Peoria Wedding Harpist ~ Cornerstone Building Reception

A wedding that had it all!  The ceremony and the reception were located at the beautiful Cornerstone Building in downtown Peoria, and had everything from intricate ice sculptures, to a perfect cocktail hour setting, to a chihuahua in a wedding dress! 

This amazing wedding was planned by Sara at So Chic Events.  I had the opportunity to entertain the wedding guests during the cocktail hour.  Guests were treated to light food, drinks, and great music as the reception was being prepared.  What made the setting perfect was that the space was small and intimate. 

The harp was a perfect fit for this space and added to the already elegant atmosphere!  The mix of classical and pop pieces provided a great backdrop for guests to enjoy their evening.

If you would like information about having the harp for your ceremony or reception, please visit our website, Peoria Wedding Music.  We'd love to work with you!

Detroit Harpist ~ Music for a 90th Birthday in Farmington Hills

This was the second 90th birthday party that I've been honored to play for this year.  Although Charles wasn't actually turning 90 until Tuesday, he had a dinner party with his family the Saturday before.  He planned it a few days in advance, just in case ~ in his own words ~ he didn't make it!  He was so full of energy and excitement, that I couldn't believe he was the guest of honor.  It was an absolute delight to play for him and his family!

They reserved the banquet room at Ginopolis Restaurant in Farmington Hills for the celebration.  Four generations gathered, and they enjoyed a served meal with harp music in the background.  As they presented the birthday cake, everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to harp accompaniment.

If you are planning a party or wedding in the Detroit metro area, I'd love to be your harpist for the event!  Visit my website, Detroit Harpist, or call 1-877-HARP-578 for information on including harp music in your plans.

Introduction to the Harp Class ~ St. Joseph, Michigan

A colleague of mine from the South Bend Area Music Teachers association invited me to be the guest artist at two of the Monday Musical Club's student recitals in November.  It's always such a pleasure to be able to introduce young musicians to the harp!

The recital and class were held in the Whitcomb Parlor in St. Joseph, Michigan.  I loved being able to listen to the student performances ~ everything from beginning violinists to accomplished pianists.  After they played their pieces, I talked a bit about the early history of the harp, and its origins in the hunter's bow.  I described how, as the range of the harp expanded, the construction changed to include a front pillar to support the added tension of additional strings.  As some of the earliest examples of harps with columns are from the British Isles, I played the folk songs "The Water is Wide" and "O Danny Boy" on my Laurel Leaf lever harp. 

Since the audience was primarily musicians and their parents, they were very responsive when I asked the group questions!  We talked about how to get chromatic notes on the harp and the development of levers and pedals.  There was a collective gasp when I unveiled my beautiful Venus Classic pedal harp!  With the invention of the pedal harp, a wider range of music was playable on the harp, and more composers began to write specifically for the instrument.

I demonstrated with Bach's "Prelude in C," Godefroid's "Romance Without Words," and "All These Woes" by the modern Canadian composer John Weinzweig.  The special effects that can be created on the harp are always a big hit!  I showed them glissandos, percussion effects, vibrato, pedal slides, and special ways of muffling the strings.  I always allow time for questions after the presentation, and there were many! 

When I'd answered their questions, the audience was able to come up and give the harps a try for themselves.  This wasn't just limited to the kids!  It's amazing how the students, once they have been introduced to the instrument, don't find it intimidating at all.  Some were even able to pluck out familiar melodies and create their own effects!

If you are interested in having a program about the harp for your studio, club, class, church, or other organization, please contact me.  Visit my website, www.TheClassicHarpist.com, or call 1-877-HARP-578 to get on my schedule!

Grand Rapids Harpist ~ Wedding Reception at the Amway Grand Plaza

11-11-11 was a very popular wedding date!  Not quite as busy at 7-7-07, but Jeff and I both had receptions for which we were booked as the harpists this year.  Originally, Dan & Tonya planned to have both their ceremony and reception on Friday, but instead they went ahead with their ceremony on the other prime date this year ~ 9-10-11 ~ in Vegas!  They kept their plans for the reception, and were able to enjoy a more relaxed and low-key event with their closest friends and family members.

The reception was held on the 26th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the DeVos Suite.  I arrived just before sunset, and the view was breathtaking!  Before the guests arrived, I rehearsed with a friend of the bride's who sang "When You Say Nothing At All" to harp accompaniment later in the evening. 

For the rest of the evening, I entertained the guests with harp renditions of a variety of popular songs, from "Can't Help Falling in Love" to "Clocks" to "You Raise Me Up."  Guests enjoyed drinks, appetizers, and the view over nighttime Grand Rapids.  The couple and their children also participated in a sand ceremony, creating a keepsake vase with each person's blue or black (the wedding colors) sand. 

If you are planning a wedding ceremony or reception in Grand Rapids, I'd love to be your harpist!  Visit my website, Grand Rapids Harpist, for details on including harp music in your plans.

Achievement in Music Piano Festival ~ Mishawaka, IN

On November 5th, nearly 100 piano students from the South Bend area participated in the Achievement in Music Festival held at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana.  This non-competitive adjudication involves taking a written and aural music theory test, playing scales & other keyboard skills, sightreading, and a performance of two prepared pieces (one memorized).

Six students from my piano studio participated this year.  Preparing for the festival involves lots of extra practice time and dedication.  Once they completed their theory test, they got to join me in the game room for some musical bingo and hangman.  Congratulations on a job well done!

• Camille A
• Anna B (100% theory score)
• Mark B
• Megan B
• Claire C
• Joseph D

These students also received ratings of "Excellent" in all three areas on which their playing was judged (keyboard skills, sightreading and repertoire):

• Anna B
• Mark B
• Joseph D

Harpist in St. Joseph, Michigan ~ Wedding at the Hertiage Museum

November is typically a slow month for weddings, but 2011 has proven to be the exception.  We also have several Friday ceremonies and receptions - Friday is the new Saturday!  When you plan your wedding for a less popular month or day of the week, you will not only receive discounts from some of your wedding professionals (venues particularly), but you will also have a better change of being able to book your top vendor picks.  With fewer brides competing for the best professionals in each field, you are more likely to find that the person you want to hire is available for your date.

This can be a tricky month for weather, but November 4th was an especially pleasant fall day.  It was so nice, the bride and groom were even able to head to the lakeshore for some pre-ceremony pictures!  Their colors of red and black, along with the favors of caramel apples, continued the autumnal theme.

Abby and Timothy celebrated their ceremony and reception at the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph, Michigan.  Their ceremony and took place in Shepard Hall, with guests seated on the ground level.  The bridal party and the parents of the bride and groom stood on the balcony above. 

I played harp music as the guests arrived, and switched to "Falling Slowly" for the entrance of the parents and bridesmaids.  The bride's processional music was "All You Need is Love" by the Beatles. 

During the ceremony, the groom's uncle sang "Steady as We Go" by the Dave Matthews Band.  The recessional was the Jason Mraz song "I'm Yours," which was also the couple's first dance selection.  Once the ceremony was complete, the guests headed upstairs to the museum for the cocktail hour.  They were greeted with glasses of champagne and passed hors d'oeuvres - and harp music! 

 
The exhibit was Ice Age Imperials, and guests were able to explore while they waited for the downstairs to be re-set for dinner service.  I've played in some fairly unique places before, but this was the first time I was set up next to a musk ox! 

I am available throughout Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana to provide harp music for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and other events.  Contact me by phone (1-877-HARP-578) or email, or visit my website, Southwest Michigan Harpist, for information on having a harpist for your event!

Rock Island Harpist ~ Quad Cities Botanical Center Wedding

 

If you would like an outdoor wedding, but don't want the weather to spoil your plans, then an indoor botanical garden or conservatory is the perfect place for your ceremony!  You have the natural beauty of the flowers and plants, but don't need to have a Plan B in place if it rains (or it's too hot, or too cold...).  It also makes it possible to have the feeling of an outdoor wedding during the winter months.

This ceremony took place at the Quad Cities Botanical Gardens in Rock Island, Illinois.  Located right on the Mississippi River, this venue is a hidden gem!  The ceremony was inside the Sun Garden, but the weather was nice enough to allow for guests to wander outside and take pictures in their other gardens.  The waterfall that usually runs was turned off so that the guests would be able to hear the officiant (and the harp!).

They started right on time, with the maid of honor and the bride entering to "Hymne" by the Greek composer Vangelis.  This is a beautiful piece with a new-age style, and makes a perfect romantic and non-traditional wedding processional.

During the ceremony, the bride requested that I play Handel's "Aria" from Rinaldo for a moment of reflection.  It's a good idea to have time during your ceremony when you can just stop, take a breath, and try to remember the moment.  It all goes by so quickly!

For the recessional, she opted for the third movement of "Spring" from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.  I continued the postlude music until all of the guests had left the garden.

I am available to provide harp music for weddings and receptions throughout the Quad Cities, and would love to speak with you about including a harpist in your plans!  Visit my website, Quad Cities Wedding Harpist, or call 1-877-HARP-578 for details, availability, and to receive a customized quote for your event.