The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-02-26, Page 47vado
Showcase '80, page 21
Harp provides beautiful background, unique touch
By Anne Narejko
Music is a universal language. The
words of a song need not be understood
because the melody alone can convey the
message.
An important element of each wedding
ceremony is the music, and for the most
part, the bridal couple choose an organist
to play The Wedding Song, We've Only
Just Begun, Morning has Broken or any'
other song of their choice. But there are
other alternative instruments which could
be used, and one is the harp.
Mary Hearn, of RR4 Clinton, has been
Mary Hearn, of Clinton, has been playing the harp for 10 years. She claims playing the in-
strument is a combination between playing the piano and guitar. Although she enjoys per-
forming at weddings, she finds the preparations a lot of work. (Anne Narejko photo)
Plan perfect honeymoon
• from page 20
• How far from the airport is it and
how will you get there? '
• Does the place you've chosen offer
any special honeymoon packages?
• Are there sports facilities available
that coincide with your interests?
• Be aware of what papers may be
needed (passport, visa). Are immuniza-
tions needed?
• Will your credit cards be accepted in
the area you are travelling to?
In order to be helpful, your travel
agent should know your budget, when
you've set aside time and how much, the
type df experience you're looking for and
things the two of you enjoy doing
together. Remember to be open to sug-
gestions and you may get a pleasant sur-
prise.
learning to play the harp for 10 years.
"It's quite difficult to learn. You use a
plucking motion so you have to build up
the muscles m your fingers like piano
players and you get calluses like guitar
players," she explained.
Mrs. Hearn has played at three wed-
dings but would like -to keep her talents a
hobby and not a job because she finds the
preparations for weddings very time con-
suming.
vEI use the same type of music as an
organist but I have to rewrite it for the
harp. 1 did come across some wedding
music for harpists, but it still takes a fair
amount of time to learn," she said.
Some of the songs Mrs. Hearn plays are
The Wedding Song, 0' Perfect Love and
Perhaps Love.
Mrs. Hearn says she plays at weddings
for young'couples, and since the harp is.
the traditional instrument of Ireland, itis
not surprising that she has played at an
Irish wedding.
During two of the three weddings Mrs.
Hearn has been accompanied by an
organist and soloist.
"The combination gives a nice effect,"
she said, adding the music is played both
before and after the service.
Mrs. Hearn, who also "plays at the piano
and guitar," has been the choir director at
Wesley -Willis United Church since 1972.
With all this talent, it's not surprising that
her family is also musical.
Mrs. Hearn and her husband Bill have
five children and each child is involved in
music in one way or another.
Steve Hearn took a few lessons and has
also taught himself how to play the drums;
Lind plays the piano; Nancy is a
graduate of the University of Western On-
tario's music program; Jeff sings in a
choir and plays the trumpet in the
Goderich Lake Town Band and Don is a
member of the Central Huron Secondary
School Choir.
Mr. Hearn also has musical talents,
playing in the Clinton band during the war.
Mrs. Hearn isn't sure whether she'll ever
master the harp, but she does enjoy play-
ing the harp as her hobby.
Traditional
a
••from page 20
ceremony; are now added on occasion as
accompaniment for soloists.
Over the years, Mrs. Lear says she's
developed a "be ready for anything" at-
titude when playing at weddings since
there is always something that goes
wrong. At times like these, the organist
can be invaluable in keeping the ceremony
running smoothly.
"Human beings being what they are, no
service ever goes exactly right. This is
where an organist can fill in. You can keep
playing while the guests are waiting to be
ushered and, once the ushers and the
minister comes in, you have to be ready to I
switch to the processional," says Mrs.
Lear.'
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.41
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