Friday, December 6, 2013
Yikes!!! December!!!
Well, someone please tell me where November went? Honestly! And already Dec 6th!!
Since my other job(besides being Co-owner and Office Manager for our veterinary clinic)is Music Director and organist at our local Presbyterian church, most of my musical focus this month will be for the Christmas Eve service. So harp will be on the back burner and keyboards will be front and center. Since I am basically doing THAT job flying by the seat of my pants!, it gets a bit stressful! And my poor little choir keeps shrinking...and yet, that service is packed, and acts like a family reunion- so we want to do well! For many years I played the harp for prelude music before the service, but this year I am not. Such a worry to leave it all alone while I dash between piano and organ, and unsupervised toddlers wander thru the sanctuary! Talk about YIKES!
I am participating in "A Celtic Christmas" on the 14th, organized by Pamela as a fundraiser for the church that sponsors our open mic/coffee house. I will be playing 2 tunes alone- Blessed Be That Maid Marie, and Da Day Dawnes, and doing a duet with her on the Christ Child's Lullaby. It is not strictly Celtic! British Isles!
Also played for our Celtic Evensong, and was very unhappy with how my big boy sounded. Usually my bird's eye maple Kortier is bombproof- hasn't needed lots of babying in terms of humidifying, etc. Holds in tune forever. And I stick that mic down his back at church and he sounds lovely. Sunday night, the tuning pins seemed slippy and the tone on a number of strings sounded hollow and nasty. He felt dried out. Not a good experience. So he is now in my basement, soaking up more humid air than the forced hot air heating system in the house proper. Not a lot, but until I figure out a better plan, there he rests. I realize the harp is about 14 years old now, but the sudden change has me concerned. I brought him to the Harp Connection in Salem 2 years ago to be regulated, and maintained, and that is all that has been needed until now. I like having a contrast to my new Fisher- my sparkly "robust" girl! (Except- are the strings spaced a hair closer together on the Fisher, because when I go from him to her I am overreaching the first 30 minutes or so!) He has a quieter voice, and a bit mellower sound. Any thoughts?
So- if I don't get back to the blog anytime soon, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy Harping New Year! Stay safe, stay warm!
Sharon
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Hi Sharon! I had no idea life as a church organists could be so stressful! Back when I lived in Philly and we had forced air heating we did have a room humidifier for a while. Also, before / after that I keep a wet sponge in a small plastic container sitting inside the harp. Then I keep a cover (dust cover, sheet, whatever works) over the harp. I feel this keeps the moisture contained to the harp and doesn't evaporate into thin air. Keep checking the sponge to make sure it's still wet every day.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andee! The church organist part is stressful for me because I am really a history major/social studies teacher by training- not a REAL professional musician! Hence, I do fly by the seat of my pants often- which has stood me in good stead for playing the harp out in public! I have used the wet sponge thing before in my other harps- need to get the big guy covered and try the same with him. Just got spoiled, I think, and have neglected him as a result. Took his good nature for granted! Glad to hear that has worked for you over the years- Happy Winter! Sharon
ReplyDeleteMy Dusty in Florida is having some issues and it is around 15 years old too, I think (bought it secondhand) I just had to use putty epoxy to glue those little metal disks back into their holes.... they were coming out and also pulling on the wood above. Not good. Harrowing, in fact. I hope it will hold - dry is not a problem there, it's actually in a well-regulated place. I do worry much more about the Fisher here in Vermont and do something similar to Andee, plus it is near where I keep the plants inside in winter..... but it is a concern every year!
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