Harp Column Blogs: Samuel Milliganarchive

Love everything about this shot.  John Coltrane loved the harp!  I was excited to find out that once, an interviewer asked Coltrane who his main influences were and his reply was: Ornette Coleman, Ravi Shankar & Carlos Salzedo!  I wonder whose harp this is in this shot.  It could use some clipping :D

Spring is here!  It seems that everyone has been working like crazy around here and harps are back in style (if they really ever left…).  Orchestral & chamber concerts, recording sessions, pop performances & tours, club dates and lots of harp students. It has been quite difficult to find a harpist here in NY to sub for anything lately.  It’s raining work and things are going great!!

Or…are they?

About a month ago, a dear friend and fellow harpist called and let me know that she would no longer have her job at the performing arts secondary school where she currently works--she and a bunch of other of her colleagues.

Then, last week I received an email in which the subject read  “Urgent: all 300 fine arts teachers laid off in Detroit” with a letter asking for help to save the arts in Detroit’s public school system.  This is a school system with a rich, rich, rich musical history.  Their school system has produced some of the best musicians and popular artists.  Also, beginning in 1925, Cass Technical High School has the oldest ongoing harp program in a public school here in the states.

This has been a problem for quite some time here in the United States.  I still cant understand why the arts are always first to go.  I first learned of the issue as a teenager, in 1997 when every time I turned on the television, I’d see a VH-1 commercial for their “Save the Music Foundation”.  Then, I learned that my very own school district was in danger as well.

Where would many of us busy, working harpists be today if our schools hadn’t had music?  What can we all do to help?

As I welcome the new year 2010, I breathe deeply in gratitude that the roller-coaster ride of 2009 is over.
Even though the world was overflowing with optimism in January 2009, shock waves hit the economy as financial institutions crumbled, the stock market hit perilous lows, and businesses collapsed. The 2009 economy dealt a crushing blow to arts organizations and universities as endowments shriveled to a pittance of their former value, and corporate and charitable giving all but disappeared. It was a lean, mean year and everyone I know suffered financially. People were terrified of losing their jobs and their homes and being swallowed by debt. College funds and 401k's disappeared overnight and the media made depression-era comparisons. I watched in horror as much of my annual freelance work that I relied on just disappeared into thin air.

Despite my lighter performance schedule, I found a way to survive with less this year. At my house we ate a lot more "mac and cheese", and "mystery casseroles" (leftover delights) and my children got resourceful in the kitchen with "make your own dinner nights". The phrases "stick to the budget" and "because there is no money" became the auto-response to every "whiney" request. We cut back, cut out and eliminated luxuries like going out to eat at restaurants and mini-vacations to the beach. My son got a job at the nearby grocery store and we took advantage of the "buy one, get one free deals", and managers' specials.
Although I will never be as organized as the coupon queens with their handy plastic dividers and coupons for every product known to man, I must say I was impressed with their savings at the cash register. If only I took the time to cut out all those coupons and watch the papers more carefully I would have extra money every month. Oh how I missed shopping for a new outfit or new shoes.
I had to laugh when a sales clerk at my favorite "Chicos" store called to make sure I wasn't sick because she hadn't seen me in 6 months! I am sure I wasn't the only customer she cold-called that day.

As I considered the empty pages on my calendar, I found I had more time than money. I realized I was being given "the gift of time", and I decided to make the most of it. I taught more students, practiced more, and enjoyed long conversations with friends on the phone or over coffee instead of the usual lunch or dinner out. My family and I used our "stay-cations" to paint and fix things up around the house and we redecorated my teenage daughters' rooms with things we recycled from the attic.
My kids decided to try a vegetable garden and we made a small but earnest attempt. We grew delicious home grown tomatoes, romaine lettuce, collards and fresh herbs. I bought 4 rose plants and managed to grow some beautiful red roses (my favorite) despite voracious deer and a dreadful Japanese beetle invasion.

When I did work, I worked really hard and I enjoyed every minute of it. I performed the Mozart Flute & Harp Concerto, the Debussy Trio, several professional orchestra concerts, accompanied opera stars, ballerinas, outstanding choirs, and 3 fabulous Irish Tenors. Even though the money was tight this year, the music making was inspiring and meaningful and I loved it. As a teacher, I was pleased that my students worked hard and performed so well and I was extremely proud of each of them.

As I count my blessings this year I am grateful for good health and thankful for my opportunities to work and play beautiful music with my talented friends and colleagues.
As I happily say goodbye to 2009, I welcome the new year with hope and optimism for the future.
I celebrate my friendships and send love to my dear friends near and far, and I wish everyone good health and happiness and a prosperous 2010.
CHEERS!