Media contact: Gwen Kallio 604-215-2345
sisuproductions@telus.net
Purpose: To celebrate the Christmas season with a magical journey into the heart of winter. Concerts feature Celtic and classical harps, flute, medieval instruments, percussion, poetry, stories and song.
Genre of Music: Heartwarming well-known Christmas carols as well as rare carols with Celtic, world, Latin and medieval influences.
Patrick Ball: narrator, wire-strung Irish harp
Janelle Nadeau: Celtic harp, voice
Esther Cannon: classical pedal harp, voice
Lauri Lyster: percussion, voice
Jeff Pelletier: flute, alto flute, bass flute, wooden piccolo, recorder
Joaquin Ayala: nyckelharpa, bass psaltery, symphonie, organistrum
Caroline Márkos: voice
Director: Lori Pappajohn: Celtic harp & voice
Instruments: Harps, flute, medieval instruments, hand drums, bells, chimes, voice. Some 200 strings must be tuned before each performance and during intermission.
*Bass psaltery: the only one like it in the world, designed and built by luthier Edward Turner
*Organistrum: replica of a 12th-century Spanish instrument. The only other one like it in Canada is in the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa (Edward Turner, luthier)
*Nyckelharpa: medieval Swedish instrument
*Symphonie: forerunner of the hurdy-gurdy
More information on these instruments can be found at www.winterharp.com
*Winter Harp was a featured performer at the 2011 World Harp Congress -- the world’s largest harp festival.
Close to 1,000 people from 40 different countries attended the Congress which featured the world’s top international players. Concerts, lectures and master classes ran 14 hours a day, every day, for a week in venues such as the Orpheum, the Vogue and St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church. Lori Pappajohn was one of the festival’s three key organizers.
*Winter Harp director Lori Pappajohn was nominated 2008 BC Touring Artist of the Year for her artistic and performance excellence with Winter Harp
*Winter Harp director Lori Pappajohn was the recipient of the Bernie Legge Cultural Award for her outstanding contribution to the arts in New Westminster, BC over the past 20 years.
*Consistent sold-out concerts and standing ovations throughout Western Canada and Pacific Northwest (USA) since 1993.
*In 2007, four December concerts sold out in September, another one in October. The Winnipeg concert sold 600 tickets during the first week of ticket sales in May 2007
*Festival Vancouver concert broadcast on CBC Radio’s Canada Live Series, 2007
*Edmonton Winter Harp concert broadcast on CKUA, 2007
*Live concert broadcast on CBC Radio nationwide 2005 and 2006
*Featured on CBC Television's Opening Night concert series 2004
*Studio concert broadcast on CBC Radio's West Coast Performance in 2001. Numerous other broadcasts including BCTV, VTV, Global, CKNW and others.
*CD A Child's Christmas in Wales broadcast on CBC Radio's Disc Drive -- half hour broadcast in 2005 and 2007
*Debut CD named in Georgia Straight's Top 10 Christmas Recordings (Vancouver, British Columbia)
*Avalon video in rotation on Bravo in 2002
*Nine CDs from Winter Harp over its 17-year history with two nominated for awards and many international successes
Standing ovations, sold out concerts and rave reviews are the hallmarks of Winter Harp, an ensemble of harps, medieval instruments, flute, percussion, poetry and song.
Join this world-class ensemble for a concert of heartwarming carols, songs and stories in celebration of the Christmas and winter season.
The musicians, in gorgeous medieval attire, perform a hauntingly-beautiful collection of music from well-known carols to Celtic, medieval and world music. Breathtakingly beautiful backdrops of cathedrals and snow set the stage for the golden Celtic and classical harps, drums, tambourines, temple bells, and the intricately-carved medieval replica instruments.
Poetry, music, laughter and tears combine in this magical journey which takes listeners deep into the heart of winter, deep into the heart of Christmas.
Rare instruments include the ethereal-sounding bass psaltery (the only one like it in the world), the 12th century organistrum and the nyckelharpa.
“ . . . the West Coast’s answer to Loreena McKennitt.”
-- Boulevard Magazine
"It's an enrapturing event that plucks at your heart strings." -- the Province
"Winter Harp's annual Christmas concerts are a treat." -- CBC Radio's Jurgen Gothe
What audience members are saying:
"One of the most beautiful concerts I have ever been to." -- Susan
"Christmas would not be complete without Winter Harp." -- Richard
"I was mesmerized." -- Cherri
"Your performance brings the spirit of the season to life. Thank you." -- Jennifer
"I've been to Christmas concerts all over Europe. None are as profound as yours."
-- a Victoria fan
Media contact: Gwen Kallio 604-215-2345
sisuproductions@telus.net
Winter Harp features a number of unique instruments especially made for the ensemble.
The five-foot-tall bass psaltery, designed by Winter Harp and Vancouver luthier Edward Turner, is the only one like it in the world. It has a haunting, ethereal sound.
The ornately carved organistrum, which dates to 12th century Spain, produces deep, resonant drones. The only other organistrum like it in Canada is in the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.
The nyckelharpa, a medieval cross between a hurdy-gurdy and a violin, has a wistful, viol sound.
The symphonie is an early hurdy-gurdy.
For detailed information on these instruments, or to hear them, visit the Instruments page of the web site at www.winterharp.com.
Short newspaper events listing:
Winter Harp -- harps, flute, medieval instruments, percussion, poetry and song combine for a magical celebration of Christmas and winter Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church in Vancouver. Tickets at Tickets Tonight 604-684-2787 , www.ticketstonight.ca, Zulu Records and Celtic Creations.
Winter Harp
Press release
2011
In celebration of its 18th touring season, Winter Harp is delighted to announce that legendary harper/storyteller Patrick Ball will join the ensemble as this year’s special guest.
The ensemble’s December’s tour includes BC, Alberta and Manitoba. Winter Harp performs in the Lower Mainland Dec. 17 at St. Andrew’s Wesley Church, Dec. 14 and 15 at the North Shore Credit Union Theatre at Capilano University, and Dec. 18 at the ACT in Maple Ridge.
Patrick Ball is considered one of the premier wire-strung Celtic harpers and spoken word artists in the world today. He has recorded nine instrumental and three spoken word albums which have sold well over one-half million copies internationally and won national awards. Ball is in constant demand in theatres and at festivals throughout North America, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Ball will join the ensemble as narrator and harper.
”I first saw Patrick perform at the Rogue Folk Club in the 1990s,” said Winter Park director Lori Pappajohn. ”He was absolutely mesmerizing. Since then I have always hoped to work with him.”
Patrick Ball will be joining an ensemble known for its many sold-out concerts and standing ovations.
Winter Harp performs Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church in Vancouver. Tickets are at Tickets Tonight 604-684-2787 , www.ticketstonight.ca, Zulu Records and Celtic Creations.
Other Lower Mainland concerts are Dec. 14 and 15 at the North Shore Credit Union Centre for the Performing Arts at Capilano University, and Dec. 18 at The ACT in Maple Ridge.
Join this world-class ensemble for a concert of heartwarming carols, songs and stories in celebration of the Christmas and winter season.
The musicians, in medieval attire, perform a hauntingly beautiful collection of music from well-known carols to Celtic, medieval, world and Spanish. Dozens of candles light the stage providing a backdrop for the golden Celtic and classical harps, drums, tambourines, temple bells, flutes and an assortment of rare 12th century instruments.
Rare instruments include the ethereal-sounding bass psaltery (the only one like it in the world), the symphonie (medieval ancestor of the hurdy-gurdy) and the nyckelharpa.
Winter Harp features harpists Janelle Nadeau, Esther Cannon and Lori Pappajohn, medieval instrumentalist Joaquin Ayala, percussionist Lauri Lyster, flutist Jeff Pelletier, singer Caroline Markos, and narrator/harper Patrick Ball.
Photos for media to download at www.winterharp.com
Media contact: Gwen Kallio 604-215-2345
sisuproductions@telus.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Said The Province newspaper about Winter Harp:
"It’s an enrapturing event that plucks at your heart strings."
CBC Radio's Jurgen Gothe said:
"Winter Harp’s annual Christmas concerts are a treat."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
What audience members are saying:
“One of the most beautiful concerts I have ever been to.” -- Susan
“Christmas would not be complete without Winter Harp.” -- Richard
“I was mesmerized.” -- Cherri
“Your performance brings the spirit of the season to life. Thank you. “ -- Jennifer
“I’ve been to Christmas concerts all over Europe. None are as profound as yours.”
-- a Victoria fan
2011 Performers
Patrick Ball: narrator, wire-strung Irish harp
Janelle Nadeau: Celtic harp, voice
Esther Cannon: classical pedal harp, voice
Lauri Lyster: percussion, voice
Jeff Pelletier: flute, alto flute, bass flute, wooden piccolo, recorder
Joaquin Ayala: nyckelharpa, bass psaltery, symphonie, organistrum
Caroline Márkos: voice
Director: Lori Pappajohn: Celtic harp & voice
Behind-the-Scenes Personnel
Publicist: Gwen Kallio
Tour Manager: Marilyn Rummel
Backdrops: Jean Claude Olivier
Candelabras: Joaquin Ayala
Lighting Design: Roger Lantz
Sound (Lower Mainland): Dwayne Harder
Assistant Production, Lower Mainland: Kevin Mooney
Harp technologists: Dr. Bess Lu and Rob Muir
Artistic consultation: Alan Woodland
Web site design: Lori Pappajohn and Karen Hinchey Perry
Web master: Dwayne Harder
Masseuse: Annette Johnston
Special Guest this year is legendary storyteller/harper Patrick Ball
Patrick Ball
Narrator, Celtic harp
Patrick Ball is considered one of the premier Celtic harpers and spoken word artists in the world today. He has recorded nine instrumental and three spoken word albums which have sold well over one-half million copies internationally and won national awards in both the music and spoken word categories. His busy touring schedule keeps him on the road throughout Canada and the United States, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Along with Celtic Harp and Story, Patrick’s beguiling blend of music and spoken word concerts, Patrick has written and currently performs two acclaimed solo musical theatre pieces: O'Carolan's Farewell to Music, which brings to the stage the legendary life, the turbulent times and the glorious music of Ireland's most celebrated and beloved musician, Turlough O'Carolan, and The Fine Beauty of the Island, a musical journey to Ireland's legendary Blasket Islands in search of a deeply haunting tune and the vanished islanders who played it.
Patrick also presents two ensemble performances, The Flame of Love, a spoken word and Early Music retelling of the greatest of medieval legends, The Romance of Tristan and Iseult, and Legends of the Celtic Harp, a musical journey into the myths, magic and fabled history of a legendary instrument.
Patrick, who has a Master’s Degree in History, has been awarded grants for his work by the Zellerbach Family Fund and the California Arts Council and is the recipient of the Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Association.
Lori Pappajohn
Winter Harp Director
Celtic harp, voice
As a soloist and with her ensembles, Lori Pappajohn has performed in Canada, the United States, Chile, Britain, Ireland and Greece. Lori Pappajohn has also toured for Community Concerts, a division of Columbia Artists, New York. In 2008 she was nominated BC Touring Artist of the Year by the BC Touring Council for her “artistic and performance excellence with Winter Harp.” She is also the recipient of the Bernie Legge Cultural Award for her outstanding contribution to the arts in New Westminster as both an artist and a newspaper reporter.
Lori Pappajohn is one of the leaders in the harp world, breaking away from traditional classical styles and exploring world, Celtic and Latin styles. So unique is her music that Lori Pappajohn has been featured at the world’s most prestigious harp events -- the World Harp Congress, the International Jazz and Pop Harp Conference and the International Folk Harp Conference. In 2011, she was one of the key directors for the highly-successful World Harp Congress which brought some 900 harpists from around the world to Vancouver.
Lori Pappajohn’s performances of ancient Greek music on harp garnered her an invitation to play for the reinstatement of the ancient games in Delphi, Greece, where she performed with the Isadora Duncan Institute dancers of New York City.
A composer, arranger and an award-winning journalist, Lori Pappajohn has eight recordings, two of which have been nominated for awards and all of which have garnered international success.
Lori Pappajohn has produced a documentary about the history of the harp, and has been featured in a music video for Bravo Television. Her Winter Harp Ensemble has been showcased on television and radio, including on CBC Television’s prestigious Opening Night series. Lori Pappajohn is on the faculty of B.C.’s International Celtic Harp School which features acclaimed harp teachers from around the world.
Joaquin Ayala
Medieval instruments
Joaquin Ayala's talents span both the musical and writing fields and most recently oil painting. The award-winning writer is a classical pianist and plays a number of other instruments including the harpsichord, of which he has a small collection. Joaquin and his rare medieval instruments have been featured numerous times on radio and television.
Janelle Nadeau
Celtic harp, classical harp, voice
Janelle, who holds a degree in Harp Performance from the University of B.C., has performed and toured with various groups and as a soloist throughout Canada.
Janelle has toured Canada with the National Youth Orchestra, performed for Celebrity Cruises, worked with Grammy-nominee Deborah Henson-Conant, and played in Kanye West’s backup band. Janelle also plays in various orchestras in the Lower Mainland including second harp with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. This bilingual (French/English) harpist, who is also a singer and composer, has performed for Manitoba’s popular Home Routes concert tour and the Manitoba Arts Council.
Janelle is the 2008 first place winner and the 2006 second place winner of the Winnipeg Women's Musical Club competition. Her performances have been heard on CBC Radio as well as VIA TVA television. Janelle studied harp with Richard Turner (Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra), Heidi Krutzen (Vancouver Opera Orchestra) and Rita Costanzi (CBC Radio Orchestra). Janelle's music spans genres from classical to folk to world music.
Esther Cannon
Classical harp, voice
Esther Cannon began studying harp at age 11 and has won multiple awards from the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra (2008 concerto competition), and the Royal Conservatory of Music. Performance highlights include concerts at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts at UBC with the Taipei National University of the Arts Orchestra, recording for the closing ceremonies of the 2010 BC Summer Games, and most recently, being featured during the opening gala of the 2011 World Harp Congress in Vancouver. Esther has performed at masterclasses with Judy Loman, Dr. Ann Yeung, Natalia Shamayeva and Yolanda Kondonassis. She currently studies harp performance at Trinity Western University under Elizabeth Volpe Bligh of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Jeff Pelletier
Flute, alto flute, bass flute, wooden piccolo, recorder
Jeff Pelletier has appeared in concerts and as a soloist numerous times throughout the U.S. and Canada. In addition to being the founder and artistic director of the wind quintet Ventos (www.ventos.org ), Jeff is the principal flutist with the Vancouver Chamber Players, the Vancouver InterCultural Orchestra, is second flute/piccolo with the Kamloops Symphony and performs regularly with the Vancouver Island Symphony.
Jeff Pelletier has studied with Carl Bergner, and, most notably, Julius Baker, former principal flutist of the New York Philharmonic. Jeff holds an Artist Diploma from the University of BC where he studied with Lorna McGhee. Jeff Pelletier is a Pearl Flute Performing Artist. http://www.pearlflutes.com
Lauri Lyster
Percussion, voice
Lauri Lyster is a versatile musician, equally at home playing classical, jazz or ethnic percussion and drum set. She is a percussionist with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, and an occasional extra for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. She has worked with jazz bands, chamber ensembles, dance groups and recorded for television and film. She also enjoys teaching group percussion and piano classes and workshops to the young…and the young at heart.
One of Lauri’s main projects is the traditional jazz band the New Orleans Ale Stars, headed by her husband Simon Stribling. This band has played jazz festivals and concerts in BC, Holland and the US. The Ale Stars won the Jeff Healey award for best traditional jazz album in Canada in 2007, and have a new offering, a live CD recorded in October 2010. Currently, Lauri is kept busy with her baby daughter Scarlet, whom she's grooming to be the next member of Winter Harp.
Caroline Markos
Voice
Caroline Márkos is one of those rare vocalists who can move effortlessly between styles. With a powerful operatic voice, a sultry jazz voice and a clear Celtic voice -- she is truly three singers in one.
Caroline began her singing career with the acclaimed Peters Drury Trio which toured Canada and the United States and grew to international prominence with their two albums, both of which achieved success in national and international markets. With the Peters Drury Trio, Caroline was nominated for a West Coast Music Award.
A few years ago, Caroline switched musical gears and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Opera Performance at the University of B.C.
Currently Caroline is at the University of Manitoba where she has been awarded a Fellowship for Graduate Studies in Music (M.MUS) to study with the acclaimed Canadian soprano Tracy Dahl.
In the past few years besides performing with operas in Vancouver, Caroline has performed in operas in Prague and Shanghai. She is also a regular soloist with Dal Richard’s jazz orchestra.
Media contact: Gwen Kallio 604-215-2345
sisuproductions@telus.net
Sechelt
Sun., Nov. 27, 2:30 p.m.
Raven’s Cry Theatre
Tickets at Sechelt Visitor Centre, Gaia’s Fair Trade, Shanti Gifts
Spruce Grove, Alberta
Tues. & Wed. Nov. 29 & 30
Horizon Stage
780-962-8995
www.horizonstage.com/currentSeason.aspx
Winnipeg
Fri., Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.
Pantages Theatre
1-866-656-6838
New Westminster
Sun., Dec. 4, 2:30 p.m.
Massey Theatre
This is a joint concert with the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir
604-878-1190 or 604-521-5050 or www.vwmc.ca
Courtenay
Thurs., Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Sid Williams Theatre
250-338-2430
www.sidwilliamstheatre.com
Victoria
Fri., Dec. 9 , 7:30 p.m.
Alix Goolden Performance Hall
Ivy’s Books, The Shieling, Munro’s Books, Heritage Cat Clinic, Stampers on Quadra
Nanaimo
Sat., Dec. 10, 3:30 & 7:30 p.m.
Port Theatre
250-754-8550
www.porttheatre.com
Duncan
Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m.
Cowichan Theatre
250-748-7529 or www.cvrd.bc.ca
North Vancouver
Wed., Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m.
North Shore Credit Union Theatre
at Capilano University
604-990-7810
Vancouver
Sat., Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.
St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church
604-684-2787
www.ticketstonight.ca, Zulu Records or Celtic Creations
Maple Ridge
Sun., Dec. 18, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
The ACT, 11944 Haney Place
604-476-2787
www.theactmapleridge.org
Details at winterharp.com