Over the years, I have attended many folk harp and pedal harp conventions. I usually had a booth in the exhibit hall selling books and other fun harp stuff. I also often gave workshops and concerts. Harp festivals are wonderful, informative, fun, and a great way to interact with other players. And, if you are in the market for a new harp, they are an excellent way to try out a variety of models and makers in one location. I highly recommend going to conventions!

My favorite convention is the Somerset Harp Festival. It is usually held in New Jersey but has had other locations over the years. I had a booth in the exhibit hall every year from 2001 through 2009 and again in 2015.

This year is the 25th Anniversary of the festival. It will be held in Princeton, New Jersey, from July 17 to 20. It will include three lunchtime and three evening concerts featuring 16 solo and ensemble performances, over 100 workshops, and dozens of exhibitors. As their website states: "Somerset will be HYBRID in 2025. This means we’ll be on-site at The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, for those who want to attend in-person, while at the same time be on Zoom with our ‘live’ workshops and events." Last year, over 200 harpists attended in person, and about 165 joined online.

I'm featuring Somerset in this month's newsletter because of an email I received a few weeks ago from Maureen Buscareno, the festival's current director. She informed the harp community that Mary "Gerry" Serviente, who founded the festival in 2001, had passed away. Maureen kindly agreed to allow me to include her email in this newsletter. You can read it in the next section below.

And now, here is a message from me to Gerry.

Gerry, you were an amazing woman who changed the lives of many harp players worldwide. Your vision and dedication created an ongoing event that has become a significant force in the harp world. You were always so friendly and welcoming to everyone. I am honored to have known you. Thank you for everything you have done. You will be truly missed.

With love and gratitude,

Sylvia

And so, on this Valentine's Day, besides celebrating our current loves, we should take a moment to remember those who are no longer with us but who have touched our lives and hearts.

-- Sylvia

Email from Maureen Buscareno on January 24, 2025.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved founder, Mary "Gerry" Serviente, who left us today. Gerry's vision and dedication shaped the Somerset Folk Harp Festival into what it is today. In 2001, she founded this incredible gathering, and for nearly a decade, she served as its heart and soul, guiding the festival with passion, love, and an unwavering commitment to the folk harp community.

This July, during the festival's 25th anniversary, Gerry was to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award — a recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the folk harp world. While we will miss her terribly, we know that her legacy will live on through the many lives she touched.

In addition to her work in the harp community, Gerry was also a proud member of the United States Marine Corps. Her service to our country and her tireless dedication to the arts are just a few of the many reasons we will always remember her with gratitude and admiration.

In 2008, Gerry passed the baton to Kathy DeAngelo, who then passed it to our current director, Maureen Buscareno. Gerry's impact is felt not just in the festival she built, but in every string plucked, every note played, and every moment of joy shared at the event she made possible.

We are deeply grateful for her vision, her service, and the love she poured into this community. Our thoughts are with Gerry's family and all who knew and loved her during this time of loss.

Thank you, Gerry, for everything. Your legacy will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who were touched by your work.

-- Maureen Buscareno

I love living in Hawaii. Since I moved here in 2013, I've only left the islands twice. One of my trips was to New Jersey to attend the 2015 Somerset Folk Harp Festival, where I gave a concert and a Harp Fingering workshop. My friend Patti (whom you met in last month's newsletter) joined me and helped me sell my books at my booth in the exhibit hall. But the best part of the festival for me was being given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the end of my concert. I was incredibly honored to receive this accolade. This photo shows Kathy DeAngelo, the festival's director at the time, presenting the award to me.

This prestigious award has been given at the Somerset festivals since 2011. The recipients have been Alfredo Rolando Ortiz, Louise Trotter, Sam Milligan, Sylvia Woods, William Jackson, Laurie Riley, Jay Witcher, Kim Robertson, Ann Heymann, Alan Stivell, Deborah Henson-Conant, and Robbin Gordon-Cartier. And, as Maureen mentioned in her email above, Gerry Serviente will posthumously receive this year's award. This year's additional winners will be Kathy DeAngelo, Dennis Gormley, and Kim Adamson.

Harp of Brandiswhiere

composed by Sylvia Woods

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Gecko Tails

composed by Sylvia Woods

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The Wizard of Oz

arranged by Sylvia Woods

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Music from Disney-Pixar Lava

arranged by Sylvia Woods

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Music from Frozen

arranged by Sylvia Woods

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Harpers Are Not Bizarre

composed by Sylvia Woods

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Nataliana

by Deborah Henson-Conant

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New Blues

by Deborah Henson-Conant

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The Nightingale

by Deborah Henson-Conant

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Traditional Scottish Music

by William Jackson

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Island Girl

by Laurie Riley

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Composed in Heart

by Laurie Riley

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Beauty Tunes

by Kim Robertson

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Forget Not the Angels

by Kim Robertson

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From Harp to Harp, With Love

by Alfredo Rolando Ortiz

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Niagara Moon

by Alfredo Rolando Ortiz

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Old Gospel Hymns & Spirituals

by Louise Trotter

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Wild Western Heritage

by Louise Trotter

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15% off select sale items when you use the code word Awards

Our newsletter promo codes are redeemable online and are only valid for the products listed above in the monthly sale section. They are not valid for phone or email orders. This month's code word is Awards.

Here's how to get your newsletter discount at harpcenter.com:

#1. Put the items you want to purchase in your cart.

#2. On the page where you view the items in your cart, type this month's code word Awards in the "Enter Promo Code" box and click "Apply."

The actual price of the featured sale products on this page will then automatically change to reflect the discount. For example,

   Unit Price: $9.95 (the original price)

   Total Price: $8.46 (the discounted price)

You'll also see a note below the Promo Code box saying the name of the promo code you entered and the percentage amount of the discount.

REMEMBER: You must enter this month's code word Awards in the Promo Code box and click "Apply" on your shopping cart page by March 3, 2025, to get the discount!

If you forget, or if you have trouble adding it to your order, email Sylvia immediately.  

This offer expires at the end of the day on 3/3/2025.