harpcolumn

Remembering Gerald Goodman

Remembering Gerald Goodman

Gerald Goodman passed away on June 26, 2019. Originally from Ohio, Goodman attended Cleveland Institute of Music and Oberlin College where he studied with Alice Chalifoux. After graduating in 1957, he moved to New York to study with Carlos Salzedo and begin his...

University of Nebraska creates new harp program led by Mary Bircher

University of Nebraska creates new harp program led by Mary Bircher

Following the hire of Sergio Ruiz as director of the Glenn Korff School of Music, University of Nebraska–Lincoln has established a new harp program with Mary Bircher as harp faculty. “I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to build a harp department at the...

Rachel Brandwein appointed to harp faculty at St. Olaf

Rachel Brandwein appointed to harp faculty at St. Olaf

Following the retirement of Elinor Niemisto, Rachel Brandwein was appointed harp professor at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. “The talent of St. Olaf’s students is well–known locally as well as nationally, and it will be a delight to work with serious students...

Remembering Basel Sara (1975–2019)

Remembering Basel Sara (1975–2019)

Syrian harpist Basel William Sara died in Orbero, Sweden on June 13, 2019. Basel Sara began his musical studies in childhood as a piano student. While studying law at the University of Damascus, his love of music was so great that he left his law program to focus on...

Somerset festival honors Kim Robertson with lifetime achievement award

Somerset festival honors Kim Robertson with lifetime achievement award

Kim Robertson has been selected as the recipient of the 2019 Somerset Folk Harp Festival Lifetime Achievement Award. Celebrated for forging her own path as a folk harpist, Robertson is a diverse performer, arranger, and recording artist. "It’s an honor to receive an...

Heaven Fan named harp professor at Notre Dame

Heaven Fan named harp professor at Notre Dame

Heaven Fan has been selected to join the faculty at University of Notre Dame beginning this fall. "I am thrilled to be part of this world–renowned institution," says Fan. "The music department at University of Notre Dame not only offers students extensive training by...

11th USA International Harp Competition results

11th USA International Harp Competition results

The 11th USA International Harp Competition took place July 3–13, 2019. Look for our interview with the Gold Medal winner in an upcoming issue of Harp Column. July 13, 2019 Following the final stage, which took place July 13, the 11th USA International Harp...

Alis Huws selected as harpist for HRH The Prince of Wales

Alis Huws selected as harpist for HRH The Prince of Wales

Alis Huws has been named the official harpist to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The sixth harpist to hold the title since Prince Charles reinstated the position in 2000, Huws succeeds Anne Denholm, who was appointed in 2015. Previous harpists occupying the...

Laura Sherman appointed harp professor at University of Miami

Laura Sherman appointed harp professor at University of Miami

Laura Sherman has been appointed to the faculty of Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. As a full–time lecturer in harp and music theory beginning this fall, Sherman will also teach a class on Bach for graduate students. "I am excited to teach at the...

Kathy Kienzle announces retirement from Minnesota Orchestra

Kathy Kienzle announces retirement from Minnesota Orchestra

Following 27 years with Minnesota Orchestra, Kathy Kienzle will retire from her role as principal harpist in August 2020. "It has been a huge privilege for me to perform with the Minnesota Orchestra as their principal harpist since 1993. There have been many, many...