March/April 2016
Spring has sprung with a profusion of activity in the Bay Area harp world! March saw terrific contemporary music performances by members Jennifer Ellis and Karen Gottlieb, and April and May bring more harp delights, contributing to the rich culture of our community.
April 10 headlines award winning harpist, composer and teacher Julia Kay Jamieson, presenting the workshop, Fearless Improv, followed by a concert featuring some of our own member professionals lending their improvisational talents to the mix.
Don’t miss Member Spotlight, featuring the story of Olga Ortenberg-Rakitchenkov as told by Suki Russack. And Karen Gottlieb is back with another insightful Practical Tips for Harpists column.
We have again been invited to join Silicon Valley Chapter in their upcoming Harp Live! gathering. Don’t miss it! And because you asked for more social activities, we’re throwing a Spring Social in beautiful Sebastopol, in the home of BAC Secretary Henry Heines. It will be an afternoon of conviviality, comestibles, and music, graced by our own Naomi Hoffmeyer in recital.
Our events calendar and Member News spots will keep you abreast of what some of our membership is up to. Please keep us posted so that we can share your activities with our readership. Send a request to link to the bacharp.org calendar so you can post your own events.
Happy Spring Holidays,
Alice Yothers
Susie Spiwak
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Olga Ortenberg-Rakitchenkov by Suki Russack
It was early in the evening when I walked up the many stairs of the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco to sit in my favorite place, “among the angels” in the second balcony. The pit was empty except for one shadowy figure. Then I could hear the single note of the harp. Olga was tuning her instrument and as she plucked the string and adjusted the pitch, I could clearly hear when pitch was correct. Just listening to the sound coming into focus was a lesson in what to listen for when tuning the harp. It was with delight that I then was able to interview Olga, long time member and supporter of BACAHS, for the newsletter.
Olga is from Moscow and began her studies at the Gnesin School when she was five and a half years old. She sang in the children’s choir and studied piano. She was never very dedicated to playing the piano and her grades reflected this. Nevertheless, because she was so gifted musically, when she was 11, she was offered the opportunity to continue her studies with a different instrument. Her first desire was to become a singer, but her maturing voice did not have the required resonance. She had always been fascinated by the harp and so her studies began with Mark Rubin. She graduated from the school in 1968 and was then accepted into the Vera Dulova harp department at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. While she was studying with Dulova, she participated in the 1971 International Harp Week in Holland and in 1973 played a recital at the International Festival in France that was celebrating the 80th anniversary of Pierre Jamet. She graduated with honors in 1973. In 1974 Olga won first prize in the International Competition in Geneva Switzerland. She was awarded six thousand Swiss Francs and a gold Rolex watch engraved with her maiden name, Ortenberg. The same year she graduated, she won the audition for the harp chair at the Bolshoi Theater, where she played for 14 years. After immigrating to San Francisco with her family, Olga won the audition for the San Francisco Opera Orchestra.
Although he was not a harpist, Olga credits her uncle Adolf Brukas one of her most important teachers. He taught her the importance of understanding the beauty of the sound and how to produce that sound in order to achieve a singing musical phrase. He not only taught her how to listen to her sound but also how to practice properly.
It would have been easy to sit and listen to Olga’s stories for hours on end. She has a sense of joy and wonder that is enchanting and inspiring. She not only shared her stories of many famous musicians but also of her own insights into performance practice; what is needed for seamless and elegant technique. Her advice for learning music is this: always use a metronome, repeat each difficult passage ten times at a very slow tempo before attempting to speed up, and practice VERY lightly.
Olga is very happy to be a part of BACAHS because it brings her into contact with other harpists and with the different harp events and performances going on in the Bay Area.
Olga is performing around the Bay Area in April and May with her husband, Sergey. In addition, the new CD, “Lyric Flute and Harp Musical Offerings” featuring Olga with Dawn Walker-Schrock, flute, includes the harp solo, “The Lark” by Glinka-Balakirev, with the original 20th century transcription for harp done by Vera Dulova. Olga was the first harpist in Russia to perform this piece with its several chromatic passages that were quite challenging to play, as they came directly from the piano score. It is available on iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR HARPISTS—By Karen Gottlieb, Harpist and Harp Technician
Do you ever wonder how strings are made and how best to handle them for superior performance? Check out Harp Technician Karen Gottlieb’s article, “The Thing about Strings”, originally published in the American Harp Society Journal, Summer 2013. The article contains great tips and tutorials from a number of technicians for stringing and tuning your harp.
UPCOMING BACAHS EVENTS
APRIL 10, 2016 BACAHS presents FEARLESS IMPROV WORKSHOP AND RECITAL with Julia Kay Jamieson
Don’t miss this great opportunity for entertainment and learning new skills with your harp. Sign up now to attend the workshop from 1:30pm until 4:30pm and stay for the Recital at 6:30pm. The events will be held at Congregation Beth Sholom, 301 14th Avenue, San Francisco, a central location off Park Presidio that is easily accessible from all directions in the Bay Area. Click for workshop and recital information and tickets.
Workshop: Create music in the moment in the company of other adventurous harpists! Explore the tremendous range of expression, color, and texture of your harp through improvisation. Fun experiments and games will break the ice; this workshop will open you to all sorts of ideas for having fun or even goofing off with your harp! All ages and levels welcome. Bring your harp! Please have your lever harp tuned to 3 flats. Can’t bring your harp? Send an email to BACAHS@gmail.com and let us know. There will be some harps available for borrowing.
Recital: Program to include music by Renié, deFalla, Ellington, a-ha, Tournier, Piazolla, Mercury, Leonard Cohen and more. Traditional harp repertoire will be paired with Jamieson’s own transcriptions of popular and jazz works. Special guest appearance in ensemble by Bay Area harpists: Natalie Cox, Alexandra Perdew, Diana Rowan. Reception will follow the recital.
An award winning harpist, composer and teacher, Julia is a Director-at-Large with the American Harp Society and chairperson of the Music Education Committee for the organization. She is a great resource and teacher and resonates with young people and adults as well as amateurs and professionals. Read on to see what others say about Julia’s workshops:
“Julia Jamieson’s improv workshops have been joyful ‘jams’ for all ages and levels, as seen each year at the Illinois Summer Harp Class. Whether you’re seven or shy, she’ll welcome you to be encouraged and to experiment. You’ll find your own recipe to celebrate your music within.” Ann Yeung, President, American Harp Society, Professor of Harp, University of Illinois; Aletheia Duo
“I have had the pleasure of seeing Julia in action numerous times, and would strongly recommend harpists of all ages and levels to not miss the opportunity to take part in her workshops! Her improv techniques and guidance inspire students and teachers to stretch musical boundaries in a very supportive and fun environment. Her workshops are always full of laughter, imagination and learning how to play with freedom at the harp. Very fun and refreshing, and I highly recommend to anyone!” Catherine Case, Professor of Harp, University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University. Professional Harpist, Seattle WA
“Julia Kay Jamieson makes improvising easy and fun! In a relaxed and safe environment, she guides students as they explore improvising through insightful questions and often hilarious games. Julia masterfully gives each student new improvisational tools that match their individual skills and level, no matter if they are beginning or seasoned performers. Not only did participants of all ages (including myself) leave her Fearless Improv workshop at the 2015 AHS, Inc., Summer Institute with confident smiles, they also eagerly volunteered and performed improvised ensemble pieces during an Institute reception later that evening!” Kela Walton, Professional Freelance Harpist and Teacher, Buffalo NY
May 7, 2016, 1pm to 4pm BACAHS event: Spring Social at the Sebastopol home of Henry Heines with Recital by Naomi Hoffmeyer. Spend a spring day in the Sonoma country side while enjoying libations and snacks with your friends and gazing over the valley. Top that with a harp recital by Naomi Hoffmeyer, including Salzedo’s Ballade, Jeremiah Siochi’s Sublimation (the piece that was commissioned for the USAIHC), and the two Caplet Divertissements. The event is free and open to you and your friends and family. Please do RSVP to Alice Yothers ayothers@yahoo.com and let us know you will attend.
MEMBER NEWS
Please help Erica Messer promote the harp as an accessible instrument to learn to play. She would love your vote for music classes at Bay Area Parent Best of the Peninsula. Write in “Erica Messer, Harp Instruction” in the Music Classes category. Please share with friends and post to social media. Just follow the link below and there is a category for MUSIC CLASSES. http://www.bayareaparent.com/Best-Of-The-Best-Ballot/Peninsula/ Thank you for your vote.
CALENDAR
April 3, 2016, 2pm Hear Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro played by members of the San Francisco Symphony, including Concertmaster Alexander Barantschik and Principal Harp and BACAHS member, Douglas Rioth, in a Sunday chamber music concert at Davies Symphony Hall. Written in 1905, Ravel’s work is one of the first pieces to explore the full potential of the modern harp as a solo instrument.
With a history spanning almost six millennia, and enjoying great popularity in medieval Europe, the harp was no stranger to Western music, yet it was often limited by its ability to play a relatively small range of notes without having to retune the strings. With the perfection of the modern, double-action pedal mechanism, Ravel seized the opportunity to showcase the harp in this virtuosic chamber work also featuring violin, viola, cello, flute and clarinet. Visit sfsymphony.org for more information.
April 3, 2016, 3pm Silicon Valley Chapter AHS invites all BACAHS members to Harp Live! in the beautiful Moss Beach home of Gwen Halterman, 185 Reef Point Road. Formerly called “Performance Practice”, Harp Live! is a quarterly gathering where chapter members are invited to bring their favorite pieces to share or play for the group. Sessions include solos, harp duets, and/or chamber ensemble pieces. All are welcome to bring music they are working on, or just come to listen and enjoy the company of other harpists. Remember, you do not have to perform; you can participate by coming to hear others play. You will always hear or learn something new. Most participants give a history of the piece or the composer, how they found the piece, or why they enjoy playing it. And, if you do play, it does not have to be a polished performance! Wonderful refreshments are served and harps are provided. It is a great time to rekindle your harp spirit. RSVP gwenhalterman@gmail.com
Dr. Diana Rowan continues to offer online training in 2016:
Performance Mastery EXPRESS – 4 short weeks to freedom! Transform performance fear into performance power. Starts March 29 http://dianarowan.com/performance-mastery-express-live-online-training-starts-march-29
Upcoming in late April: World Harp Techniques MIDDLE EAST Learn the exotic, dramatic techniques of Middle Eastern music first-hand from masters, translated onto harp. Join the mailing list to be first to hear when we start: http://dianarowan.com/contact
Olga Ortenberg-Rakitchenkov, harpist, and her husband, Sergey Rakitchenkov, viola, will perform in ChamberWORKS, eclectic and intimate nights of music and song featuring the 2016 Adler Fellows and curated by San Francisco Opera. Program highlights include Adler Julie Adams performing works by Previn, Chausson and Ponchielli. April 20, 8:00pm, Taube Atrium Theater. See more at: http://sfopera.com/sfoperalab/season-one/chamberworks/
April 23rd at 7:30 pm: Musicians Sage Po & Rebekah Hood will present an eclectic mix of chamber and solo repertoire and new works for harp & cello. This will be the kick-off concert for New Music icon Terry Riley’s “Sri Moonshine Music Series,” a project of Camptonville Performing Arts. There will be five performances throughout the spring and summer. Sage Po and Rebekah Hood will be appearing at the Camptonville Performing Arts Center at 15333 Cleveland Avenue, Camptonville, CA 95922. Tickets for the April concert are available via Brown Paper Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2521244, or contact Christina Ledson at (530) 288-3655 or christinaledson@gmail.com. Publicity materials will be posted on Terry Riley’s website by the beginning of April.
May 23rd and 24th 7:30 pm. Méliès Madness: Enter the whimsical, wonderful world of French illusionist and filmmaker Georges Méliès. Some of his famous short films are set to music and performed with live accompaniment of harp by Carla Fabris, string quartet and flute. Featuring local Bay Area composers and musicians. Reception to follow! Tickets: $20 General, $15 Students/Seniors/Children Balboa Theatre, 3630 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121.
International Harp Festival 2016: Presented by Diablo Valley Arts Academy, May 26-29, 2016, Danville, CA www.harpfestival.org/
June 29-July 5, 2016: Harpists Tour to Save the Ancient 
RedwoodsBay Area Youth Harp Ensemble (BAYHE) is a group of young harpists playing multicultural music on Celtic-style folk harps, directed by well-known Bay Area harpist Diana Stork. Diana, BAYHE, and some of BAYHE’s illustrious professional alumnae will be heading up to Humboldt County from the Bay Area June 29-July 5. The harpists will present a program of harp music from around the world to raise awareness of the need to save the ancient redwoods. Performances will feature music inspired by nature, with an emphasis on music about trees and forests. The purpose of the tour is to protect and restore the precious remaining old growth redwood trees and to share the beauty of the harp.
BAYHE is sponsored by the Multicultural Music Fellowship (MCMF) a 501 c3 nonprofit whose mission is to bring the world together through music – with the harp most especially. Email: multiculturalmusicfellowship@gmail.com Phone: 510-548-3326 www.multiculturalmusicfellowship.org www.facebook.com/BayAreaYouthHarpEnsemble
Proceeds of concerts and performances will be donated to Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association to help support their conservation of the redwood forests. www.humboldtredwoods.org
From our friends around the harp community:
Registration Now Opened!
Announcing the upcoming 2016 United States International Music Competition and Festival (USIMC/ Festival). Thanks for entering your students for 2014 CMTANC International Youth Music Competition. We hope to see your students again in the 2016 USIMC/Festival.
This year’s competition categories include: Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Vocal, Harp, Guitar and Traditional Chinese Instruments. A Special Chinese Music Award will be given to the excellent performance of Chinese compositions to promote Chinese music and culture. In addition, the first annual Festival will take place immediately following the competition.
USIMC, formerly CMTANC International Youth Music Competition, has been a successful annual event for more than twenty years. All students up to age 30 are welcome to participate. We have had wonderful turnouts and outstanding winners in the past and would like to extend this opportunity to as many qualified applicants as possible.
Besides the competition, this year USIMC will hold a Festival which includes masterclasses, faculty concerts, workshops and seminars given by worldwide known distinguished artists and professors.
Applications for both the Competition and Festival are accepted exclusively online, beginning from March 1st, 2016 at www.usimc.org. You may apply for either the Competition or the Festival, or both as a package. This year’s competition consists of a preliminary video round (completed applications must by postmarked by April 30, 2016) and a live, final round which will take place on August 12, 2016. The Festival will be held on August 13 & 14, 2016 at the Braun Music Center of Stanford University, Stanford, California.
Please visit USIMC.org for the Competition guidelines and Festival detailed information. For any questions, please contact us at: Info@USIMC.org or (408) 681-9928.
Request for survey participation: A student of Anna Maria Mendietta, Hannah Gruell, requested distribution of the following survey. Hannah is a harpist and industrial design student. The survey will take less than 60 seconds of your time, and will help this student with her senior project. Click on the link below. It is anonymous.
Dear BACAHS members,
I am an Industrial Design major at San Francisco State University working on my senior project. It is about the high cost of harps and the concern involving their transportation. In this project, I am proposing to design an electric pedal harp. Your help would be an invaluable part of my project! Please click the link below to start my survey. Thank you in advance for your participation and time!
https://sfsu.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9pErdDK2a1ynCJv
CLASSIFIED ADS
Check out the Great Harps for sale recently added to the Classified Ads page including:
Camac Clio, 44 strings, pristine condition
Lyon and Healy 22, Gold
Lyon and Healy 30, Ebony
Dusty Strings FH 36
Lyon and Healy 23, Natural
MEMBERSHIP
Thank you to all who have joined the chapter or renewed your membership in BACAHS. If you have not done so already, please join or renew now. The membership year begins September 1 and goes through August 2016. Although you may be a member of the American Harp Society at the National level, we hope you will join the Bay Area Chapter as well.
The Chapter serves to meet the need to share information, promote and foster an appreciation of the harp as a musical instrument in the Bay Area, and further harp education at all levels. Your support enables continued sponsorship of harp programs and master classes. Visit BACHARP.org/membership. The Bay Area Chapter of the American Harp Society is a 501(c)3 corporation and, as such, both membership dues and all donations are tax-deductible, to the full extent allowed by law.