I was preparing to send this newsletter last week. But then, on August 8th, the devastating wildfires on Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii began. I decided to wait a week and re-write this introductory section before sending it.

I have received about 100 emails from customers asking if I was ok. Thank you all for your concern and support. Fortunately, there have been no fires here on the island of Kauai. But our hearts and prayers go out to our neighbors on the other islands.

Hawaii is known as a lush, green, tropical paradise, and this is very true. However, the leeward parts of the islands are susceptible to drought. Currently, sections of each island are suffering moderate to severe drought. Dry brush, grasslands, and vegetation fueled the devastating wildfires on Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii. Once the multiple fires started, the strong 60 mph winds from Hurricane Dora, passing about 500 miles south of the islands, rapidly spread the flames. As you have probably seen on the news, the cultural and historic town of Lahaina, the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1820 to 1845, was destroyed. The Lahaina fire is the deadliest in the U.S. in over 100 years.

Irene Ryding is a harpist and harp teacher on the island of Maui. I asked her to give us her thoughts on the disaster. Here's her reply.

The situation on Maui is grim right now. However, there are glimmers of hope. The outpouring of aid and support from around the globe is overwhelming and appreciated.

Please remember that this recovery will be a marathon, not a sprint. Only 5% of the burned buildings have been searched for cadavers as of August 15th, with 106 confirmed deaths and 1300 people still missing. We will not be in the news cycle for long, but please do not forget us. We will need aid later too.

Not all charities are created equal. Some have been efficient in getting aid and supplies to affected Ohana (family), and others have a mountain of red tape that is not helping at all. The Maui Strong Fund has been great. Another local agency needing funding is the Maui Food Bank. The best donations are cash, as many of the items needed on the mainland are not useful here. We have mountains of blankets and old clothes that are not required.

Maui locals are really stepping up, taking in displaced families, providing food, toiletries, shoes (most fire victims ran barefoot to escape the flames), etc. It is heartwarming to see the community come together to provide aid.

I live in Huelo, an off-grid community that relies on water catchment and solar energy on Maui's North Shore. The drought is taking its toll here as well. Water tanks are running dry, and the lush rain forest is becoming parched fire fuel in the unusually dry high-speed winds. We realize that this is nothing compared to what our Ohana in Lahaina are experiencing, but it is a signal that this disaster is far from over.



Much aloha,

Irene Ryding

Thank you, Irene, for your helpful insights. I greatly appreciate your input.

Mahalo for your kokua. (Thank you for your assistance.)

Many of you in other U.S. states and countries have also been dealing with extreme weather lately: heat, floods, wildfires and smoke, tornadoes, and hurricanes. I follow the weather on the nightly news and get periodic updates from my online harp students worldwide. I sincerely hope that you, your family, your pets, your home, and (of course) your harps are all safe and doing well.

Sylvia

Here are some of the PDFs I've added to harpcenter.com this past month.

Rhett Barnwell

Wexford Carol - an intermediate arrangement of the classic Irish Christmas carol

Douglas Beck

Four Hymns About the Cross - four classic, familiar hymns about Easter: Were You There, O Sacred Head, In the Cross of Christ I Glory, and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.

God's Time is Best - a solo harp arrangement from J. S. Bach's Cantata 106.

Carolyn Mills

Unusual Times - five fun, original, intermediate compositions in unusual tunings

Judith Aucoin Olson

Mary's Little Boy Child - an upper intermediate to advanced solo harp arrangement of the Christmas song made famous by Harry Belafonte

Phala Tracy

Songs for Sight Reading - four volumes of music for sight reading practice

Please note: The PDFs in this section are not part of the monthly sale.

Joy Slavens is our featured arranger this month. Here's what she has to say about herself and her music.

Where did it all begin? The love of music was instilled in me at the early age of five by my grandmother, who was a gifted pianist. She discovered that this little red-headed girl had an ear for picking out tunes on the piano. My grandmother nurtured that gift of ear, beginning the journey for me to love music and know it would always be a part of my life. I started taking piano lessons at age eight and continued through age eighteen. My first piano teacher not only taught me to read music easily but worked with my ear and improvising on the piano.

After marrying and settling in Laurel, Delaware, I began to teach piano lessons. We added a music studio to our home, which helped immensely with my teaching while raising two boys. 

I eventually discovered a unique and beautiful instrument — the harp. I saw a pedal harpist at a church and was fascinated. She invited me to sit and try it out. I was hooked! (Yes, the harp vibrates against our chest and heart and calls us to play). Two years later, at age forty-five, I purchased a Dusty Strings Ravenna harp. I couldn't find a harp teacher in our rural Sussex County, Delaware area. I discovered Rebecca (Becky) Smith, who traveled to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and taught several students. Becky is a classical harpist and an outstanding teacher. She taught me how to play and how to teach the harp, as well.

I outgrew the Ravenna in a year and graduated to a Lyon and Healy 85E pedal harp.  “Josephine” (yes, I name my harps!) was a dream come true. I had this harp for only two weeks before playing my first wedding. All the pieces were in C major, and I never dared to move a pedal. I started accepting gigs, playing background music, weddings, funerals, teas, and anything that came along.

A new opportunity knocked at my door while studying under Becky. Meg Robinson, a composer and harpist from Annapolis, Maryland, contacted Becky, looking for someone to mentor in the area of writing music. Becky referred her to me. This was life-changing! Meg led me through the process of learning the Finale software program. I had an original tune, One Tiny Light, which she suggested I turn into a harp solo.

I took a lesson from Frank Voltz at a harp conference, sharing my One Tiny Light solo. Frank’s exact words were, “That is a really sweet piece, and you need to publish it.” I was ecstatic! Frank promised to guide me, and he has helped me every step of the way.

As a teacher, I saw a need for interesting beginner music for my students, so I started writing. Some of my first books were Joy at Christmas and Joy of Easter, which were specifically written for beginning harp players. As I became more experienced, I branched into intermediate arrangements. I have now published forty pieces of music.

I began traveling to Frank’s home for lessons (an eight-hour trip). My husband and I would spend three days in North Carolina while I was being challenged to improvise on the harp. There was not a piece of music to be found. What a fun and motivating experience!

In 2021 I met an amazing flutist, Margaret Swinchoski, who had played on Broadway for thirty-plus years. We quickly joined together to form "Duo Dolce." We have performed throughout the area for the past two years.

In 2021, the Centenary United Methodist Church in Laurel, Delaware, invited me to serve as their music director. I now direct the choir, play piano and harp, assist with bells, direct a praise team, and do whatever is needed.

My musical journey has led me to places I never dreamed of. I am now blessed with a studio of forty students, an active harp ensemble, a career as a harpist, and service as a church music minister. And when I can find the time, I write! The harp has provided a fun, challenging journey.

This month's sale includes arrangements by our featured arranger, Joy Slavens.

To get the 15% discount, enter the code Joy in the "Enter Promo Code" box on your shopping cart page and click "Enter Code" by August 31, 2023. See the "How to get the 15% discount" section at the bottom of this newsletter for more information.

America the Beautiful

arranged by Joy Slavens

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Blissful Day

composed by Joy Slavens

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Dance of the Butterflies

composed by Joy Slavens

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Elegance

composed by Joy Slavens

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Garden Splendor

composed by Joy Slavens

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Joy at Christmas #1 and #2

arranged by Joy Slavens

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Joy of Easter #1 and #2

arranged by Joy Slavens

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Mountain Mist

composed by Joy Slavens

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Sunrise

composed by Joy Slavens

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Sunset

composed by Joy Slavens

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Treasures of the Heart

composed by Joy Slavens

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Scarborough Fair

arranged by Joy Slavens

for harp and flute or violin

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Simple Gifts

arranged by Joy Slavens

for harp and flute or violin

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Deck the Halls /

O Christmas Tree

arranged by Joy Slavens

for two harps

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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Still, Still, Still /

In the Bleak Midwinter

arranged by Joy Slavens

for two harps

PDF

15% off with Joy code

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15% off select sale items when you use the code word Joy

Our newsletter promo codes are redeemable online and are only valid for the products listed above in the monthly sale section. They are not valid for phone or email orders. This month's code word is Joy.

Here's how to get your newsletter discount at harpcenter.com:

#1. Put the items you want to purchase in your cart.

#2. On the page where you view the items in your cart, type this month's code word Joy in the "Enter Promo Code" box and click "Apply."

The actual price of the featured sale products on this page will then automatically change to reflect the discount. For example,

   Unit Price: $9.95 (the original price)

   Total Price: $8.46 (the discounted price)

You'll also see a note below the Promo Code box saying the name of the promo code you entered and the percentage amount of the discount.

REMEMBER: You must enter this month's code word Joy in the Promo Code box and click "Apply" on your shopping cart page by August 31, 2023, to get the discount!

If you forget, or if you have trouble adding it to your order, email Sylvia immediately.  

This offer expires at the end of the day on 8/31/2023.