Jazzin' It Up With the Harp
A versatile ensemble featuring instruments such as saxophone, piano, bass, and drum set performs alongside the harp, giving jazz favorites from Somewhere over the Rainbow to Herbie Hancock’s Watermelon Man a whole new unique sound.
Pennsylvania Curriculum Standards
(A=Assembly; W=Workshop; R=Residency)
9.1 Production, Performance and Exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts A
9.2 Historical and Cultural Contexts A
15.4 Learning Through Experience A
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Art Form(s): Music
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Genre: Classical
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Instrument(s): Harp, Bass, Percussion
Assembly, Workshop, and Residency Offerings
Jazzin' It Up With the Harp Assembly
This assembly program offers a rare opportunity to see this magnificent instrument up close in a jazz setting. A versatile ensemble featuring instruments such as saxophone, piano, bass, and drum set performs alongside the harp, giving jazz favorites from Somewhere over the Rainbow to Herbie Hancock’s Watermelon Man a whole new unique sound.
Best for: ELC • PreK-12 • Students with Disabilities • After-School/Community
Featuring: Gloria Galante
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Gloria Galante, CMP, MM, BS, studied the harp with the Philadelphia Orchestra’s premiere female harpist, Edna Phillips, winning the matinee musical award at age 18. Gloria has toured internationally as a solo artist, chamber musician, member of ensembles and orchestras. Currently, Ms. Galante is performing in the Warren Oree Philadelphia Freedom Jazz Orchestra. She is the principal harpist in the Divine Hand Ensemble, a nine-piece chamber ensemble featuring the Concert Theremin as an operatic voice, that has been featured in the documentary, 21st century Classical Music, which premiered on WHYY.
Ms. Galante is the founder of the West Chester University harp program where she has taught since 1987. She is a composer of works, transcriptions and therapeutic pieces for the harp. Ms. Galante is also the director of the WCU College of the Visual and Performing Arts Harp ensemble and Philly Harp Jazz ensemble, WCU Annual Harp Festival and GMG Harp Forum, and teaching artist on the prestigious Pennsylvania Council of the Arts. She has 30 recordings, 2 DVDs, produced 2 therapeutic harp CDs raising donations for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Ms. Galante is also Certified Music Practitioner (CMP) and an advisor of the Music for Healing and Transition Program (MHTP) since 2001. Currently, Ms. Galante has a music ministry where she mentors students on each level and age from 5 years to 92 years, as well as plays in hospitals and hospices. She is making history as the first CMP to play for IVF patients to reduce anxiety during transfers at Toll Center Abington Hospital.
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Joined Musicopia: 1986