Wed, 12 Oct 2022 21:46:56 GMT

I am very much looking forward to joining the Ottawa Youth Harp Ensemble in a wonderful concert. It is called "First Catch Your Peacock". A detailed description of the concert as well as the poster can be found below. Hope to see you there!

The concert, “First Catch Your Peacock” offers a sampling of music from the Welsh bards and readings devoted to Welsh cuisine in homeland Wales and Welsh Patagonia, Argentina. The concert title is inspired by the opening instructions of a medieval Welsh recipe for the preparation of roast peacock to be served at banquet with feathers intact.

Complementing the culinary readings, are Welsh and South American music for harp ensemble, Welsh airs for violin and harp, songs in Welsh and a violin sonata by G.F. Handel, who admired and wrote for Welsh harpists during his long sojourn in London. Interspersed with the music are readings from the “How Green Was My Valley” and its sequel “Up into the Singing Mountain” by novelist Richard Llewellyn, and from “First Catch Your Peacock – A Book of Welsh Food” by chef, Bobby Freeman.

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Thu, 30 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Should you need to call the city of Ottawa at 3-1-1, you may hear my composition "Danse Royale" playing while on hold!

I'm pleased to announce that my submission was one of 35 tracks selected for the 2022 Music On Hold Playlist. You can access the whole playlist on Soundcloud

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Mon, 29 Jun 2020 18:14:30 GMT

When you start researching harps, one of the first questions is "how many strings do you need"?
I recommend that you first rent a harp to get comfortable with the instrument and understand what you need from your harp. A beginner can get plenty of work done on a small harp (<32 strings). A small harp is also ideal for travelling. Some examples of small harps:

Dusty Strings Ravenna 26
Salvi Juno 25 or 27
Fullsicle 26

If given the choice between a lap harp and a floor harp as your main harp, opt for the floor harp. The positioning is more comfortable and it will be an easier transition to a larger harp later.

As you reach the advanced-beginner/intermediate stage, you may find that the smaller harp is too limiting. Larger harps offer a rich bass and more resonant tone. An instrument in the 33-40 range is appropriate for most harpists. Personally, I think 34 or 36 string harps have the best value. My main harp is a Salvi Livia 36 string harp (discontinued). A 36-string harp will go from a C2-C7 whereas other harps will add/remove a few strings from either the top or the bottom range, for example C2 to A6. Remember, as the number of strings increases, so will its size, weight and price. There are many brands and models to choose from so take your time to research and try as many harps as you can! Here are some suggestions:

Lyon & Healy Ogden - 34 Strings
Dusty Strings Ravenna - 34 Strings
Josephus Moonspring (Made in Canada!) - 36 Strings
Salvi Titan - 38 Strings
Lyon & Healy Prelude - 40 Strings

TLDR: Rent an instrument as a beginner and invest in a 34 or 36 string harp . It offers flexibility without being too large.

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Sat, 20 Jun 2020 00:57:40 GMT

Playing music is very rewarding, especially when we are spending so much time at home these days. If you're considering the harp as your new instrument, here are some reasons why you should go for it:

1. It sounds beautiful from the beginning
Some instruments sound awful during the first few weeks or months of practice. Luckily, the harp does not squeak or crack. Neither does a harpist need to worry about intonation once the harp is tuned. One can produce a wonderful tone from the very first lesson and easily learn melodies by ear.

2. It is a visual instrument
If you've ever inspected a harp, you might've noticed that there are different coloured strings. The pattern is standard: Red/White/White/Blue/White/White/White. It helps the harpist distinguish between different pitches, with red meaning C and blue or black meaning F. The shorter the string, the higher the sound. Much like a piano, the notes are laid out in front of you so you simply find the desired string and pluck it. No struggling with fingerings or different positions. If you're taking lessons from a teacher, you can easily see what they are doing with their hands and do your best to replicate it.

3. It is rare
When was the last time you heard a harp? How many harpists do you know? Listeners are often very excited and intrigued by the instrument.

4. It sounds great solo or with a group
One can play rich solo pieces or accompany other instruments. Experiment with different instrument combinations! Hint: Piano parts can often be played on the harp.

What is your reason for wanting to learn the harp?]]>

Thu, 21 May 2020 04:17:00 GMT

Browsing on Facebook, I saw an advertisement for a contest put on by Jeunesses Musicales Canada: Domicile Adoré/ Home Sweet Home Contest. The task was record an original composition based on the pitches Do-Mi-Si-La-Do-Re... get it? Here is what I came up with.

You can vote for me until June 14. $1=1 vote

https://jmcanada.fundkyapp.com/fr/concours-contest-do-mi-si-la-do-re/edition-2020/marianne-lin

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Mon, 18 May 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Being in self-isolation has given me more time with my harps and my computer than ever before. Whether you're a harpist looking for tricks or a curious reader, I'm glad you found me!

I will try to post reflections, practical advice and personal updates here periodically.
Happy harping!

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Tue, 31 Dec 2019 05:00:00 GMT

2018

University of Ottawa Science Students' Association Formal
Marianne plays at the Science Faculty's Formal Event at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Ottawa, ON
March 24 2018

2016

Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada (Irish Gaelic Festival)
Marianne joins the Ottawa Youth Harp Ensemble
Tamworth, ON
June 26 2016

Les beautés de la nature.
Marianne performs with Orchestre Philarmonique des Musiciens de Montréal (OPMEM)
Église St-Édouard, Montréal
May 14 2016

Marianne performs with the McGill Wind Symphony
directed by Alain Cazes
Pollack Hall, McGill University
April 2 2016

Marianne performs with the McGill Wind Symphony
directed by Alain Cazes
Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts, Queen's University
March 31 2016

Marianne performs with the McGill Wind Symphony
directed by Alain Cazes
Pollack Hall, McGill University
February 18 2016

Marianne performs Maurice Ravel's 'Introduction et Allegro' for harp, flute clarinet and string quartet

with Shane Culnan (flute), Rachel Norris (clarinet), James Enns (violin), Daniel Jiang (violin), Jack McKay (viola), Sahara von Hattenberger (cello)
Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University
February 2 2016

Sous les étoiles.
Marianne performs with l'Orchestre Philarmonique des Musiciens de Montréal (OPMEM)
directed by Philippe Ménard
Salle Pierre-Mercure, UQAM
January 23 2016

2015

Clayton Rego's Final Recital.
Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University
April 24 2015

Harp Recital. Class of Jennifer Swartz
Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University
March 24 2015

2014

Marianne performs "Cinq Petits Dialogues " by Jean-Michel Damase
with Elliott Harrison (marimba)
Pollack Hall, McGill University
December 4 2014

Watch the performance:
1st movement
2nd movement
3rd movement

Marianne performs with the McGill Symphony Orchestra
directed by Alexis Hauser
Pollack Hall, McGill University
November 1 2014

Kiwanis Music Festival's 2014 Celebrations Concert
St Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church, Ottawa
October 19 2014

Marianne places 1st at OMFA Provincial Competition
Peterborough, ON
June 6 2014

Marianne places 1st in Diploma Level at the Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival
Trinity United Church, Ottawa
May 3 2014

Marianne performs "Pastorales de Noel" by Andre Jolivet
with Jennifer Shi (flute) and Alita l'Ecuyer (bassoon)
Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University
April 10 2014

Harp Recital. Class of Jennifer Swartz
Clara Lichtenstein Hall, McGill University
April 2 2014

2013

Marianne performs Parvis: Cortege et Danse by Bernard Andres
with Scott Ross-Molyneux
Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University
November 24 2013

Watch the performance here

Marianne performs at the Canadian Music Showcase
Freiman Hall, University of Ottawa
November 16 2013

Marianne is featured in McGill's University Chorus concert
Pollack Hall, McGill University
April 8 2013

Harp Recital. Class of Jennifer Swartz.
Tanna Schulich Hall, McGill University
March 19 2013

2012

Marianne performs the Serenade No 10 for Flute and Harp by Vincent Persichetti with flutist Michelle Kim
McGill Chamber Music Ensembles
Tanna Schulich Hall
December 4 2012

Marianne is featured in the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival's "Rising Stars" gala
St-Brigid's Centre for the Arts, Ottawa
July 28th 2012

Marianne places 3rd place at the OMFA Provincial Competition
Peterborough, ON
June 10 2012

Marianne performs at the ORMTA Competitions Gala

Ottawa Mennonite Church
May 12 2012

Marianne places 2nd place in Grade 10 at the Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival
St Aidan's Anglican Church, Ottawa
April 28 2012

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