Harp Melodies by Nichole Luchs, Chicago Harpist

Nichole Luchs, Harpist

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Harpist ~Nichole Luchs,

can provide your next special event with beautiful harp melodies. The music of the harp will create an elegant and enchanting atmosphere for your guests. She is available to perform throughout Chicago, the suburbs, and northern Illinois.

Consider the Harp for your:

Wedding, Reception, Corporate event, Holiday Party, Bridal Shower, Baby Shower, Art Exhibit, Open House, Tea Party, or any other event that you can imagine!

Bio

Biography
Nichole Luchs, native of Freeport IL, started playing the harp at the age of ten through the harp program at her public school. At the time, Freeport School District was the only district in Illinois with the harp as part of the school's music program. She studied with harpist Nanette Felix, until she graduated from high school, and then went on to study with Elizabeth Cifani, principal harpist with the Lyric Opera of Chicago.Nichole received a Bachelors degree in Harp Performance from Northern Illinois University and a Masters degree in Harp Performance from Northwestern University. During her studies, she was the recipient of the prestigious Eckstein Scholarship and the Keefer award. In 2002, she performed two duets with world-renowned Steel-pan artist, Liam Teague, on his Christmas recording A Christmas Gift produced by Sack records. She also performed on the debut recording of modern composer Dexter Morrill entitled Dexter Morrill: Three Concertos produced by Centaur Records, Inc. Recently, she was a featured performer in the Paidiea Project, a documentary on the music of ancient Greece. Nichole is currently an active free-lance musician and performs throughout Illinois and Iowa. She is the principal harpist for the Peoria Symphony, DuPage Symphony, and Illinois Valley Symphony, and she has performed with many orchestras in the area including the Rockford Symphony, Evanston Symphony, Skokie Valley Symphony, Fox Valley Symphony, Quad City Symphony, and Dubuque Symphony. She is a member of the Naperville Chamber Musicians and performs numerous chamber recitals with the group throughout the year. Nichole is also an active teacher and is the harp instructor at Fox River Academy of Music and Art in Oswego , IL and also at North Central College in Naperville, IL.

Lessons

Lessons
Nichole currently teaches at the Fox River Academy of Music in Oswego, IL. Contact the Academy for more information on Enrollment and Lesson Prices: www.foxriveracademy.comCommon Questions about Learning to play the Harp1.    Is the harp difficult to learn?In my opinion, the harp is no more difficult to learn than any other instrument. The rate at which you progress depends on how much time and effort you put into practicing regularly and your willingness to learn. The wonderful thing about harp is that you will have immediate results. The moment you learn to pluck a string, it will sound beautiful. For other instruments (such as a violin) it may take years to develop a pleasing tone. 2.    When is a good age to start playing the harp?Just about any age is a good age to start the harp. I have had students from 5 years old through senior citizen.    (For children, I would recommend that they know how to read and count before beginning lessons, since both are involved in music.) 3.    Do I need previous music experience?Any previous musical knowledge is always beneficial for starting any new instrument; however, it is not necessary. The harp is similar to the piano and can be a wonderful first instrument. 4.    Where do I find a harp?You can choose to rent a harp or buy a harp.Some companies have a rent to own program or even just rent harps. Also there are private harp owners who rent out their harps to students. Please contact me if you have any questions and I will help you to find a harp.         Harp Companies:              * Lyon and Healy: Lever and Pedal Harps              * Dusty Strings : Lever harps              * Triplett : Lever harps              * Thormalen Harps: Lever harps              * Wm. Rees Harps : Lever Harps              * Harpsicle Harp Co. ( Division of Wm Rees Harp Co.): Small Lap harps              * Salvi: Lever and Pedal Harps              * Venus : Pedal Harps              * Camac : Lever and Pedal Harps (Also electric harps)              * Harps Unlimited International : Pedal and Lever Harps for sale and for rent         Used Harp Links:              * www.Harpmall.com (Under Classifieds)              * www.harpcolumn.com (Under Classifieds) * Lyon and Healy Certified Pre-owned harps               Best Places to find a harp in the Chicago Area:              * Lyon and Healy: Lever and Pedal Harps (Located in Chicago)              * Venus : Pedal Harps (Located in Chicago)         * Harps International: Lever and Pedal Harps,                 This company sells Camac, Triplett harps, and others      (Located in Joliet: Ask for Pat Dougal) 5.    What kind of harps are out there?* Lever (Folk or Celtic) harps* Pedal harps* Ethnic Harps (Paraguayan, Chinese)* Cross Strung and Double Harps 6.    What kind of harp would be best for me?The kind of harp that you should learn depends a lot on:* Your future goals for the kind of music that you would like to play.* Your size/age. (Obviously, Children will need to start on a smaller instrument)If you want to play:* Mainly classical music, have aspirations to be in an orchestra, or to major in harp at a university: You should play the Pedal Harp* Some classical, folk music, popular music, don't want to play in an orchestra or university: You should play a Lever Harp or a Pedal Harp  For children, I recommend starting on a Lever Harp because:* Lever Harps are smaller and are easier for children to play.* Lever harps are not as expensive as Pedal harps, so they can decide if they really like it before investing a lot of money.

Weddings

Wedding Ceremony
Whether you are having a large cathedral wedding or an intimate garden affair, the harp is the perfect instrument. Both in looks and in sound, the harp will add a touch of elegance and beauty for your special day. The harp sounds wonderful as a solo instrument or with other instruments in duets, trios, or larger ensembles.Standard Wedding Package:*Includes Optional Consultation to plan music*30 Minutes of Prelude Music*Any music needed during Ceremony (Processionals, Solos, Recessional, etc.)*15 Minutes of Postlude MusicPrice:For weddings, I charge a flat fee rather than per hour. *Wedding Ceremony Prices start at $300.00*Additional charges may apply for certain circumstances.     (see below for more information)Additional charges:*Travel/Cartage charge- depends on distance that I must travel*Additional rehearsals with other ceremony musicians.*If you need me to learn music that is not in my repertoire.*Attendance to wedding rehearsal*Outdoor weddingsPlanning Ceremony Music:A typical Wedding Ceremony can be divided into 7 parts:Prelude: While guests are being seated, light background music is a beautiful way to set the mood for your wedding. You can choose pieces or leave that up to me. I generally play a selection of whatever style of music that you would enjoy (Classical, Love songs, Celtic, etc.)Seating of Parents/ Very Important Guests( VIPs):   Usually the seating of the parents/ VIPs is the start of the wedding ceremony; although, not everyone includes this part. It is always a nice touch to choose a song that is meaningful to your VIPs.  Attendants Processional: This is for the entrance of your bridal party. You can choose to have the same piece for the Attendants processional and the Bridal processional, or you may have two separate pieces.Bridal Processional: Special music for the bride's entrance. Again, it can be the same piece that was used for the attendants or a separate piece. During the Ceremony : (Unity Candle, between readings, etc.): You may choose to have harp music at any point in the ceremony that you feel is appropriate. Recessional: This is the big grand finale and your bridal party's exit. I like to play music that is upbeat and lively.Postlude: The postlude is when the guests will be leaving. As with the Prelude, I will play a selection of music. You can choose the music or leave that up to me.

Receptions

Receptions & Background Music

The harp is ideal for background music as it creates an elegant mood. It is also not obtrusive so guests can mingle and talk without having to shout to be heard. For larger events, the harp may be amplified so it can be heard throughout the room.My repertoire includes many styles of music: Classical, Celtic, Popular, Show-tunes, Jazz, Holiday, and Religious.Price:For receptions and other background music events, I charge per hour. I require a minimum playing time of one hour. Additional charges may apply for certain circumstances. Hourly prices start at $200 for the first hour and $150 for each additional hour(Price is subject to change)Additional Charges may apply for:* Travel/Cartage fee: depends on the distance that I must travel*Outdoor events*Holidays (and month of December)

Holidays

Holidays
Mark your Calendars, the Holidays are right around the corner! There is no time like the present to plan your next Holiday Event!Consider having harp music at your Corporate Christmas party, New Year's Eve dinner party, romantic Valentine's dinner, Mother's day luncheon, Easter brunch....
Here are the dates for 2012!*New Years Day ~ Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012*Valentines Day ~ Tuesday, Feb 14, 2012*Passover ~ Saturday, April 7 - Saturday, April 14, 2012*Easter ~ Sunday, April 8, 2012*Mother's Day ~ Sunday, May 13, 2012*Memorial Day ~ Monday, May 28, 2012*Father's Day ~ Sunday, June 17, 2012*Independance Day ~ Wednesday, July 4, 2012*Labor Day ~ Monday, September 3, 2012*Grandparent's Day ~ Sunday, September 9, 2012*Halloween ~ Wednesday, October 31, 2012*Thanksgiving ~ Thursday, November 22, 2012*Christmas Eve ~ Monday, December 24, 2012*Christmas Day ~ Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Funerals

Funerals
After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. ~Aldous Huxley, Music at Night and Other EssaysWhere words fail, music speaks. — ~Hans Christian AndersenMusic is the language of the heart, a way to share our most intense joys and sorrows. In times of grief, music evokes tears and smiles, and then surrounds us with a comforting embrace. The music played or sung at a funeral will live on in the hearts and memories of those who attend the funeral.Selecting appropriate music is an important part of planning a meaningful funeral service. Carefully chosen funeral music will comfort and inspire guests as they celebrate the life and mourn the passing of the deceased. Typically, funeral music is chosen to fulfill one of these purposes:*Commemorate the life and personality of the deceased *Convey feelings for or about the deceased *Express religious beliefs about death and life after deathMaking appropriate selectionsWhen choosing music for a funeral that involves a religious service, talk to the clergy member about any religious rules regarding the music to be played. Some religions do not allow secular (popular) music at a religious service. Beyond religious considerations, there are no rules governing funeral music – only the family's wishes and cultural customs. Classical selections can provide soothing background music, while sacred hymns offer hope. Popular songs that reflect the personality and interests of the deceased will stir memories that bring a smile to the lips or a tear to the eye. To help guests understand the significance of an unusual selection, consider introducing the song with a story about its meaning for the deceased.

Other Events

Other Events Available
*Funerals , Memorial Services, Visitations *Recitals and Special Programs*Chamber Music Performances*Orchestral PerformancesPlease contact Nichole for more information!

Outdoor Events

Special Provisions for Outdoor Events
These Special Provisions are to protect my harp from being damaged. Thank you for understanding that I need to protect the investments that I have made.Please ask if you have any questions!1. If inclement weather conditions prevail, an alternate site must be arranged.2. If inclement weather conditions make it impossible to complete the performance, Nichole shall nevertheless be paid the full contract amount.3. A hard level surface, such as a wood platform or concrete at least 4 ft. by 6ft, must be provided for the performance so that the harp will not tip over. (Grass is not a level surface.)4. The performance location must be handicap accessible for harp transport. For instance, no long hikes or climbs through muddy/woody areas. A few stairs are fine, but Nichole may need assistance.5. If possible, avoid placing the harp in direct sunlight, a shady area is better.Inclement Weather includes:Excessive Heat (above 85 degrees), Excessive cold (below 60 degrees), High Winds, Rain

Audio Video

Audio & Video

Piazzolla: Histoire du Tango, Cafe 1930

Piazzolla: Histoire du Tango, Cafe 1930

Listen to Nichole Play!

Audio tracks:

(Click the Arrow button to scroll through the songs)

Clocks- Coldplay

The Way You Look Tonight

Summertime

Canon in D- Pachelbel

Fairytale-Enya

First Arabesque-Debussy

Repertoire

Repertoire
These lists represent just a sample of Nichole's repertoire. If you do not see your favorite song, please ask!
American Standards (think Big Band, Jazz, Frank Sinatra) All The Things You Are / Oscar HammersteinAll The Way / James Van HeusenAs Time Goes By / Herman HupfieldBewitched / Hart & RodgersBody And Soul / John GreenEmbraceable You / George GershwinEverybody Loves Somebody / Ken LaneFascinating Rhythm / George GershwinFly Me To The Moon / Bart HowardI Get A Kick Out Of You / Cole PorterI Only Have Eyes For You / Harry WarrenI Want to be Happy / Vincent YoumansJust In TimeMisty / Erroll GarnerMoonglow / Will HudsonMoonlight Serenade / Glenn MillerNature Boy / Eden AhbezNight and Day / Cole PorterOn The Sunny Side of the Street / Jimmy McHughOver the Rainbow / Harold ArlenSomeone To Watch Over Me / George GershwinS'Wonderful / George GershwinSummertime / George GershwinTake Five / Paul DesmondTenderly / Jack LawrenceThe Girl From Ipanema / A.C. JobimThe Way You Look Tonight / Jerome KernTime After Time / Jule StyneToo Marvelous For Words / Mercer & WhitingUnforgettable / Irving Gordon What A Wonderful World / G.D. WeissWhen I Fall In Love / Edward Heyman Showtunes from Musicals & Movies:A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes / Disney's "Cinderella"All I Ask of You / "Phantom of the Opera"Be Our Guest / Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"Bewitched / "Pal Joey"Butterfly Waltz / "Twilight: Breaking Dawn"Chim Chim Cher-ee / Disney's "Mary Poppins"Ebb Tide / "Sweet Bird of Youth"Edelweiss/ "The Sound of Music"I Dreamed a Dream / "Les Miserables"I Will Wait For You / "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg"If I Were A Rich Man / "Fiddler On The Roof"Jurassic Park (Main Theme)Liz on Top of the World / "Pride and Prejudice"Memory / "Cats"Moon River / "Breakfast at Tiffany's"My Favorite Things / "The Sound of Music"Nature Boy / "Moulin Rouge"On My Own / "Les Miserables"Once Upon a Time...Storybook Love / "The Princess Bride"One Hand, One Heart / "West Side Story"Only Hope / "A Walk to Remember"Over the Rainbow / "The Wizard of Oz"Part of Your World / Disney's "Little Mermaid"Send In The Clowns / "A Little Night Music"So This is Love / Disney's "Cinderella"Some Day My Prince Will Come / Disney's "Snow White"Somewhere / "West Side Story"Somewhere In Time (Theme song)Somewhere, My Love / "Doctor Zhivago"Star Wars (Main Theme)Summertime / "Porgy & Bess"Sunrise, Sunset / "Fiddler On The Roof"Till There Was You / "The Music Man"Try To Remember / "The Fantasticks"Unchained Melody / "Ghost"Under the Sea / Disney's "The Little Mermaid"Up (Main Theme Song) / Disney Pixar's "Up"Wedding Processional (from "The Sound of Music")When You Wish Upon A Star / Disney's Pinocchio"A Whole New World / Disney's "Aladdin"Wind Beneath My Wings / "Beaches"Popular Hits: 1900's -1940's (see also "American Standards")A Bicycle Made for TwoLet Me Call You SweetheartPopular Hits : 1950's-1970'sAll My Loving / the BeatlesAnd I Love Her / the BeatlesAnnie's Song / John DenverBecause / the BeatlesCan't Buy Me Love / the BeatlesCan't Help Falling in Love / Elvis PresleyCome Sail Away / StyxDream On/ AerosmithEight Days A Week / the BeatlesEvergreen / Barbra StreisandHere, There, And Everywhere / the BeatlesI Walk The Line / Johnny CashI Will / the BeatlesIf It's Magic / Stevie WonderIn My Life / the BeatlesImagine / John LennonIsn't She Lovely / Stevie WonderLove Me Tender / Elvis PresleyNorwegian Wood / the BeatlesThe Great Gig in the Sky / Pink FloydSomething / the BeatlesStairway to Heaven / Led ZepplinUnchained Melody / Righteous BrothersWish You Were Here / Pink FloydYou And I / Stevie WonderYou Are The Sunshine of My Life / Stevie WonderPopular Hits : 1980's-1990'sAmazed / LonestarBittersweet Symphony /The VerveBless The Broken Road /Rascal FlattsDon't Stop Believing / JourneyEndless Love / Lionel RichieI Don't Want To Miss A Thing /AerosmithMad World / Roland OzabalNo Surprises /RadioheadOpen Arms / JourneyOverjoyed / Stevie WonderSaving All My Love For You / Whitney HoustonUnder the Milkyway Tonight / the ChurchWind Beneath My Wings / Bette MidlerPopular Hits : 2000's-Today Bubbly / Colbie CaillatChasing Pavements / AdeleCan't Get You Out Of My Head / Kylie MinogueChasing Pavements / AdeleClocks / ColdplayCome Away With Me / Norah JonesDon't Know Why / Norah JonesDreaming With A Broken Heart / John MayerDynamite /Taio CruzEnchanted / Taylor SwiftFirework / Katie PerryFireflies / Owl CityFix You / ColdplayI Do / Colbie CaillaitI'm Yours / Jason MrazJust Dance / Lady GagaLucky / Jason Mraz & Colbie CaillatMake You Feel My Love / Adele (Bob Dylan)A Moment Like This / Kelly ClarksonOnly Hope / Mandy MooreOnly Time / EnyaPoker Face / Lady GagaPolitik / ColdplayRolling In The Deep / AdeleShut Up And Drive / RihannaSomeone Like You / AdeleSpeed of Sound/ ColdplaySunrise / Norah JonesTeenage Dream / Katie PerryTelephone / Lady GagaThe Way I Am / Ingrid MichaelsonUmbrella / RihannaUse Somebody / Kings of LeonWaiting on the World to Change / John MayerYellow /Coldplay New Age:Athair Ar Neamh / EnyaButterfly Waltz / Brian CrainFairytale / EnyaFrom Where I Am / EnyaTea-House Moon / EnyaOther Music Available:Celtic & Christmas!Check Back Soon for more listings!
Classical Music(Includes Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern, etc)Bernard Andres (1941 - ) composer of harp musicAquatintes (6 mvmnts)Les Petit Pas (12 mvmts)Preludes for Harp (5 mvmnts)J.S. Bach (1685 -1750)Air on the G StringAriosoJesu Joy of Man's DesiringMinuet in GMusettePrelude in C from the "Well-tempered Klavier"Prelude in G from the cello suiteSleepers Wake Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 -1827) Fur EliseOde to Joy Theme from Pathetique Sonata Jeremiah Clarke (1674 - 1707)Trumpet Tune "The Prince of Denmarks March" Claude Debussy (1862 - 1918)Clair de lune First Arabesque Reverie Leo Delibes (1836 -1891)Flower Duet from the opera "Lakme" M. Grandjany (1891-1975) composer of harp musicReverie G.F. Handel (1685 -1759)Air from "The Water Music"Hornpipe from "The Water Music" A. Hasselman (1845 -1912) composer of harp musicEtude Melodique Jules Massanet (1842 -1912)Meditation from "Thais"Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738) composer of Celtic music Carolans Concerto Johann Pachelbel (1653 - 1706)Canon in D Major Henry Purcell (1659 -1695)Ground in F Major Trumpet Voluntary Giacomo Puccini (1858 - 1924)Musetta's Waltz from the opera "La Boheme" S. Rachmaninoff (1873 -1943) Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini Henriette Renie (1875 - 1956) composer of harp musicAngelus from Feuillets DAlbum I. Conte De Noel from "Six Pieces Breves" Camille Saint-Saens (1835 - 1921)The Swan from Carnival of the Animals Erik Satie (1866 - 1925) Gnoissiene No. 1,2,& 3 Gymnopedie No. 1, 2, & 3 Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840 -1893)Opening Theme from Piano Concerto No. 1 Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)Ave Maria Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741)Autumn: Mvmnt 1 / "The Four Seasons" Op. 8 Autumn: Mvmnt 3 / "The Four Seasons" Op. 8 Spring : Mvmnt 1/ "The Four Seasons" Op. 8 Winter: Mvmt 2 /"The Four Seasons" Op. 8 Richard Wagner (1813 -1883)Bridal March from Lohengrin Linda Wood (composer of harp music)Processional Religious/SacredA Mighty fortress is Our GodAbide With MeAdon Olom (The Lord of All)All Creatures of Our God an KingAll hail the power of Jesus' NameAmazing GraceAve Maria (Schubert)Ave Verum Corpus by W.A. MozartBeneath the Cross of JesusBlessed AssuranceBreathe On Me, Breath of GodChildren of the Heavenly FatherCreator of the Stars of nightEl ShaddaiFairest Lord JesusFor the Beauty of the earthHow Great Thou ArtI Could Sing of Your Love ForeverIn the GardenJesus Loves MeJesus, The Very Thought of TheeJust As I AmKum-Ba-YahThe Lord Bless You and Keep YouOn Eagle's Wings by Michael JoncasPanis Angelicus by Cesar FranckSavior, Like a Shepherd Lead UsSpirit of God Descend Upon My HeartSurely, The Presence of the LordTake My Hand, Precious LordTake My LifeThou Knowest by Henry PurcellWere You ThereWhat a Friend We Have in JesusYou Raise Me Up (Josh Groban)

Contact

Contact
When contacting Nichole about an event, please be as detailed as possible, so that she can give you an accurate price quote. Please be sure to tell her: 1. Your Contact Information        2. Date and Time of Event   3. Type of Event          4. Location          4. Indoor or Outdoors       5. Are there many stairs/difficult moving conditions  6. Music Preferences (Classical, Celtic, Show-tunes, etc.)  7. How did you hear about her? (Friend, Website, etc.)Nichole is available to perform throughout Chicago and Northern Illinois.She is available to perform in the following counties:Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Clinton, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kendall, La Salle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, Winnebago, Whiteside

Links

Links
Here are some helpful event planning links:Wedding Planning:Decidio.comtheknot.comPhotographers:McConville Studio: Wonderful Photographer in LaSalle County!Picture 4ever StudioChicago & Northern Illinois Area Wedding Ceremony Locations:Chapels:Century Memorial Wedding Chapel- Naper Settlement, (Naperville IL) Chapel in the Pines (Sycamore, IL)Koten Chapel - North Central College (Naperville, IL)Chicago & Northern Illinois Area Banquet Facilities and Wedding/Reception Sites:Bolingbrook Country Club (Bolingbrook, IL)Drury Lane Theatre and Banquets (Oak Brook Terrace, IL)Eagle Brook Country Club (Geneva, IL)Herrington Inn (Geneva, IL)Meson Sabika (Naperville, IL)Montefiori Event Center (Lemont, IL)Oscar Swan Country Inn (Geneva, IL)Pheasant Run Resort (St. Charles, IL)Prairie Landing Country Club (West Chicago, IL)

Nichole Luchs, Harpist 815-440-4099 nichole_harpmelodies.com
Available for Weddings, Receptions, and Special Events throughout Chicago and the Suburbs, and Northern Illinois.
Aurora, Batavia, DeKalb, Dixon, Elgin, Evanston, Geneva, Joliet, Naperville, Oswego, Plainfield, St.Charles, Wheaton, Yorkville

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