Is a Daphne 47 SE loud enough for community orchestra?

[Isabel Hardy]

Hi! I’m thinking about joining a community orchestra for fun and was wondering about harp projection. I play a Daphne 47 SE and can’t invest in a full professional harp right now.
Is this harp generally loud enough to be heard in an orchestra, especially in a community ensemble setting? I’d love to hear from anyone with experience playing this model or similar harps. Thanks!

[balfour-knight]

Hi, Isabel,

I used to play a Lyon & Healy 85 semi-grand in our local community orchestra, without any additional amplification. It projected very well, and I think your Daphne 47 SE would, too. Once when I was visiting the Atlanta Harp Center, I played a harp just like yours that sounded even better than a brand new L & H 23 that was standing right beside it. We were amazed that the smaller Daphne projected so well compared to the 23. Obviously, the 23 had not come into its full tone yet, which sometimes takes two years! Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Balfour

[Morgan Williams]

I spent two years playing my Daphne 46S in community orchestras and it was certainly able to be heard, although a bit easier now I have a CG harp.
I often ignored the dynamics (playing pp was pointless!!) but it worked fine. It might have struggled in a full orchestra, but community orchestras are usually a bit smaller. Your SE should be even stronger than the S, so go for it!

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