Tapestry

The Cloisters Museum in New York City has several tapestries in its collection of medieval art. One series chronicles the pursuit and capture of a unicorn. In another room, I was delighted to see a tapestry which featured a harp.

Harp Buddies

The first year I attended the Ohio Scottish Arts School, I met Mark. What a great friend. He inspires me musically and when I see him at each harp event it's like a day hasn't passed since the last time we saw each other. Mark and I are eternally thankful for the warm welcome we got from Karen and Wendy. They had attended the Ohio Scottish Arts School for several years and swept us into the activities there. We continue to see each other at various harp events like the Washington Area Fall Getaway Weekend, Somerset Folk Harp Festival, and the Harp Gathering (which Wendy was unable to attend this year, alas-no photo).

When It Rains It Pours

Within a span of three weeks time, harp players in Central Ohio had a multitude of activities to choose from. Marta Cook came from Chicago to give a concert and two day workshop. Then, Jo Morrison from Pennsylvania stopped and gave an evening workshop on her Midwest tour. Those willing and able could travel three hours to Sauder Village near Toledo to take workshops at the Harp Gathering featuring Sue Richards, Denise Group-Verbon, Pamela Brunner, Timothy Habinski, and Frank Voltz. I wish I'd remember to take photos of all these folks when I see them!

Mom

My mom has always been my biggest musical influence. Some of my earliest memories are of her singing as she did various tasks around the house. We always sang as we took car rides. Because my mom loved to sing, I loved to sing. Music is my greatest joy in life. Although my mom had no formal music training, she had fond memories of the nuns who taught music. Later in life, she decided to take up the mountain dulcimer. She and I went to some week-long events in Bardstown Kentucky called "Kentucky Music Week". We took some classes together with Aubrey Atwater, Susan Trump, and Lloyd Wright. My father attended with us and was our most ardent supporter. Until recently, my mom and I would play through some of the tunes in her tune book. My dad shouts out the name of a song he wants us to sing and play. Mom mostly read the tablature, and I'd struggle along as I tried to play by ear. But now my mom's Alzheimer's disease steals her memory of knowing how to play. Her ability to play is fragile. Sometimes she can play along; other times she stares in disbelief that she could ever play such an instrument. What I love, is that I can put the harp in front of my mom and she feels the freedom to strum across the strings and create simple melodies. Occasionally she looks up at me and says, "Is this the harp that you flew all across the country to get? I didn't know if I would ever see you again!" This persistent memory of me flying to Atlanta and then to Houston during one Spring Break 8 years ago may resurface several times as Mom plays. Keep that memory, Mom. Remember...

Tartan Day

I love playing at Tartan Day. There are so many special events like sheep dog herding demonstrations, highland dance exhibitions, storytelling, piping and drumming, listening to bands...alas, no haggis! In addition to playing a morning set and an afternoon set, I got to dance with the "Heather and Thistle" Royal Scottish Country Dancers. I love this group. We meet on Thursday evenings in a church hall just down the street from my house, and we have the most gracious teacher Laura Russell.

Rewards

So what does ironing have to do with harping? On Saturday, I had a boatload of shirts to starch and iron. I had to get it done. In the adjacent room sat my harp waiting to be played. So after I finished ironing each shirt, I allowed myself the luxury of playing a tune on the harp.

My First Harp

While vacationing in Bar Harbor several years ago, I spotted "Song of the Sea" music store. The "Harps" sign hanging outside lured me inside. I'd never been to a store where harps were sold, so I figured this might be my chance. I tried out a few 22 string harps, and decided that I'd purchase one of these small harps to see if this was an instrument that I wanted to pursue further. Then I needed to decide between cherry and walnut woods. I couldn't detect any noticeable differences in tone quality, so I looked for other ways to make my decision. Then I spied it. The medallion on the side of the harp read Stoney End along with the serial number 4061. Since I'd just turned 40 and I was born in '61, this seemed like the perfect clue as to which harp to choose. That first, small harp hooked me. I loved every minute of harp playing since then.