Check Alys Howe's Availability

Alys Howe's Availability Calendar

Subject to change without notice
Contact Alys to confirm her availability


Weddings

Harp wedding music is a unique and beautiful way to add the perfect touch to your special event. The opportunity to listen to wedding music is an important step in planning the details of your ceremony, and the soothing tones of the harp will help ease the stress of preparing for the happiest day of your life!


Classical wedding music played on the harp is tasteful and memorable, and appropriate throughout a wedding ceremony.  An example of harp wedding music at your service might include: twenty minutes for your guests to listen to wedding music as they arrive; music during the processional; any classical wedding music required during the service (for example during the signing of the register); music for the recessional. Whether your location is a large cathedral, or outside in the memorable landscapes so unique to Vancouver weddings, harp wedding music will create a sense of intimacy, and touch the heart of each one of your guests.  The graceful beauty of the harp added to the stunning scenery of your Vancouver Wedding will create an unforgettable occasion.
Alys Howe - Wedding harpist
Alys with Pedal Harp
 
Alys Howe invites you to listen to wedding music on this website, and is also happy to consult with you at her home to ensure that the perfect music is selected for your special Vancouver wedding. Alys is an experienced musician who has played harp since 1985. With musical training and education in Celtic (Irish and Scottish) styles of harp playing as well as classical, she has studied and performed across North America and throughout the UK, and has played both Celtic and classical wedding music at numerous ceremonies and receptions in all of these locations.
SOLO HARP REPERTOIRE

Music Choices: suggested for the Processional
or The Signing of the Registry

*indicates that this musical selection is available on pedal harp only.
To see pictures of the harps, please go to  About the Harps.



Traditional Selections (audio)

  Pachelbel's Canon
  Bach Chorale
  Wagner's Here Comes the Bride (lever harp)
  Here Comes the Bride*
  Schubert's Ave Maria*
  Bach's Meditation*
  Bach's Ave Maria*
  Handel's Largo*
  Handel's Air from "Water Music"*
  Hymn: Be Thou My Vision
  Hymn: Amazing Grace
  Hymn: For the Beauty of the Earth



Classical Selections (audio)

  Puccini's O Mio Babbino Caro from "Gianni Schiichi"
  I Vow to Thee (Jupiter)
  Musetta's Waltz
  Debussey's First Arabesque*
  Lakme Flower Duet*
  Couperin's Les Barricades Mysterieuses*
  Bochsa's Air
  Gluck's Dance of the Blessed Spirits/C.P.E. Bach's Minuet*
  Purcell's Air
  Vivaldi's Largo from "The Four Seasons"*
  Gabriel's Oboe*
  A Rose e'er Blooming
  Dvorak's New World (theme)



Celtic Selections (audio)

  Inis Sheer (Ireland)
  Wild Mountain Thyme (Scotland)
  Salley Gardens (Ireland)
  Fair Jean (Scotland)
  Lady Owen’s Delight (Wales) [also on phosphorescence CD]
  Sheebeg Sheemore (O’Carolan)
  My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose (Scotland)
  The Mountains High (Ireland)
  Miss Power (O’Carolan)
  Gratitude (Kim Robertson)
  My Brown-Haired Girl (Scotland)
  The Eriskay Love-Lilt (Scotland)
  Give me your Hand (Ireland)
  The Boatman (Scotland)
  Mist-Covered Mountains (Scotland)



Pop Music Selections (audio)

  Fields of Gold
  Can’t Help Falling in Love *
  Unchained Melody *
  Fairytale (Enya) *
  Memory of…(Enya)
  Let it Be (The Beatles)
  Sun and Moon (from Miss Saigon) *
  Con Te Partiro *
  The Rose
  My Heart Will Go On (from Titanic)
  Perhaps Love (John Denver)
  Annie’s Song (John Denver)

Alys Howe - Wedding harpist
                     Alys with Lever Harp



Music Choices: suggested for the Recessional

*indicates that this musical selection is available on pedal harp only.
To see pictures of the harps, please go to  About the Harps.


Traditional Selections (audio)

  Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
  Trumpet Voluntary (lever harp)
  Mendelsohn’s “Wedding March” *
  Handel’s Hornpipe from “Water Music”
  Trumpet Voluntary (Purcell/Clarke) *
  Purcell’s Trumpet Tune *
  Mouret’s Rondeau from “Masterpiece Theatre” (audio sample coming soon!)
  Purcell’s Rondeau * (audio sample coming soon!)
  Hymn: Christ the Lord is Ris'n Today



Classical Selections (audio)

  Vivaldi’s Spring from “The Four Seasons”
  Dalza’s Paduana Alla Venetiana
  Ode to Joy (theme)
  Handel’s Harp Concerto, 1st Movement *
  Dussek’s Sonatina (audio sample coming soon!)
  Bochsa’s Rondo * (audio sample coming soon!)



Celtic Selections (audio)

  Skye Boat Song (Scotland)
  The Ash Grove (Wales)
  Carolan’s Concerto (Ireland)
  Mairi’s Wedding (Scotland)
  Carolan’s Draught (Ireland)
  Morgan Megan (O’Carolan)
  Newlywed Waltz (Scotland)
  Musical Priest (Ireland) [also on phosphoresence CD]
  Miss Sally Hunter (Scotland) [also on phosphorescence CD]
  Merrily Kiss the Quaker’s Wife (Ireland) [also on phosphorescence CD]
  Saint Kilda Wedding Reel (Scotland) (audio sample coming soon!)
  Moving Cloud (Ireland)



Pop Music Selections (audio)

  A Whole New World (from Disney’s Aladdin) *
  When you say nothing at all
  Anywhere Is (Enya) (audio sample coming soon!) *
  Only Time (Enya)
  And I love her (The Beatles) (audio sample coming soon!)
  What a Wonderful World *




Harp and Flute

  Theme from Masterpiece Theatre (Mouret)
  Largo, theme from The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
  Trumpet Voluntary (Clark)
  Tambourin (Hasse)
  Irish Jig (Traditional)
  Musical Priest (Traditional Irish)




Harp, Flute, and Cello

  Gaelic Love-Song (Traditional Scottish)
  Lord Birsay (Orkney Islands)
  Fair Jean (Traditional Scottish)





Rates and Services Information - As of September 2006

To print and keep your own copy of the rates and services available from harpist Alys Howe, or to view her standard contracts, please download the Wedding Portfolio.

TRADITIONAL, CLASSICAL, CELTIC, or POP MUSIC wedding packages
These include: A consultation with the harpist, at her home studio, or over the phone. You may also choose to have twenty minutes of background solo harp music performed during the Seating of the Guests (music selections will be chosen by the harpist), and three solo harp performances during the Ceremony. You may choose your three Ceremony selections from one of the music categories (Traditional, Classical, Celtic or Pop Music), or you may combine selections from three of these categories. These packages are designed for standard wedding ceremonies of one-hour duration. If you require additional time, musical selections, have a special musical request, or would like the harpist to create an original composition, please review the EXTENDED and DELUXE wedding packages. Consult the harpist if you would like to have harp performances with another instrument or vocalist.


Central Vancouver:
(Locations including Downtown Vancouver, Kitsilano, Kerrisdale, and East Vancouver).

For Solo Acoustic Harp (pedal harp or lever harp):
Musician Fee: $200.00 for the first hour
Harp Cartage: $50.00 - $80.00 (flat rate)
Each Additional Hour: $50.00
GST: 6%
$250.00 - $280.00 + GST
(each location)
For Solo Amplified Harp (pedal harp or lever harp):
Musician Fee: $200.00 for the first hour
Harp Cartage: $50.00 - $80.00 (flat rate)
Amplification: $50.00 (flat rate)
Each Additional Hour: $50.00
GST: 6%
$300.00 - $330.00 + GST
(each location)
For Acoustic Harp and Another Instrument/Voice:
Musicians' Fee: $300.00 for the first hour
Harp Cartage: $50.00 - $80.00 (flat rate)
Each Additional Hour: $100.00
GST: 6%
$350.00 - $380.00 + GST
(each location)

Outside Central Vancouver:
(Locations including North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Tsawassen, Ladner, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Surrey, Delta, and Pitt Meadows).

For Solo Acoustic Harp (pedal harp or lever harp):
Musician Fee: $200.00 for the first hour
Harp Cartage: $110.00 - $150.00 (flat rate)
Each Additional Hour: $50.00
GST: 6%
$310.00 - $350.00 + GST
(each location)
For Solo Amplified Harp (pedal harp or lever harp):
Musician Fee: $200.00 for the first hour
Harp Cartage: $110.00 - $150.00 (flat rate)
Amplification: $50.00 (flat rate)
Each Additional Hour: $50.00
GST: 6%
$360.00 - $400.00 + GST
(each location)
For Acoustic Harp and Another Instrument/Voice:
Musicians' Fee: $300.00 for the first hour
Harp Cartage: $110.00 - $150.00 (flat rate)
Each Additional Hour: $100.00
GST: 6%
$410.00 - $450.00 + GST
(each location)


BUDGET wedding package (available at select locations)
Includes: A consultation with the harpist by phone. You may choose to have twenty minutes of background solo harp music during the Seating of the Guests, and up to three solo harp performances during the Ceremony. The harpist will select ALL the music to be performed, on lever harp only. This package is designed for standard wedding ceremonies of one-hour duration. Consult the harpist to discuss your budget requirements.


Available for Solo Acoustic LEVER HARP ONLY**:
$197.50 all inclusive for the first hour
$50.00 plus 6% GST for each additional hour
**(visit  About the Harps to see a picture of the lever harp).
$197.50 + GST
(each location)


EXTENDED wedding package
Includes: A consultation with the harpist at her home studio, or over the phone. You may choose to receive up to 30 minutes performance of background solo harp music during the Seating of the Guests (music selections will be chosen by the harpist), and up to six solo harp performances during the Ceremony. You may choose your six Ceremony selections from one of the music categories (Traditional, Classical, Celtic or Pop Music), or you may combine selections from all four genres. This package is designed for Catholic and other extended wedding ceremonies of 1.5 hrs duration or less. If you have a special musical request, or would like the harpist to create an original composition, please review the DELUXE wedding package. Consult the harpist if you require additional time, musical selections, or would like to have harp performances with another instrument or vocalist.

Price available upon request. Contact Alys Howe for further information.



DELUXE wedding package
Includes: Up to three consultations with the harpist at her home studio, or over the phone. You may choose to recieve up to 30 minutes performance of background solo harp music during the Seating of the Guests (you may personally select all music to be performed if you wish) and up to six solo harp performances during the Ceremony. You may choose your six Ceremony selections from the existing categories; you may request two special pieces of music that are outside the harpist’s standard repertoire; or you may ask the harpist to create an original composition for you and your fiancée. This package is designed for wedding ceremonies that are of 1.5 hrs duration or less. Consult the harpist if you require additional time, musical selections, or would like to have harp performances with another instrument or vocalist.

Price available upon request. Contact Alys Howe for further information.





Testimonials

"Thank you so much for the beautiful harp music you played at our wedding. It was exactly what we had imagined, and all our guests commented on the special ambience it created. You took care of us through the entire process and made it so easy! I would whole-heartedly recommend you to anyone looking for something special for their ceremony or reception."

--Penelope Wheelwright




Special for the Bride and Groom

In the tradition of the ancient Irish harpers and bards, Alys will create an original composition for your wedding day - a brand-new piece as unique and individual as your union together. Contact Alys if you would like more information about an original "planxty" written especially for you and your fiancee.



Download Wedding Portfolio



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