find out about having a harpist for your family or company party!

Harp music for a Christmas Open House at the Embassy Theatre, Fort Wayne, Indiana