Q: What sort of music can be played on the Harp?

A: At earlier times harp music was really quite limited to traditional classical pieces. These days quite the opposite is true – classical, popular, folk, jazz, rock, Jewish, Celtic & Chinese melodies, show & Disney tunes for example are all available. It is important to appreciate though, that although any style of music can be played on the harp, not every piece is suitable for the harp for technical reasons. Also, music available for the lever harp will differ to the pedal harp – again for technical reasons. Your harpist should be able to help you choose the right kind of music for your special event.

 

Q: Does a harp require amplification?
A: The short answer is no, the harp does not need amplification. The concert harp is intended to produce a large sound capable of being heard with an orchestra in a concert hall. The sound of the harp carries well even from one room into the next, and it is often commented to me that it's nice to have an instrument, which can be heard, carries well throughout the space, but is not overpoweringly loud.

Some events, however, may be held in spaces and in circumstances, which are not friendly to the harp. For example, very large rooms with heavy carpets and/or drapes or events with a guest list of 400 people all conversing (or often a combination of both). Or perhaps simply an outdoor wedding in which the wind is carrying the sound away from the guests.

For this reason I take with me to every gig--just in case--a small battery-powered amp which does not need to be plugged into either electricity or a sound system. It adds that extra volume to carry above the room noise.

If you're looking into hiring a harpist but worrying about whether the sound of the harp by itself will be enough, ask the harpist if they have their own amplification system and whether or not they need to be situated near an outlet to plug it in. And/or ask your venue if they have a house system that can be used to amplify a harp.

out of direct sunlight.

Under no circumstances can a harpist be expected to play outdoors if it's raining or continue playing if it starts raining. If water starts falling on the harp, you can quite reasonably expect the harpist to start covering up his/her expensive instrument and taking it to shelter no matter what else is going on. Most outdoor events will have an alternate rain location or other provisions for rain, make sure your harpist knows what those provisions are. A tent may or may not be enough, wind might drive the rain through the sides of the tent. I remember at least one occasion in which I moved my harp through the guests to the center of the tent where it wouldn't get splattered with water in order to continue playing.

Is it difficult to play the Celtic harp?
The Celtic harp is a very forgiving instrument in that it sounds beautiful even when you are just learning. It takes time, patience and lots of repetition to learn a comfortable, effective hand position as well as playing techniques that get the best sound from your instrument.

 

Q: Can I hear you play before I decide to use harp at my wedding or special event?

A: Yes. There are samples of wedding music on my website, but I can send you links to my videos online too.

 

Q: Can you play my favorite song or theme from my favorite movie?

A: In most cases, yes. If the music can be found for piano or other instrument, then I usually can transcribe it for the harp With the extensive collection of printed music available, it is very rare that a certain song can not be found.

 

Q: If we decide to book you for our event, would you be able to provide us help in choosing the music? 

A: Absolutely! I would be most delighted to help you in choosing the right music for your special event!   There is no extra fee for doing so.  I provide free consultation as my service to you. 

 

Q: Can the harp be used for all of the music at my wedding ceremony, including the bridal march?

A: Yes. Harps are an eloquent and beautiful part of a wedding ceremony and can be used for all the different events and moods during a ceremony. They can be soft and serene for the seating of the parents and entrance of the bridal party, or louder and more upbeat for the entrance of the bride or the recessional.

 

Q: What is the general order of a wedding ceremony?

The general order of a wedding ceremony typically is as follows:
 

PRELUDE MUSIC 

Includes 10 to 20 minutes of prelude music consisting of some classical music or love songs or hymns. Special selection also is played for the seating of the honored Guests (Grandparents, and Mothers)

PROCESSIONAL MUSIC OR BRIDAL ENTRANCE

CEREMONY MUSIC (optional)

Music for communion, or lighting of the unity candle, signing of the registry, photo-shooting

RECESSIONAL MUSIC

Lively music performed for the Bride and Groom’s exit

POSTLUDE MUSIC

Continued upbeat music for the guests’ exit

Q:How much does it cost to have you come play for our wedding?

 

A:  My fee depends on several factors, such as the length of the event and the type of the harp.  Either harp is used, I charge a flat rate for a wedding ceremony, which consists of a cartage fee along with the performance fee of that ceremony hour. The cartage fee of £30 is a one time fee for your event  which includes moving the lever harp to and from the location with all accessories. (The pedal harp is only used for cases of a long ceremony because of the high transportation fees – it would cost more to transport than my hourly rate…) The cost of the first hour is £170, and each additional hour is £120, however specially designed packages are available, where you don’t need to pay the additional hour, but only up to the time you need me. For package prices please refer to the Wedding page of the website

If the harp must be moved again for the same event, there may be an additional fee assessed. Some harpists may charge extra for amplification and outside events, but I include those as a service for you at no extra charge!

 

The cost will include:

A consultation - up to an hour to discuss requirements and select music

Travel to and from the event.

Playing at the event for the period agreed

A non-refundable deposit (as to when and how to pay deposits please refer to Q: How does a client secure your services and reserve the wedding date?)

 

The cost will not include:

Attending rehearsals – I am happy to attend by arrangement

Costume hire – for themed events like masked ball, renaissance or other period dress for example

Special arrangements (in case your package does not include it)

Sheet music purchase for additional songs

Q: Does the client need to provide anything such as a chair or stand?

A: I bring my harp, harp bench, music stand, and music to every solo event. Other equipment (such as a stand light for dim lighting situations or amplification) needs to be discussed in advance as I do not always bring that equipment to every event.

 

Q: What will the harpist need to know from me?

·      Event location – are there stairs to ascend, have you checked that a harpist is permitted, is there parking available nearby, is there somewhere to store the harp covers whilst performing

·      Is the event indoor or outdoors – adequate shelter will need to be provided

·      How large is this event?

·      How long do you want the harpist to play for? What kind of music?

·      Will the harp need amplification – will this be provided?

 

Q: What does it cost for a wedding ceremony or an event?

A: My price for wedding ceremonies and events varies due to factors such as the length of the ceremony or event and type of the harp. Please contact me with information about your event (including the date, location, etc.) and I'll be happy to discuss my availability and give you a specific price quote. For a general idea about cost, please see my rates page (wedding info) for ceremony and hourly rates.

 

As an idea please read just some of the reasons why the cost of hiring a solo harpist may be more than hiring a solo flautist or cellist for example:

The first and most obvious reason is the sheer size of the instrument. Whilst most other musicians can easily transport their instrument by bus, train or tube in its case, arrive at the event and within a few minutes begin performing, a pedal harpist cannot. A harpist has to invest in a special travel covers, a specifically designed trolley, a vehicle large enough to transport the instrument and specialist insurance. A harpist will need to allow about 30 minutes from start to finish to get the harp ready and loaded (along with a stool and music stand) into the vehicle ready to head off to the event. The same is needed at the end of an event.

 

The harpist will normally need to arrive at least 30 - 45 minutes before the event is due to start. On arrival, the harpist will have to unload the harp, stool and music stand and make sure it is left somewhere safe whilst going to park the vehicle. The harp will then need to be moved to its location, unpacked and the covers placed somewhere safe and out of sight. Each string will then need to be individually tuned. Temperature changes can affect the harp’s pitch and it is best to allow the harp time to adjust to the new atmosphere and temperature for at least 20 -30 minutes – before tuning each string individually again. Constant moving and temperature changes all put a strain on the instrument and ultimately can reduce its life span.

 

So a booking to play for 2 – 3 hours is actually a full days work! It often works out more cost effective to hire the harpist for several hours, as the travel and setting up and packing away time is the same regardless. When put into perspective against the cost of the event and the years of training needed to become proficient – the cost of hiring a harpist is really not that much.

 

Q: Will you attend the wedding rehearsal?

A: I usually do not attend the wedding rehearsal, since the rehearsal is usually on a different day than the ceremony. However, for an additional fee and if schedules allow, I can make arrangements to attend the rehearsal if the client desires my presence - especially in the case of elaborate weddings with lots of music and musicians where rehearsal is necessary.

Q: Will you play for my wedding or event if it is outdoors?

A: Playing the harp outdoors rapidly adds to the wear and tear on the instrument. Extreme temperatures and humidity levels are not great conditions for stringed instruments, and in some cases the weather can adversely affect the quality of the performance. Some harpists will not perform outdoors under any circumstances, and I do not usually perform outdoors in the winter months (November through February). I have a few special provisions for outdoor events including a large level surface to position the harp on, out of direct sunlight, and preferably under some type of shelter. Under no circumstances will I perform outdoors in inclement weather. For example, if it starts to rain you will see me immediately cover up my harp and move my instrument into the nearest shelter, no matter what else is going on at the time. I require all of my outdoor events to provide an alternate inclement weather site prior to my accepting the event.

 

Q: How does a client secure your services and reserve the wedding date?

A: Serious inquiries are handled on a first come, first serve basis. The date is reserved in my calendar only once I receive payment of the deposit. The deposit is due 60 days prior to commencement the latest. I do not require payment of the deposit before a wedding consultation, though in some cases it is good idea to pay the deposit earlier. Should a second inquiry for the same date occur prior to me receiving a deposit from the first client, the second client may choose to be put on a waiting list pending the outcome of the first client's decision about my services. All parties involved will be notified of the situation.

 

Q: Will my harpist play al fresco?

A: This is very much a personal choice for the harpist. The harp is an incredibly expensive and sensitive instrument and exposure to the elements, particularly sunlight or rain, can ruin the instrument. I will play outdoors on condition that:

1.   The path to where the harp is to be sited is level and clean – moving the harp on its trolley over cobbles, gravel or mud for example would not be possible

2.   I am provided with a level surface (podium) or a rubber backed mat for grass or concrete

3.   I am out of direct sunlight – a naturally shaded area or a small free standing gazebo are often sufficient

4.   I am not placed under a tree or similar, where the harp can be damaged by sap or worse!

5.   I am completely sheltered in the event of rain

Please also bear in mind that bright sunlight, heat, wind etc can also create difficulties for the harpist and add to the physical and mental stress of playing.