Spring Concerts Free to Members

Brandywine Harps Makes Philadelphia Debut

Join us March 22^nd at The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill when the sixteen-member Brandywine Harp Orchestra will perform the program they will be presenting at the 28th Edinburgh International Harp Festival in April. The 4 p.m. concert will feature new works composed and arranged by their director Janet Witman, and will include dancing, singing, and innovative harp "tricks" to give it an American "twist". Immediately following the concert will be a special "Scotland send-off" reception hosted by the Philadelphia Chapter of the AHS. Admission is FREE.

The ensemble was organized in 2000 by Janet after she returned from the International Harp Festival with the desire to form a harp orchestra similar to Na Clarsairean (the Scottish Harp Orchestra) and the Belfast Harp Orchestra of Ireland. The group has performed concerts at Longwood Gardens, Winterthur Museum, Mt Gretna Tabernacle, the AHS National Conference in Philadelphia and over 40 church concert series. They have produced two recordings, "Christmas Crossings" and "Celtic Journeys" which will be available at the concert.

Young Artist recitalist appearing May 18^th

Sadie Turner, 1^st prize winner of the American Harp Society's National Competition will be performing in recital on Monday, May 18th at 7:30 at the Cathedral Village Concert Hall. The admission is FREE to all Harp Society members.

Sadie Turner made her solo debut at age 18 with the Houston Symphony Orchestra as winner of their High School Concerto Competition. As a recitalist, she has performed throughout the United States including a solo appearance at the Kennedy Center's Conservatory Project and an upcoming recital at the American Harp Society's National Conference in Dearborn, Michigan. In the orchestral arena she has performed with the New World Symphony, Shreveport Symphony, Victoria Symphony and the Rice University Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. During the summers, she has also participated in several acclaimed festivals such as the Tanglewood Music Center, the International Festival Institute at Round Top, Texas Music Festival and the Salzedo School for Harp. She will be returning to the Tanglewood Music Center in 2008 for the second time.

The recent winner of the Young Professional division of the American Harp Society's National Competition, Ms. Turner is now the current American Harp Society Concert Artist. As the Concert Artist for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons, she will be giving solo recitals across the country. She has also won numerous competitions such as the Ruth Burr Awards Competition, the Texas Association of String Orchestras Concerto Competition, the Houston Symphony's High School Concerto Competition and the Houston Young Artist Award.

Ms. Turner completed her Bachelor of Music Degree in Harp Performance at Rice University, where she will also begin her Master's degree in the fall of 2008. She has been a long time student of Paula Page and has also studied with Susan Dederich- Pejovich and Alice Chalifoux.

Calendar of Events

This spring, the Philly Chapter is sponsoring two events that are FREE to members. Don’t miss out on the chance for some spectacular music.

March

March 6, 2009 @ 7:30PM. Celebrate Paris in an evening of French music performed by the Easterly Chamber Players: Diane Toulson, flute, Smith Toulson, clarinet & Anne Sullivan, harp. Tickets $15.00/person . $25 series subscription.
Price includes concert, wine and hors d'oeurvres (non-alcoholic alternative available.)
For tickets and additional information, call the winery at 570.837.3644. www.shademountainwinery.com

March 7, 2009 @ 7:30PM. Masters of the Celtic Harp, Grainne Hambly & William Jackson, will perform their Two Sides of Celtic show at Crossroads Music Concerts. Calvary Church, 801 South 48th St (48th and Baltimore Avenues), Philadelphia, PA. Tickets $15, students $10 and children under 12 $5.

March 8, 2009 @ 2:00PM. Grainne Hambly & William Jackson, will perform their Two Sides of Celtic show at Crossroads Music Concerts in Lambertville, NJ. Lambertville Free Public Library , Acme Screening Room. 25 S. Union St., Lambertville, NJ.

March 8, 2009 @ 8:00PM. The Philadelphia Harp Trio will perform a recital of Debussy, Genzmer, Bax, and Ibert. Daniel Sharp, flute; Shane Barker,viola; Maryanne Meyer, harp. Noble Art Pianos, 226 Bushkill Street, Easton PA, 18040

March 11, 2009 @ 7:00PM. Joanna Mell performs a concert of Celtic harp music, singing and storytelling at the Torresdale Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library. Free. 3079 Holme Avenue, Philadelphia. PA. Info: 215-685-0503.

March 16, 2009 @ 7:00PM. Joanna Mell performs a concert of Celtic harp music, singing and storytelling for St. Patrick's Day, with special emphasis on Women of Ireland. Free. Perkiomen Valley Library, 290 Second Street, Schwenksville, PA Info: 610-287-8360

March 17, 2009 @ 7:30PM. McDermott’s Handy (with Kathy DeAngelo on harp) will perform traditional Irish music in a special St. Patrick’s Day concert. Free. Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon St., Princeton, NJ

March 31, 2009 @ 7:30PM. Harpists of the Temple Harp Studio will give a performance of harp ensemble and solo harp literature. Rock Hall, Temple University

April

April 5, 2009 @ 3:00PM. Join the WCU Harp Ensemble in a concert of the Music of France under the direction of Ms. Gloria Galante. WCU College of Visual and Performing Arts, Madeline Wing Adler Theater 817 S. High Street West Chester, Pa 19380

April 19, 2009 @ 3:00PM. Alison Simpson & Virginia Flanagan present a duo concert: Harps AFire. Goodwill/love offering. 215 646 8145 Calvary United Methodist Church 16 E. Park Avenue Ambler, PA 19002

April 26, 2009 @ 3:00PM. The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society will present Elizabeth Hainen and the Juilliard String Quartet in a world premiere by Pulitzer Prize winner Melinda Wagner. The work is a joint commission by the PCMS and the Lyra Society. Visit Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center for tickets and info.

May

May 3, 2009 @ 3:00PM. The Curtis Harp Studio Recital. Curtis School of Music, Field Hall

May 22-29, 2009. The Harp Music Festival of Philadelphia. Saul Davis Zlatkovski, directory. Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square. www.harpmusicfest.com or 215-563-4848 for more information.

June

June 4, 2009 @ 7:00PM. The next AHS sponsored student recital will be held at the Settlement Music School, Queen Street Branch. Sign-up through your teacher! 416 Queen St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

June 21-26, 2009: The fourth annual You Gotta Have Harp Summer Camp will take place at the Burlington Meetinghouse and Conference Center in Burlington, NJ. Instructors will include Gloria Galante and Kathy DeAngelo. See www.harpagency.com/summercamp.htm for details and registration form.

June 24, 2009 @ 12:30PM. Maryanne Meyer will perform a solo recital as part of the Brown Bag Concert Series at Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia. www.htrit.org for more information

July

July 9-12, 2009 The 9th Annual Somerset Folk Harp Festival will be held in Alexandria, Virginia, the previous location of the festival. From Celtic to Therapeutic harp and everything in between, you are sure to find a workshop (there will be more than 60 this year!) to stimulate your mind and foster your knowledge. See our website at http://www.somersetharpfest.com or email info@somersetharpfest.com for more details.

Member News

A date has been set for the 2010 Student Competition! Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 20th, 2010 with an alternate date of February 27th in case of snow. The competition will be held at Ancillae-Assumpta Academy in Wyncote, PA. Be sure to visit our competition page for the repertoire and guidelines.

A video documentary produced by Sarajane Williams, “Therapeutic Harp: ancient legacy, sound science, clinical applications” has just been released. The 3-DVD set is 2 hours 45 minutes in length and is available at Planet Harp: www.planetharp.com.

Harpist Maryanne Meyer and colleagues Daniel Sharp, flute, and Shane Barker, viola, have formed The Philadelphia Harp Trio. This young chamber ensemble made their Philadelphia debut earlier this year and plans to continue performing recitals throughout the Delaware Valley. For more information, please visit sites.google.com/site/phlharptrio

Want to play and instrument you love with others just like you — and be able to play in a relaxed environment? Sue Gold is forming a harp ensemble and is looking for members in the Bucks/Montgomery County area. They plan to meet on the 2nd Friday of the month at the home of Sue Gold in Huntingdon Valley from 7:00 - 10:00PM. The current active members have 2 1/2 - 4 years experience, but there are also parts for those with less experience. Contact Sue Gold at Susan_Gold@comcast.net if you’re interested!

Saul Davis Zlatkovski will once again be directing The Harp Music Festival of Philadelphia. The dates are set for May 22-25, 2009 at Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square. Don’t miss out! Visit www.harpmusicfest.com or call 215-563-4848 for information on this annual Philadelphia event.

Gloria Galante and Kathy DeAngelo will hold the fourth annual You Gotta Have Harp Summer Camp in Burlington, NJ (June 21-26, 2009). All ages are welcome! Registration rate includes tuition, meals and lodging for the week. A public concert is given on Thursday at the Meetinghouse. See www.harpagency.com/summercamp.htm for more details.

The Somerset Folk Harp Festival (July 9 - 12, 2009) will be held in Alexandria, VA. Under the direction of Kathy DeAngelo, this year the festival has expanded to include over 20 performers and presenters in more than 60 workshops will help you accomplish your goal and you’ll have a lot of fun. Other new and exciting additions include a Lever Harp Teacher’s Symposium as well as a Professional Development seminar with an expanded Celtic track.

Joanna Mell will present two workshops and play a morning meditation at the Somerset Harp Festival on the Potomac, Alexandria, VA. Info: www.somersetharpfest.com.

The Heart of God Harpers therapeutic harp training program is accepting two new students. Training is by individual lessons and group meetings. Contact Joanna Mell, www.joannamell.com, 215-257-8185.

Market Place

Books and CDs of therapeutic harp music available from Joanna Mell. www.joannamell.com

Harp CDs for sale. Visit website or inquire about lessons or music for events.

Martha Clancy harpsounds@msn.com 610-783-5686 www.harpsounds.com

Harps for sale & rent: Folk harps and pedal harps for sale, lever harps for rent Martha Clancy harpsounds@msn.com 610-783-5686

A new video documentary produced by Sarajane Williams, “Therapeutic Harp: ancient legacy, sound science, clinical applications” has just been released. The 3-DVD set is 2 hours 45 minutes in length and is available at Planet Harp: www.planetharp.com.

Harp Sales, Rentals, Music and Supplies: Contact Planet Harp at 800-567-7738 or www.planetharp.com.

Harp Sales, Rentals, Music, and Accessories: Contact Virginia Harp Center at 800-985-8040 or va.harpcenter@verizon.net

Concert harp for rent: gilded Salvi Electra available for long or short term rentals. Call Georganne at 609-882-9336 or email GeorganneD@comcast.net

For Rent: Two Lyon and Healy lever harps Lyon & Healy Prelude and Lyon & Healy Folk Harp. Contact André Tarantiles at tarantiles@aol.com if interested.

For Sale: Blevins Espre36 lever harp, 36 strings with full set of levers. Made of cherry wood with a spruce soundboard. Hardly used. Padded case with large pocket and carrying straps included. E-mail Harpist3@aol.com or call 856-751-0337.

For Sale: Lyon-Healy Style 30 concert grand harp (Princess Louise) in mahogany finish with crown; approx. 35 years old and completely rebuilt at the Lyon-Healy factory in Fall of 2006. All strings replaced with Lyon-Healy best brand. Harp has a big tone in bass and brilliant sound in treble. Includes waterproof fully padded cover (approx. 5 years old). Visually, the instrument is strikingly elegant. Asking $12,000. Contact Cally Proios Welsh at cally-pwelsh@hotmail.com.

For Sale: Lyon & Healy 85GP pedal harp, 5 years old, SN 15429. Natural with soundboard decoration and solid brass crown, 44 strings. Beautiful, even tone, excellent condition... still looks new. Photos available. E-mail Harpist3@aol.com or call 856-751-0337.

For Sale: Salvi Erard 46-string semi-grand for sale. Rosewood finish with gold gilding. Straight soundboard. Contact Janet Witman at brandywineharp@juno.com or 610-345-9177