Student Accomplishments

On November 7th, the local chapter of the Music Teachers National Association held the annual Achievement in Music piano festival.  This is a non-competitive event, and tests students on performance, keyboard skills, ear training, theory, and sight reading.  I had six students participate, and all received the top rating of "excellent" in performance, keyboard skills, and sight reading.

Camille A.

Claire C.

Joseph D.

Sydney G.

Zoe G.

Hannah M.

All six students also received a score of 90% or higher on their ear training and theory exams.  Three students received a perfect score:

Joseph D.

Zoe G.

Hannah M.

Congratulations, and you get a week off from playing scales! 

An Irish Wedding in September

I met with this couple way back in April - nothing like planning ahead!  If you are having a fall wedding, it's a great idea to get as much of your planning done before summer as possible.  During the summer months many of your vendors will be extra busy, and may not have the flexibility in their schedules to meet with you when they have more frequent wedding bookings.

The bride and groom wanted to celebrate their Irish heritage, but without the cliched - and if you know the lyrics, not very wedding-like - "Danny Boy".  I played a variety of Celtic tunes as the guests arrived at the Halls of St. George in Schererville, Indiana.  For the ceremony, they selected:

• Fanny Power by O'Carolan for the entrance of familes & the bridal party
• My Wild Irish Rose for the bride's processional
• Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral (That's an Irish Lullaby) for the unity candle
• In My Life by the Beatles for the recessional

New Music Available

After my recital was over, I started working on some "fun" music to have ready for the weddings and events that prefer a more contemporary sound.  I love playing things that are unexpected on the harp!  Some recent additions to my repertoire include:

• Clocks; as performed by Coldplay
• Come Sail Away, as performed by Styx
• I'm Yours, as performed by Jason Mraz
• Irreplaceable; as performed by Beyonce Knowles
• Love Story; as performed by Taylor Swift
• So What; as perfomed by Pink
• You Belong with Me; as performed by Taylor Swift
• You Want to Make a Memory; as performed by Bon Jovi

To see a complete list of the music I play, please visit my repertoire list.  If you don't see your favorite listed, let me know!  I am always happy to continue to expand my play list with your requests, and it's a great way to personalize your event.

Student Accomplishments

Over the summer, I held a contest in my studio to see who could perform for the most people.  Each week, students would receive Music Money for each signature in their booklet, and would be able to purchase items out of the studio store.  iTunes gift cards were a hot item!  September concluded the contest, with the students who performed for the most people receiving a trophy and medal.  Congratulations to:

• Syndey G. (1st place, 140 signatures)
• Claire C. (2nd place, 138 signatures)
• Hannah M. (3rd place, 129 signatures)

Great work!

Wedding Ceremony at Ogden Gardens

Another perfect fall day!  On September 19th, I played harp for a ceremony at Valparaiso's Ogden Gardens.  The bride chose a nice mix of traditional wedding music, as well as some lesser-known pieces to make her wedding music unique.  The prelude music was:

• Long and Winding Road
• Embraceable You
• Someone to Watch Over Me
• Stairway to Heaven
• Send in the Clowns
• Liebestraume

Since this wasn't quite enough to cover the time they needed, I just continued to play similar pieces until everyone was ready to begin.  The ceremony music included:

• Suogan (entrance of families)
• Canon in D (bridal party processional)
• I See You My Beloved (bride's processional)
• Grow Old Along with Me (unity sand & rose ceremony)
• Sheep May Safely Graze (recessional)

The bride really liked the Bach piece she chose as her recessional, but wanted something more upbeat.  No problem - I just played Sheep May Safely Graze very quickly!  She was able to use a piece of music that she really enjoyed, and also have a lively exit from her ceremony.  Professional harpists or other musicians should be able to make an accommodation like that for you!

A Ski Resort In Summer

If you own a ski resort, what better way to keep busy during the summer than to host weddings!  It was a beautiful early fall day for an outdoor ceremony at the Cannonsburg Ski Resort in Belmont, Michigan.  The ceremony took place at the foot of the hills, and the reception followed inside the lodge.  The music chosen for the ceremony was:

• Canon in D (bridal party processional)
• Bridal Chorus (bride's processional)
• When You Wish Upon a Star (unity sand ceremony)
• Wedding March (recessional)

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!