Wedding Award Winner!

WeddingWire, the nation's leading online wedding marketplace, named Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos as a winner of the prestigious WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards® 2015 for Wedding Ceremony Music! 

This is the third year in a row that I have received this honor, and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of my past clients who gave me such stellar reviews. View more information at WeddingWire.com. Couples can also visit the wedding section of my website at CelticHarpMusic.com.

             
This WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards® 2015 recognizes the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. The esteemed awards are given to the top local wedding vendors in more than 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their professional achievements from the previous year.
             
While many industry award winners are selected by the host organization, the WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards® winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with Anne Roos. Award-winning vendors are distinguished for the quality, quantity, consistency and timeliness of the reviews they have received from their past clients.
             
"It's always exciting to start the year by honoring the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Network who represent more than two million reviews on our website," said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. "Each of the businesses recognized are committed to quality, professionalism and all around top-notch service. We applaud Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos for impressive achievements within the wedding industry."
             
As a Couples' Choice Awards® winner, my business is highlighted within the WeddingWire Network, which is comprised of more than 200,000 wedding professionals throughout North America and abroad.            
             
For more information about Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos, please visit her WeddingWire Storefront today.
             
To learn more about the Couple's Choice Awards®, please visit www.weddingwire.com/couples-choice-awards.

Off to the Grammys® !

Just a quick announcement: I'm off to the GRAMMY® Awards!

I am honored that I am part of a beautiful recording that is nominated for Best New Age Album at the 57th Annual GRAMMY® Awards. The album is "Winds of Samsara", and you can hear my performance on track #8, "Eyes of Wonder".

Congratulations to Ricky Kej and Wouter Kellerman for their fine work producing and recording this album!

Enjoy the video below, and I'll see you at the GRAMMYs® in February!

An Irish Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends in the U.S.!

My good friend, Corey, from the IrishFireside.com compiled a fabulous list of Irish recipes you can use for your Thanksgiving feast (or your Christmas feast, too, if you like).

Here's a few of my favorites from his list:

Irish Fireside Recipes - Corey and Liam's proven recipes
Wee Kitchen - Beautiful images!
The Irish Cook - The images on this site will take you to Ireland
Favorite Irish Recipes - Download an e-book!
Ireland's Eye - Recipes and historic info
20 Favorite Irish Dishes - Can't go wrong with these anytime of the year
Vegetarian Times Irish Food Recipes

Start a new tradition! Try adding one of these recipes to your typical American Thanksgiving and give it an Irish twist. Serve a choice: colcannon or mashed potatoes and gravy. Or try Irish whiskey cake in place of the often-maligned fruit cake. 

Give us your favorite recipe links, and let us know if you'd like to add some Scottish and Welsh recipes links to the list, too.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Here's my greeting for you:

Thanksgiving e-card: Click to view

For more information about the music in this greeting card, check out my "Old English Holiday" e-album on iTunes, and see the entire "A Light in the Forest" CD at amazon.com (both downloads and physical CD are available there). 

Just in Time for the Fall Equinox

In the mood for a good Celtic read? My good friend, Eliseo Maus Pinto, has a new book out, and if you pre-order it by September 29th, you can get 20% off! Eliseo's book, "Wisdom of the Woods--A Unique and Rare Celtic Tree Oracle", will be available for shipping on October 1st.

This book is a labor of love for Eliseo, who has studied Celtic Divination techniques, Druidry, shamanic practices, the Celtic Tree Oracle decks, and the Wheel Board. Learn about many different modes of Celtic divination from this book, which can also be viewed on any Kindle HD devices. 

This book also includes the "Wisdom of the Woods"™ Handbook for the Oracle Deck and Wheel Board, which will be available shortly at The Game Crater.com. 

Learn about Celtic Divination and more from Eliseo's new book. And if you are shopping for Celtic gifts for the upcoming holidays, please visit my website for a vast assortment of Celtic harp music and Celtic jewelry.

New Video Upload: Fields of Gold on the Celtic Harp!

I'm a bit late about uploading and posting new performance videos, so here it is, a live performance of my own arrangement of "Fields of Gold" by Sting! Enjoy! 

And please go to the YouTube link and post a comment. Spread the word!

This clip is an extended performance from my performance on the Wake Up Tahoe Show, aired June 13, 2013. Video by Jack Durst.

This track is available on Anne Roos' album "Blue Jeans" ©2010.

Purchase this album at celticharpmusic.com

buy the track from iTunes

or buy the CD and mp3 at amazon.com

Looking For Love? Find it in Ireland!

The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival is Europe's largest singles event, and you are bound to meet your true love there, or ask Ireland's only remaining true matchmaker, Willie Daly, to find the perfect partner for you.

For the entire month of September every year (for 150 years!, the music starts up at noon and continues into the wee hours. Join in with couples dancing, set dancing exhibitions, and sit back and sing along to pub music. The little town of Lisdoonvarna, in western Ireland, swells to several times its size. 

The festival isn't just for the Irish--It draws singles from all over the world. All ages and nationalities attend, and they'll even queue up at the Matchmaker Pub (Willie Daly's office) for help in seeking a mate. Even those who are married or not looking for a partner attend to enjoy the revelry. 

There's still time for you to reserve your flight and accommodations! Dates are August 29th-October 5th. Check the schedule to decide which days interest you. The official Matchmaking Festival website also includes accommodations links. Or simply phone +353 65 7074005 for more information. 

And if you found love at the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, tell us all about it here. I love a good love story.

Take a Break--Take a Celtic Quiz

You're bored or you need a break from sifting through your inbox or working on your next bestseller. You're surfing the 'net for something interesting, and you come across a quiz...And you go for it.

Testing your knowledge is a great way to take a break from computer work. Take a break right now and test your knowledge about the secrets of the U.K. and Ireland in this short quiz.

I scored a dismal 70%, but if you are into history or have traveled to these lands, you'll stand a better chance. Have you recently taken a fun Celtic quiz? Please include the link below in the comments.

Would you like to share your love of Celtic culture, Celtic music, and Celtic harps? I'm always happy to feature guest bloggers, even if you'd just like to share a delicious recipe, a fun tune, or a short quiz. Contact me through the email address on my website at celticharpmusic.com to submit your article. 

How to Get Free Music for St. Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Looking for a way to make it magical? Celebrate with FREE Irish music! 

Introducing my newest album download, "The Heart of Ireland". Pick up your heals and dance a jig or fall into your love's arms with this glorious collection of traditional Irish tunes. 

And here is my Saint Patrick's Weekend Special: Order any item in my CelticHarpMusic.com store from March 15th through March 17th, and you'll receive this digital album for FREE!

You'll also find additional album downloads, CDs, CD book collections, books, and even Celtic jewelry in my CelticHarpMusic.com store. Feel free to ask for complimentary gift wrapping at check out for any book or CD order. 

So what are you waiting for? Go shopping! 

Would you like to share your love of Celtic culture, Celtic music, and Celtic harps? I'm always happy to feature guest bloggers. Contact me through the email address on my website at CelticHarpMusic.com to submit your article. 

Celtic Festivals are Magical!

Opening street parade from the Australian Celtic Festival

Have you had the fantastic opportunity to attend a Celtic festival? Whether you are a fan of the culture of Ireland, Scotland, Wales or Brittany, you can get immersed in the music, food, and fun of these countries. Celtic festivals occur around the globe. Guest blogger Sally Smith describes the magic of the Australian Celtic Festival:  

"Every year, on the first weekend of May, Glen Innes hosts the Australian Celtic Festival--A celebration of song, dance, music and Celtic heritage. This is its 22nd year, and thousands of visitors will again descend on the Glen Innes district for rousing non-stop entertainment. Glen Innes is on the Norther Tablelands in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia.

While events of the four-day festival occur throughout the town, the festival show grounds are situated between the two main event locations of the festival, the Australian Standing Stones and Grey Street in Glen Innes. The Standing Stones is the official national gathering site for Celtic descendants of the clans. Forty granite monoliths, each standing 3.7m tall, rise proudly on a hilltop in the Centennial Parklands. 

Four outdoor stages host a mix of entertainment: two venues feature Celtic music performed by musicians from around the world, the third focuses on pipe bands, while the fourth is all about Celtic dance (including River Dance).

Popular events include a jousting contest, where knights wearing historically accurate armor charge at each other atop their mounted steeds for blow-to-blow action. Attendees also enjoy perusing the medieval village, where they can view more feudal activities. 

Another popular event is the Highland Strong Man (and Woman), a race where athletes carry two 50kg sections of railway track in each hand, followed by lifting and carrying a 100kg section, and then a caber toss (female competitors have it easier and enter just the first section of the contest with lighter weights). 

Accommodations for the Festival is at a premium in Glen Innes, so make your reservations now. Choices include hotel, motel, apartment, bed and breakfast, camping, and svn staying in the homes of local residents, where you can experience the warmth of "Celtic Country" hospitality.

The 2014 Festival program will be available this month. It includes a complete listing of all performers' times and venues. The official Examiner Festival Guide will be available in April. Other things to do while in Glen Innes include visiting the Land of the Beardies History Museum, the Gibraltar Range National Park, the World Heritage listed Washpool National Park, and several beautiful waterfalls." 

--Special thanks to our guest blogger, Sally Smith with Skedattle Car Hire, which can assist you with a car rental when visiting Glen Innes. Sally wishes you a great time when you visit the 2014 Australian Celtic Festival.

Are you interested in visiting a Celtic festival near you? Make your travel reservations now, because accommodations for these yearly festivals fill up quickly. Here are some links you'll want to visit:

List of Celtic Festivals around the World
List of Irish Festivals in the U.S.
List of Festivals in Ireland
List of Scottish Games in the U.S.
Events and Festivals in Scotland
Festivals in Wales

Would you like to share your love of Celtic culture, Celtic music, and Celtic harps? I'm always happy to feature guest bloggers. Contact me through the email address on my website at CelticHarpMusic.com to submit your article. 

How to Soothe Your Doggie's Nerves with Harp Music

Guest blogger David Drasnin's little rascal Shih Tzu, Roxane

We've all heard the saying that music can "soothe the savage beast", but there are very real findings that harp music has an effect on man's best friend. My friend and guest blogger, David Drasnin, explains...

"Throughout the years, music has proven its therapeutic effects. It's significant role in healing and rejuvenation of the mind, body and soul is indisputable. Many listen to their favorite bands, solo artists, and composers the minute they feel down, stressed out, or simply when they've just had a bad day at work. Others recommend listening to special tunes when trying to relax, meditate, and read, or when practicing light breathing exercises. Some even prefer leaving their music player on when going off to sleep, while selecting ambient sounds of ocean waves, birds singing, and soft background harp music. 

The power of music influences our mood and temper. Keeping that in mind, we could select just the right music for our own benefit and channel positive emotions, thoughts and feelings. Recent studies prove that this is the case with animals, too!

It turns out that dogs--man's best friends--have a taste for music and specific music genres. For instance, according to the study conducted by R. Kogan, “Behavioral effect of auditory stimulation on kenneled dogs”, dogs tend to like to sleep when you play classical music to them. Sleeping is generally associated with feeling relaxed, calm, and secure. Therefore, we might also conclude that classical music actually calms dogs down. As another behavioral psychologist puts it: “Long, continuous notes were universally used to soothe or calm dogs."

Today, there are a number of music therapists that attempt to help people (as well as pets) overcome stress and depression without drugs and harsh medications. For instance in Austria, harpist SonjaGrace, preps harp therapy sessions for animals and particularly dogs. She found that dogs which are known to be hostile changed their attitudes thanks to her harp music. She quotes medical authorities like Dr. Diane Schneider to explain that, “Harp music lowers the pulse, blood pressure, and respiration in animals, increases oxygen and endorphins to relieve pain, relaxes muscles, improves digestion, induces sleep, reduces anxiety”.

So, if you prefer the more natural approach, find the best harp players, whose works are available for download online--Including music from harpists like Anne Roos-- and play it to your puppy. Help your pet overcome fears and tension. You'll bring happiness to your pet and you’ll feel utterly refreshed and relaxed just as well."

--Special thanks to David Drasnin, a frelance writer and a sworn music fan from London. He loves animals, especially his little Shih Tzu rascal Roxane, who is full of surprises. Currently he is involved with a fascinating project on puppy adoption at San Antonio Dog Life.

Anne Roos' little parrot, Pippin

Would you like to share your love of Celtic culture, Celtic music, and Celtic harps? I'm always happy to feature guest bloggers. Contact me through the email address on my website at CelticHarpMusic.com to submit your article. 

Thank You for the Honor!

A special thank-you to WeddingWire.com, and all of my gracious clients who posted wonderful reviews of my wedding music performances. I am deeply honored to receive the WeddingWire Couple's Choice Award for 2014 (my second year receiving this honor).

This certificate is awarded to the top five percent of the WeddingWire.com community for demonstrating excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry.
 
Discover more about how Celtic harp music can enhance your wedding festivities at my website. Roam around, listen to music samples, check out my huge wedding music playlist. 

I am available to play for every element of your wedding--from the rehearsal dinner, the ceremy, the reception, and beyond. Invite me to perform for just one part of your wedding, or for the entire day!

With over 25 years of performance experience, I am capable of playing a wide variety of music. I'll make every effort to accommodate your special music requests.

Choose from traditional wedding music, or get creative! My music repertoire spans from Celtic (Irish, Scottish, Welsh), English, Folk, Renaissance, and Classical music to Broadway, contemporary, Pop, Rock, New Age and Jazz--Your choice is virtually unlimited. I can easily provide the traditional "Canon in D" by Pachelbel for the processional and "Here Comes the Bride" for the bride's entrance, and then play songs made famous by the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and even Led Zeppelin and Metallica for the reception. Battery-operated amplification is included to ensure that large numbers of guests can comfortably hear the beautiful Celtic Harp. 

In addition to providing the perforct music for your wedding, I can style my attire according to the wedding theme and colors. My extensive wardrobe includes gorgeous period costumes.

This certificate is awarded to the top five percent of the WeddingWire.com community for demonstrating excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry.

Go to the rates and FAQs section of my website for more information about inviting me to perform for your wedding, or any special event. I look forward to hearing from you!

Photo by Zinser Photography

Keeping in Touch and Making New Friends in the New Year

I love this idea!

Writing is such a lost art. There is simply nothing better than bring able to hold and read a message that can be kept and read later, instead of a message that is deleted to make more space in the inbox.

Join the Irish Pen Pal Project and share about your Celtic culture, music, food, countries. Make a new friend. And save those precious letters. 

Special thanks to Liam and Corey at IrishFireside.com who graciously included my arrangement of the Beatles tune "I Will" in this video. You'll find this track on my album, Blue Jeans, which you can purchase at my website. You'll also find this track available for download on iTunes.

Have a Happy New Year!

Proof that the Celtic Harp is not a Boring, Sleepy Instrument

I've come to the sad conclusion that many people have the mistaken impression that the Celtic harp, or perhaps any type of harp, is a boring instrument that puts people to sleep. So, one day, in a bit of frustration, I set out to prove that this assumption is waaaaay off. And I'm still working at proving this...

Some of my all-time favorite performers include Liberace, Victor Borge, and yes, Harpo Marx. Were they considered virtuosos on their instruments? Not particularly. But what they did was fantastic--They introduced their instruments and fine music to the masses. They played songs that everyone would know and love. They did a great service to music, because they demonstrated that a classical piano wasn't boring and that a concert harp wasn't just for the orchestra.

When I began performing in restaurants many years ago, i discovered that people wanted to hear their favorite songs, and if they did, it translated to money in my tip jar. It also caused them to return with their friends to hear me perform again. Yes, I love Celtic music, the music from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales that sounds native to the Celtic harp. However, only a small percentage of my dining audiences request to hear those beloved tunes. 

What do they really want to hear on the harp? Here is an example of how a typical conversation for a music request would go:

I would ask, "What would you like me to play for you?"

"Uh, I don't know any harp songs," the dining guest would answer.

"Well, what kind of music do you listen to on the radio?"

"You can't play any of that, can you? Okay. Then play 'Stairway to Heaven'. Ha ha. Never mind, I'm only joking. I know you can't play that on the harp."

So, one day, I decided to prove them wrong. I worked up an arrangement for this Led Zeppelin classic, and I blow my audience away with it. Turns out that now, when I play restaurant gigs, I end up playing this tune several times in an evening, just because diners now say, "I hear you play 'Stairway to Heaven'. Prove it."

And it's not just "Stairway to Heaven" anymore: Music by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Metallica, Guns 'n' Roses, you name it. People hear that I'll take requests, and they want me to play their favorite songs. Who cares that I'm playing a Celtic harp? Just because a guitar is a Spanish instrument doesn't mean that a guitarist can only play Spanish music on it. Just because I play a Celtic harp doesn't mean that I can only play Celtic music on it.

But tell this to most restaurant owners, or to mainstream musicians, and they look at me in disbelief. Rock bands will have nothing of me--A harp in a rock band? They look at me as if I'm from another planet. I contact restaurants, and their typical response is, "A harp? What can you play on a harp? We prefer jazz bands." What they really think is that I will be putting their guests to sleep with  dull music.

A while ago, I was listening to a new radio show on NPR (National Public Radio) called "How to do Everything". Actually, when I first heard this show, it was only sort of NPR--Produced by NPR producers but just a podcast and not broadcast on radios. It's a kitchy show where the hosts, Mike and Ian, answer listener's questions about how to do things (sometimes, the producers answer their own questions). 

Out of frustration, or just because I wanted audiences to understand that the Celtic harp was something out-of-the-ordinary, I wrote to the producers of the show. I wrote, "I'm stumped. How do I get my music played on NPR? I've tried, sent it to all the links I can find on NPR sites, and to no avail. Do you know anyone else who can play 'Stairway to Heaven' on the Celtic harp?" Geez, someone needed to know that the instrument was more than just a tool for getting people to nod off for some z's. 

I sent them an mp3 of my version of "Stairway to Heaven," and Mike and Ian listened. They played it on Episode 7, a classic episode containing indispensable information about how to justify your use of the acronym "OMG", how to use Pandora effectively, and how to undo an awkward first impression. Useful stuff with a humorous twist.  

The show "How to Do Everything" is now a true NPR show, broadcast on a bunch of channels across the nation, and even on Sirius XM Channel 123, Public Radio Remix. And producers, Ian and Mike, have kindly played my rock tunes again on Episode 121 ("Stairway to Heaven"), Episode 122 ("The Unforgiven"), and Episode 125 ("Free Bird"), the latter, where they actually mention me by name, at the end of a fabulous episode about stink fights, corn chips, and sour toes.

Stink Fights, Corn Chips, & Sour Toes--Episode 125 of How to Do Everything, and "Free Bird" on the Celtic Harp

I love this show, and I'm proud that my eclectic music is being heard across a phenomenally wide audience. Has it gotten me more bookings? Has it landed me more concert dates? Has it caused my downloads to go viral and sell like crazy? Not yet. It's an uphill battle to convince the general public that the harp isn't boring.

You can help me get the word out about the coolness of the Celtic harp--I'm looking for an agent/manager who can book me into the venues--concert, restaurant, and more. Or contact me if you are a bandleader interested in adding the harp for some needed color. Or contact me if you are a restaurant owner or concert promoter. Or contact me if you are a music supervisor for commercials, TV, or movie projects to help introduce more people to this music.


Don't believe that the Celtic harp can handle "Stairway to Heaven"? This rock classic, and more, are on my album Blue Jeans. Find it on amazon.com, iTunes, and of course, at my website at celticharpmusic.com. Go listen to it. Wake up and smell the roses. The harp is a cool instrument.

Blue Jeans album contains "Stairway to Heaven" and more.

Learning to Play the Celtic Harp is Easier Than You Think

Have you always wanted to play the harp? Forget the excuses--You are never too old, too busy, too...whatever--You can still learn to play the Celtic harp.

The Musika Music Education Blog recently interviewed me, and it got me thinking about all those times people walk up to me while I am performing to say, "I always wanted to play the harp." My response is usually, "It's never too late. You can learn now!" And the looks on their faces are always saying to me, "You've got to be kidding. Me???" Read about my own journey learning to play the harp and discover that no, I didn't start playing as a young child, as most people assume. 

I've been playing the Celtic harp for about a gazillion years, or at least it feels like it, even though I was a young adult when I found my harp teacher (or rather, she found me). I just was in the right place at the right time to discover my teacher, Sylvia Woods. 

Now, in this digital age, it doesn't matter that we haven't stumbled across each other, in person, in order to take lessons. I can offer you harp lessons no matter where in the world you reside. I can teach you via Skype, Google Hangout, iChat, you name it. If you've got a webcam and a high-speed connection, you can learn. Or, you can visit me here in Northern California and take lessons from me in person.

What does it take to start learning how to play the Celtic harp?  Read these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) about taking harp lessons from me, and then get in touch on my website. I'd love to hear from you and help you start on your own fun harping adventures. 

A Wee Bit About Celtic Cuisine

Hungry for foods from the Emerald Isle? Apparently, our guest blogger is. Her little introduction to a few common Irish dishes will get you started, and you'll find links to the recipes, too.

"The Celtic tradition always puts emphasis on life and family. No wonder traditional Celtic foods are homemade and are famed for their rich and mouthwatering flare. While a lot of people outside Ireland think that the ordinary Irish diet is composed of nothing but potatoes and mutton, the truth is, traditional Irish cuisine is truly varied. 

Modern day Celtic cuisine is the result of many influences originating from the time of the landing of the Celts in Ireland around 500 BC to the time when the Vikings and the English colonized the island. 

Until the potato arrived in the 16th century, Celtic dishes were actually cattle-based. The wealthy feasted on meat while the middle-class and poor ate milk, cheese, butter and grains. 

What are some of the most popular Celtic dishes? Keep reading to discover easy, basic foods that will add an Irish twist to any meal. 

Colcannon

Colcannon
Photo © ABP

Colcannon is a favorite Celtic dish featuring mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage. Colcannon is a staple during the St Patrick's Day. It’s also known for being served when a family wants to predict their unmarried daughter’s prospects during Halloween. Mothers would stuff colcannon with charms and an unmarried girl would need to search for them. Once found, they have to place the charms inside socks containing spoonfuls of colcannon. Then, the charms are placed on the handle of the front door. The first single man to enter will be intended groom.

Irish Champ

In his book Traits and Stories of the Irish peasantry volume 4, Carlton explains that champ is a mixture of mashed potatoes and chopped green onions. Butter, milk, salt and pepper are added for flavor. That's it. No Celtic cuisine is ever complete without a potato or two as an ingredient. Just like colcannon, Irish champ is another tribute to the humble but all-time favorite potato. Whether you use fresh or left-over potatoes, making champ is a delight for any foodie. 

Bread and Butter Pudding
Photo � RFB photography

Bread and Butter Pudding 

This dessert filled with a blend of raisins, butter, white bread, and is infused with Irish whiskey. No eating spree in Ireland is complete without a taste of this iconic bread and butter pudding, which is easy to make and takes only a few ingredients and less than an hour to bake up. Use left-over bread or cake, mix them with brown bread or croissants, add a few items as binders, and you’ve got a savory pudding that’s perfect anytime.  The Irish liqueur can be left out, but use it for a bit more of an Irish flair."

There's much more to Irish cooking than this. In fact, the book that accompanies my CD, Haste to the Wedding, contains recipes for Irish Blondies, Ginger Shortbread, Boxty Pancakes, a Guinness Wedding Cake, and even instructions on how to prepare a Proper Irish Tea. You'll find this combination book/CD on sale at my website at CelticHarpMusic.com, discounted when you purchase my other combination book/CDs.

Do you have some fabulous Celtic recipes to share? You're welcome to be the next guest blogger here at the Celtic Harp Music Blog. Contact me to be featured as a guest blogger through the email posted on my website at CelticHarpMusic.com.

About our guest blogger: Manilyn Moreno is writing on behalf of Better Cater. She loves organizing themed events like Celtic-inspired weddings.