There has to be some kind of prize for the biggest icicle EVER

It met its demise when my nice brother came in

with a big truck and some power tools.

I love my charming old house.

Really, I do.

Merry Christmas

I wish you warmth, love, peace, beauty and much music

this holiday season and through the new year.

A harpist's Christmas Eve

Before tonight, I've never thought much about how much time I spend in empty churches. Getting the harp in early so I don't have to maneuver through milling service-goers or wedding guests. Setting up  before there are crowds to witness the quite ungraceful process. Tuning in the quiet. Getting ready to create music in the space.

Today was no different. 

I was ready for the 2:00 Service of Remembrance

at Centenary United Methodist Church

well before the congregation arrived.

Reveling in the peace and the beauty of that place.

The service was beautiful.

After playing, I lit a candle for a friend

who lost her grandmother last week.

It's hard to lose a grandma in December.

I know.

Then I drove to the Church of the Holy Communion

in St. Peter. What a perfect Christmas Eve scene.

Inside was warm and cozy and so beautiful.

The quiet before the service was magical.

And the service itself was gorgeous:

poinsettias, candlelight, harp, organ,

so many friendly voices joining together.

And the merriment continued afterward

with sherry toasts...

...and delicious treats.

(That's my infamous goat cheese, sundried tomato,

basil pesto torte. Half a pound of butter per recipe. Amen.)

Merry.

Read my wedding music post on the Jean M Blog

The Jean M wedding blog asked me to provide expert advice on choosing wedding music  — and I delivered!

Visit http://blog.myjeanm.com/ to read the post and get great ideas for your wedding, or forward it to an engaged friend.

We interrupt this Christmas season to talk about weddings!

 Christmas only comes once a year, 

but weddings are planned every day!

Brides and grooms were gathering to plan their wedding receptions at a new local hotel, and I was invited to provide harp music during the event. Outside was dangerously cold and icy, but inside the atmosphere was warm and romantic — don't you love the elegantly draped ceiling and the pops of color in the flowers and chair ties?

Pretty soon, I’ll be filing away my Christmas music and gearing up for wedding season. I’ll be presenting at a couple of bridal shows in January and am looking forward to meeting this year’s wedding couples.

 I love playing for weddings. 

It's an honor be a part of such a special celebration.
Photo: Bobby McFall

I love meeting with the couples and talking about their dreams for their weddings, sharing with them what I know about choosing the right wedding music. I love finding out what makes couples unique and enhancing that through the music. Two couples can choose the exact same line-up of music (it's happened!), but the weddings will FEEL completely different because of their style, their personalities, their individuality, the way they love each other.

Many times, couples will ask what music they "have to" have at their weddings. Unless they're having a religious ceremony in a house of worship with strict rules about music selections played during ceremonies, I tell them that this is their chance to develop the soundtrack of the day they're married. They can walk down the aisle to Bach or the Beatles — it’s all about whatever makes them happy! There are, of course, the most-requested wedding songs, like “Bridal March” by Wagner and “Canon in D” by Pachelbel, which I can play with my eyes closed. Then there are the unique requests from couples (“O Canada” anyone?).  There are the sentimental couples (requesting “You Are My Sunshine” in honor of their grandparents). And there are the top-40 lovers (I’ve even played a piece by Sting for a processional).

I’ll admit I’ve had my doubts about some of the selections (did I mention “O Canada?”), but every time the music became perfect for the one-of-a-kind ceremony that unfolded.

Playing at weddings has made me a better harpist in general. I've developed a sense of timing and first-hand knowledge of the power of music on the emotions — skills you can really only learn by doing. And have I been "doing" weddings! I've played at hundreds during the course of my career. The harp is perfect at so many styles of weddings…

Traditional church ceremonies

Informal receptions in rustic barns

made elegant for the occasion

Cocktail hours in gorgeous settings

Weddings at the shore

Summer outdoor weddings in the park

If you’re getting married, or know someone who is, I’d love to talk about playing for the wedding! Want to hear me playing samples of wedding music on my harp? You can visit the “Weddings” link at my website, www.amykortuem.com and scroll to the bottom of the page to click on the titles of the songs you want to hear.

O Christmas gigs, O Christmas gigs

Snowy drives. Wind chills below zero. Car starter working overtime. This combo can only mean one thing:

 It's Harp Season!

I have been traversing the region in my trusty 1996 Ford Explorer (good old girl), hauling one harp or another to Christmas parties, church services, Prima Vox appearances, concerts, all varieties of good things that happen this time of year.

This season contains the best and the worst of harp playing. The worst? Icy weather than can severely damage the harp. Even icier steps and sidewalks that can severely injure the tender backsides of harpists (yes, I fell down, ow, limp, owie, sympathy welcome).

The best parts?

Getting to play some of my favorite music of all time. 

Getting to be a part of beautiful celebrations.

(I still haven't decorated my Christmas tree at home,

so I'm living a decorated holiday vicariously.)

Getting to see people happy because I'm playing for them. 

It makes me very, very happy, too.

Hear and see Fire & Ice...in surround sound

When I composed my piece Fire & Ice in Paris last year, I wrote it for three voices: Me, Ann and Sara (a.k.a. Prima Vox). Performing it with them, and with the harp, has always been so gorgeous, so fulfilling.

But in the back of my mind, I've always wondered what it would sound like with more voices on the "Ann" and "Sara" lines. Like, with a whole choir of women singing with me. A girl can dream big, right?

That dream came true last Sunday. Dr. David Dickau, conductor of Minnesota State University, Mankato, concert and chamber choirs, invited me to perform at their holiday concert. He'd asked me to accompany the choir on a couple of pieces (I broke out the metronome to rehearse those...tick, tock, tick, tock...) and also to play a solo set. One of the pieces I proposed to him was my Fire & Ice...with all the women's voices singing with me.

He agreed. (He's a composer, too, and understands these things, I'm sure.) The rehearsal was a total overwhelm of sound and clash and release and just complete soul fire for me. And the concert...well, you can see and hear for yourself right here.

Ann (of Prima Vox fame) was at the concert and agreed to be my videographer. God bless her for capturing everything I'd wanted to see: my hands on the harp, the candles lit in that icy cold, blue-lit church, the girls surrounding the sanctuary and singing, the audience listening with eyes closed, Dr. Dickau's smile at the end. (I cut out the part of the video where I come back to my seat after my composed bow and put my head on my Aunt Sheila's shoulder and cry.)

But I think you'll get the idea. Enjoy.

Harp practicing attire

My friend stayed with me on Friday night because of the snowstorm. She patiently put up with my harp practicing (listening to the accompaniment parts to choral pieces is not the most pleasant experience). And when I walked to the kitchen to get more tea, she said, "Wow, you're fancy tonight."

I was confused, because she's seen my new lounging-around outfit before.

It's grey velour and very warm. And very sparkly.

It was on sale, too.

Then she pointed to my feet.

Oh. Yeah. The shoes.

I got them to go with the dress I'll be wearing when I accompany the MSU choirs on Sunday. I always practice the harp wearing shoes with a heel because it makes working the pedals easier. Since I don't wear pink fluffy slippers when I'm performing, I don't practice the harp wearing those. And since these shoes are new, I wanted to get a feel for how they would move on the pedals. It all makes sense, right?

Until I forget and walk around the house in front of other people. Always, always entertaining at Amy's house. In one way or another.

The day before the concert

I'm ready. I've been ready all week. A week is a long time to pace and over-practice and pace again and double-check lists and practice one more time and think, in a fit of pre-concert insanity, that I should change the entire set list and then calm myself down with Thanksgiving leftovers (mmmm, carbs.) Leftovers eaten while pacing.

 Dress rehearsal tonight was a huge relief. 

One more big milestone on the journey to another concert. We flew through everything. Talked about the great publicity the concert has receive on radio and Martha's blog (thanks, KTOE, KMSU and The Free Press). Hoped together for a warm and responsive crowd.

After the band left, I spent a little time alone in the church with the harps, like I always do. Calibrating myself to the performance to come.

Ready to put the music on the stand.

Ready for the audience to fill these empty seats.

Because the music only really comes alive

when I'm playing for them.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is all about tradition in our family. There's ALWAYS broccoli casserole, green bean casserole, potatoes, gravy, stuffing. ALMOST always squash, but we forgot this year. Oh yeah, and turkey for the meat-eaters (I've been a vegetarian for more than three years, and Mom still worries that I won't get enough to eat...no worries, Mom). 

And of course, the favorite old decorations make their appearances:

"Toothpick Turkey" by Jeff Kortuem, ca. 1986

"Breadbasket Cloth" by Amy Kortuem, ca. 1980

It's that time of year again

Time for the annual Jeff Helps Amy Get A Christmas Tree Event. It was chilly and snowy. Weather advisories galore. The perfect day for my brother to drive over in his trusty truck and pick me up and take me to Menard's to get a tree. Right?

Well, Jeff took some convincing. I even composed another song to sing on his voicemail to tempt him:
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
everywhere except Amy's house...
she needs to get a tree
with help from Brother Jeffery
today before the snowstorm hits the state and it's too late to decorate...
la la la la..."

 And it worked. 

We braved the weather, got the tree and put it up in record time.  

(The picture's blurry...Jeff moves fast.)

The tree is kind of shaped like a rocket right now, but I hope it will relax in the warm living room. The scent is heavenly. It feels more festive in here (and makes the practicing atmosphere even better) as it is right now. But I really I hope I decorate the tree this year, rather than letting it be naked except for its lights all season like I did last year.

Wintry weather makes it easier to practice Christmas music

I know this may not be the most popular viewpoint, but I'm rather enjoying this cold, snowy late-fall-turned-early-winter. It makes practicing Christmas carols on the harp so much easier. Hauling the harp won't be easy. Keeping it in tune won't be easy. But I sure am in the holiday mood and that translates into the emotion I put into the songs when I'm rehearsing.

When the weather is wintry and the house is cold, I do have company when practicing...

Harry

Sam

It's hard to practice the harp with a cat on your left leg, digging in his claws into your skin so he doesn't slip off when you work the pedals. But they're good little heaters.

November wedding

Romantic.

It was my last wedding of "wedding season," which lasted longer this year than it does many years. It had everything you'd want in a winter wedding: a sparkly dress, candlelight, a church full of guests, a loving family. Everything was lovely.

And the harpist played, of all things, "Canon in D" by Pachelbel.

The best concert rehearsal so far

Missed cues. Wrong notes. We made a train wreck of almost every piece. Once I yelled at Marti that she was stealing my solo verse. She knows better than to think I was serious.

And finally, it all dissolved into laughter. I don't drink much anymore, but I thought this occasion called for some red wine.

 (It was all I had in the cupboard...)

We ended up talking through some things, giving a couple songs a few more tries, and then we gave up for the night. We reminisced about past concerts, counted the years we've played together (Martha and me: almost 9, Martha and Sam and me: 8, Martha and Sam and Marti and me: 5), talked about our favorite moments, flat-out gossiped.

Am I worried? Not at all. They're pros. I'm prepared. We have two more rehearsals. And lots of years of  friendship and experience to back us up.

So much for "driving the cold winter away"...

We got about 12" of snow overnight. Wet, heavy snow. I got up at 8:30 this morning and shoveled. Then I turned around and re-shoveled. Snow blew in big, wet flakes, soaking my coat, hat and mittens. Snow fell off the trees and hit my back in huge chunks that let me know I was on the losing end of a snowball fight with Mother Nature.

The cold winter is here. Sorry, I tried.

I didn't get up early to shovel because I like to shovel. I had two events to play for today and needed to make it to my car when it was time to leave. It's no fun navigating snowy sidewalks with a harp on wheels. But when I came inside, there were two phone messages; both events were canceled because of the weather and because the kind organizers just didn't want me to risk life, limb and harp by being out in it.

Those phone calls were the second and third weather-related miracles of the year when it came to the harp. Not that the weather was miraculous (the weather was really awful harp-wise this year), it's more that the people in charge of the events that happened during this awful weather made miraculous decisions.

The first weather-related miracle? Outdoor wedding, August 4, 2010. 90+ degrees and horribly humid. I wore my coolest dress, my hair up, my sunglasses and a good slathering of SPF 75. When I showed up, I was directed here:

INSIDE. 

The bride met me at the door and said it was just too hot out 

and that we would all be more comfortable if the wedding was indoors.

Hallelujah.

Today, thanks to weather miracles #2 and #3, I got some laundry done, some quiet harp practicing in and a long winter's nap. Harps and harpist safe and sound...

...looking out on the lovely winter's night.

Band rehearsal lights up the night

 And it was all thanks to Harry, our biggest fan.

I was so excited for our first rehearsal on Tuesday night. Getting to hear the band play the music I've chosen and arranged for our concerts for the first time brings everything alive for me. In college, I remember asking a composer/arranger speaking to our theory class if the music he composed sounded in performance the way he heard it in his head. He said no, it sounds better, so much better in performance. I didn't really believe him at the time. But now I know exactly what he means.

The harps were tuned and ready.

The music was waiting to be played.

The candles were lit to warm up the chilly night.

And then, minutes before the band arrived, Harry decided to jump onto the coffee table, swish his tail through the candles and...

SET HIMSELF ON FIRE.

His hair is so long that he didn't feel a thing. He'd already jumped down from the coffee table by the time I smelled the burning hair, panicked, bolted up from behind the harp, patted out his tail and rushed him to the kitchen sink. 

Oh, the indignity, of having your tail squirted with water when you have no idea you're on fire. 

Oh, the drama of getting the burned hair trimmed from your tail when you have no idea you'd set it on fire.

Oh, Harry.

Sam, Martha and Marti all wrinkled their noses when they walked into the house, but when I explained, we had a good laugh. They know all about Harry's antics. And we all love him anyway.

Onward, and here's to driving the cold winter away without setting ourselves on fire.

To Drive the Cold Winter Away - November 27

Or, "To Drive the Cold Winter Away with Stuff Amy Likes." So SamTheDrummer has named this year's annual holiday concert, which will take place on November 27th. Last year's theme was "French." The year before, "Lullabies." The year before that, "Irish."

 This year: Traditional carols and Amy's original music.

All the music came to me in sections, not in a single theme. There's the Holly and the Ivy set, with a new piece I learned in Ireland. There's the Three Ships set, with a new piece I wrote in Ireland. There's the piece I wrote for Prima Vox in Paris last year, "Fire and Ice." There's the piece I wrote for Prima Vox in Ireland this year, "Ave."

I love it all. I didn't want to cut any of it for the sake of fitting into a theme. So I just went with my original gut choices, put it into a set list order that flows, arranged it for the band and for me. And then I emailed the set list to the band with the note: "There's really no theme this year, just stuff I like."

I can't wait to bring the music alive for you.

All Hallows Eve with Prima Vox

 The posters were called "alarming."

(Judith Slaying Holofernes by Artemesia Gentileschi)

 Holding a concert on All Hallows Eve, "daring."

 The music was called "haunting.

The admission? "Free Will" offering...

The posters suggested that people come

dressed as their favorite martyrs.

(This is Martha Lindberg, a.k.a. St. Blandina,

who accompanied us on the recorder.)

The evening was filled with an eerie, magical quality. The music was indeed mesmerizing, the readings were chilling. I even sneaked in a creepy little arrangement of "Ring Around the Rosy" on the harp while tom the pastor and Richard the verger lit the incense. The dare was worth it. We're sure All the Saints were very happy with us the next day.

I'm in my office

I've been procrastinating about writing. I hate hauling the computer around, having to share my "work space" (a.k.a. the couch) with three cats, having no desk and never a pen or a certain book or a picture when I need it.

So I made a decision. The cute little room next to my bedroom, which I've used for a dressing room and a reading/relaxing room for years, was going to go through a transformation.

Before: couch, rug, mirror, armoire.

After: a real office.

In it is my vintage desk I had stored away, my Paris mementos, a sassy red lamp or two, my books, my papers, my pens, my scarves from Paris and a new rug that I miraculously found to fit my specifications: pretty, with blue and red it.

I love it. I'm in here all the time. Everything I need is within reach. I have a radio to play Minnesota Public Radio, a few candles I brought back from Notre Dame and all around me is Paris. I even held my first important meeting in my office the other day...

...with my assistant, Harry.

I had to write him up for sitting in the boss' chair.