Springfield IL Wedding Planning ~ Piper Glen Bridal Expo

This was the first year that Piper Glen Golf Club hosted a bridal expo for Springfield area brides to meet with a select group of vendors to help them plan their weddings.  It was a small show, which meant that we had lots of time to really talk to the brides who attended and to meet the other vendors. 

The show was set up on the lawn in their Grand Tent.  We were glad they turned on the heaters!  If you'd like the beauty of an outdoor wedding without the hassle and reliance on the weather, a tent with windows is the way to go.  Even better when it is climate controlled!  Make an appointment with MJ at Piper Glen to see the space in person.  We're looking forward to booking weddings there this summer and for 2012!

Visit our website:

Springfield Illinois Wedding Harpist

You can also call 1-877-HARP-578 for more information about having harp music for your wedding at Piper Glen or anywhere else in the Springfield area!  Other vendors at the show included:

Nelson's Catering of Central Illinois
Party Creations Florist and Rentals
Bella Amore Bridal
Pasfield House
Schroeder's DJ Service

Harp Lessons in Central Illinois ~ Pine Tree Studio

Starting this summer, I will be offering harp lessons at Pine Tree Studio in downtown Jacksonville, Illinois.  This is a new space operated by Terri Benz (who will be teaching piano, voice and music masterworks classes), and also features dulcimer instruction with Mike Anderson. 

On Sunday, April 10th, we celebrated the new space with an open house.  It was wonderful to meet new people and get reacquainted with colleagues from I knew from when I grew up in Jacksonville!

There is a waiting room; a large teaching room for group classes; a library for reading, listening (and coffee!); and a smaller teaching/practice room.

Harp lessons cover classical and traditional repertoire on both the pedal (orchestral) and lever (Celtic or Irish) harp.  Students learn Salzedo technique along with music theory, ear training, harp maintenance and music history.  Ensemble, performance, and competition opportunities are available for interested students.

You do not need to have any previous musical experience to begin harp lessons.  Music reading can be taught along with the basics of harp technique for students who are not already familiar with it.  Students ages six through adults are welcome in my studio, and I love working with all levels, from beginners to advanced performers.

Rental harps are available from several sources in Chicago, IL, Bloomington, IN, and other locations.  I can assist you with locating a pedal or lever harp to purchase or rent.

Please contact me (1-877-HARP-578) if you are interested in signing up for harp lessons, need a rental harp, or have any questions!
Harp Lessons Jacksonville   Harp Lesson Springfield  Harp Lessons Quincy    Harp Lessons Lincoln  Harp Lessons Carlinville  Harp Lessons Jerseyville    Harp Lessons Taylorville  Harp Lessons Macomb

Anniversary Party ~ Springfield, IL Harpist

On Friday, I was hired by the daughter-in-law of the celebrating couple to provide harp music for the party she was hosting for them on Sunday afternoon.  It's never too late to call and check our availability!

In honor of their 60th anniversary, family and friends gathered in Springfield, Illinois, to enjoy a luncheon reception and have family photos taken.  I played as the guests arrived and during the luncheon.  The room was decorated in lavender, sage and yellow ~ the colors that they used for the original wedding.  The chair sashes held a purple pansy, and the centerpieces were forsythia and other yellow spring flowers.  There was even a two-tiered cake for the guests to enjoy!

When I play for anniversary parties, I always make some music selections that were popular when the couple got married.  Songs such as "Earth Angel", "Blueberry Hill" and "Some Enchanted Evening" are a hit!  They are familiar to the guests of honor, and well suited to the harp.

We are available to provide harp music for events throughout Springfield.  Please visit our website, Springfield Harpist, for more information!

New Popular Music for Harp

My repertoire list is constantly growing, both with pieces that I like and want to learn and with client requests.  Before the wedding season really gets going, I like to add a few popular pieces to my play lists.  Some of these are not necessarily wedding music, but the latest additions are:

• A Thousand Miles; as performed by Vanessa Carlton
• Glitter in the Air; as performed by Pink
• Haven't Met You Yet; as performed by Michael Bublé
• I Never Told You; as performed by Colbie Caillat
• Smile; as performed by Uncle Kracker
• Sweet Child O' Mine; as performed by Guns N' Roses

You can also visit the repertoire lists on my website to see more harp music available:

• Classical harp music
• Popular, Broadway & jazz harp music
• Folk & Celtic harp music
• Sacred harp music
• Jewish harp music
• Holiday harp music

New Harp Demo Recording ~ Springfield, IL

Every few years, I update and add new clips of my harp playing to my website.  Since I was going to be in Central Illinois for the week, I decided to record my latest demo at DRC Studios in Springfield. 

There were a few times I thought the harp and I might not make it down the winding stairs and into the low-ceilinged studio in one piece.  Although I do have several bruises, the harp arrived unscathed!  The first hour or so always is spent setting mics, tuning and re-tuning the harp, and adjusting sound levels. 

After everything was set, I played parts of about 15 different pieces.  Some of the new recordings include "Arioso", "Romanza", "Come Sail Away", "Try to Remember", "Prelude in C", "Time to Say Goodbye" and "Meditation from Thais".

Jeff had to make a special drive down just to help me retrieve the harp from the studio.  Such a good harp husband!  It got out much easier than it went down.  Having two experienced harp movers, we just tipped it on its column, held on tight, and carried it most of the way out.

Check the website in the next few weeks for the new clips, and contact us if you are looking for a harpist in Central Illinois!

Northwest Indiana Harpist ~ Gala Dinner Reception

The evening of April 2nd, the organization Parents as Teachers of Lake County hosted a gala dinner reception and fundraiser at the Wicker Park Social Center in Highland, Indiana.  Guests were able to bid on items in a silent auction, enjoy a plated dinner, and take home bags of treats from a candy bar.

The room was decorated beautifully, with blue uplighting and twinkle lights that became even more noticable as it the night progressed.  I played for the first two hours of the event, during cocktails, the silent auction, and dinner service.

I've provided harp music for several wedding ceremonies and receptions at Wicker Park, but this was the first non-wedding event I've played for in their ballroom.  I'd be happy to speak with you about enhancing any event with live harp music ~ just visit my website:  Northwest Indiana Harpist for more information, or call 1-877-HARP-578.

If you would like to find out more about Parents as Teachers of Lake County, visit their website, http://www.patlakecounty.org/

South Bend Harpist ~ St. Joseph County Library

As a part of One Book, One Michiana, the St. Joseph County Public Library held several events at the beginning of April tied into the book Rocket Boys.  On the afternoon of April 2nd, they held an edible books festival.  Several area bakeries, colleges, and grocery stores created cakes that were inspired by the book.  The public was invited to judge the entries, and the organizers invited me to play during the judging time and afterwards as moon pies and lemonade were served.

Since most of the events for which I play are private, this was a great opportunity for many more members of the community to get to hear the harp and see it up close.  Kids always have lots of questions - most want to know if I play with the symphony!  The teenagers are always surprised to hear me play Coldplay and Styx, but I thought "Come Sail Away" was especially appropriate given the theme of this event. 

Whether you are planning a wedding, party, or community event, we'd love to work with you and provide harp music to fit any occasion.  Visit our website, The Classic Harpist - South Bend Harp Music, for more details.