From Your Regional Director . . .
Laura Logan Brandenburg

Greetings to each and every member of the American Harp Society Southwestern Region!  As your Regional Director, it is my privilege to share news and events from harpists across the great states of Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. Fall 2017 has already ushered in some inspirational and invigorating harp events, concerts, and workshops. Read on to discover what is going on in your area and beyond. Remember to stay in touch via social media through the AHS Southwestern Region Facebook page. Post news, pictures, concert announcements, and anything harp related! It's a great way to keep in touch and stay informed.
 
Be sure to visit the brand new member portal for the American Harp Society, Inc. website, https://harpsociety.member365.com. You can access anytime to renew your national membership (now a rolling membership from the date you join!), update your member profile and contact information, and receive the latest news just for AHS members. Regular e-newsletter updates are sent out via email with tons of information and announcements of upcoming events.
 
As always, I am available to assist all of our chapters and members of the Southwestern Region in your endeavors. Here's to a great season, ya'll!
  
All the very best,
Laura L Brandenburg
southwesternrd@harpsociety.org


National News
43rd AHS, Inc. National Conference in Redlands, CA
 
The 2018 National Conference will be held this June 27-30 at the University of the Redlands in Southern California. Hosted by the Inland Valley Chapter, this promises to be an exciting event!  Highlights include an opening night concert by Metropolitan Opera principal harpist Emmanuel Ceysson, along with workshops on Latin music and jazz, Hollywood harpists, Youth and Adult ensemble opportunities and more. Visit www.AHSConference.org for updates and registration. 
 
Regional Changes 
A multi-year regional reorganization is underway, with an overall goal of creating a more even distribution of chapters within regions.  The current regions and chapters can be found at www.HarpSociety.org/Chapters.  
 
New AHS Member Portal 
Please take a moment if you haven't already, to check out our new online member portal on our website, and update your directory listing. This is different from your account profile, and is important to update, as this information will be used for the printed directory!
 
Keep an eye out for the monthly e-news from AHS, which provides timely information on programs available to chapters and news of national events!
 
AHS Grants Program  
The AHS, Inc. Grant Program has funded over 100 grant projects since the fall of 2010 and continues this year. Application deadline for the next cycle is March 15, 2018.  Individuals and chapters can apply! Check the website for details! www.harpsociety.org/About/Programs/GrantsProgram . 

Austin Chapter
Texas
 
Natalie Teodori, President
http://austinharpsociety.com/about/ 
 
The Austin Harp Chapter had a busy summer with several members traveling to events such as the Midwest Harp Festival and Harp Journeys. We were also delighted to able to award a scholarship to Johanna Hein for summer harp study at Interlochen. This fall, our members have already enjoyed attending and participating in the Harptacular event in Dallas. Members Sarah Ladd and Carly Nelson, harp instructors for the Round Rock School District, gave a benefit concert for the RRISD scholarship fund on October 7th. 
 
From Delaine Leonard:
Delaine Leonard receives Suzuki Chair Award at  
University of Wisconsin 
Stevens Point July 2017
Delaine Leonard premiered a work by Charles Young (commissioned for harp and mezzo soprano) at the June 2017 American Harp Society meeting at St. Olaf College, MN. She also performed her transcriptions of opera arias and a second concert of organ and harp music at the AHS meeting. In July, she co-presented "Teaching the Young Harpist-Why  Suzuki Works" at the World Harp Congress at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Delaine taught Suzuki Teacher Development Workshops at the Butler School of Music, the American Suzuki Institute at UW Stevens Point and Virginia Suzuki Institute at Henry and Emory College, VA.
 
The Butler Harp Studio hosted the American Harp Center's Winter Conference for competition and Audition Preparation with international teaching artist Sivan Magen in January 2017. UT Harp Ensemble's March 2017 concert raised over $1500.00 for Whole Planet Foundation. This amount will provide one microcredit loan per ensemble member to women-based businesses in 16 countries. Butler School graduate Haley Hodson Packman (MM 2017) was a finalist in the Young Texas Artists music competition and performed Gabriel Pierné's Concertstucke with the University Orchestra in March 2017.
Dallas Chapter
Texas

Yumiko Endo Schlaffer, President
www.dallasharpsociety.org
 
Teachers Forum moderated by
Kimberly DeRosa
We are opening our season on October 8th with a Harp Teachers' Forum moderated by Kimberly DeRosa. It has been awhile since the last time we held an event for our local harp educators and we would like to invite all of our area harpists to participate this forum to discuss various topics that we encounter as harp instructors.
 
In collaboration with Mu Phi Epsilon, we are presenting two wonderful performances this season. We are thrilled to present Better Than One, duo harpists Jaymee Haefner and Emily Mitchell (see photo below), on November 19th.  The second performance will be on April 8th, presented by Dallas Jazz Harp Ensemble, a harp ensemble with Cindy Horstman, Laura Brandenburg and Kimberly DeRosa along with guest Michael Medina on bass and percussion.
 
Through January 19th to 21st, 2018, the highly acclaimed Russian harpist, Sasha Boldachev, will be visiting DFW and presenting two masterclasses for the local universities, as well as presenting a recital on January 21st in collaboration with AHS in Dallas and Texas Christian University. You may remember his interview featured on Harp Column Magazine on March/April 2017 issue. He started his international career at the age of eight, and he is such an unique and fascinating harpist who performs with so much passion and vibrant expression on the harp. He is also an official harpist for Salvi Harps and performs on their new electric Delta Harp. This is a performance you will not want to miss!
 
We have another world famous harpist coming to DFW from February 2nd to 4th, 2018. Alfredo Rolando Ortiz is presenting a lecture and a concert at University of NorthTexas, and AHS in Dallas is hosting his workshop on February 3rd with two sessions, 3:00pm to 5:00pm and 5:30pm to 7:30pm.  This two-part workshop is open to lever and pedal harpists, all levels. He will focus on his specialty, Latin and South American harp music, and share his knowledge with us. Please bring your own harp and bench to take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity to work with this experienced harpist/composer!
For our student events, Auditions & Evaluations will be held on February 3rd and March 3rd at TCU School of music. This year, we have Rosalie Gilbert as the advisor. Participants will receive certificates for completion of Auditions & Evaluations at our Annual Student Recital on May 6th. Please check back with our website for more detailed information. 
From Luzviminda Malibiran:
MindaMusic is hosting a quarterly Sensory Friendly Concert for Families and/or Children with Special Needs. This is to facilitate a performance, which include those with disabilities who may not be able to sit still in a traditional concert venue, such as a recital hall.  These events are an opportunity to celebrate Neurodiversity. The motto of Sensory Friendly Concerts is, "hand-flapping allowed!" While open to the public, special focus is given to performers and audience members on the autism spectrum, who may be more sensitive to their environments. These public events provide live performances of the fine arts, while also celebrating the progress and achievements of music therapy clients by giving opportunity for performance. You do not have to "shushhh" your child or make them sit still. Movement and sound is welcomed!!
 
ALL MUSICIANS WELCOME! We are seeking performers and audience members on the autism spectrum as well! Come be a part of this wonderful community event celebrating Neurodiversity. Registration is one week prior to event date. Spaces are limited!! Just email us at Lessons@MindaMusicStore.com to save your spot or add you to the program!
 
FREE EVENT : Monica Park Christian Church, 2600 Broadway Blvd., Garland, TX 75043 , Saturday, Nov. 18 , 2:30pm.
 
From David Hines:
On Mondays I do volunteer work in the largest hospital in Irving - part of a chain.  I usually have a three week cycle.  On weeks 1 and 2, I take the resident robot to most areas of the hospital and demonstrate it in halls, patient rooms, and sitting areas - wherever there is interest.  On week three I take the Lyon and Healy  Troubadour harp through most areas of the hospital including Emergency, Intensive Care, and Critical Care. My concert grand harp is too big, heavy and bulky to move around in the hospital. I usually have a set of six or seven selections that I repeat about ten or eleven times in the various areas.  Because of my age 78 (and bias) I concentrate on happy, peaceful music - the best of Broadway and Movie musicals.  Because I have the Madison Avenue songbook, I occasionally include a commercial, for example, the Colgate Toothpaste Song.  I maintain a log to avoid frequent repetition. Every selection is played improvisationally. I also carry a special three ring binder that is reserved for people who are dying.  This includes my compositions and other material approved by the chaplains.
 
From Cindy Horstman:
Cindy Horstman's original composition, "Life Aquatic" for flute and harp, won second place in the composition contest sponsored by the American Harp Society - Los Angeles chapter. Cindy and flutist Mark Hollingsworth premiered the work in January at a concert hosted by the AHS Los Angeles chapter. Life Aquatic and all of Cindy's original pieces and jazz based arrangements are available on Harp Column Music, Melody's Traditional Music, and cindyhorstman.com.

In January, Cindy was invited by Yumiko Schlaffer, director, to be guest conductor and clinician for the Frisco ISD harp program's concert celebrating their 10th anniversary. The Frisco Harp Ensembles performed Cindy's arrangement of Wade in the Water and her original piece, Green and Blue.
 
The group, 2tone, headed by Cindy and bassist, Michael Medina, performed for the Denton Jazz Festival this Spring and won first place in the Collin College's faculty competition. They have been in the recording studio working on their 11th CD project.

Cindy's professional harp ensemble, the Dallas Jazz Harp Ensemble, performed at a recital series at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano, TX and at Eastfield College in Dallas, TX. They will be performing at the Harp Journeys festival October 27th in Irving, TX along with bassist, Michael Medina. Cindy is the featured guest artist at Harp Journeys and will be conducting a harp ensemble and giving clinics on arranging and improvisation.

Cindy is the conductor and creator of the Collin College Harp Ensemble and Brookhaven College Harp Ensemble. The Collin College harp ensemble performed for the Alice Givens Jones fundraiser as well as several Collin College events and the Brookhaven College Harp Ensemble has been invited to perform at the Jazz Education Network's 2018 Conference in the JENerations festival portion of the festival.
 
From Kimberly DeRosa:
The 18th annual Houston Summer Harp Festival celebrated another successful year with 30 middle school and high school lever and pedal harp students in attendance. The theme for the required music was "It's Showtime!" and 3 ensembles performed music from Broadway and movies on July 15th after a week of classes and rehearsals at the Houston Baptist University campus. Kimberly Snaufer DeRosa, founding director; Therese Honey, assistant director; Susanna Campbell and Hope Cowan, instructors. The 19th annual Houston Summer Harp Festival sponsored by the Houston Baptist University School of Music is scheduled for JULY 9 - 14, 2018. www.HoustonSummerHarpFestival.com
 
Evelyn Busby was presented with the Cynthia Cooper Memorial Scholarship sponsored by the Gulf Coast Harpers. This scholarship went towards her attendance at the Houston Summer Harp Festival 2017. Evelyn is also performing her second season (2017-2018) with the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra. Alexandra Blake attended the Houston Summer Harp Festival. Sunnie Jones is practicing on her new Lyon and Healy Chicago. 
Harp Journeys for Adults (October 27th and 28th) presents jazz harpist Cindy Horstman, Laura Logan Brandenburg and founding director Kimberly Snaufer DeRosa in Irving, Texas at Hackberry Creek Church. There are workshops both days for adults playing the lever and pedal harps. A Friday evening concert at 7:30 features this year's presenters. www.HarpJourneys.com
 
From Jaymee Haefner:
The UNT harp studio and Jaymee Haefner have several events to share from the past year.  In the 2016, Jaymee Haefner was appointed to the American Harp Society Foundation board of directors and also joined the American Harp Journal editorial board.  She was appointed as the Prix Renié chair for the AHS, Inc. competitions.  In January 2016, she released a CD recording with Crimson Duo (with Matt Milewski, violin) and will be presented in concerts in Virginia this coming spring.  This tour will also feature her recently released book, One Stone to the Building: Henriette Renié's Life Through Her Works for Harp (details at www.HenrietteRenie.com and also available at harp.com and on amazon.com ).  Excerpts of this book have been printed in The American Harp Journal Summer 2017 and upcoming Winter 2018 issues.  Additionally, Jaymee has a contracted article for the New Grove about Henriette Renié.  In July 2017, Crimson Duo presented works by Renie and three newly-written compositions written for the duo (Flutter by Broberg, Still/Nervous by Schocker and Music for Violin and Harp by da Silva), as part of the World Harp Congress in Hong Kong, followed by a full concert in Louisiana featuring these works.  Jaymee looks forward to presenting concerts with Emily Mitchell for the American Harp Society in Dallas and Mu Phi Epsilon in November.  In June, she presented the findings of her research study "Cross Training for Harpists" with the Dallas harp community and the American Harp Society during the 2017 Summer Institute in Northfield, Minnesota.  Before the institute, she enjoyed serving as a judge for the Lyon & Healy Awards at Carlton College in Minnesota.  In the spring, Jaymee also presented her lecture "Maximize Your Investment in Practice Time" for the Texas Music Educators Association conference in San Antonio and at Northwestern State University in Louisiana.  Upcoming projects include a presentation in Wales (summer 2018) and a second CD recording which will include a piece written by Paul Patterson for Crimson Duo.
 
The UNT Harp studio had its largest graduating class in 2017, with 3 students graduating in spring 2017 and an additional 3 who will graduate in December 2017.  In July 2017, the HarpBeats performed at the World Harp Congress in Hong Kong and raised all of the money for this trip through performances and generous donations.  In October 2017, the HarpBeats performed as part of Lyon & Healy Harptacular in Dallas.  In 2017, the UNT students won several awards, including 3rd prize in the Lewisville Lake Symphony International Competition and the UNT Concerto Competition (Ruth Mertens, sophomore).  One of our incoming students was a finalist in the American Harp Society National Competition, Intermediate 2 division (Kaitlin Miller).  Annie Lehman (senior) provided a presentation for the Texas Orchestra Directors Association conference in San Antonio and Marisa Spengeman (senior) gave presentations for UNT Honors Day upon receiving funding for her research into the Naderman single action harp.  Anna Jalkeus's innovative compositions (GAC graduate) was presented as part of the JEN conference in New Orleans, and Monika Ruusma (GAC graduate student) was presented in concerts in Vietnam.  Our harp students are now teaching throughout the world, with Rebecca Arden (MM) teaching in Vietnam and Marisa Spengeman (BM) teaching in Austria.  Recent graduates Annie Lehman (BM) and Danielle Cordray-Kuntz are teaching and performing in Washington DC and Salt Lake City respectively.  Jennifer Betzer (DMA) continues to teach full-time in Frisco ISD.  Please check our website ( www.harp.music.unt.edu ) for current news and upcoming events.  Many thanks to the local harp community for the continued support of these students!
 
From Laura Brandenburg:
Laura Brandenburg enjoyed a harp-filled summer, beginning with the TCU Summer Harp Workshop in June, where she hosted outstanding harp students from across Texas for three days of harp ensemble, technique tune-up, and yoga for musicians. Also in June, she traveled to St. Olaf College in Minnesota to represent the Southwestern Region in board meetings at the AHS 12th Summer Institute. In July, she was privileged to appear as a Special Guest at the Harp in Worship Conference in Denver, where she presented workshops and directed and participated in three harp ensembles. Several new harp ensemble arrangements by Cindy Horstman, Elizabeth Hames, and Frank Voltz were commissioned for the conference and received enthusiastic premieres. In between traveling, Laura was featured three times on the Summer Music Series of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Dallas, performing solos and chamber music with flutist Don Bailey and guitarist Michael Tillman. This Fall, Laura is pleased to be part of Harp Journeys in Dallas, directed by Kimberly DeRosa. In November, she will present a Faculty Recital at TCU, performing chamber music by Hovhaness and Debussy. Dates for the next TCU Summer Harp Workshop are set for June 6 -8, 2018.

Greater Houston Chapter
Texas

Mary Jane Sinclair, President
www.houstonharp.org
 
Our thoughts and prayers are with our harpist friends in Houston and surrounding areas as they continue to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey. Please keep in touch and let us know about Houston harp events as they unfold!
 
New Houston Harp Ensemble: Emily Mitchell, Kimberly DeRosa, Danielle Harmon, Susanna Campbell
The New Houston Harp Ensemble: Susanna Campbell, Danielle Harmon, Kimberly DeRosa, and Emily Mitchell will perform Christmas programs for several concert series this holiday season. Their program will include selections from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker arr. for four harps by Kajetan Attl (edited by NHHE), Cindy Horstman's ensemble arrangements, Gary Schocker's Silent Night and the J.S. Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, final mov't: Fri, Dec 1, 2017, St John's Lutheran Church, San Antonio, First Friday Concert Series, 12:00 pm, Sat, Dec 2, 2017, Rural Arts for Texas, Fayetteville, time and location TBA, Tues, Dec 12, 2017, Cypress Creek FACE (Foundation for the Arts and Community Enrichment) Promenade Series, Cypress, John Wesley United Methodist Church (moved from The Centrum due to flooding from hurricane Harvey), 3:00 pm, and Fri, Dec 15, 2017,  Astraios Music 10 th Anniversary Gala, Expedition Frisco, Frisco, 7:30 pm.
 
The 18th annual Houston Summer Harp Festival celebrated another successful year with 30 middle school and high school lever and pedal harp students in attendance. The theme for the required music was "It's Showtime!" and 3 ensembles performed music from Broadway and movies on July 15th after a week of classes and rehearsals at the Houston Baptist University campus. Kimberly Snaufer DeRosa, founding director; Therese Honey, assistant director; Susanna Campbell and Hope Cowan, instructors. The 19th annual Houston Summer Harp Festival sponsored by the Houston Baptist University School of Music is scheduled for JULY 9 - 14, 2018. www.HoustonSummerHarpFestival.com .

Phoenix Chapter
Arizona

Jocelyn Obermeyer, President
 
BIG NEWS! CONGRATULATIONS to Member Sophia Chan for winning 1 st place at the Young Artists Competition in Los Angeles last Saturday! She is now on to the 5 th Annual Mexico International Competition in November! Sophia is 16 years old and has been studying with Alla Yashneva since she was 10 years old. Prior to Alla, Sophia studied with Dan Yu in Hong Kong.
 
Our kick-off meeting to celebrate the new year was September 30, 2017. The meeting was held at the beautiful University Club in downtown Phoenix and sponsored by the new PHOENIX HARP CENTER. The awesome owners are Stephen Hartman, Phoenix Symphony Harpist and Willard White, Consultant for Not for Profit Organizations. Ernie Ferrera, Mariachi Harpist (and Chapter Member) entertained us for 30 minutes while we waited for all to arrive! Ernie was sure loved! We had a very productive business meeting and adapted the new by-laws written by Jocelyn and Community Liaison for the Chapter, Adrienne Knauer. Stephen presented a workshop of "Strings and Things" for the group. Therapeutic Harp Foundation Executive Director and Admin Asst. joined us and handled the task of membership registration. Cindy Steen, Music Therapist, greeted everyone when they arrived! We were treated Glinka Variations on the theme of Mozart Sophia Chan. We ended our day with drinks, fancy Hors d'oeuvres and fun Fellowship!  
 
This summer the Board conducted a fee survey of harpists in Phoenix. Jocelyn did this on Monkey survey. IF you are interested in the results, we are happy to share. Please text Jocelyn at 602.565.0522 and she will send you the link.  
 
Students at chapter Halloween recital:  
(L-R) Abby DiSalvo, Julie Nuara, Chaley Andrews, Avery Smith, Siloe Raimond-Feybesse, Rashmi Iyengar, Mila Pollock 
October we will have our annual Halloween Recital! The folks are busy practicing up their scary and spooky tunes!   
 
In November, the Phoenix Harp Center is sponsoring Kim Robertson to Phoenix! Kim will present a workshop "Inspired Arranging" and give a free concert featuring songs of America, Scotland and Ireland! (of course!)
 
Also in November, VP Alla Yashneva will host the ABRSM Music Exams. This is an exciting time for the students! They work hard and it is so great to hear their accomplishments.  Thank you to Alla for organizing this every year. This year the adjudicator will be Jocelyn Obermeyer. We thank past adjudicators Julie Smith, Jacqi Musselman, Lynne Aspnes, and Stephen Hartman.  
 
December will be our annual Christmas Recital at an assisted living community. They are very generous in donating the venue and refreshments! The best part is that their residents are welcome to the recital and they pack the house! This is great community service and collaboration! All members, students and adults are invited to participate. December 16 and 17, the Chapter members will be performing at the prestigious Musical Instrument Museum in (MIM) Scottsdale, Arizona! The event is "Tis the Season-Holidays at the MIM". Our harpists will be presenting holiday music, winter festival music, and music from around the world. Stephen and Jocelyn will educate the audience on harp facts and music origins during the recital. The MIM is graciously donating $300 to the Chapter and free admission to the Museum for each member that is performing! The gift shop has offered to sell members' CD for that weekend as well. We appreciate the MIM and their support of the Chapter.         
 
Now that we are exhausted, we will have our annual "White Elephant Exchange" at Treasurer Adrienne Bridgewater's home in January! This is always a much anticipated event! Adrienne bakes all her homemade Christmas cookies and desserts!  
 
In February we are hoping to bring Sasha Boldachev. We are working on those details.
March we will resurrect the Young Artists Competition! Phoenix Harp Center will sponsor and VP Alla Yashneva has already organized. The competition starts with the harpists sending in an audition tape. They are chosen to participate and give a wonderful recital where they are competing for cash prizes. Local judges and a representative from Lyon & Healy Chicago rate and rank all the fabulous harpists. It is a tough job! The harpists work so hard and are coached on all that is proper for this level of competition. They are all winners!  
 
April is our annual Spring Tea at recording Secretary Linda Petersen's House. It is a delightful afternoon of harps, tea, and scones! Linda bakes everything and hosts us in her backyard that is transformed into a lovely tea room. Thanks Linda for doing this for the past 20 years at least!  
 
In May we will have the Spring Recital at the Assisted Living Community once again.
In October Chapter member Stephen Hartman performed at the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audobon Center with violinist Nokuthula Ngwenyama playing bird-inspired classics by Vivaldi, Mozart, Vaughan Williams, Salzedo, and Young. Hannah Guan, 16 years old, organized a hurricane relief concert and she raised $1000! Chapter Member Shannon Schumann performed at The Prescott Folk Festival in October and will be performing at the Glendale Folk Festival in February.  
 
In November "Celtic Christian Spiritualty" workshop will be given by Stefan Waligur who was brought to Phoenix by Chapter Member Nancy Johnson. Jocelyn and Nancy will be assisting Stefan in the service and workshop.  
 
In December, Chapter Corresponding Secretary David Ice will be performing with the Carolyn Enyon Singers in Concert! David Ice has several new harp arrangements available at Vanderbilt Music. David's arrangements are always a favorite!  
         
Mesa School District in Arizona has 170 Harp Students this year under the Direction of Chapter Member Charles Lynch. Charles is very active and supportive in the Chapter. We are so pleased of this program and support Charles and the students however we can!

San Antonio Chapter
Texas

Nelda Etheredge, President
 
From Laurie Buchanan:
The San Antonio Harp Ensemble, Director Laurie Buchanan will be performing this year. Performance dates are: Friday, December 15th at 7pm at Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Saturday, December 16th at 6pm at Concordia Lutheran Church, Sunday, and December 17th at 3pm at Zion Lutheran Church. Note times may change slightly - Call location to confirm time.
 
From John Strand:
John continues to be employed by University Health Systems in San Antonio as their resident harpist performing at all their hospital locations in San Antonio, Texas.
 
From Nathan Sharplin:
Mr. Sharplin is a harpist in San Antonio. Currently he is the assistant orchestra director at Ronald Reagan High School where he leads several ensembles and teaches AP music theory.
 
From Nelda Etheredge:
Trinity Student, Natalie Rochen is now a graduating Senior at Trinity University. She won the Trinity University Concerto Competition in April of 2017 and will now be performing October 31, 2017 at 7pm in Ruth Taylor with the Trinity Orchestra the Debussy Dances. The Program also consists of the Debussy Nocturnes (Fetes) and the Stravinsky Firebird Suite.
 
Trinity Student Savannah Lohec is now a graduating Senior at Trinity University. She recently performed a Celtic concert with the Trinity Chamber Singers. She will again be performing in November in New Orleans the same concert with the Chamber Singers.
Student Rhiannon Villarreal graduated from St. Anthony High School. Performed her Senior Recital in May 2017 at UIW. She auditioned for Regent University in Denver and received a harp performance scholarship.
 
Student Rebecca Muller: Graduated from Antonian High School. She is attending St. Mary's University where she performs with an Early Music and Baroque String Ensemble.
 
Adult Student Chris Lewis is currently now performing at churches and nursing homes in the Bandera and Castroville area.  
 
F rom Alice Spero Keene:
Alice's private harp students were presented in a spring recital on May 13, 2017. Various solos and harp ensemble selections were performed.  Once again, all students were encouraged to attend a summer music camp. The various institutions -University of Texas "Longhorn" Harp Music Camp, Houston Baptist University Harp Camp, the Richmond Harp Ensemble (AYHE) were selected and for those that could not attend a full week session, MS Keene offered a 3 Day Harp Experience in her home on July 10-12.  
                                                                                                
The fall semester harp studio class was held on September   9, 2017. Following their music presentations, students that reached the set goal for Summer Practice Hours were given awards.
 
On October 26, harpist Dr. Rachel Kay Green (University of Arizona) will be a featured guest for the College Music Society lecture recital. The 2017 conference is being held in San Antonio.
 
In addition to resuming duties as principal harpist for the Rio Grande Valley Symphony Orchestra, she will perform with the Ronald Reagan High School Women's choir, MacArthur High School Orchestra and Zion Lutheran Church Orchestra to name a few.
The American Band Masters annual conference will  be held at Texas Christian University in March 2018. Alice will join her husband/conductor James F. Keene on stage for a performance of ROMA SACRA- a composition by Luigi Zaninelli dedicated to James F. Keene and the Illinois Wind Symphony.  
 
On April 22, 2018 Alice will be guest harpist with Texas A & M Wind Ensemble, a concert that marks the 25 th anniversary for Director of Bands Dr. Timothy Rhea.
 
The San Antonio Harp Ensemble under the direction of Laurie Buchanan will perform their annual Christmas concerts in the San Antonio area. Students from Alice's studio joining the ensemble are: Kathryn Horton, Samantha Levenhagen and Zora Dickson.

SOPHIA Chapter (Saguaro- Old Pueblo Harpers In Arizona)
Arizona

Vanessa Moxness, President
www.sophiatucson.org
 
Our SOPHIA fall season begins with a free pedal harp and double bass recital on September 21 st  at 7 pm at Holsclaw Hall  at the University of Arizona featuring Claire Happel on harp and Philip Alejo on bass. We will meet in the lobby of the  hall to sit together to enjoy the concert and then have dessert and coffee at Pastiche restaurant on Campbell near Ft. Lowell following the performance.  
 
On Saturday October 21 from 11-12:30 pm, Rebecca Foreman will hold a recital in her northwest Tucson home in preparation for her upcoming pedal harp performance at Tohono Chul Park in late October.  Her repertoire will include Latin and classical pieces that deal with a night theme. Refreshments will be served.  Her harp performance will take place on Friday. October 27st at the "Chiles, Chocolate and Day of the Dead" festival to be held at the Tohono Chul Performance Garden. Time frame: I0 a.m-l2 noon. Cost: Early bird tickets are $3 for members and $12 for the general public.
 
On Sunday November 5 at 10 am, SOPHIA will perform at the Tucson Celtic Festival at Rillito Raceway Park. We will play a 45 minute pre-determined set of Irish tunes from Tunes to Go, on stage and in a circle format, with a possible option to play longer. All types of harps are welcome!
 
On November 12 th from 2-4 pm at Rincon Congregational Church, Christine Vivona will be in recital accompanied by Christine Harper on flute.  Admission is $15 per person.
 
In December Mary Bouley will be hosting a drop-in event for us to play Christmas music in her front lawn for Winterhaven residents over several nights during the "Winterhaven Festival of Lights". Bring your harp (any type), your Tunes to Go book and solo pieces, and a bench/stand/light. Mary will provide refreshments. Dates and times to be determined.
 
In January "Just for Kids"-a flute, viola, and harp trio featuring our own Trish Harris on harp- will perform on the 18th from 10 am and also at 11:15 am. Location: Tucson Symphony Center. There is ample parking at the center, and this event is free.
 
Spring events will include Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's celebrations, as well as our annual formal recital.

West Texas Chapter
Texas

Vincent Pierce, President
 
The West Texas Harp Society received a grant from Odessa Arts for $6,000 for the 2018 calendar year to present several events in Odessa, including our first Auditions and Evaluations, our second Permian Basin Harp Camp, and bringing the AHS Concert Artist Abigail Kent to West Texas. The WTHS will also be presenting several other concerts throughout 2018 through this grant, as well as unveiling a new logo and website.
Faculty at Permian Basin Harp Camp (funded by AHS Grant):Erin Caddell, Delaine Leonard,
Rachel Mazucco,Vincent Pierce,
Cassandra Hussey, Jenny Miller
The first official event for the WTHS was our Permian Basin Harp Camp, held at Odessa College August 2 nd -5 th , 2017, at Odessa College. Camp faculty included guest teacher Delaine Leonard from UT Austin, as well as WTHS officers Vincent Pierce, Rachel Mazzucco, Jenny Miller, and Cassandra Hussey. Students learned how to tie strings, take apart a harp, and write original compositions! The camp included a faculty recital of solo, chamber, jazz and opera arias with harp, as well as a student recital. 26 students attended the camp for free, thanks to grants from the AHS and Odessa Arts.
 
The ECISD Harp Program is in its 4 th year under the direction of Vincent Pierce, and is growing! The program has 36 students from 4 th -12 th grade at Milam Fine Arts Magnet Elementary, Ector Middle School, and Odessa High School. This past February, ECISD harp students presented a clinic at TMEA entitled 'Music for Harp and Young Strings' with the MacArthur High School Orchestra, directed by Dr. Jan Garverick. In April of 2017, the Ector MS harp program received a grant of $4,296 from the Education Foundation of Odessa for 10 iPads. ECISD students also attended and performed at Lyon and Healy's Harptacular in Dallas October 20 th -22 nd 2017.
ECISD harp students and Director Vincent Pierce with Elizabeth 
Hainen at Harptacular October 2017
 
From Rachel Mazzucco:
The Texas Tech University String Project is thrilled to announce the addition of harp to their offerings for the first time this fall! The String Project is a program where excellent undergraduate and graduate music students get the opportunity to teach 4 th and 5 th graders from the community a stringed instrument. This year, two undergraduate harpists are teaching five 4 th graders to play the harp under the guidance of Texas Tech harp instructor Rachel Mazzucco. On Sunday October 29 th these 4 th grade harpists give their debut performance at the Texas Tech University annual Halloween Hauntcert at 6:15 pm in Hemmle Recital Hall. The addition of harp to TTU's String Project is a significant step in fulfilling TTU's larger goal of stronger incorporation of harp into its music education program.
 
TTU, which has always been an ardent supporter of the harp and harpists, is also pleased to offer additional undergraduate and graduate scholarships to harpists this year thanks to renewed community support including J.T. and Margaret Talkington, and is currently accepting applications for Spring and Fall 2018.

News from East Texas

From Emily Mitchell:
 
Emily Mitchell played a chamber music recital with Stephen F Austin State University School of Music faculty in Nacogdoches last Oct 19, 2017. She performed the Debussy Sonate for flute, viola and harp with Christina Guenther, flute, Melissa Nabb, viola, and André Caplet's Conte Fantastique for harp and string quartet with Jennifer Dalmas, Alba Madrid Walburn, violins, Melissa Nabb, viola, Evgeni Raychev, cello. Stephanie Murphy from the School of Theatre read Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "Mask of the Red Death" as part of the Caplet performance.
 
Better Than One Harp Duo,  
Jaymee Haefner and Emily Mitchell 
 
Contact
Laura Logan Brandenburg
Southwestern Regional Director
SouthwesternRD@harpsociety.org

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The mission of the American Harp Society, Inc. is to celebrate our legacy, inspire excellence, and empower the next generation of harpists.