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 SOUTHWESTERN REGION NEWSLETTER |
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A Note from Your Regional Director
Greetings to all the AHS members in the Southwestern Region! I hope your fall season is off to a wonderful start. Thank you to those who submitted news from your local area - it is impressive to see the variety of programs and activities from harpists and chapters all over Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. I'd like to wish each chapter great success in your upcoming annual events. I would also like to extend the invitation to join me in Atlanta next summer for what promises to be an exciting national conference, full of informative workshops and inspiring performances. Be sure to keep us all informed of any additional concerts, workshops, chapter meetings, and the like by joining and participating in our Facebook group: American Harp Society - Southwest Region. In the meantime, read on to find out what is planned for this year! Happy Fall, ya'll!
~ Laura L. Brandenburg
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National News
42nd National Conference in Atlanta  The Georgia Chapter is proud to host the 42nd National Conference in Atlanta, next June 30 - July 3, 2016 at the Emory Conference Center Hotel. The AHS National Conference is dedicated to bringing world class presenters and performers to Atlanta to captivate the next generation of harpists and to develop the talents and careers of our current members. Please join us for dynamic concerts and workshops, and to enjoy true southern hospitality with friends old and new. Please check www.harpsociety.org/ConferenceInstitute/2016Conference
often for updates on the program, schedule, housing and registration.
AHS Concert Artist
Congratulations to the 2015-2017 AHS Concert Artist, Katherine Siochi! Local chapters have a wonderful opportunity to invite Katherine to give a recital and masterclass in their region. Consider a chapter event that would support this talented harpist and enrich your local community! For more information about the program and Katherine please visit: www.harpsociety.org/About/Programs/ConcertArtist.
Membership
Have you renewed your membership for 2016-2017? The new membership year began September 1st. Don't miss the wonderful upcoming winter issue of The American Harp Journal, or miss out on grant opportunities, insurance discounts, national e-newsletters and much more by letting your membership lapse. It's easy to renew online today at www.harpsociety.org/Membership/JoinRenew.
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Austin Chapter
Texas
Linda Godsey, President
The Austin Harp Chapter has had its first chapter meeting for the 2015 -2016 season. The new board, which is comprised of Linda Godsey, President, Linnae Kraemer, Vice President and Lynn Turner, Secretary/Treasurer, presented plans for the year. Two workshops will be offered this year, one in the fall with Jaymee Haefner and the other in the spring with Delaine Fedson Leonard. We are looking forward to the wealth of knowledge these two harpists will bring. Our Auditions and Evaluations will be held in the spring with Laura Logan Brandenburg acting as our advisor. Several services projects are being planned with the Austin Folk Harp Society and we are looking forward to the preparation and participation in these events. Several of our members have already been involved in some activities this fall. Elaine Barber and friends played a concert with the St. Cecila Music Series on Friday, September 25 at the First Presbyterian Church. It was a Harp Consort by William Lawes with Elaine playing a triple harp. Elaine spent some time this summer in Italy working towards this concert. Also our chapter is privileged to have as members the Girl Scout Harp Ensemble (troop 525) who hosted a free Harp Petting Zoo on Saturday, September 26th from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m. They provided information about the harp, provided beautiful ensemble music and are looking forward to welcoming new members into their ensemble. The studio of Linnae Kremer also presented a concert on Sunday, September 13 with several of her students from their summer lessons. We are looking forward to having Katherine Siochi, winner of the Young Professional Division of the AHS and the new AHS Concert Artist here in Austin this year.
Many of our area teachers have started their fall semester studio lessons and are excited about what this next year brings with their old and new students. We are looking forward to wonderful "Harpy" year.
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Dallas Chapter
Texas
Yumiko Endo Schlaffer, President
WELCOME to another exciting year with the American Harp Society in Dallas 2015-16 from the Executive Board! As we start our new season, we look forward to another year of inspiring programs, events and gatherings.
Our season opens October 18 with world-renowned harpist and instructor Jacquelyn Bartlett, who will present a short recital with internationally acclaimed violist, Sheila Browne, followed by a masterclass for students at levels intermediate and above. Observers are welcome during the masterclass.
It was decided last spring to use funds from the Gary Barnes Memorial Fund to commission Rhett Barnwell to compose an original composition for two harps in Garry Barnes' memory. The world premiere of The Peaceable Garden will be on November 15, featuring harpists Carla Siegesmund and Mary Radspinner. Many of you know Mary as the owner of Melody's Traditional Music & Harp Shoppe. Following the performance we are in for a real treat, as Mary will offer a special musical tasting program of new and interesting harp music, much of which will be available for purchase that afternoon.
On January 31, Kate Gabriele will present a power point presentation about copyright laws for music recording and publishing. Local harpists/composers/arrangers/recording artists Cindy Horstman and Merry Miller will share their experiences and answer our questions about the business.
We are thrilled to present our second American Harp Society in Dallas Composer Competition Recital on February 28. The winning composition, Sketches for Harp by Israeli composer, Na'ama Tamir, will be performed by Laura Logan Brandenburg and the honorable mention composition Carillon Wave will be performed by the composer, Cindy Horstman.
AHS in Dallas is bringing back our old tradition of participating in the Mu Phi Epsilon Recital Series at J. Erik Jonsson Library. Don't miss the exhilarating Logan/Walters Harp Duo on April 17, featuring harpists Laura Logan Brandenburg and Jeff Walter performing original transcriptions and arrangements of music for two harps ranging from classical to jazz to bluegrass.
Student Auditions & Evaluations will be held in two phases, on February 6 and March 5, with Grace Browning, Principal Harpist of The Dallas Opera, serving as evaluator. The Annual Student Recital will wrap up the year on Sunday, May 1.
For the latest information about what our chapter and local harpists are doing, visit our website at www.dallasharpsociety.org or like us on Facebook.
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Greater Houston Chapter
Texas
Terese Weber, President The Greater Houston Chapter, in collaboration with Gulf Coast Harpers, welcomed the dynamic Frank Voltz on March 14 and 15, 2015. On Saturday, he taught a workshop on jazz harp techniques that was well-attended. The next day he gave a varied program of gospel songs, original and standard pop songs in his own rich, individualistic arrangements, performing on harp and piano. The concert opened with two of his ensemble arrangements played by the workshop participants. Mr. Voltz paid homage to the "legendary" Louise Trotter, playing the Steel Guitar Rag in the style of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. The Greater Houston Chapter announces the Mildred Milligan Scholarship Audition, which will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016. For up to date information on chapter meetings and activities, please visit our website at www.HoustonHarp.org.
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Phoenix Chapter
ArizonaAdrienne Bridgewater, President Dr. Harold White, husband of long time Chapter member Lucile White, has generously donated her collection of harp music to our Chapter. Lucile passed away in 2012. She was a loving and gracious woman and she is missed by those of us who knew her. The Board would like to make this music available to our members. We ask for a modest donation to our Chapter Treasury so that we can continue to sponsor workshops and concerts. The music will be available at the September Meeting. Please come and browse!
Join us at Linnea Weicht's central Phoenix home for a Harp Show and Tell on September 27. What's your favorite harp piece? Come play it for us on Linnea's gorgeous Camac harp! Do you have harp jewelry, harp arts and crafts creations, harp knickknacks, harp needlework, harp wall hanging, harp books or CD's? We'd love to see it. Bring it to show and tell!
Russian Conservatory trained harpist, Alla Yashneva will present a series of 3 master classes entitled The Science and Art of Teaching Harp. The class dates are September 12, 19 and 26 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Each class will focus on how to teach a particular level of harp student: beginning, intermediate and advanced and will include materials and a snack. Alla will review repertoire. Cost is $20 per class. There will be a limit of 10 participants. For info and to register, please contact Alla, alla@russianharp.com YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED To a fun-filled freestyle evening of mellow music! Harpist David Ice and Pianist Nicole Pesce will be in concert on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2015 from 4PM to 8PM.
This is a "freelance" sort of concert-come and go as you please. Think of it as a "concert in the park" - but inside and with air conditioning! Bring your own snacks, beverages (including beer and wine) and your own cooler if you want. This will be cabaret-style seating with tables, so it's not a "formal" sit-down type of concert like you'd attend at Symphony Hall.
Nicole Pesce is one of the most phenomenal pianists you will ever here. She has played many seasons at My Florist Caf� and also at the Ritz Carlton. Arizona Foothills Magazine honored Nicole with the "Best of 2014 Award" for Best Local Band/Musician. With a repertoire consisting of over 12,000 memorized songs; Nicole is often dubbed "the human iPod" and is recognized as one of the "top ten musicians to hear in Phoenix" by the Arizona Republic.
David Ice is, to the best of anyone's knowledge, the only harpist in history who has been both a professional Hollywood film editor and a professional harpist. He has countless hours of television shows and feature films to his credit, as well as the last 5 years of the television series M*A*S*H. David has been a winner of the MPSE "Golden Reel" award in addition to an Emmy and Oscar nomination. In addition to his solo playing, David has played with orchestras all over the western United States, and recently played a solo recital on Harpo Marx's gold harp! He has also been a guest lecturer all over the world, including the Royal College of Music in London, England. He has a unique take on popular music, especially film music since his cutting room was literally next door to the scoring stage at 20th Century-Fox. He has over 15 published arrangements with many more on the way.
October: Internationally renowned harpist Sunita Stanislow presents two workshops and a concert. Sunita is the featured harpist on the cover of the July/August issue of The Harp Column. We are honored to host Sunita on Saturday, October 24 for the two workshops: The Art of the Arpeggio and Christmas in July. Attend one or both plus the concert! Your families are invited to attend her concert too!
Also in October, our annual Spooktactular Halloween Harp Recital on Saturday October 31 at 1 pm. Wear your costume or come as you are - play a spooky tune or whatever you like! Come be startled and amazed to hear spectacular special effects on the harp. Creaking Doors, clattering bones and running footsteps are fun and easy sound effects to achieve on the harp. Thanks to Katie Mesa and family for again hosting this Graveyard Smash.
Save the date - November 15th at 3 pm: Dr. Shelley and Paul Wiest of Harps Arizona, a sponsor of our Chapter, will host an afternoon presentation of JAZZ HARP featuring Jacqi Musselman in Awatukee. Jacqi will be joined by ICEMAN GROUP HARP QUARTET. This afternoon of Jazz promises to inform, dazzle and delight!
Harp for sale: Rees 27-string Morgan Meagan (they only made them for a couple of years, they now only make a 23-string and a 30-string) paid $2600 for her new 4 � years ago. Cherry with a custom burned wood thistle/celtic knot design on the sound board and has a full set of Truitt levers. Comes with a stand, an extra set of strings, a tuning wrench and is in perfect condition. Weighs about 10.5 pounds and is 30" tall. $1650, price includes a custom made fully padded Cronkite case ($175 value) Contact Theresa via email at: tha48@live.com or call 623-444-6182.
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San Antonio Chapter
TexasNelda Etheredge, President From the Harp Studio of Alice Spero Keene: The annual spring studio harp recital was held at Rolling Hills Catholic School on May 28, 2015. Eleven of Mrs. Keene's students presented solos and harp ensemble works. The 5th Annual "SUMMER PRACTICE HOURS COMPETITION" kicked off on the last day of school. All students take part in this competition and the idea grew out of the desire to encourage more practice time once school is out! A cash award is given to each winner of the senior and junior division. Isabella Lorente, (junior division) won with 35 hours and Madeline Davis (senior division) won with 104 hours. Students that attended the UT (Austin) "Longhorn" Summer Harp Camp were Heather Chambers and Marisa Pena Alfaro. Jordan Bell and Isabella Lorente went to the Houston Baptist University Harp Camp. Harp students unable to go to "away camps" attended Harp DAY Camp at the home of Alice Keene in late July.
The 2015/16 harp school year began with a September studio class at the home of Ms. Keene. A second studio class will take place in late January to prepare for Solo and Ensemble. Regional orchestra tryouts will take place in early November followed by a concert in December. Alice Keene arranged the 2015 Regional orchestra harp parts for the middle school orchestras. She began writing arrangements when middle school programs had instruments but no parts for the young students.
A longtime member of the American Harp Society, Inc., a former Regional Director of the AHS, founding AHS chapter of the Roslyn Rensch chapter in Champaign, Illinois, and AHS Foundation Board member since 2012, Alice Keene was elected President of the American Harp Society Foundation this past May of 2015. Currently Alice has a private harp studio of 15 students. Students Kathryn Horton and Isabella Lorente, as well as Reagan High School Assistant Orchestra Director Nathan Sharplin, joined Ms. Keene in performing at Ronald Reagan High School Children's Concerts. Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Orchestra will also present Children's Concerts. At that concert, students Marisa Pena Alfaro, Sarah Baron and Athena Laurendeau will join Ms. Keene in performance. Harp student Madeline Davis will join the San Antonio Harp Ensemble for their annual Christmas concerts on December 6 and 11. The SAHE is under the direction of Laurie Buchanan.
U pcoming concerts for Alice include performances with the Valley Symphony Orchestra, Grand Valley, TX, the Heart of Texas Band of San Antonio, TX, and Coppell M S North Band at TMEA in February, as well as the usual background gigs and weddings. Alice has been invited to perform at the Royal Dornoch Golf Club of Dornoch, Scotland for their celebration of 400 years of golf in Dornoch. The invitation is for May 28, 2016. In early May of 2016, Ms Keene will again host her annual spring studio harp recital. The second half of the 2016 spring program will feature her three graduating seniors; Heather Chambers, Madeline Davis and Marisa Pena Alfaro.
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Sophia (Tucson) Chapter
ArizonaVanessa Moxness, President Thursday, September 24th at 7:00 p.m. - SOPHIA "field trip" to hear Rachel Knight in recital at Holsclaw Hall on the U of A Campus. Rachel is a very talented doctoral candidate of Dr. Carrol McLaughlin's. She will be presenting a recital of virtuosic solo harp pieces from composers Renie, Loeillet, Malats, Gliere, and Poenitz. SOPHIA members will meet in the lobby of Holsclaw Hall to coordinate seating. The recital is free!
Friday, September 25th at 2:30 p.m. - Claire Thai in recital at Holsclaw Hall on the U of A Campus. Claire, age 15, is a member of SOPHIA and is a wonderfully-talented harpist who has been playing the harp since the age of 5. She will be performing a program of advanced works by Grandjany, Pescetti and Godefroid. This recital is also free!
Sunday, October 4th from 2-4 p.m.- Lorna Govier will be hosting a harp circle at her home on the southeast side of Tucson. Bring a well-loved piece to play, your Tunes to Go book so that we can play together as an informal ensemble, and a snack/dessert to share.
Sunday, November 1 from 2:30-4:30 - Three members of SOPHIA will provide harp music during a champagne reception and afternoon tea for the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures' TeaGrandis Fundraiser. February - SOPHIA will hold a harp gathering where members will wear red or pink and play love songs on their harps. Day/Time/Place TBD. March - SOPHIA will host a workshop and house concert for Masters of the Celtic Harp Grainne Hambly and Billy Jackson. Details TBD. March - The SOPHIA chapter in conjunction with the American Harp Society, Inc. will be holding Music Education Auditions for all interested beginning and intermediate harpists. This two-part program provides an opportunity for students to perform and listen to one another in a non-competitive setting and to receive an evaluation with advice and encouragement.
The first session will be held in March. Participants will play two contrasting selections of their own choosing. They must provide the advisor with copies of music to be performed. At the second session (approximately four weeks later), participants perform their selections again, incorporating ideas and advice received from the advisor. April - SOPHIA's spring recital at Udall Park/final recital for our Music Education Auditions Program. Members will play harp pieces/tunes before an appreciative audience, and participants in the Music Education Auditions Program will give a final performance of the pieces that they presented in March. This is the first year that we will be combining our yearly recital with the Music Education Auditions final performance. More details will be forthcoming. In other news - SOPHIA now has a formal harp ensemble group! Elizabeth Webb has graciously offered to start a satellite group in her home studio. Participants are assigned individual parts and meet several times per month to practice as an ensemble. They eventually hope to perform in a public setting such as in church or at a nursing home.
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