I'm proud to introduce you to Douglas Beck, an Episcopal priest in Maine. Besides being one of my favorite students, he is also one of my favorite people! He is an amazingly talented harpist, organist, composer, arranger, and artist. He does it all. 

Douglas has been taking online lessons from me since 2019. He really doesn't need my teaching anymore, but I advise him on his arrangements, and he uses me as a sounding board for his church and concert repertoire. Our lessons are filled with friendship, laughter, and beautiful music. 

He is also incredibly kind. During a lesson last winter, Douglas mentioned that his back was tired because he had been shoveling snow all morning. I told him that, having lived my life in Southern California and Hawaii, I had never shoveled snow and would have no idea how to do it. He said, "I'll make you a deal. If you ever get four feet of snow in your driveway in Hawaii, I will personally fly over there from Maine and shovel it for you." Obviously, (and luckily for him), that will never happen, but it is the thought that counts! 

I mentioned this conversation to a friend here on Kauai, and she told me he'll have to bring his own snow shovel because they aren't sold here. I told him at his next lesson, and he said, "No problem. I'll buy an airline seat for my shovel and bring it with me." See, I told you he was a wonderful human being!

And now, here's Douglas . . . 

--- Sylvia

P.S. The sentences in parentheses below are descriptions of his photos.

Douglas Beck is our featured arranger this month. Here's what he has to say about himself and his music.

I grew up in Pennsylvania, and music, faith, and visual art have always been at the heart of my life. From the earliest days, I’ve cherished singing and was eager to learn the piano and, later, the pipe organ. As a child, I was the imaginative type who relished coloring outside the lines, constantly experimenting with different materials to create visual art and express myself.

(This photo is from Christmas, 1975.)

One of my most memorable experiences occurred when I was just ten years old at the first wedding I ever attended. It was there that I was introduced to the enchanting sound of the harp. The harpist played beautiful pieces by Debussy and Malotte, and I vividly recall being swept away by music heard on such an enchanted instrument, as if I had discovered a whole new world.                      

When people asked me as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up, I had an unconventional answer: I wanted to be an artist, a musician, and a minister. I genuinely meant all three, and it may seem unusual, but to me, these aspirations have always felt intertwined. My journey through life has been a beautiful exploration of these passions, and I am grateful to have embraced them all. As an ordained Episcopal priest, art, music, and ministry are deeply intertwined in the fabric of my being.

(Singing at a church camp talent show in 1977.)

After my years in Pennsylvania, I ventured to Baltimore, Maryland, where I pursued two music degrees in organ performance at The Peabody Conservatory of Music. My friend Elizabeth was a harp major. One day, she convinced me to try her harp. At the time, I was unconvinced that it was the instrument for me. How time changes one’s perspective! Following my time at Peabody, I lived in Washington, DC. In the early 2000s, I took on the role of organist and choir master for a vibrant music ministry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. It was during my time there that a serendipitous encounter changed the course of my musical journey.

(Performing an organ recital in the mid-1990s.)

One afternoon, a gentle knock interrupted my work in the church office. It was Joyce, a new choir member who had just relocated to the area with her husband. In her hands was a small bag containing something I had never encountered before — a 22-string Triplett Zephyr harp. “Douglas, I want you to have this and learn to play it. I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” Joyce insisted, handing me the harp along with a copy of Sylvia Woods’ “Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp” book. This gesture was born from the kindness of Joyce’s heart — she had long dreamed of mastering the folk harp, but due to a difficult diagnosis, she was unable to fulfill that dream. In her moment of challenge, she chose to share her hope with me, entrusting me with her harp.

(On tour with the St. Paul’s Choir, England, 2008.)    

A few years later, I made the move to Maine during a particularly snowy winter, bringing Joyce’s harp along with me. One evening, snowed in during a blizzard, I took the opportunity to connect with the harp and fulfill my promise to Joyce. Eventually, I met some talented local harpists who generously guided my learning process. It became clear to me that I needed a floor harp with additional strings to deepen my understanding and skills.

In 2015, I began my theological studies in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I took a harp with me, determined to keep learning. After graduation, I treated myself to online harp lessons with Sylvia Woods, which ignited my passion for playing. By the time the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I was serving a wonderful parish in Cape Breton. As we transitioned from in-person worship to online services, I initiated a nightly prayer gathering that grew tremendously, bringing together several hundred participants during those challenging times. My harp quickly became a cherished part of those gatherings, bringing comfort and joy.

That December, a dear friend asked if I could record “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” for her church’s online offering. The arrangement I created became the centerpiece of my first harp publication, “Creator of the Stars,” which beautifully combines my music with images of several of my paintings. This experience marked the beginning of a new tradition for me: including original visual artwork in all my harp books. The other pieces within “Creator” were inspired by the heartfelt hymn settings I played during those online services.

There’s a story behind every one of my harp books. Some of them focus on a particular theme, such as “Three Appalachian Hymns,” inspired by “Wondrous Love,” which I often used during those online COVID services. “With a Thankful Heart” features music I first performed at a worship service in a retirement home. “Welcome the Christ Child” came from the inspiration for a seasonal community Christmas harp concert in a small country church in Maine, where I performed this program for several years. Each arrangement tells a story woven from my personal experiences, and my process of composing and arranging is always filled with emotion. The original harp music I create stems from a spiritual connection that resonates with both listeners and fellow harpists who learn my pieces. “Moonlight” was inspired by one of my students. “Introspection” includes four pieces written as a response to the music that fills my heart.

Looking to the future, I am optimistic about continuing to play the harp and write for this remarkable instrument. Creating music for the harp has profoundly enriched my life and complements my work as a visual artist and a minister. It allows me to serve others and contribute to our shared journey in this beautiful, albeit imperfect, world. I firmly believe that there is always hope ahead, a message that resonates with what Joyce imparted to me nearly two decades ago. I carry her generosity and vision with me as I strive to share the joy of music and art with the world. Thank you, Joyce, for igniting this incredible journey!

--- Douglas Beck

Here are some of the PDFs I've recently added to harpcenter.com.

Philip Hayden

Carol's Song - Philip wrote this cheerful and uplifting composition for his wife.

Leia's Lullaby - Here's how Philip describes his inspiration for this piece.

"Leia, the beloved family pet pictured on the cover, had become completely deaf in the last year of her life, but she found solace in lying at the foot of the harp, where she could feel the vibrations of the music."

Jacqueline Pollauf

Choral Repertoire: Harp Parts - Jacqueline has compiled and edited complete harp parts from seven well-known choral works. "The parts have not been simplified for ease of playing, but each part is re-notated with modern notation and includes helpful harp-specific information: pedal markings, cues, enharmonic equivalents, and some suggested fingerings."

Please note: The PDFs in this section are not part of the monthly sale.

Introspection

4 original pieces

composed by Douglas Beck

PDF

15% off with Beck code

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Ave Maria

by Schubert for lever harp

arranged by Douglas Beck

PDF

15% off with Beck code

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God's Time is Best

by J.S. Bach

arranged by Douglas Beck

PDF

15% off with Beck code

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Four Hymns About the Cross

Were You There, O Sacred Head, In the Cross of Christ I Glory, and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

arranged by Douglas Beck

PDF

15% off with Beck code

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3 Appalachian Hymns for Harp

Wondrous Love, My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, and Amazing Grace

arranged by Douglas Beck

PDF

15% off with Beck code

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Creator of the Stars

Five hymns for worship, meditation, and quiet moments

arranged by Douglas Beck

PDF

15% off with Beck code

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Moonlight

3 pieces inspired by Respighi, Beethoven and Vivaldi

by Douglas Beck

PDF

15% off with Beck code

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Welcome the Christ Child

15 Christmas pieces

arranged by Douglas Beck

PDF

15% off with Beck code

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With a Thankful Heart

Five Thanksgiving pieces

including one original composition

arranged by Douglas Beck

PDF

15% off with Beck code

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

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 Beck.

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 Beck 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 stating the name of the promo code you entered and the percentage discount amount.

REMEMBER: You must enter this month's code word Beck in the Promo Code box and click "Apply" on your shopping cart page by October 31, 2025, to get the discount!

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

This offer expires at the end of the day on 10/31/2025.

Sylvia Woods Harp Center

Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii