Miriam's Harp Blog

Welcome to my blog. I am happy to read your suggestions and comments. Please feel free to either send me an email, write on my Facebook page, or Tweet. I'll re-post helpful feedback and encouragement here.

02/22/12-Once again a very good turnout at the bridal show. Many thanks to all of you who attended tonight at the Holiday Inn. These bridal shows could not be a success without you.

02/18/12-I hope you all had a happy Valentine's Day. Not much going on here. Despite the mildness, it's still winter, and weddings are not plentiful such as in the summer. :-) . But, I have been spending a lot of time practicing my arrangement of "Peter and the Wolf," which my husband and I will be performing at the Cutchogue LIbrary right here in town on March 18th at 2:00 pm. Our friend, Martha, a flutist, will also be joining us. A lot of work, but it'll be enjoyable to put together and perform. Please do join us if you've the afternoon available. The concert is free to attend, although reservations are requested ('tho not required). For more information, feel free to call the library at (631) 734-6360. Hope to see you there!

01/27/12 - Bridal show went well tonight. There was a nice turnout. Thanks to all the brides and couples who showed up, despite the yucky weather. You're what makes these shows a success!

01/24/12 - I was going through some older computer files and came across these two hymns I'd played for my grandmother's funeral back in 2004. They're my own arrangements. The first is "His Eye Is On the Sparrow," a Gospel hymn originally written in 1905 by lyricist Civilla Martin and composer Charles Gabriel. The song is most associated with actress-singer Ethel Waters who used the title for her autobiography. The second hymn is "Face to Face," composed in 1898 by Grant Tuller, with words by Carrie Beck. I was thinking of this music today because a dear friend passed this morning, and I tend to turn towards my music when I want comfort. I think I am not alone in this sentiment. Many aritists, be they musicians, dancers, painters, potters, actors, etc. are probably the same way.

01/18/12 - The video journalist for Push Pause Long Island (Fios channel 1) just left. I've never minded playing harp in front of a camera, but do not like speaking while being filmed. I was very nervous, and hope it didn't show (but fear it did!). I will post when my segment airs. It should be online, as well.

01/02/12-I hope you all had a wonderful New Year. Well, I got some airtime on Bravo TV's "Chef Roble & Co.": The Crazy Hamptons Blowout episode. How exciting! I posted a video clip on my home page. During the actual episode, you could not only catch a few glimpses of me, but the harp music playing before the ceremony was really me. The music you heard during the ceremony, though, was piped in. It was so surreal seeing myself on television. But, frankly, fun, too. It's always enjoyable having new experiences. They keep life interesting!

12/30/11-The New Year is almost upon us. I wish for you all a 2012 filled with health, happiness, love, friendship, peace, and contentedness. I think being content is almost the most important thing. No matter what your life looks like to others, if YOU are content, then you're getting along fine.

The Thursday before Easter I played a service at the Riverhead Congregationalist Church. Last week I was given a CD of that piece we played. It was a beautiful little number entitled, "Shadows of Sacrifice" by John Purifoy. We were piano, my Lyon & Healy Prelude 40 lever harp, 'cello, and violin, accompanying choir along with narration.. I thought you'd like to hear a few clips. Enjoy.

12/03/11-Wow. December already. The time just flies by, doesn't it?
In this entry I want to include a few hints for those of you contacting me for rate information. These tips are to make life easier for both you (important, because you're stressed out enough planning your Big Day), and me.
Hint #1: In your initial email, please include the name of the venue where the event will be held, as well as the town and state. I cannot provide you my fee without this information.
Hint #2: Also, I'd love if you'd sign your name to the email. Not only does it make the exchange that much more pleasant, in this day of spam and scams, I justifiably could mistake a one-sentence email with no name as junk.
Hint #3: Most importantly, always include a subject. Emails with a blank subject line get filtered to my junk email box for instant deletion.
Thank you!! I look forward to hearing from you in regards to your wedding or event.

11/15/11-It certainly looks like autumn out there, with all the browns and yellows, plus the burst of red from our Japaneses Maple out front. But it just doesn't quite feel right. The nights are crisp, with the smell of woodsmoke in the air, but the days are warm. I'm not complaining, though. Winter will be here soon enough. I don't relish ice and snow and bitter nights and dressing in loads of layers to go out.
Anyway, last week I bought a new book of harp music and am happily learning some new music, including Van Morrison's "Moondance," which is certainly something you don't expect to hear played by a harp! It's been fun.
I've got a 90th birthday party coming up this weekend, so am working on my program for that. Parties like that are some of my favorite types of gigs. I sit and play music of my choosing for a few hours. Plus, I have worked for this family in the past. One of the granddaughters hired me to play for her wedding a few years ago. It was a very nice event.

10/01/11-Welcome to October . . . a time of crisp air, changing leaves, apples, pumpkins, and chilly nights tinged with the scent of wood smoke. I love autumn. I just wish it wasn't followed by winter. I'd definitely vote for a three-season year.
Yesterday on the East End was a rare gem after all this gloom (sorry, Yankee fans). I played for a wedding in Montauk. The ceremony at the Lighthouse was outside under a gloriously blue sky. The air was warm, the sun bright. Then onto Gurney's Inn for the cocktail hour out on their deck overlooking the ocean. Beautiful! Here are some photographs. Enjoy!

09/19/11-Back in New York after some weeks in northern New Mexico. What a lovely place to be. Now I'm in the midst of the busy fall wedding season. September always seems to get crazy. Of course, I am happy about that. Love to be working! For you last-minute planners, I'm still free 11/11/11. You'll never forget your anniversary, that's for sure! I hope you've all had a wonderful summer.

07/13/11-If you are still undecided about the ceremony or cocktail hour music for your 9/10/11 wedding (what a great date!), I still have availability for that day. Also, for those of you who were intending on heading over to Amarelle to hear me play, please note I am no longer working at the restaurant. I will post here again when (if?) I find a new gig. Until then, I am enjoying this beautiful weather . . . loving those outdoor weddings!

06/22/11-Happy Summer! Here are a few notes: please follow me on Twitter for periodic savings and giveaways. Also, I still have slots available for booking during the July Fourth weekend, and on that wonderful date, November 11th, 2011 (11/11/11!). As well as being easy to remember and holding all sorts of significance (depending, of course, on your beliefs . . . see "The Meaning of 11/11" http://www.timeanddate.com/date/11-11.html), it is also Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Canada.

06/10/11-I'll be back playing harp at Amarelle this weekend . . . Saturday night from 7 'til 10 pm. If I can manage enough sleep tonight, I'll be good to go for tomorrow. Last night's four hours is getting me to the laundromat . . . and that's about it! zzzzzzzz (Well, okay, maybe to Old Navy, too . . . they're having a sale on summer dresses. I'm not too tired to shop!)

06/06/11-Seen today while parked at the bank . . . bumper stickers which made me chuckle: "Can you help me fix my husband? He says he's broke." and "I child-proofed my home, but they're STILL getting in!"

06/05/11-Wow! May flew by, and here we are in June already. The Memorial Day holiday seemed to be THE weekend to get married. I played for two weddings on Friday and one on Sunday, and this was on top of being at Amarelle Saturday night. Busy, busy, busy! But, of course, what kind of musician would I be if I didn't enjoy this hectic schedule? Good days are still open in my schedule for last-minute bookings.

05/19/11-Here is Amarelle's super new Zagat rating, just out . . . http://www.zagat.com/r/amarelle-wading-river/menu?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4dd4bfa29da8c6fb%2C0 Their food is wonderful, service top-notch, and, hey, the harpist who's there on Saturday nights is always an added bonus (if I do say so myself!). :-) Hope to see you there sometime.

05/14/11-Great night at Amarelle. A good crowd, and I had fun playing all my Beatles music! Hope you'll be able to make it down there sometime. Please visit www.amarelle.net to see their new spring menu.

05/11/11-Been very busy gigging. But, had to share this article with you from Slate.com. I actually laughed out loud. Cats of War: The Pentagon's Top-Secret Feline Special-Operations Program . . . Revealed. http://www.slate.com/id/2293232?wpisrc=newsletter_tis

05/02/11-Happy May! Can you believe it? So . . . I woke up this morning to a broken string on my lever harp. Must change it quickly. I'm playing that harp on Sunday for a Mother's Day gig in Roslyn. Here's an interesting video from a Czech composer, featuring the sound of a broken string: http://vimeo.com/19553857. Enjoy!

04/28/11-Despite (or, perhaps, because of) the soggy weather, there was a nice turnout at tonight's bridal show at the Holiday Inn. As usual, the DJ got everyone on their feet, clapping and dancing, and lucky brides won gowns and cruises. Congratulations to all of you getting married!

04/24/11-Whew! Just got through a very busy week. Holy Week keeps me hopping, with church services all over the Island. Although I am always happy to be working, I enjoyed my short breather this afternoon after I returned home from playing the Easter service this morning in Sea Cliff. I took time to sit outside in the warm sunshine, catching up on my reading. Ahhh.

04/16/11-Busy day. Awoke at 5am so I could be at the Woodbury CC by 7:30 to play for Benincasa Family Services' annual breakfast. I have been playing for this event over ten years. Time flies sometimes. And now I've just returned home from playing at Amarelle. Good crowd. In this crummy weather, people opted to have dinner out with friends. Yay! The rain has since gotten heavier, though, and I hear thunder. I am quite happy to be home. I'm exhausted, so will leave you with this cute link (raccoon playing a water harp...sort of): http://youtu.be/sMiNGUTt0Ec

04/10/11-Yet another weekend down the tubes. Saturday morning my husband and I performed for the students and parents of the L.I. chapter of the American Harp Society at Karen Strauss' house in Roslyn. We did my arrangement of Copland's "A Lincoln Portrait." I also played several lively pieces on my lever harp. Always an adventure! Afterwards, I evaluated the students' playing. I tried to find positive things to say about each. I know the kids try hard, and I wanted them to feel good about performing. It was difficult enough having their parents and the other students watching them. I felt like this was a learning experience not only for the students, but for me, as well.

04/06/11-Let's see, there are Harp Seals (http://www.ehow.com/about_6524044_interesting-harp-seals.html) and Harp Lager (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harp_Lager). That's all I could come up with for today. I'll see if I cannot find more products and things tomorrow. If you've got any suggestions, send me an email. Please write "Harp Things" in the subject line. I'll post whatever I've room for. Real harps don't count!

04/04/11-That was a busy weekend! But, happy for it. Saturday afternoon I played for an engagement party at a private club before rushing out to Amarelle for my gig there in the evening. The restaurant was not as crowded as I would have liked, but I am hoping the warmer weather will soon begin bringing out more people.

03/27/11-Well, the run of Beauty and the Beast is over with. All four performances completely sold out. Great for the students and the school. I am happy to be home, though. My harp and I need to take a nap.

03/25/11-Beauty and the Beast has opened at Eastport-South Manor Jr.-Sr. High School in Manorville. The Preview was last night, and the house was full. I sit in the pit, underneath the stage, so I cannot see or hear much of anything going on above me, but audience reaction was enthusiastic. There are 48 musicians down with me . . . I think the most crowded pit I have sat in. Just take a look at these pictures!

03/18/11 (evening)-As tax season rolls around, here is an interesting link, especially for those of you who are self-employed: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/13-things-your-tax-accountant-wont-tell-you/

03/18/11-What a beautiful day. We had the windows open in the house all afternoon. It's nice to hear the birds singing, the leaves skittering past the back door, and the squirrel digging around in the garden. Wedding season is fast approaching. I wish all of you such wonderful weather on your Special Day.

03/12/11-It was a busy night at Amarelle, for which I am happy. I always enjoy playing there. Tonight was a bit tough, though. Stupid me knitted up a storm yesterday, and today my hands just felt weak. Not good. I must remember to limit the amount of time I have those needles in my hands. Anyway, now I must go around the house and put all the clocks forward an hour so we're not late for anything tomorrow. I'll gladly sacrifice the hour of sleep for more sunlight at the end of the day. Spring's just a week away!

03/06/11-This has nothing to do with the harp, unless the aliens are getting married and hiring harpists for their weddings; I just find it fascinating and wanted to share. A NASA scientist has found evidence of alien life. You can read the article at Yahoo! News: http://yhoo.it/ePclv6 This discovery feeds into my sense of imagination. I mean, if these fossils are so old, perhaps the planet from whence they came now has more evolved life forms. Think about it. I am curious to see if this discovery holds up under scrunity.

03/02/11-Happy March! It's even beginning to feel like spring. What a beautifully sunny day. Here is a terrific guide for those of you newly engaged: OneWed's Guide for the Savvy Bride. There's some silly stuff in there, but a lot of practical advice, too.

02/26/11-Had a good night at Amarelle. Business was a bit slow . . . I think it's because schools are closed and a lot of families have gone away for the week . . . but the people who were dining were pleasant and enjoying their meals. Now it's late, but I'm somewhat wired from playing (as usual); I am going to eat my dinner before heading off to bed. I hope some of you will be able to make it down to the restaurant one evening. If you do, please stop by and say hello.

02/25/11-All I can say is, I am happy I do not have to move my harp today. When the harp is covered, it's essentially a 6-foot by 4-foot weatherproof sail. With this wind . . . whew!! I remember a story my harp teacher told years ago. Back when her son was still living at home - he was perhaps in his early 20's - he was helping her move her harp to her car. A gust of wind came along, and he literally threw himself under the harp to keep it from hitting the ground! Now, is that a good son, or what?

02/24/11-I've just returned home from the bridal show at the Holiday Inn in Ronkonkoma. Fortunately, the weather held and there appeared to be a nice turnout. Lots of friendly faces; I love when people give a smile or come over to say hello. Hopefully I will get some weddings from this show. Always a good thing!

02/23/11 - As the snow melts off the roof (and startles the heck out of me as it drops onto the deck!), I am already thinking of spring. Yes, it's still only February, but something in the air makes me feel nicer days are not that far off. This is the season for engagements and wedding planning. I am learning music for events already booked, and am looking forward to speaking with more of you as your planning progresses.