Northern Indiana Harpist ~ Catholic Wedding Music in Plymouth

I met with Kristen and her mother back in September so she could choose her wedding music.  She wasn't familiar with the titles of the pieces she liked, and it can be somewhat overwhelming to try and figure it out on your own!  During our consultation, she was able to hear several different options for each time during the ceremony that requires music, and choose the pieces she liked best.

Her wedding ceremony took place at the beautiful St. Michael's Catholic Church in Plymouth, Indiana, on the last Saturday of October.  With a large guest list (over 250 at the ceremony), we planned for a half-hour prelude as they arrived.  With that many people attending, it sometimes takes extra time to get everyone in and seated!  The prelude consisted of sacred and classical harp music.

Kristen assigned a friend to cue me when they were ready to begin.  Even more helpfully, the cantor stood next to me and gave me a "play-by-play" of the processional.  I could just keep my eyes on the music and strings, and not have to count the bridesmaids as they came down the aisle!

For the seating of families, Kristen chose "Pavane Style Renaissance" by Wachs.  The music for the entrance of the bridal party was "Canon in D" by Pachelbel.  The flower girl and ring bearer (who ran most of the way!) also came in to this piece.

The bride's processional was a sped-up version of "Hymne" by the Greek composer Vangelis.  One of the best things about live music is being able to adjust any piece you choose to be a little faster or slower ~ and I can always time the music to end as soon as you arrive at the altar.

During the service, I played while the cantor sang the responsorial psalm and the Alleluia.  The recessional was Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."  I continued upbeat postlude music as the bride and groom dismissed their guests.

Playing for weddings in Northern Indiana, Southwest Michigan, and throughout the Midwest, I can provide the music for your entire wedding ceremony or Nuptial Mass.  Visit my website ~ Catholic Wedding Harp Music ~ for details!

Memorial Service & Funeral Music ~ Northern Indiana Harpist

It is always a special honor to be asked to provide music for funerals and memorial services.  There is something so ethereal about the harp that it lends itself perfectly for these solemn occasions.  The music of the harp is truly uplifting, and can soothe the grieving.

This was a memorial service arranged by the Center for Hospice Care in South Bend to honor those who had passed away during the last six months.  The service was held in Plymouth, Indiana, at the First United Church of Christ.  I played a variety of hymns, classical pieces, and Celtic tunes as people gathered in the church, and also an instrumental solo ("Pie Jesu" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem) during a time for reflection. 

The service included a candle lighting ceremony and a reading of the names of those who had passed away.  The conclusion of the service was singing "Let There be Peace On Earth", which I accompanied on the piano.  Hospice volunteers provided cookies and snacks for a reception in the church's fellowship hall.

Jeff and I provide music for funerals, visitations, graveside services and memorial services throughout the Midwest.  We are also available for last-minute bookings, and will work with your church musicians.  Please visit our website, http://www.theclassicharpist.com/, or call us at 1-877-HARP-578 to find out more about how the harp can fit in with your plans.

Northern Indiana Harpist ~ Goshen College Wedding & Plymouth Church

I love December weddings!  Our last wedding ceremony of the year was on December 19th - a Sunday afternoon.  When all of the students have left for the semester, college campuses are so peaceful, and even more so when they are covered with a light blanket of snow.

This ceremony was held in Rieth Recital Hall in the Goshen College Music Center.  You can't ask for better acoustics than that!  I was set up in the balcony above the stage where the ceremony took place, on the same level as the organ.   

They had the stage decorated with white draping, candles, and vases filled with silver branches.

During the prelude as the guests arrived, I played a variety of classical and Celtic songs, including Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze", "Down by the Salley Gardens", and "Carolan's Welcome", a song by the blind Irish harper Turlough O'Carolan.

As soon as the groom and groomsmen entered, I began playing the traditional "Canon in D", which served as the entrance music for the families of the bride and groom as well as for the wedding party.  For the bride's processional, she chose "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera.

During the lighting of the unity candle, I played a song made famous by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli - "Con te partiro" (Time to Say Goodbye).  For the recessional, "Fields of Gold" by Sting.  You might be surpirsed how well that one fits the sound of the harp!

Once the ceremony was complete, the guests headed to the reception in the lobby of the Goshen College Music Center.  With the floor to ceiling windows, it was the perfect location to look out over the winter landscape.  Their colors were royal blue, purple and silver, and the centerpieces were magnificent ~ purple orchids and hanging crystals! 

That morning, Jeff was in Plymouth, Indiana, playing harp at the New Song Community Church.  They have a coffee/cafe hour before and after their service in a separate part of the building, so people had a chance to sit, relax, and enjoy some Christmas harp music!



Planning a wedding or event in Northern Indiana? Contact us for information about live harp music: Northern Indiana Harpist

Spring Weddings

I've been fortunate so far this summer - nearly all of my weddings have been outdoor, and not a single rain-out! It's been a great start to the "season". A few pictures:

The beautiful flowers at my wedding on June 15th were done by the Flower Cart in Chesterton, Indiana. Although it was definitely on the warm side, Aberdeen Manor has a nice spot in the shade for the harp. The monogram made out of rose petals in the aisle was a theme that the couple carried throughout their wedding, from the programs that served as fans to the personalized hand towels in the restrooms!

A new wedding location for me: the Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park in Angola, Indiana. Another hot day! I also learned that I shouldn't wear high heels when playing on a slatted wood surface - it makes pedaling even more difficult! It was hard to keep the harp in tune due to the high temperatures, but we were able to stay inside until just before the wedding began. Makes for a short prelude!

The two weddings for which I played on June 9th were at a couple of my favorite locations - South Bend's Center for History Gardens and Valparaiso's Aberdeen Manor. The couple that got married at Aberdeen are also musicians, and picked some great pieces! They started with a prelude of all classical music, and then switched to popular and jazz for the processionals and ceremony. The recessional was a quartet singing "All You Need is Love", which I followed up with "Grow Old Along with Me."

I returned to Foster Park's Bridal Glen on June 2nd. The rain held off just long enough for the beautiful ceremony! That night, I got to play my Celtic harp for a birthday party in Valparaiso. It was a lot of time on the road! Fortunately, my wonderful husband and "harp roadie" was able to come along and keep me company - and of course, move the harps!

Memorial Day weekend was another busy one - four weddings! I played at Swan Lake in Plymouth, Indiana for the first time, and had the pleasure of working with a wonderful violinist. It was a bit drizzly, but the gazebo there provided plenty of shelter to keep the harp and violin dry. That night was a reception at Strongbow Inn where I got what I think was a compliment - I had just started, and a guest walked by and said "Oh, you're actually playing!" Perhaps I sound like a CD? I guess that's pretty good!

On the following Sunday, I had a ceremony and then a reception - both in Valparaiso. It was a busy weekend, but extremely enjoyable. Good thing I had my trusty roadie!