Category Archives: Holiday

Remember & Honor

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Remember & Honor

It’s Memorial Day – a day to remember and honor all those who have lost their lives in combat protecting those things we hold dear. In the middle of enjoying a day off and the unofficial start to summer, take a moment of gratitude.

Gift Guide – Part B

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Gift Guide – Part B

Last week we listed some gift ideas you could share with the people in your life who might ask what you would like to receive this holiday season. Now let’s flip the script. What gifts could you give from there on your bench?

Like any gift guide, this means matching the giving intention to the recipient and there are so many possibilities!

  • You can play for your family. You might think that your family listens to you play every day so this wouldn’t be a good gift. But the reality is that they probably don’t listen to you practice. They might hear you, but they’re probably not listening. They will enjoy having a specific time to sit and actually listen to the fruits of your labors. They are, after all, your biggest supporters.
  • Jane Austen is calling! There was a time when it was expected that each person would take their turn being entertaining for guests. Invite your supportive friends over and, as part of the time together, play for them. You’d be amazed how many of your friends don’t even know you play the harp, and how many of those who do know have never heard you play.
  • Play for someone special. This can be as complicated or as simple as you want to make it. You have all the tools – just get out of your own way. Play the music you hear in your head.  Don’t have a lot of noise going on up there? Stumped on where to start? Set your harp to C major and play only the white strings (thank you Marianna!) and diddle around. Run your recorder. Go back and listen, find what you like and put that stuff together. Practice that, toss in a left hand (hint – start with G) and boom! a handmade present!
  • Give a concert. Why not! You need a venue (your living room?), an audience (friends, family, neighbors), and you need 3 to 20 tunes (depending on how long you want to perform). Add some “patter” (it is a show, you are the MC) and wine or tea and cookies and you’re in business. It doesn’t have to be Carnegie Hall, just play.
  • Volunteer. Go to a nursing home or a rehab facility and play for them (or for the staff). You can do this anytime of year but the holidays seem like a good time to start (this does require a bit coordination, but so worth it).

It’s also amazing how good you’ll feel after sharing your gift of music.  What else could you do with your harp to give someone a lovely gift? I’ve given you several ideas here, but I bet you have better ones – let me know in the comments.

Updated Gift Guide

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Updated Gift Guide

It is holiday time and someone might ask you what you’d like to receive.  A couple of years ago, I posted a Gift Guide and it’s that time again, so I thought I’d add to the list. 

Don’t just go out and buy these things for yourself – leave them as gift opportunities!  You can be very specific so you do receive what you want.  It’s easy when you send a link and include the size, color, number with it!  And your givers will be delighted to have gotten you something you are sure to enjoy.

Some things (including your suggestions):

  • A nice, comfortable, packable performance dress. Preferably washable and flattering.  And pockets! (gotta put your key somewhere while on stage!).
  • A nice, comfortable pair of performance shoes to go with that dress.
  • Memberships/Subscriptions to your favorite Harp Journals – Folk Harp Journal, American Harp Society, Harp Column, Scottish Harp Society of America
  • Accessories bags. Corral your stuff in your harp case pocket or gig bag!  A bag for your spare strings or your electronic tuner or your key.  You need a place for your stand lamp, your cough drops, Kleenex, etc.  Believe me, it’s easier to find stuff when you need it if it’s organized!
  • Music sounds – cds, downloads, membership to some horrible-rip-off-streaming-service – we all learn better by listening.  It’s also good to hear new-to-you music.
  • Music paper – sheet music you’ve been drooling over but haven’t been able to justify buying? Here are some excellent choices!*
  • Workshop or lessons – there are loads of workshops, summer schools, and getaways offered all over the country (actually the world). And lessons or coaching are always a good idea!
  • Travel – What could be more fun than going on a cool trip – with me to a places known for harp?!  Check out the 2024 itinerary here.*
  • Tickets – few things are as exhilarating – or motivating – as attending a live performance!
  • Cleaning supplies – whether you prefer a Swiffer or a soft bristle brush, put it on your list. You could get two, one for home and one to keep in your case.
  • Harp jewelry – can you ever have too many harp necklaces or earrings?  And you can support a small business while you’re at it.  I’ve really enjoyed the things I’ve gotten from harpjewelry**

So, while you’re making your list and checking it twice, what else would make wonderful holiday gifts that you’d love to get?  Let me know in the comments!

* Shameless plug!  ** Unaffiliated, but if you’ve ever met me in person, you know I love my harp necklace!

Favorites

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It’s not too late

One of my favorite Christmas carols is one that I don’t think I ever sang.  I still don’t sing it.  I don’t know the words.  But it’s still my favorite.

Why?  Don’t know.  It’s just another one of those tunes that wakes me up in the middle of the night, running through my head.

I learned this tune (I know, i just said I never sang it – but I do know the tune!) listening to Christmas records as a kid.  We had an album with it.  It was sung by a Boys’ Choir (could have been Vienna, St. Martin’s, Ersatz, not sure).  I imagine that I remember the cover but I think it have concocted an amalgamation of the covers of the ones I remember best.  I don’t remember ever hearing it on the radio or in the Christmas specials on TV.  But it has not left me.

I also never remembered the name of it. I never got any of the words (no liner notes – the ONLY way I ever get lyrics right!).  And so, into my adulthood, it remained this tune that ran through my head, unaccompanied by a desire to play it, to seek it out (after all, it comes up unbidden!).  Until, one day a dear friend started to tell the story of a defining moment in his life.  I won’t tell his story here (he tells it brilliantly and it is his story) but it centered on the Christmas carol, Once in Royal David’s City.  I hadn’t ever heard that one, so I asked him and he graced me by singing it (in his lovely voice).

And then I knew…it was that tune I love that I didn’t know the name of!

And that sparked a (new) desire to actually play this tune that has been on intermittent repeat (to be fair, it didn’t play in my head for years there in the middle). It is from a hymn tune originally entitled Irby written by the English composer Henry Gauntlett (1805 – 1876).  He was an interesting guy – he was a champion for Beethoven, Bach.  And apparently a brilliant organist – Mendelssohn selected him to play a premiere. Of course, I think he’s fab – he invented a new kind of organ because the ones available weren’t serving the music well enough! (OBTW, if you’re interested, the lyrics were written by Irish poet Cecil Frances Alexander, herself wonderfully accomplished as well.)

So, after all that, I really enjoy playing this carol (still don’t know the words!). But since I enjoy it so much, I wanted to share it with you!  It’s a fairly simple tune so for a little work, you could have it ready for Christmas if you like.  It’s not one everyone plays, so it’ll be a nice addition to your set.  I, of course, have written an arrangement and I’d be delighted if you play it.  But remember two important things.  First, the melody is the thing (so play at your level).  Second, be you!  This is how I might play it but feel free to start here and do you!  You’ll find it here.

I hope you enjoy it – let me know how it goes in the comments!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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It’s that time of the year when we pause to be thankful.  It is always good to give thanks for the bounties in our lives – family, friends, community.  I hope that you know how much I appreciate you being a part of my community, all of you.  Thank you for spending time with me each week and for sharing your thoughts, questions, and insights.  I am grateful for you and your time.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Remember

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Remember

This week we observe Memorial Day and honor those who have died in the nation’s wars.  These fallen have given all to preserve our way of life.  Those of whom can be said, “Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue”.  This Uncommon Valor has afforded the rest of us the privilege of playing the music we love in relative safety and security.  Please remember them with gratitude as you play and practice this week.