MARCH from The Nutcracker

Are you starting to think about music for Christmas/Holiday time? Patricia Jaeger has published an arrangement of March from The Nutcracker Suite.
This two page arrangement is in the key of G and has just a couple of easy lever changes. Jaeger even includes several fun grace notes, which makes it sound even more like the orchestral version! Some helpful fingerings and placings are included as well as suggested dynamics.  It is perfect for early intermediate players and would be great fun for a program, recital or as background music at one (or more!) of those holiday gigs!
The music sells for $ 4.00, plus postage, and you can order your own copy and get more information about Patricia's other publications by sending her an e mail at: pjaeger99@hotmail.com.

Green Pastures by Susie Kunkle

Let me tell you a little about
Green Pastures
original music for the harp by Susie Kunkle

Susie Kunkle is a fine musician and has created a delightful, first time publication of 10, descriptive, original compositions.

You will find them to be of late beginner to early intermediate difficulty. They fun to play, easy to read, and chord symbols are included. You will find some rolled chords and also some very creative, syncopated rhythms as well.

The tunes are 1 - 3 pages with well planned page turns when needed.

Perfect for background music, therapy or even a program!
She has named some of them after her grandchildren!

To order your copy (only $ 12.00 plus shipping), send an e mail to Susie at: susiekunkle@gmail.com

Here are the titles:

Adeline Norah
Eden's Dance
Lament
Contemplation
Far Away
Evensong
Micah's Ride
Evangeline
Declan's Prayer
Wisdom's Call

Windshadows II, by Kim Robertson



In 1987, Hal Leonard published a wonderful book of 16 Celtic tunes and 2 original tunes, arranged and composed by Kim Robertson, called Windshadows II.

Apparently, at some point, they decided to discontinue publishing the collection.  :-(

Well, welcome to 2012!  Kim, along with the help of Verlene Schermer of Karmalu Productions, has re-printed the collection.
Hooray!

The arrangements have been edited and re-notated, minimizing the page turns from the original edition. Helpful chord symbols are provided, and it has a nice spiral binding.

You can find the book at the usual harp music retailers, for only $ 20.00!
Well worth it.  The level is mostly appropriate for mid to later intermediate players and beyond.

You really cannot go wrong with a book of music from Kim Robertson!

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!