Celtic Harp Concert Friday In South Britain

SOUTH BRITAIN — On Friday, May 6, the sanctuary of South Britain Congregational Church will come alive with the sounds of the Celtic harp.

At 7:30 pm, Mary Chamberlain will present a concert featuring traditional music from the British Isles and the United States. Ms Chamberlain plays a 36-string harp, also known as a folk or Irish harp. Her instrument was custom made for her by William Rees in Rising Sun, Indiana.

The Celtic harp differs from the larger pedal harp which is most commonly heard in an orchestral setting and uses pedals to change the pitch of the strings. The small Celtic harp has sharping levers that are engaged by the harpist’s left hand.

Ms Chamberlain has played the harp for several years, and has studied with Carol Rohl of Warren, Me., and Nancy Bick Clark of Cincinnati, Ohio. She enjoys providing music for wedding and special community events in Maine where she resides.

She is an elementary school teacher, and is also the music director of the Congregational Church of Bristol, Me.

She previously directed the children’s choir of the First Congregational Church of Camden, Me., for 19 years, where she worked with the Rev Glen Rainsley, who is now the minister at South Britain Congregational Church.

Ms Chamberlain and the Rev Rainsley plan to perform several harp-guitar duets.

The church is on Route 172, approximately one mile north of Exit 14 off I-84. Parking is available in the church’s lot, immediately across Route 172.

The concert is open to the community, with admission being a suggested donation of $5 per person. More information can be obtained by calling the church office at 264-5890.