Harp Column Blogs: Laura ByrneArchive

Happy New Year to harpists around the world!
I am so happy to welcome a new year with hopes for peace, happiness, and prosperity for everyone.
As I reflect on the year 2011, I am so grateful for the fine music I was asked to play, the fine musicians I played with, and the wonderful students I had the pleasure to teach.
It is always a joy to watch students advance, achieving their goals, and continuing their love of music on the harp. I had one student graduate from UNC and go on to graduate school to pursue a career in music, and Duke students graduate to pursue other career goals, but all continuing with advanced harp studies.
I am so proud of all of them and my private students too, who continue to progress in their harp journey.

I have so many excellent colleagues I had the pleasure of working with and I enjoyed some outstanding performances. It was a joy to play "Faust" and "Carmen" with the NC Opera as well as the "Nutcracker" with the NC Ballet. In addition to some choral and chamber orchestra concerts, I had a rare opportunity at Duke to premier a new composition for harp and voice. The piece was written for soprano Leda Scearce by her husband composer Mark Scearce. It was a pleasure to work with such a brilliant singer and composer bringing "Bright Star" out for its' debut. There were other special performances this year and I enjoyed every one of them, but it was the people who made them wonderful. Music isn't always easy, we all have bad days, hard times, and gigs that are anything but fulfilling; in spite of that, I truly savored the music this year and felt great joy in my harp playing.

This year was difficult for me but made better because of some very fine people and very dear friends. Life is not just about how great you play, how many CD's you sell, or whether you hit your career goal, but it is about other more important things. The past year had many challenges that I fought and found solutions for, and met some extraordinary people along the way. They say when you make it through a hardship you really appreciate your blessings. And I am very thankful for my family, their health, for great work, and precious old and special new friends. I hope 2012 brings you health, happiness, and joyful harp experiences!
Happy New Year!