For the third time, I was welcomed back to perform at the Jacksonville Public Library’s “Music Under the Dome” concert series – to another packed house!
The solo harp concert included Romantic and Contemporary era harp selections, folk songs from around the world, Broadway & movie hits, and pieces related to some of my recent international performances.
An American in Paris & Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin
I love working with libraries, community groups, and schools to bring the harp to a wider audience! Visit my website ~ The Classic Harpist ~ to contact me for details about having a public or private concert, educational presentation, or other performance in your area.
I had such a wonderful time working with my 2022 couples to customize their wedding music! Some opted for traditional and classical, others more contemporary and unexpected – and some chose a bit of both!
Each year, I go back through all of the ceremonies for which I provided harp music, and tally the selections couples made for each moment of the service. It goes beyond a “Top 10,” so you might find some inspiration for songs you didn’t necessarily think of as “wedding music”!
Each list has the most popular pieces at the top, and the numbers in parentheses tell you how many times I have played that song for that particular moment of a ceremony. Click on the songs highlighted in blue to hear a sample of me playing those pieces on the harp. You’ll also see pictures of a few of the venues where I played for weddings this year.
I think I’ve played more Debussy pieces (First Arabesque, Second Arabesque, Reverie, and Clair de Lune) than I have any previous year! Those are nice choices when you want something classical and familiar, but not traditional.
In addition to new music, I added two new harps to my lineup – a silver Lyon & Healy Silhouette electric harp (pictured immediately below at a wedding in Phnom Penh, Cambodia), and a gold Heartland Harps Infinity carbon fibre harp, that enables me to play outdoors in any weather (pictured in the next photo down, playing for a ceremony on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico).
For the recessional, the Mendelssohn “Wedding March” was by far my most requested piece, but there is also the most variety among recessionals. The Beatles’ song “Here Comes the Sun” is popular both for the end of the ceremony and as a processional.
For the featured processional music (as the bride or groom walks down the aisle), “Canon in D” and “Here Comes the Bride” topped the list, but there was a good selection of popular music and other classical pieces requested. The most important thing about wedding music is that it is meaningful to YOU!
If you are looking for a musician for your wedding, contact me to discuss the music for your ceremony, reception, and rehearsal dinner!
Bride’s/Groom’s Processionals (entrance music for the bride/groom):
If you are planning your wedding, please visit my website: The Classic Harpist. I work with couples worldwide to plan their wedding music. With the harp, that can be anything you want it to be! I play all of the classical wedding favorites, as well as non-traditional options: jazz, pop, rock, Broadway, Bollywood, Arabic, Celtic, Renaissance, and more! Contact me today to start planning your perfect wedding soundtrack.
St. Peter on the Prairie is a country church located about fifteen minutes south of Madison, South Dakota. The church was built in 1948 from stones local farmers brought in from their fields. Although no longer an active parish, it is maintained to use for weddings and other events. It was here that Jodi and Chris hosted their Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding!
It had snowed earlier in the week, so the surrounding fields were gleaming in the sunshine. The roads were another matter, but the harp and I made it (we always do – and leave plenty of time for any delays, weather or otherwise!). Family and friends of the couple were encouraged to come in costume, and several did. We had everything from the Mad Hatter to the Caterpillar in the sanctuary!
As guests arrived and found seats, harp music filled the church. The prelude included classical music and popular selections, such as “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, “A Groovy Kind of Love,” and “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz.
“Only Time” by Enya was the song chosen for the wedding party processional, followed by “Trumpet Voluntary” for the bride’s entrance.
As the couple lit the unity candle, I played “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” After the newly-married couple was presented to their assembled guests, they recessed back down the aisle to “Great Day,” a fantastic harp solo full of glissandos.
I play for weddings in Madison, Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Brookings, Yankton, and throughout Eastern South Dakota. If you are looking for a beautiful and unique addition to your wedding, please contact me for availability and rates by visiting my website: South Dakota Wedding Harpist.
Payton and Noah celebrated their wedding ceremony at Faith Lutheran Church in Appleton, Wisconsin. The church was still beautifully decorated for the Christmas season, and had wonderful acoustics for the musicians. They requested a harp and cello duet, and we accompanied a vocalist during the ceremony as well.
We played classical music and Christmas carols as guests arrived and were seated in the sanctuary. Some of those selections included “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Largo” from Handel’s Xerxes, “Pastorale” from Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, and “Arioso” by J.S. Bach.
During the service, the vocalist sang the hymn “How Great Thou Art” and “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” by the Contemporary Christian artist Cody Carnes, both to harp & cello accompaniment. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the couple chose the classical harp solo “Vers la source dans le bois” by Tournier for the recessional. I made a custom arrangement of the piece to include the cello!
As guests exited the church, we continued with upbeat classical and Christmas music, including “Joy to the World,” “Finale” from Royal Fireworks Music, and “First Trumpet Tune” by Telemann.
Either as a harp soloist or in collaboration with other musicians, I love working with couples to customize the music for their wedding day. I am available in Appleton, throughout the Fox Valley, and anywhere in the Midwest to play for weddings and events! Visit my website {Appleton Wedding Harpist} to learn more and request a quote.
Abi and Josh had a beautiful winter wedding at Ironwood Farm outside of Bowling Green, Kentucky. The thoroughbred horse barn has been converted to host events, and was the site for both the ceremony and reception.
The parents of the bride had had a harpist for their wedding, and their daughter continued the tradition! I played a variety of classic and contemporary love songs for the prelude as guests arrived at the barn. When the processional was ready to begin, the wedding party came down the aisle to “Hymne” by the Greek composer Vangelis.
Abi’s bridal processional was the Elvis hit “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” During the unity ceremony, I played “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from the Disney movie Cinderella, and the service concluded with Nat King Cole’s upbeat “L-O-V-E” for the recessional.
Playing for weddings in Bowling Green and throughout western and central Kentucky, I love working with couples to customize the music for their ceremonies and receptions. Harp music can be traditional and classical, or you can surprise your guests with music they may not expect to hear on the harp! Visit my website ~ Kentucky Wedding Harpist ~ to start planning your wedding music!
Another beautiful holiday gathering! This time, I was at the Kahler Grand Hotel near the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Employees and volunteers were treated to dinner, Christmas harp music, and collectible nutcrackers to take home.
In spite of the snow, everyone made it out to celebrate. I haven’t missed a performance yet, and don’t plan on starting now! If your party is happening, I’ll be there – no matter the weather!
I play for events including holiday parties, weddings, and corporate events in Rochester, the Twin Cities, and throughout south and central Minnesota. If you are looking for a harpist, please visit my website {Minnesota Harpist} to get in touch!
Providence Point held a lavish holiday party for their residents, filling many of the dining rooms and common areas with buffets, seating, and a variety of live music. Along with me as the harpist, there was a pianist and a jazz combo performing in different areas of the space.
Guests enjoyed the music while the dined on everything from shrimp cocktail to pastries. A sleigh-shaped ice sculpture was the focal point – other than the harp, of course!
I played traditional holiday favorites, from Christmas carols to more contemporary popular songs of the season. Harp music is beautiful any time of year, but I think it’s even more so when playing the music we look forward to hearing each December.
You can have a harpist provide music for any event, from corporate holiday parties to family gatherings to religious services. To find out more, visit my website: Pittsburgh Harpist. Contact me to check my availability and receive a quote!
Weddings around the December holidays are always a little extra magical! Everyone is in a festive mood, and venues are already decorated with Christmas trees, lights, and other special touches.
Ashley and Alec had both their ceremony and reception at the Hesed House in rural Heyworth, Illinois. They requested that everyone wear black, which contrasted beautifully with the venue’s white, modern style. Upon entering, guests could hear the harp music coming from behind the large black metal sign, carved with the couple’s names and wedding date.
Ceremony seating filled the hall, and I played contemporary love songs for the prelude as guests found their seats. For the entrance of the families, the couple chose “A Thousand Years” from Twilight: Breaking Dawn. The groom and groomsmen came down the aisle to “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica.
The music for the bridesmaids’ entrance was “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding, followed by another song from Twilight, “Turning Page” by Ryan O’Neil, for the bridal processional. As a unity ceremony, the couple planted an evergreen tree while I played Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect.”
As the newly-married couple came back down the aisle at the end of the ceremony, they chose “Marry You” by Bruno Mars for their recessional. If you are getting married in Central Illinois and would like a harpist for your wedding, please contact me! You can find more information and request a quote at my website: Central Illinois Wedding Music.
The Hotel Northland is an historic gem of a hotel in downtown Green Bay. I was invited by a local bank to play for their patrons at their holiday party.
Throughout the evening, guests were able to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and live harp music. The songs I played included traditional Christmas carols and more contemporary popular favorites of the season. There was music everyone would recognize – and a few inspired impromptu sing-alongs!
Harp music is an excellent way to elevate your event, no matter the time of year. But there is definitely something extra special about harp music by the lighted Christmas tree!
If you are planning a corporate or private party, for the holidays or any other time, visit my website to learn more: Green Bay Harpist. December dates book early, so get in touch soon!
An elegant holiday tea is a wonderful way to celebrate your engagement! This couple gathered with their friends at the bride’s family home in Lake Forest.
The harp was placed just inside the foyer, so it was the first thing guests saw as they entered the home, and the sound carried throughout the adjacent rooms where guests were seated. The music for the afternoon included classical selections and modern love songs. It was the perfect way to begin the wedding festivities, incorporating elegance and glamour!
Along with wedding ceremonies, the harp can provide the musical accompaniment to any of your pre-wedding functions. Get in touch at my website – Chicago Wedding Harpist – to discuss having a harpist for your engagement party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, or wedding day!
