Yolanda Kondonassis is nominated for a 2020 Grammy Award in the "Best Classical Instrumental Solo" category. Composed by Jennifer Higdon, the harp concerto was recorded with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) under conductor Ward Stare and released as part of...
Welcome to Harp Column Podcasts, where we go behind the stories in Harp Column with host Kristina Finch. In this episode, we're having a holiday listening party! Listen to Kristina play some of her favorite new holiday tunes available for instant download from Harp...
Following auditions that took place in October and November, Marguerite Lynn Williams has been named principal harpist with the Minnesota Orchestra. "I am extremely excited to be joining the Minnesota Orchestra and Music Director Osmo Vanska in September 2020,"...
Welcome to Harp Column Podcasts, where we go behind the stories in Harp Column with host Kristina Finch. In this episode, we talk with columnists Hope Cowan and Katy Wong, featured in our September-October 2019 issue. For more practical harp news and information visit...
Yolanda Kondonassis has released her fourth book, A Composer's Guide to Writing Well for the Modern Harp. Published by Carl Fisher Music, it is billed as "a comprehensive guide and conversational text on composing idiomatically for the harp." With 22 chapters, the...
Ruth Wickersham Papalia died peacefully on Oct. 8, at Aster Retirement Community Home in Cottage Grove, Wisc. She lived for six years with Parkinson’s disease without complaint. Whether we were playing trios together, working together in our administrative roles for...
Angelica Hairston was given a 2019 Governor's Award for the Arts and Humanities by Governor Brian Kemp in Georgia. Given to "honor outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Georgia’s civic and cultural vitality through...
“It has taken me a long time to realize that there comes a time when you quit playing notes and begin to play music.” Louise Lantz Trotter, 96, passed away on Oct. 17, 2019, with her family at her side. Born Sept. 4, 1923, in Port Arthur, Texas, Louise had classical...
On Oct. 13, Anneleen Lenaerts was awarded an Opus Klassik in the category of "Classics Without Borders," for her 2019 album, Nino Rota: Works for Harp. Out of 462 nominated works, a total of 45 awards were given by the jury. Formerly billed as the Echo Klassik Awards,...
Three distinct album releases have caught our eye this month. A harp and violin duo based in Texas, a Swiss mother–daughter team who have been working together for over 20 years, and a Grammy award–winning L.A. freelancer have all recently recorded harp music worth a...
Maria Krushevskaya has been named principal harpist with the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia following an audition that took place Oct. 11. "It is a great honor for me and a huge responsibility," shares Krushevskaya. The position was previously held by Natalia Shameeva, who...
Welcome to Harp Column Podcasts, where we go behind the stories in Harp Column with host Kristina Finch. In this episode, we talk with Grace Browning, author of our new column Lessons on the Job. For more practical harp news and information visit www.harpcolumn.com,...
Emmanuel Ceysson has been named principal harpist with the LA Philharmonic following auditions that took place Sept. 29–Oct. 2 at Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. He will succeed Lou Anne Neill, who has been with the orchestra since 1983. Ceysson has...
Welcome to Harp Column Podcasts, where we go behind the stories in Harp Column with host Kristina Finch. In this episode, we talk with Alison Reese, co-author of our 2019 harpmobile review. For more practical harp news and information visit www.harpcolumn.com, and...
Following an audition that took place Sept. 14–17, Julia Coronelli was named principal harpist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. She will begin her tenure with the orchestra at the start of the 2020–2021 season. "I'm absolutely thrilled to have won," Coronelli...
On Sept. 23, Salvi will open a new showroom in Berlin. The store is set to carry both Salvi and Lyon & Healy harps, in addition to strings, music, and accessories. “The opening of Salvi Music Berlin will allow us to better serve harpists in eastern Germany and...
Suoni d'Arpa announced the 2019 prize winners following its 9th competition in Saluzzo, Italy. Held Aug. 30–Sept. 9, no competitor was awarded first prize in the top division. Aleksandra Rzhavtseva (Russia) and Andela Stankovic (Serbia) tied for second, and Claire...
Calista McKasson Kovin passed away on August 2, 2019, in Tacoma, Wash. She was an exceptionally gifted harpist, teacher, orchestral musician, and pianist. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music in harp performance, finishing...
Helen Gerhold has been appointed executive director of the Lyra Society, succeeding Elizabeth Steiner in the role. A Philadelphia–based nonprofit founded by Elizabeth Hainen in 2004, the Lyra Society provides harps and harp lessons to 30 students in five schools...
Linda (née Iacobucci) Wellbaum, age 97, died peacefully on July 15, 2019, surrounded by her children. Linda was an accomplished pianist and harpist who performed extensively with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, and many other ensembles. A...
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