Every Spring, the Los Angeles Chapter hosts a 'Spring Fling' concert and get-together, as our most important fundraiser for the chapter and for the Valeria Finzi Scholarship Fund (which annually awards scholarships to promising young harp students).
The event was held at the Glendale First United Methodist Church, whose Christmas Eve services Dorothy had graced with her harp playing for fifty years!
There was a wonderfully varied program of music, including performances by the young harpists who were awarded the 2011 Valeria Finzi Memorial Scholarships, as well as two of Los Angeles' most outstanding harpists, Allison Allport and Maria Casale; and renowned organist Ladd Thomas.
The scholarship winners opened the program by performing the works that they had played for the scholarship auditions. Nina Agelvis played BERCEUSE by Tournier followed by MERENGUE ROJO by Ortiz; Isabella Spring played TWO GUITARS by Linda Wood and AU BORD DU RUISSEAU by Henriette Renie; then Jessica Wang performed HABANERA GRIS by Ortiz and OVER THE RAINBOW by Arlen (arranged by Sylvia Woods).
AHS-LA president Stephanie Bennett (Left) after the concert with young performers/scholarship winners Nina Agelvis (15) and Isabella Spring (13).
Scholarship winner Jessica Wang (14).
The second half of the program was opened by harpist Allison Allport (who had won a Finzi scholarship when she was a teenager!), in a duo with flutist Amy Tatum, performing Astor Piazzola's exciting HISTOIRE DU TANGO (arranged by Kari Vehmanen). Then Maria Casale - having just finished an afternoon performance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic - played a duet with organist Ladd Thomas, the elegant ARIA IN CLASSIC STYLE by Grandjany, followed by a harp solo, PRELUDE AND TOCCATA by Handel (arranged by Grandjany). Organist Ladd Thomas closed the program with a stirring SYMPHONY V FOR ORGAN by Widor.
Flutist Amy Tatum (left), harpist Allison Allport (center), harpist Maria Casale, and organist Ladd Thomas with Stephanie Bennett after the performance.
Many thanks to all the wonderful performers and volunteers who donated their time, to Glendale First United Methodist for hosting us, as well as those who attended and enjoyed the program!
Donations to the chapter to support our scholarship program will be gratefully accepted. Donations may be made anytime online.