Winter
Harp Facts at a Glance
FACT
SHEET
Purpose: To celebrate the Christmas season
with a magical journey into the heart of winter. Concerts feature Celtic and
classical harps, violin, medieval instruments, percussion, poetry, stories
and song.
Genre of Music: Heart-warming well-known Christmas
carols, Celtic and world with flavors of medieval, Latin, flamenco and
pop
Performers
Lori Pappajohn - Celtic harp and
vocals
Janelle Nadeau - classical harp and
vocals
Lauri Lyster, percussion and
vocals
Mark Ferris -
violin
Joaquin Ayala - medieval
instruments
Ron Halder -
narrator
Sharlene Wallace - alternate
harpist with Lori Pappajohn
Instruments: Celtic harps, classical harps,
violin, medieval instruments, hand drums, bells, chimes, voice. 204 strings must
be tuned before each performance and during
intermission.
Medieval 1) Bass psaltery: the world's only
one, designed by Vancouver's Edward Turner.
Instruments: 2) Organistrum:
12th-century Spanish instrument. World's only other organistrum
in Ottawa Museum of Civilization.
3) Nyckelharpa: medieval Swedish
instrument.
Formed: 1992.
This year marks Winter Harps 15th Anniversary Tour
throughout Western Canada.
Achievements:
Consistent sold-out concerts, standing ovations
throughout Western Canada and Pacific Northwest (USA). This year, 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
Featured on CBC Television's Opening Night concert
series 2004.
Concert broadcast on CBC Radio nationwide 2005 and
2006.
Studio concert broadcast on CBC Radio's West Coast
Performance in 2001. Numerous other broadcasts including BCTV, VTV, Global,
CKNW and others.
CD Child's Christmas in Wales broadcast on CBC
Radio's Disc Drive -- a half hour broadcast in
2005.
Debut CD named in Georgia Straight's
Top 10 Christmas
Recordings (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Avalon video in rotation on Bravo in
2002
Eight CDs from Winter Harp over its 15-year history
with two nominated for awards
Festival Vancouver performance broadcast on CBC Radio
in 2007. Edmonton Winter Harp concert broadcast on CKUA,
2007
Concert
Dates:
Nov. 18 West Vancouver,
BC 3 p.m. St. Francis in the Wood Church. Tickets at
604-922-3531
Nov 24 Winnipeg, MB: Pantages Playhouse, 7:30 pm Tickets
866-656-6838 $32
Dec. 2 Sechelt
BC: Raven's Cry Theatre, 2:30 p.m. Tickets $25 at Talewind
and Coast Books
Dec 6 Courtenay,
BC: Sid Williams Theatre, 7:30 pm Tickets 250-338-2430 $35,
$40, $10 SOLD OUT
Dec 7 Victoria,
BC: Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 907 Pandora, 7:30 pm
Tickets 250-382-2464 $25
Dec 9 St. Albert,
AB: Arden Theatre, 7:30 pm Tickets 780-459-1542
SOLD OUT
Dec 10 Spruce Grove,
AB: Horizon Stage, 7:30 pm Tickets 780-962-8995
SOLD OUT
Dec 12 North Vancouver,
BC: Capilano College Theatre, 8 pm, Tickets 604-990-7810 $12,
$25, $28
Dec 13 North Vancouver,
BC: Capilano College Theatre, 8 pm, Tickets 604-990-7810 $12,
$25, $28
Dec 15 New Westminster,
BC: Massey Theatre, 7:30 pm, Tickets 604-878-1190
$25
Dec 16 Nanaimo,
BC: Port Theatre, 3:30 pm, Tickets $17, $30, $34
250-754-4555
Dec 16 Nanaimo,
BC: Port Theatre, 7:30 pm, Tickets $17, $30, $34
250-754-4555
Dec. 19 Maple Ridge,
B.C. The ACT, 8 p.m. Tickets $17, $24, $28
604-476-2787
Dec 20 Maple Ridge,
BC: The ACT, 8 pm, Tickets $17, $24, $28
604-476-2787 SOLD
OUT
Dec 22 Vancouver,
BC: St. Andrew's Wesley Church, 7:30 pm Tickets $28
604-231-7535
CDs:A Night in Winter (November
2007)A Child's Christmas in Wales
(2005)
Christmas Night
(2003)Harp Dance (Christmas 2001)
Winter Harp
(1999)Winter Harp: Words & Music
(1999)
Celtic Harp of Dreams (1998)
Celtic Harp for Christmas (1994)
Media
contacts: Lori Pappajohn 604-521-7194 or
604-782-4277
Winter HarpThe Concert
Standing ovations, sold out concerts and rave
reviews are the hallmarks of Winter Harp, an ensemble of harps, medieval
instruments, fiddle, 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 even flamenco. Dozens of candles light the stage providing a
backdrop for the golden Celtic and classical harps, drums, tambourines, temple
bells, violin, the singers and an assortment of rare 12th century
instruments.
Poetry, music, laughter and tears combine in this magical
journey which takes its 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 (the
other one like it in Canada is in the Museum of Man in Ottawa) and the
nyckelharpa.
"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 contacts: Lori Pappajohn 604-521-7194 or
604-782-4277
Ange Frymire, publicist,
250-213-6697
Winter HarpUnique
Instruments
Winter Harp features a number of unique instruments
especially made for the ensemble.
The five-foot tall bass psaltery, designed by Winter Harp,
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 Man in Ottawa.
The nyckelharpa, a medieval cross between a hurdy-gurdy and
a violin, has a wistful, viol sound.
For detailed information on these instruments, or to hear
them, visit the Instruments page of the web site.
Winter
Harp The Performers
Lori
Pappajohn Celtic harp, voice
Winter Harp director
As a soloist and with her ensembles, Lori Pappajohn has
performed in Canada, the United States, Chile, Britain, Ireland and Greece. Her
Britain tour included performances in St. Martin's-in-the-Field and Lincoln
Cathedral. Lori has also toured for Community Concerts, a division of Columbia
Artists, New York. She is one of the leader's in the harp world, breaking away
from traditional classical styles and exploring jazz, blues and flamenco. So
unique is her music that 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.
Her performances of
ancient Greek music on harp garnered her an invitation to play for the
reinstating of the games in Delphi, Greece with dancers from the Isadora Duncan
Institute of New York City.
A composer and an award-winning journalist, Lori Pappajohn
has seven recordings. She has produced a documentary about the history of the
harp, and with Joaquin Ayala has been featured in a music video for Bravo
Television. As members of Winter Harp, Lori Pappajohn and Joaquin Ayala have
been showcased on television and radio, including on CBC Television's Opening
Night series. Lori is on the faculty of B.C.'s International Celtic Harp
School.
Joaquin
Ayala, medieval instruments
Joaquin Ayala's talents span both the musical and writing
fields. The award-winning writer is a classical pianist and plays a number of
other instruments including the harpsichord. Joaquin and his rare instruments,
the nyckelharpa, bass psaltery and organistrum, have been featured numerous
times on radio and television.
Lauri
Lyster,
percussion
Lauri Lyster is a versatile musician, equally at home playing classical
percussion with the Vancouver Symphony or Opera Orchestras, playing drum kit in
jazz bands or playing hand percussion with various world music ensembles. She
received her Bachelor of Music degree at UBC, earning the School of Music Medal
and a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee School of Music. Lyster is a member
of Mother of Pearl, an all-female jazz quartet which has released three CDs and
played at festivals across Canada. Lyster also enjoys teaching drumming and
percussion workshops around British Columbia.
Janelle
Nadeau, concert grand classical pedal
harp
Twenty-one-old Janelle Nadeau started studying harp
at the age of eight. By the time she was 11 Nadeau was performing for
professional functions. In May, she was selected from harpists across Canada as
the principal harpist for the National Youth Orchestra's summer
tour.
The third year student of a harp
performance degree studied with Rita Costanzi and now Heidi Krutzen at the
University of British Columbia. Nadeau also has four years of voice training and
12 years of ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre and hip hop.
Ron
Halder, narrator
Ron has worked as a stage and film actor
for more than 30 years. He has performed in theatres across Canada from Victoria
to St. John's, Newfoundland. He is in much demand at CBC Radio where his voice
can be heard in documentaries, radio plays and Between the Covers. Last year he
was seen atRichmond Gateway playing Fritz
Haber in the acclaimed Einstein's Gift. Also, Halder has toured Canada, the
States, Belfast, Durban and South Africa with renowned bassoonist George
Zukerman.
In addition, Halder has also had
starring television roles in Highlander, Millennium, Stargate SG1 and Hope
Island.
Mark
Ferris,
violin
Studied violin at Yale University
with Sidney Harth (concertmaster of Chicago, LA Symphony), chamber music with
Tokyo String Quartet. Mark is Concertmaster of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra,
Sinfonia of the North Shore and a member of the CBC Radio Orchestra. He is a
founding member of the Yaletown String Quartet, an eclectic ensemble which
bridges both the jazz and classical worlds. In addition to playing regularly
with the National Ballet, Winnipeg Ballet and as a soloist with Ballet BC and
Coleman-Lemieux Compagnie, Mark also composes and arranges music in a wide
spectrum of styles. Recent projects include writing theme music for NTV news,
Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator and of course, playing on Winterharp's
latest CD.
Sharlene
Wallace, harp
Sharlene Wallace has never been
able to choose between playing the Classical harp and the Celtic harp ... so she
plays both! Classically trained on piano and harp, Sharlene discovered the
Celtic harp to be her creative and expressive vehicle for writing, arranging and
recording. She has won both the Lyon & Healy International Pop & Jazz
Lever Harp Competition in Tucson, Arizona and the Concours d'Improvisation de
Rencontres Internationales de Harpe Celtique in Dinan, France. Sharlene tours
extensively across North America giving concerts and master classes, and has
recorded five independent CDs. She is on the Faculties of York and Guelph
Universities and the RCM's World Music Centre. She is Principal Harpist with
Kingston and Oakville Symphonies. http://www.sharlenewallace.com
Media
Contact/Publicist:
Start Date:
November 1, 2007
Ange FrymireBus
250.391.4002 Cell
250.213.6697End
Date:December 22,
2007
JUST
ANNOUNCED!
public
service announcement
Winter
Harp concert Dec. 22
The glorious
sounds of Christmas return with one of Western Canada's most popular musical
concerts, Winter Harp. Due to popular demand and sold-out concerts year after
year, the world-renowned harp troupe returns to Vancouver for its season finale
on Saturday, Dec, 22, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's Wesley Church, 1012 Nelson
Street. Winter Harp features renowned harpist, Lori Pappajohn and multi-talented
Joaquin Ayala on 12th-century medieval stringed instruments.Classic and
non-traditional noel renditions will be played by the acclaimed ensemble, which
also features Lauri Lyster on percussion, Janelle Nadeau on harp and voice, and
Mark Ferris on violin. Narrator Ron Halder joins the candlelit stage to capture
the spirit of the season with poignant stories and poetry. Enjoy the spirit of
Christmas and let your evening sparkle with Winter Harp's magic. Tickets are
available at Tickets Tonight at 604-231-7535.
Media:
for interviews or more information, please contact 250.213.6697 or
250.391.4002.
Winter
Harp Concert Dec. 22
Tickets
at 604-231-7535
News Release Nov. 1,
2007
One of B.C.'s most popular
Christmas ensembles celebrates its 15th anniversary this year with 15 concerts,
the finale being in Vancouver Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Wesley
Church.
From its humble beginnings with a
small concert in Vancouver in 1992, Winter Harp has now become one of B.C.'s
most favourite Christmas concerts. This year, concerts stretch from Victoria to
Winnipeg.
By September, four concerts had
already sold out. In October, when the Maple Ridge concert sold out, another was
added. When the Winnipeg tickets went on sale May 1, 600 sold in one week. One
person bought 100 tickets; others bought entire rows because they didn't want
their friends to miss out.
"When we embarked on this musical
Christmas journey in 1992, we never imagined these concerts would consistently
sell out and that we would consistently receive standing ovations -- that is one
of the greatest gifts we've received", says Winter harp director and harpist
Lori Pappajohn.
Winter Harp's concerts have been
called unique, exotic, magical and extraordinary. Audiences are spellbound by
the unquestionable talent and the unique stage show that Winter Harp has
developed over the past 15 years.
Gorgeous carols, heartfelt
readings, musicians dressed in rich medieval attire and a stage set with close
to 100 candles. This only begins to describe the show that will emote both
laughter and tears.
The acclaimed ensemble's focus is
the unique and hauntingly-beautiful integration of some of the world's oldest
instruments (harps and percussion) with rare medieval instruments, violin,
poetry and song.
Rare instruments include the
ethereal-sounding bass psaltery (the only one like it in the world), the
medieval organistrum (the other one like it in Canada is in the Museum of
Civilization in Ottawa) and the nyckelharpa.
This year Winter Harp features
special guest member, violinist Mark Ferris of Vancouver.
"If people love Christmas -- they
will love Winter Harp", says ensemble director Lori Pappajohn. "We play numerous
well-loved Christmas carols as well as beautiful rarely-heard carols. The songs,
stories and poetry bring the Christmas spirit right into the
heart."
Winter Harp features harpists and
singers Lori Pappajohn and Janelle Nadeau; violinist Mark Ferris; medieval
instrumentalist Joaquin Ayala; percussionist and singer Lauri Lyster; and
narrator Ron Halder.
Winter Harp has been featured on
numerous radio and television stations including CBC Radio, Bravo Television and
CBC Television's prestigious Opening Night series.
Tickets at Tickets Tonight
604-231-7535.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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