{"id":140362,"date":"2022-07-20T07:29:08","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T11:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/?p=140362"},"modified":"2026-08-07T13:25:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T17:25:17","slug":"music-for-a-school-presentation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/music-for-a-school-presentation\/","title":{"rendered":"Music for a School Presentation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Download our curated set of music for a School Presentation. Choose what you want, or buy the entire set with a 10% discount. (Scroll down<\/a> to buy the set!)<\/h3>\n

Have you been invited to give a concert or demonstration at a local school, but aren’t sure what to play? Here are some recommendations that we think students of all ages will enjoy. From an upbeat rag and viral TikTok classical piece, to a chart-topping pop song and nursery rhymes everyone knows, there’s something for everyone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Titles marked with an * are playable on lever harp.<\/p>\n

<\/b>Fun for the Students<\/span><\/b><\/h3><\/div>\n\t\n \n
\n\n \n\t
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Fairy\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tPatricia Terry-Ross\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Fairy Tale for Harp<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Surf\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tLouise Trotter\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Surf Breakers<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>6.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\n<\/div>\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Dentist\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tAmanda Whiting\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Dentist Blues<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\n<\/div>\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Dragonflies\"\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tCindy Horstman\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Dragonflies<\/a><\/p>

Rated 5.00<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tTamsin Dearnley\t\t<\/p>\n\t

The Moving House Rag (solo)<\/a><\/p>

Rated 5.00<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\n\t$<\/span>4.45<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\n<\/div>\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Stella's\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tShoshanna Godber\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Stella’s Trip to Kamloops<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>6.25<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tAilie Robertson\t\t<\/p>\n\t

The Exploding Bow<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

Fairy Tale for Harp<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Patricia Terry-Ross<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This work by Patricia Terry-Ross is seriously cool. It is such a unique way to demonstrate all the special effects the harp is capable of. The harpist gets to act as the narrator telling this grand fairy tale while also weaving in harp effects conceived by Carlos Salzedo used to demonstrate thunder from a storm, crying, and more.<\/p>\n

*Surf Breakers<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Louise Trotter<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

No student concert would be complete without an opportunity to showcase harp glissandi! This original piece by Louise Trotter does just that by taking a new spin on the glissando waltz. It’s also a good refresher on two-note, right hand glissandi.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dentist Blues<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Amanda Whiting \/ Tony Robinson<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This piece by Amanda Whiting\/Tony Robinson would be a fun way to introduce students to the blues in a concert. You can talk about the history of the blues and why people sing the blues. I think kids could certainly relate to how a trip to the dentist could warrant the blues!<\/p>\n

*Stella’s Trip to Kamloops<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Shoshanna Godber<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In my experience, students respond positively to upbeat, dance-like music. That’s why I chose this peppy Nova Scotian march by Pat Chafe for this list. You can’t help but feel cheerful when listening to it.<\/p>\n

Dragonflies<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Cindy Horstman<\/i><\/p>\n

Pieces that evoke imagery are particularly a good fit for a student concert because they provide something to think about while you play. This original work by Cindy Horstman evokes the flight of dragonflies. In her repeated arpeggio sections, you can imagine the dragonflies’ wings fluttering quickly.<\/p>\n

*The Moving House Rag<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Tamsin Dearnley<\/em><\/p>\n

Here’s another fun, upbeat piece that is perfect for a student concert! Dearnley’s original rag is lively and sounds really impressive without being too difficult.<\/p>\n

*The Exploding Bow<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Ailie Robertson<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What’s not to love about a good jig? Ailie Robertson weaves together an Irish jig, a Scottish jig, and an original jig to create this really unique, exciting piece that I think students will love.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/b>Familiar Tunes<\/span><\/b><\/h3><\/div>\n\t\n \n
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Hello\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\tThis product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tJanne-Minke Nijp\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Hello (solo version)<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>4.99<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\n<\/div>\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"The\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tMeinir Heulyn\t\t<\/p>\n\t

The Blue Danube Waltz<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\n<\/div>\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Twelve\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tMeinir Heulyn\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Twelve Easy Nursery Tunes<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>21.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\n<\/div>\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Allegro\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\tThis product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tTamsin Dearnley\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Allegro from ‘Spring’<\/a><\/p>

Rated 4.00<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\n\t$<\/span>6.45<\/bdi><\/span> –<\/span> $<\/span>8.45<\/bdi><\/span>Price range: $6.45 through $8.45<\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Popular\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tAlison Martin\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Popular Folk Songs for the Harp<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>19.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Suo\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tClaire Swanson\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Suo Gan<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

*Hello<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Janne-Minke Nijp<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

It’s always a good idea to bring in some melodies that students will know. Adele is one of the top streamed female artists in the world. This song has won dozens of awards, including three GRAMMY awards. Nijp’s arrangement brings the pop hit to life!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Blue Danube Waltz<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Meinir Heulyn<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Something about this Strauss waltz is a hit with pretty much all audiences. For extra fun, students can be given kazoos to play on beats three and one of the famous melody.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*Twelve Easy Nursery Tunes<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Meinir Heulyn<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

If you’re playing for elementary school students, this collection by Meinir Heulyn could be used for a fun sing-a-ling portion during your concert. Surely all the kids will know “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” “Baa Baa Black Sheep, ” “This Old Man,” and dozens more of these popular nursery tunes. Each tune also comes with an optional second part, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*Allegro from ‘Spring’<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Tamsin Dearnley<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

We can thank TikTok for spreading love for standard classical repertoire to the next generation. This is one of those pieces that you’ll hear occasionally while scrolling through the app. Vivaldi’s peppy melody is ultimately timeless and you can use this arrangement by Dearnley in all areas of your gig repertoire.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*Popular Folk Songs for Harp\u00a0<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Alison Martin<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This collection feels so nostalgic for me because it contains many folks songs that I played on the harp growing up such as “Oh Dear, What Can The Matter Be,” “The Ash Grove,” and “Scarborough Fair.” Another fun one in the collection is “What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor?”<\/span><\/p>\n

*Suo Gan<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Claire Swanson<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Claire Swanson’s arrangement of this Welsh lullaby is stunning with its use of open space. I think it works well as a demonstration piece, as it feels “harp-esque” and also uses harmonics and arpeggios. It will also create a nice quiet moment on your concert.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div>\n<\/a><\/span>\n

Purchase this entire set and get 10% off the total!<\/h3>\n

Choose all the products listed here and add them to your cart. (Be sure to choose a version where indicated.) Discount will be reflected in your cart.<\/p>\n

<\/div>
Image<\/th>Name<\/th>Price<\/th>Buy<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
\"Allegro<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Allegro from 'Spring'<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>6.45<\/bdi><\/span> –<\/span> $<\/span>8.45<\/bdi><\/span>Price range: $6.45 through $8.45<\/span><\/td>
<\/div> <\/td>
\"Dentist<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Dentist Blues<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Dragonflies\"<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Dragonflies<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Fairy<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Fairy Tale for Harp<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Hello<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Hello (solo version)<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>4.99<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
<\/div> <\/td>
\"Popular<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Popular Folk Songs for the Harp<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>19.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Stella's<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Stella's Trip to Kamloops<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>6.25<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Suo<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Suo Gan<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Surf<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Surf Breakers<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>6.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"The<\/a><\/div><\/td>
The Blue Danube<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>12.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"The<\/a><\/div><\/td>
The Exploding Bow<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"The<\/a><\/div><\/td>
The Moving House Rag (solo)<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>4.45<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>
\"Twelve<\/a><\/div><\/td>
Twelve Easy Nursery Tunes<\/a><\/td>$<\/span>21.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/td>