Winter Harp Facts
at a Glance
Media contacts: Lori Pappajohn, Winter Harp director, 604-782-4277
winterharp@telus.net
BC Touring Artist
of the Year Nominee 2008
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: Heartwarming well-known Christmas carols, Celtic and world, with
flavors of medieval, Latin, flamenco and pop.
2009 Performers
Janelle Nadeau:
Celtic harp, vocals
Scott Hughes:
Classical pedal harp
Caroline Markos:
vocals
Joaquin Ayala:
nyckelharpa, cello nyckelharpa, bass psaltery, symphonie
Mark Ferris:
violin, mandolin
Bruce Henczel:
percussion, viola
Ron Halder:
narrator
Director: Lori
Pappajohn
Instruments: Harps, violin, viola, medieval instruments, hand drums, bells, chimes,
voice. Some 200 strings must be tuned before each performance and during
intermission.
Medieval
Instruments:
*Bass psaltery: the
only one like it in the world, designed and built by Vancouver 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 --
ancestor of the hurdy-gurdy
More information on
these instruments can be found at www.winterharp.com
Achievements:
*Winter Harp
director Lori Pappajohn nominated 2008 BC Touring Artist of the Year for her
artistic and performance excellence with Winter Harp
*Consistent
sold-out concerts and standing ovations throughout Western Canada and Pacific
Northwest (USA) for 17 years
*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 & 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
The Concert
Winter Harp
Standing ovations,
sold out concerts and rave reviews are the hallmarks of Winter Harp, an ensemble
of harps, medieval instruments, violin, viola, 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. A breathtakingly
beautiful cathedral backdrop sets the stage for the golden Celtic and classical
harps, drums, tambourines, temple bells, and the intricately-carved 12th century
replica 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 10th century symphonie 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:
Ange Frymire, Vocal Point Communications
778-297-3743 or
778-689-2643
Unique Instruments
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 symphonie, with
its drone and melody strings, is the precursor to the hurdy-gurdy. Winter Harp’s
symphonie was commissioned from an English maker.
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 at www.winterharp.com.
Short newspaper
events listing:
Winter Harp --
harps, fiddle, mandolin, medieval instruments, percussion, poetry and song
combine for a magical celebration of Christmas and winter Saturday, Dec. 19 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
2009
Expect a stellar
lineup of performers on stage when Winter Harp comes to town this December 19 at
St. Andrews-Wesley Church in Vancouver.
Over the past 17
years, the name Winter Harp has become synonymous with Christmas. Numerous times
audience members have said: “Christmas doesn’t start for us until we’ve been to
Winter Harp.”
And so it is that
time of the year again -- time for a concert that will have you laughing,
crying, sighing and remembering Christmases of yesteryear.
This year Winter
Harp performs Saturday, Dec. 19 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.
Nominated BC
Touring Artist of the Year 2008, Winter Harp is 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, world and even
the blues. A breathtakingly beautiful cathedral backdrop sets the stage for the
golden Celtic and classical harps, drums, tambourines, temple bells,
violin/fiddle and an assortment of rare 12th century instruments.
Don't miss this magical journey into the heart of winter, the heart of
Christmas.
Winter Harp has been featured on numerous radio and television stations
including CBC Radio, Bravo Television and CBC Television's prestigious Opening
Night series.
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 Celtic harpist and singer Janelle Nadeau, singer Caroline Markos, violin/mandolin player Mark Ferris, medieval
instrumentalist Joaquin Ayala,
percussionist/violist Bruce Henczel, classical
harpist Scott Hughes and narrator Ron Halder.
Each year, most of the concerts sell out. So buy tickets early to avoid
disappointment.
Photos for media to
download at www.winterharp.com
Media contacts:
Ange Frymire, Vocal Point Communications
778-297-3743 or
778-689-2643
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Winter Harp
Tour 2009
Gibsons
Friday, Nov. 27, 3
p.m.
Heritage Playhouse
$25 at Coast Books
or WindSong Gallery
Winnipeg
Sun. Nov. 29, 7:30
p.m.
Pantages Theatre
$40 1-866-656-6838
New Westminster
Sun., Dec. 6, 2:30
p.m.
Massey Theatre
This is a joint
concert with the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir
$25 at 604-878-1190
or 604-521-5050 or www.vwmc.ca
Courtenay
Wed. & Thurs., Dec.
9 & 10, 7:30 p.m.
Sid Williams
Theatre
$40 & $35 at
250-338-2430
Victoria
Fri., Dec. 11 ,
7:30 p.m.
Alix Goolden
Performance Hall
$30 at Ivy's Books, Heritage Cat Clinic, Munro's Books, The Shieling, In Bloom
Floral Boutique (Mayfair Mall)
Nanaimo
Sat., Dec. 12, 3:30
& 7:30 p.m.
Port Theatre
$32 & $17 at
250-754-8550
North Vancouver
Wed., Dec. 16, 7:30
p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 17,
7:30 p.m.
Capilano College
Theatre
$33 & $30 at
604-990-7810
Vancouver
Sat., Dec. 19, 7:30
p.m.
St. Andrew’s-Wesley
Church
$33 at Tickets
Tonight 604-684-2787
Maple Ridge
Sun., Dec. 20, 3
p.m. & 7 p.m.
The ACT, 11944
Haney Place
Tickets $35, $30,
$21 at 604-476-2787
Details at
winterharp.com
Winter Harp Members
Lori Pappajohn
Winter Harp
director
Nominated BC
Touring Artist of the Year 2008 for her “artistic excellence and for
demonstrating the highest degree of professionalism in touring with her ensemble
Winter Harp.”
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-in-the-Fields and Lincoln Cathedral. Lori has also toured for
Community Concerts, a division of Columbia Artists, New York. She is one of the
leaders in the harp world, breaking away from traditional classical styles and
exploring jazz, blues and flamenco. So unique is her music that Lori 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. She is also a member of the hosting committee for the World Harp
Congress which will be held in Vancouver in 2011.
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 has eight recordings. She has produced a
documentary about the history of the harp and was featured in a music video for
Bravo Television. With her ensemble Winter Harp, Lori has 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 which features top-performing
harpists from Canada, the United States and Israel. She has performed with
jazz-pop great Deborah Henson-Conant, and one of the world’s leading Celtic
harpists, Kim Robertson.
Janelle Nadeau
Celtic harp,
classical pedal harp, voice
Janelle Nadeau
holds a degree in Harp Performance from the University of B.C. She has toured
Canada with the National Youth Orchestra, has performed for Celebrity Cruises
and has played in the backup band for Kanye West. 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. This bilingual (French/English) harpist, who is also a singer,
was chosen to perform in Manitoba’s popular Home Routes concert tour earlier
this year. This fall, she is working with Grammy-nominee harpist Deborah
Henson-Conant on her small cast show “What the Hell are we Doing in the Waiting
Room for Heaven?” Janelle studied classical harp with Richard Turner, Heidi
Krutzen and Rita Costanzi. Last January Janelle travelled to Paraguay to study
Paraguayan harp. Janelle's harp training spans genres from classical to folk to
world music.
Caroline Márkos
voice
Caroline Márkos
enjoyed a very successful eight years as a member of the acclaimed vocal jazz
group The Peters Drury Trio. The trio grew to national and international
prominence with their two albums “When Old Met New” and “Backbeat,” both of
which achieved tremendous success in national and international markets selling
over 26,000 copies worldwide to date. Together, the trio toured Canada and the
United States taking their fresh sound, developed in Whitehorse, Yukon, to
audiences everywhere. With The Peters Drury Trio Caroline was nominated for a
West Coast Music Award and was also an ambassador for UNESCO’s Associated
Schools Project Network. Caroline has switched musical gears, earned a diploma
in classical voice performance from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and is now
in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Music degree in Opera Performance at the
University of BC. She plans to continue with the UBC music program to earn a
Masters of Music degree in Opera Performance.
Bruce Henczel
Percussion, viola
A
multi-instrumentalist, Bruce Henczel graduated from Capilano College at the top
of his class musically and academically. He received his Master's of Music
in Percussion Performance from the University of BC, where he won the Concerto
Competition, the top performance prize, and the only time it has been awarded to
a percussionist. He is an active soloist, chamber musician, and composer who has
been heard numerous times on CBC Radio. Bruce has performed with all BC's
major orchestras. He has headlined many Canadian music festivals with
his numerous groups. He has released two solo CDs, the first receiving a "very
strong four-out-of-five stars" from CBC Radio's Rick Philips' Sound Advice
program. Bruce recently completed a world music mass which will be premiered in
2010. His print music is distributed worldwide by Honeyrock Publishing, in
Pennsylvania. Bruce's Christmas album for marimba has been ranked in the
top three holiday albums for percussion. His diverse musical interests allow
him to facilitate drum circles and workshops. He currently teaches at
Summit Pacific College and freelances throughout the Lower Mainland. Bruce was
the concerto soloist with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra in June 2009.
Percussion
Mark Ferris
Violin & mandolin
Mark Ferris studied
violin at Yale University with Sidney Harth (concertmaster of the Chicago and
Los Angeles symphony orchestras), and chamber music with the Tokyo String
Quartet. Mark is Concertmaster of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra 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 playing
on Winter Harp's latest CD.
Scott Hughes
Classical pedal
harp
Scott maintains an
active and varied career as professional musician and former Grade One teacher
who is now working on his PhD. As a harpist, his career spans from
orchestra work to musical theatre. Scott has played with a number of orchestras
including the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, the Calgary Philharmonic and the West
Coast Symphony. As a classroom teacher, Scott has been curious about the role of
the arts in engendering student engagement in the classroom. He has produced
large-scale theatrical works with children (Dreams, The Angel Diaries),
and recorded a children’s CD (Happiness Runs). Scott holds
degrees in education and music from the University of Western Ontario, Queen’s
University, and the University of B.C. He studied piano with Peter Smith and
harp with Heidi Krutzen. In his spare time, Scott is an avid marathon runner,
cyclist, and rower.
Ron Halder
Narrator
Ron has worked as a
stage and film actor for more than 35 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. In 2006, he
was seen at Richmond Gateway playing Fritz Haber in the acclaimed Einstein's Gift. Also, Ron has
toured Canada, the States, Belfast and Durban, South Africa with renowned
bassoonist George Zukerman.
In addition, Ron
has also had starring television roles in Highlander, Millennium, Stargate SG1
and Hope Island.
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. Joaquin and his rare medieval instruments
have been featured numerous times on radio and television. Also a composer,
Joaquin’s works have been used in film.