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The Harrisburg
Harp Orchestra, with more than 50 harps,
performs at the Forum in Harrisburg.
AN ORCHESTRA LIKE NONE OTHER!
The Harrisburg Harp Orchestra started humbly in
2002. Harpist Louis Lynch produced a
variety concert featuring several songs accompanied by a small ensemble of
harps performing as “Seven Harps in a Row.”
The name didn’t catch on, but the idea did. In 2003, the ensemble appeared in a
specially produced television concert that appeared on a small, local station
that was unseen by millions!
However, several harpists in Central
Pennsylvania heard the news and inquired about joining the group, which
officially became the “Harrisburg
Harp Orchestra” in 2004. The first
Harp-Felt Christmas variety show at Whitaker Center
included 24 harpists and special musical guests. The show sold out quickly, and the Harrisburg Harp
Orchestra made Harp-Felt Christmas an annual event. More harpists joined the orchestra and the
annual concert grew to become one of the larges harp orchestra events in the
nation.
After the Harp-Felt Christmas concert,
the city of Harrisburg invited the orchestra
to appear at ArtsFest at Riverfront Park. A summer program was developed with an
eclectic line-up of music featuring harp classics such as “Amazing Grace,” “Greensleeves,” and “Buffalo
Gals.” The summer program so
delighted, and thoroughly surprised, the audience that the Harrisburg
Harp Orchestra was invited to appear again and again at other Harrisburg arts events at Riverfront Park.
The orchestra presented its first full
summer concert, “Hot Summer Harps” at the Forum in July 2008, with unusual
special guests Nayo African Drums and Vicki’s Tap
Pups. The orchestra pulled out all the
stops and ventured into new territory: pop music and rock-and-roll! “Hot Summer Harps” made history, too. As far as we know, it was the first time an
orchestra of harps provided the music for a tap-dance number!
Harps are rare, so naturally harp
orchestras are even rarer. With more
than 70 harpist members, Harrisburg Harp
Orchestra now has one of the largest harp ensembles in the United States. The orchestra plays music from a wide
variety of musical styles, and every concert is a
once-in-a-lifetime event!
In addition to its size, Harrisburg Harp
Orchestra has become recognized nationally for its original music
arrangements. Music for all
performances are arranged by Camp Hill composer
Louis Lynch. His beautiful, and
sometimes unorthodox, arrangements for harp orchestra are available on this
site and from Melody’s
Music.
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Celia Lerner performs at Harp-Felt
Christmas 2008.
Since 2004, Harrisburg
Harp Orchestra has appeared at:
Harp-Felt Christmas at
Whitaker Center,
West Shore Evangelical Free Church, Trinity Evangelical
Lutheran Church,
and the Forum.
Harrisburg ArtsFest
Harrisburg Kipona
Camp Hill Kite Festival
In addition, small ensembles of members
have appeared at countless events throughout Central
Pennsylvania.
Harpist Referrals and Bookings:
If you’re looking for a harp ensemble,
or an individual harpist from the group, please contact:
mail@harrisburgharporchestra.com
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