A nice collection of American tunes that we sometimes neglect to honor as a rich part of our heritage. Red River Valley has an easy solo version, and an intermediate solo version, both of which can be played together as a duet. Streets of Laredo has an easy solo version and three other versions of a more difficult nature, any of which can be played together, or one after another for an elongated performance of the tune. Shenandoah has an easy harp solo rendition and a version with large chords in the right hand. They can stand alone or be played in duet form. Arkansas Traveler/Turkey in the Straw medley is a clever stand-alone solo. Camptown Races has a very easy solo adaptation, plus two other versions just a bit more challenging, though not much. For Amazing Grace, there is an easy key of C version, a pedal harp key of C version, and an easy key of G version. There is a lower intermediate key of G secondo part, as well as a modulation to the key of C.
Table of Contents: Red River Valley, Streets of Laredo, Shenandoah, Arkansas Traveler, Turkey in the Straw, Camptown Races and Amazing Grace

An original composition
In dorian mode. Very much in folk song style
Inspired by animal welfare
Lovely arrangement. Quite easy.
Has impovised section in middle
The original lyrics are:

The Horse of Beckmann?s Mill



Pray, have you seen that chestnut foal o'er there uponthe hill?

The finest foal you've ever seen was born at Beckmann'sMill.

They let her play within her yard, tie ribbons in hermane,

They train her to the grinding stone that crushes up thegrain.

Now many times I've thought about that foal at Beckmann'sMill,

And many times I've wondered how that man can do so ill.

They use you up, they throw you out and turn their backsin scorn.

All because by chance it came to be the place where youwere born.





Pray, have you seen that chestnut filly o'er there besidethe hill?

The finest filly you're ever seen was worked at Beckmann'sMill.

They drive her from the morning sun until it's very late,

They thrash her hard to pull the wheel that's bonded toher fate.

Now many times I've passed her by and oft I've turned myface.

Yet many times I've wondered what if I were in her place.

They take advantage of the young and those without avoice.

And it seems to me that nowhere did she really have achoice.





Pray, have you seen that chestnut mare o'er there underthe hill?

The finest mare you've ever seen has died at Beckmann'sMill.

One day she fell upon her kness, the man he brought hisknife.

The tread mill won the battle, and the miller took herlife.

Now many times I've thought about the mare at Beckman'sMill,

And many times I've wondered how that man can do so ill.

They use you up, they throw you out and train anotherfoal,

Yet every death they cause will leave a stain upon theirsoul.

SÉRÉNADE / composée pour la / HARPE / et dédiée à son Élève / madame la comtesse / ESTERHAZYby Parish AlvarsThe outstanding characteristic of the Serenade is its extensive use of harmonics.The transition to the coda is brought about by a descending chromatic scale produced by sliding the metallic part of the tuning key on the fourth octave A string, an effect invented by Parish Alavars and almost always (and inexplicably) dispensed with today. This scale terminates in a trill and an ascending scale fragment that ends with a pedal slide. Berlioz? impression of Parish Alvars? playing ? ?This is the music of another world? ? can hardly be illustrated better than by this passage. An outstanding solo piece composed as all the Souvenir de Neaples in one of the happiest time of Parish Alvars life.

The Water Music was composed by George Frideric Handel in 1717 in response to a request from King George I of England for a concert on the River Thames.

King George boarded the royal barge at Whitehall Palace, (accompanied by dukes and duchesses, earls and countesses) and floated leisurely up the Thames, followed by another barge carrying the orchestra of 50 musicians, who performed as they floated down the river. The king was so pleased by Handel?s music that he commanded it to be repeated at least 3 times, both on the way to Chelsea and on the return to Whitehall.

The celebratory mood of the ALLA HORNPIPE movement makes it a wonderful wedding recessional! It is also appropriate for any other joyous occasion.

This arrangement for pedal harp solo by Stephanie Bennett (?One of our country?s top harpists? - the Hollywood Reporter) is meticulously notated with fingerings, pedal changes and muffles where needed. All markings are explained in the Performance Notes.

In its traditional AABA form, it is 4 minutes long. It is easy to make it shorter by playing fewer sections, or longer by repeating sections as needed.

Original tunes for Halloween or anytime. Modeled after "Spooky Tunes", another suite by Mitch, these are less challenging and more appropriate for beginning harpists.

Contains: Midnight, A Ride with the Pooka, Ghosts, Witches' Dance. and#65279;