March 20, 2023
The BA Blog
Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
Mentioned frequently in the Bible, the harp is an instrument that instantly imparts a sense of peace and serenity. Recently at the BA, residents and patients have been treated to live harp music played by intern Louisa Longshore.
After playing violin as a child, Louisa picked up the harp a few years ago. She was gifted a student harp from a friend.
“A student harp is a couple of chords shorter than a concert harp,” explains Louisa. “It doesn’t have pedals but it has levers for the different keys. It’s about five feet at the tallest point.”
At just five feet, her harp fits neatly in the car and she was able to drive it down to the BA from her home in Maine.
“I thought it would be fun to play for the residents,” said Louisa. “I think one of the favorite songs for the residents and patients has been Amazing Grace. And then we had a good time playing Christmas carols. They are easy and I can play the melodies and people like to sing along. It’s been fun and we’ve enjoyed it.”
Last week, Louisa played alongside the BA Handbell Choir and performed Edelweiss in a Valentine’s Day concert via Zoom for residents at Tallwood House in New Hampshire.
“I like to let the bells shine and do their thing,” explains Louisa. “It’s really fun to play all together!”
Louisa is working as an Intern at the BA, supported in part by the Christian Science Nursing Youth Service Corps through the Principle Foundation Extended Services.
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Loved it! Thank you!♥️🎶
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Beautiful!!
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Very sweet. Thanks for sharing!
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Brava! Bravo! Bells and Harp! Beautiful music!
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I love Louisa’s story about aquiring a harp. Years ago I took harp lessons. After a year or so I thought I should purchase a harp rather than continuing to rent one. What a Surprise! Besides a price tag of over $15,000 (in the late 1980’s) there’d be the cost of a new car (mine couldn’t accomodate the huge harp) All to play simple songs for my Mom and her friends at a care facility
Sadly I gave up. As Louisa said it’s a beautiful thing to be enveloped in the sound of a harp. I am so glad she is sharing it with the residents at the BA
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As a member of the BA bell ringing group, I want to say how much fun it has been to have Louisa and her har join our musical venture.The harp and bells are very tuneful companions.
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Thank you, Louisa, and Handbell Choir!
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Lovely! Thank you so much!
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Lovely, thanks to all! ❤️
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Beautiful! I love the sweet group accompaniment!
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