Good Morning from chilly Toledo, Ohio!
I want to share news of some recently published music with you.

Louise Trotter has created a new collection called Puerto Rican Sketches.

Each selection is 2 pages long, so you do not have to worry about page turns! I think these compositions could be played by later beginners and above.

"Old San Juan" is in the key of D minor and you only need to set your B levers to flat and your C levers to sharp before you begin. No changes at all during the tune!  The style is a bit like a Tango in places, easy to read the notation (music notation was done by Sharon Thormahlen), and chord symbols are included. The tune includes crossing the left hand over the right...very fun... a rolled chord and even a gliss at the end!

"The Beach" opens with glisses and big rolled chords.  Louise says to play the glisses while "visualizing a gentle surf". This selection is in the key of C and requires no lever changes at all. A few helpful fingerings are included, but no chord symbols.

"The Rainforest" features some harmonics and some descending glisses which use the back of the nails...sounds like 'soft rain'! AT the end, Louise includes some pairs of strings played, followed by a muffle, which creates the sound of the Coqui frog! Fun! There are a few fingerings, but no chord symbols marked in this one.

"Fiesta!" is in a medium 6/8 time. This one will make you want to dance! Louise mentions that you will want to play this with a 'strict rhythm'.  She even suggests a clapping rhythm which can compliment the tune. A few helpful fingerings and also chord symbols are included.

Bonus! Louise has included an audio CD with this collection!  You can listen to her play each of the compositions, giving you an idea of how the composer plays them herself!

The book and CD sell for only $ 15.00.  For more information, go to www.louisetrotter.com.

..and tell her I sent you!

Happy Harping!

Denise

A Bird Came Flying

A Bird Came Flying, by Ann Vanschothorst. Published by Frimout Music, Nuenen, Netherlands. 2011. 23 pages. Available from http://www.frimout.com/.

This original collection of five tunes came in a package from the Netherlands!  Each of these contemporary tunes has a descriptive title. A Bird Came Flying, for example, has a section with a subtitle ‘In the beauty of its flight’. 

This collection would be good for program or recital pieces, each can stand on its own.  Technically, they are challenging, including some two against three, 16^th note triplets, a section in 5/4 time and one piece has a combination of 4/4, 6/8, 5/4, 5/8 and 4/8! 

Keys range from 2 flats to 1 sharp and there are no lever changes and no suggested fingerings. This collection is a welcome addition to the “more challenging” music, which can be played on the lever harp. Enjoy!

You may like to explore the A Bird Came Flying contest.  What a unique idea! Just follow this link: http://www.abirdcameflying.com/contest.htm

(I'm waiting on information regarding ordering from a US distributor)

Fun Facts

Ok, so you know that Lyon-Healy has made harps since 1889, right?  Well, Lyon-Healy actually existed beginning about 25 years before that.
But, did you know that they made field drums for the Union Army?
...and did you know there is an "EL" station in Chicago called "Healy Station"?  Yep, named after Mr. Healy!
How about that!

I found this 'trade card' quite by accident in a box of greeting cards. On the back, it says a "Handsome Picture Card, of which this is a fair sample.."  is inside every package of LION COFFEE.  The coffee was manufactured by the Woolson Spice Co., Toledo, O.

Apparently, the company began making coffee in 1864.
Isn't that fun!

The Red Leaf ~ CD

TAPESTRY is about to release our third CD, "The Red Leaf". We are so excited. The music features myself on folk harp and Michael on acoustic guitar, mandolin and even some percussion! It was recorded and produced in Nashville!!! There are several original tunes, some traditional Celtic music, as well as my own composition, The Red Leaf. Stay tuned, and join us at The Harp Gathering for our opening concert on May 13, 2011 at 7 pm. The new CD will be available for purchase that evening! More info: http://www.harpgathering.com/.

The Read Leaf -- Now Published!

I am very excited to tell you that my new composition, The Red Leaf is now available for sale!  The cost will be $ 5.00 plus shipping.

The piece is 4 pages long, for intermediate players. 
It's a peaceful sounding tune and you will be able to imagine the leaf travelling along as it floats through the air and swirls in the water of a small stream.

I hope everyone will want a copy!

:-)

Tunes to Go

Tunes to Go, 400 tunes in lead sheet format for the harp, by Cynthia Shelhart. Published by HarperCraft Productions, 2003. 290 pages, $39.95. Available from: http://www.cynthiashelhart.com/.

Are you looking for Celtic/Folk, Children’s, Christmas, Early/Classical, Other Holiday/Patriotic and/or Religious selections?
I will tell you, this book is one of my MOST favorite! 
This extraordinary collection has it all!  With the exception of a few original tunes by Cynthia herself, all the tunes in this book are in the public domain. It is spiral bound and lays flat nicely. 
The melodies and chord symbols are easy to read. You will find familiar tunes as well as new ones.  It's a great resource and also an opportunity to learn reading from a lead sheet!
Ideal for ANY musician who plays melody instruments: keyboards, harps, guitars, etc. Order it today! Tell Cynthia I sent you! :-)