LIVERPOOL — Harps undoubtedly make the most heavenly music on earth. Triangular stringed instruments, harps have been plucked since antiquity in Asia, Africa and Europe, dating back at least as early as 3000 BCE.
The instrument enjoyed great popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, when it evolved into a wide range of variants with new technologies and was disseminated to Europe’s colonies, finding particular popularity in Latin America.
Artists have often depicted angels as playing a harp. In Ireland, an image of a Celtic harp adorns the country’s coins and coat of arms. In Jewish art, many images of King David show him holding or paying a harp.
Free concert & fellowship
A Central New York ensemble called a Harmony of Harps carries on that ancient musical tradition hereabouts. About a dozen harpists will perform a concert of Christmas tunes at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Liverpool First United Methodist Church – the purple-door church – at 604 Oswego St., in the village.
Formed as a non-profit organization in 1996, A Harmony of Harps is a chapter of the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen.
“We are comprised of members of varied ages, vocations and abilities,” says its president, Deete Bunn, “but we all share a love for the harp.”
Celtic to contemporary
The group provides CNY harpists with a place to play music and to simply chat about harps. They rehearse monthly at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Fayetteville and perform publicly several times a year.
“We play both ensemble pieces and solos in a range of styles, from Celtic, Renaissance and folk to classical and contemporary,” Bunn says.
Sunday afternoon’s harp concert here is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served at the church’s Fellowship Hall following the performance. To contact A Harmony of Harps President Deette Bunn, email her at [email protected].
Mansion bash Thursday
The Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its annual Holiday Party at the Gleason Mansion, from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. The historic mansion is located at 314 Second St., at the corner of Sycamore Street.
JASS Jam Session Dec. 11
The Jazz Appreciation Society of Syracuse Jam Sessions continue from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St., in Syracuse; jasscny.org. Admission is free, and all musicians and vocalists are invited to sit in. The sessions are coordinated by trombonist and JASS President Bobby Morris – who lives in Liverpool – 315-439-3435.
Liverpool BOE’s Nick Blaney to perform with DeSantis Orchestra
You can often hear him speaking at Liverpool Central School District Board of Education meetings, but on Sunday, Dec. 11, you can hear Nick Blaney sing.
The youthful school board member, a graduate of Liverpool High School, is a talented and well-trained baritone whose repertoire ranges from opera to pop.
On Sunday, Nick will be featured singing with his cousin Maria DeSantis and the Mario DeSantis Orchestra when it headlines its 15th annual Christmas at The Landmark at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Landmark Theatre, 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse.
The big band will play holiday favorites and new arrangements while featuring vocalists Keith Condon, Ronnie Leigh, Gary Branch, Mike Ranalli, Joe Whiting and, of course, Nick Blaney. Featured instrumentalists are saxophonist Dunham Hall and violinist Joe Davoli.
Throughout the year 2022, the DeSantis Orchestra has celebrated its unprecedented 75th anniversary. The band’s founder, pianist Mario DeSantis, died on March 26, 2020, at age 91.
Ticket prices for Sunday’s concert range from $44 to $116, and are available at desantisorchestra.com, or by calling 315-479-7979. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Father Joe Champlin’s Guardian Angel Society.
Last word
“It’s Central New York’s very own Christmas special. It’s live for one night only.”
