FAQ: Hiring a Musician

This page answers frequently asked questions about hiring a musician. Although this won't cover every element of a harpist's contract, it will provide guidelines regarding things to expect and things the harpist will probably need to know. It also provides some guidance for choosing the right harpist for your job.

Style of Music

First, consider what type of music you want at your event. If you desire contemporary/pop music, you will want to hire someone completely different than if you desire traditional or ancient music. Ask the harpist what type of repertoire they play, and use that as a guide to whether this is the right harpist for your event. For example, Janelle's repertoire consists of classical, romantic, old English, sacred, orchestral, and holiday music.

Type of Harp

Harps come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are two main types of harpists you can readily hire in this area -- pedal "harpists" and folk "harpers." The type of harpist you hire will determine the appearance of the harp. If the appearance of the harp is important to you, look for someone who plays the type of harp you imagine working best for your event.

Janelle plays a grand pedal harp, which is the type of harp you typically see in orchestras. (She does not play a Celtic or folk harp, though she does know some Celtic music.) At six feet tall, a grand harp's mere presence creates a majestic and elegant atmosphere. If you would like to see a few photographs of Janelle with her harp, visit the photos page. (The photograph at right shows a current model of Janelle's harp as shown in the manufacturer's catalog.

Information Required by the Harpist

Before quoting a firm price, the harpist will need to know several things:

• The date, time, duration, location, size, and type of the event
• Whether the event is indoors or outdoors
• Whether the harp will need amplification; if so, whether a sound system will be provided
• What music is desired (for example, background music during a reception, prelude music, or processional and recessional music for a wedding)
• Whether you have specific pieces that you would like to have played
• Whether there will be other musicians involved, and if so, in what capacity
• Whether the harpist will need to carry the harp a long distance or up many stairs to reach the desired location of the harp

Some Things to be Aware of

• After the first hour of performance, expect the harpist to take a 10 to 15 minute break at the top of each hour.
• The harpist will probably need to arrive at least half an hour before the event to tune and set up. She will need to be informed of where to set up on arrival, and the facility must be available at that time for her to set up.
• The harp cannot be located on a slanted or unlevel surface, or in any precarious position. It also cannot be located in direct sunlight, near a fireplace, or in front of an air-conditioner or heating duct. All of these create temperature variations that will put the harp out of tune, rendering its music unattractive.
• If the event is outdoors, and the harp is not located under adequate cover, don't expect the harpist to play if it is raining, even if the rain is only a light mist. You should be prepared with alternative sites for the harpist in the event of rain. In addition, do not expect the harpist to place her instrument on ground that is at all moist.
• If you have specific desires regarding the harpist's attire, you should address them beforehand. Otherwise, most musicians will arrive wearing black.

Special Information For Weddings

You will need to make certain that the type of music (and the harp itself) will be allowed at the location of the event. Some churches and ministers are very particular about this sort of thing and won't allow non-approved musicians or instruments to play at their churches.

Typical places within a wedding for music include

• Prelude (specify how long)
• Seating of the mothers/family
• Processional for attendants (e.g. bridesmaids, ringbearer, mothers, etc.)
• Processional for bride
• Candle lighting ceremony
• Hymns
• Recessional
• Postlude

Be sure to specify all of the places within the ceremony where you want music when you first discuss the event with the harpist. Adding new points for music at a later date could add to the price of the service. Also be sure to specify if another musician will be providing some of this music, so there won't be any confusion about who is covering which parts of the service.

If the harpist is playing processional and recessional music, they will need to be located where they can see when people are ready to begin and end these parts of the ceremony, or have someone to tell them when to begin and end. Be sure to tell them how many mothers/family members are being seated, how many attendants (male and female) are processing, and other information that will help them know when to begin the processional music for the bride's entrance. They will also need to know their exact cue to start the recessional (frequently the end of a prayer or the announcement of the couple).

Give the harpist as much information as you can, and the service will go more smoothly. Ideally, provide them with a complete order of service for the ceremony. For more details about the possible roles of a harpist in a wedding, see the "Weddings" page.

Jo Morrison, a Celtic harper based outside Washington DC, has kindly allowed me to use this text from her website, www.triharpskel.com. Although I modified the text slightly, she retains the copyright.

"Music is well said to be the speech of angels."

- Thomas Carlyle