Studio Recital ~ Harp & Piano Lessons in South Bend

Every Spring, all of my harp & piano students prepare to perform in a formal studio recital.  This year, it took place on April 27th at the Evangelical Covenant Church in South Bend, Indiana. 

Several families had other commitments that night (other performances & a couple of church confirmations), so a few students are missing from our group picture!

The pieces performed included (with students' names in parentheses following the title and composer's name):

• Turkey Talk; Kevin Costley (Anna B.)
• Zoo on Saturday; Mary Leaf (Rylie W.)
• Beginner's Waltz; Laurie Riley (Jaedyn H.)
• Mischievous Monkeys; Elizabeth Greenleaf (Yarden K.)
• Waltz in Fa Majeur; W.A. Mozart (Alyson D.)
• Prelude in D Minor; Elizabeth Greenleaf (Mark B.)
• Little Cloud; Kevin Costley (Claire C.)
• Gymnopedie No. 1; Erik Satie (Camille A.)
• Asturiana from 12 Spanish Dances, Op. 5; Enrique Granados (Camille A.)
• Outplanet: The Final Battle; Edwin McLean (Joseph D.)
• The Enchantment; Edwin McLean (Hadas K.)
• Navajo Legend; Kevin Olson (Lara C.)
• Oh, So Blue!; Christopher Goldston (Emma H.)

Following the recital, awards were given to students who participated in last fall's Achievement in Music festival and who won the Music Passport prizes in the studio.  Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a reception in the lobby with made-to-order coffee beverages from the American Espresso Company's coffee cart.  We've had them for several recitals, and it's always a hit with students and parents!

For more information about lessons, visit:

Harp:  http://www.theclassicharpist.com/html/harp.html
Piano:  http://www.theclassicharpist.com/html/piano.html

Harp Recital in Jacksonville, Illinois

After my last performance for this concert series in 2009, I was invited back to give another recital on January 29th, 2012.  The concerts are held under the dome of the Jacksonville Public Library in Jacksonville, IL, and are free and open to the public.  

 

We had a large and appreciative audience, and were delighted to present this recital.  Jeff joined me for a couple of duets, and I played the other solos.  The program included:

Deep River (Spiritual, arr. Dan Burton)

Ground in F with Variations (Henry Purcell)

Canon in D ~ harp duet (Johann Pachelbel)

Sonatina No. 3 in B-flat (F.J. Naderman)

Les pins de Charlannes ~ harp duet (Henriette Renie)

Turkey Strut (Carlos Salzedo)

Angélus (Henriette Renie)

Autumn Leaves (Joseph Kosma; my own arrangement)

Our Love is Here to Stay from An American in Paris (George Gerswhin; arr. Ray Pool)

All My Loving (Lennon & McCartney; arr. Sylvia Woods)

Glitter in the Air (Alecia Moore; my own arrangement)

Tango from Suite of Eight Dances (Carlos Salzedo) 

Many members of the audience (including my first grade teacher!) came up to speak with me after the recital.  "Autumn Leaves" was a favorite of many!  "Turkey Strut" was a special piece for my dad ~ he's been after me to learn how to play "Turkey in the Straw" since my very first harp lesson, and this Salzedo piece is a concert fantasy on that theme.  Something you might not expect to hear on the harp! 

Thank you to everyone who attended, and to the library for sponsoring the Music Under the Dome concert series!  Jeff and I are available to perform concerts for libraries, schools, and community groups throughout the Midwest and beyond.  Visit our website ~ TheClassicHarpist.com ~ and contact us for details!

Harp Concert ~ Southwest Michigan

Last Wednesday evening, I presented a solo harp concert at the Lincoln Township Library in Stevensville, Michigan.  I had given a concert there a few years ago, and was delighted to be back! 

The program included works by Bach, Handel, Godefroid, Weinzweig, Andres, Salzedo and Gustavson, along with folk songs and the popular songs "At Last," "In My Life," "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," and "Glitter in the Air."

After the performance, many members of the audience (including a fellow harpist!) stayed to ask questions and to get an up-close view of the harp.  I love to give recitals and presentations for organizations!  Please contact me about providing musical entertainment for your club, church, or community event.  You can visit my website, The Classic Harpist, or call 1-877-HARP-578 for details.

Studio Recital - Harp Ensemble & Chamber Music

Over the summer, I have my students paired up to play duet music together.  Sometimes it is with a sibling or family member, other times it is with another student at their level or with me.  Playing with another musician helps students develop their listening skills and teamwork.  It also proves that counting is important!

I direct the South Bend Harp Ensemble, and they perform on this recital as well.

The program included:

• Ash Grove - Traditional Welsh, arranged by Shari Pack (Harp Ensemble)
• Beautiful Dreamer - S. Foster, arranged by Patricia Jaeger (Harp Ensemble)
• Spitsicatto! - E. Foncannon (Student/Teacher piano duet)
• Floating in the Clouds - E. Lin (Brother/Sister harp & piano duet)
• Romance from "A Little Night Music" - W.A. Mozart, arr. Faber (Father/Daughter piano duet)
• Dyades No. 1 - B. Andres (Harp Ensemble)
• Ode to Joy - Beethoven, arr. Carol Matz (Brother/Sister piano duet)
• Chorus from "Judas Maccabaeus" - G.F. Handel (Sister piano & cello duet)
• Frere Jacques - Traditional, arr. E. McLean (Sister piano duet)
• Simple Gifts - Traditional, arr. D. Burton (Mother/Daughter harp & flute duet)
• Sneaky Fox Boogie - E. Lin (Student/Teacher piano duet)

We always keep this recital a little more low-key than the formal recital in the Spring.  It's a wonderful chance for families to make music together!  After the recital was over, everyone enjoyed made-to-order ice cream sundaes!  

To read more about my studio, including piano lesson and harp lesson information, visit Devon's Music Studio.

Fundraiser Concert in Angola, Indiana

On Friday, August 27th, I will be giving a recital at the Carnegie Public Library in Angola, Indiana.  Tickets are $10, and are available at the door.

Music will include traditional folk and contemporary popular songs, along with pieces by Handel, Salzedo, Andres, Renie, and Godefroid.

Doors open at 6:00pm, and I will be playing from 7:00-8:00.  There will be refreshments, a raffle, silent auction, and a quilt drawing.  All proceeds go to purchase books for the library.  Hope to see you there!

2010 Studio Recital

On Friday, March 19th, we held our annual formal studio recital.  Students of all ages from beginners to advanced performed on the piano and harp.  The program included:

• Merrily We Roll Along (Traditional)
• Down by the Station (Traditional)
• I'm a Little Teapot (Traditional)
• Grandfather's Clock (Noona)
• Pirate's Life (Leaf)
• Chanson de la petite gardeuse d'oies (Traditional)
• Wooly Mammoth (Leaf)
• Miniature Sonatina (Kuffner)
• Jazzy Saints (Faber)
• Concert Etude (McDonald)
• Blue-zy Blues (Mrozinski)
• Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven)
• Little Song & Polka (Kabalevsky)
• The Green Dog (Kingsley)
• The Syncopated Clock (Anderson)
• House of the Rising Sun (arr. Faber)
• Romance (Naderman)
• Ghost Waltz (McLean)
• Scherzetto (Hudelson)
• Gavotte from Petite Suite Classique (Grandjany)
• Clown Rag (Costley)
• Sonatina in C (Clementi)

 Congratulations to all of the students who performed an excellent recital!

Harp Recital

On Sunday, October 18th, at 4:00pm, I will be presenting a solo harp recital in the Jacksonville Public Library, Jacksonville, Illinois. This is part of the Music Under the Dome Concert Series, and is free and open to the public. The program is:

• Suogan & David of the White Rock; Traditional Welsh Folk Songs
• Epices: Muscade, Pistache, Kola; Bernard Andres
• Passacaille; G. F. Handel
• Vers la source dans le bois; Marcel Tournier
• All These Woes! (Shakespeare) & Quick March; John Weinzweig
• Sonate in re; Mateo Albeniz
• Romance without Words; Felix Godefroid
• Ain't Misbehavin'; Fats Waller, arr. Ray Pool
• The Pink Panther; Henry Mancini; arr. Mavis Cauffman
• Great Day; Nancy Gustavson

A reception will follow across the street in the Jacksonville Theatre Guild offices. Please contact me for directions or other information!