HarpingSwiss
by Sylvia LaPratt
Whether you’re looking to add beauty and elegance to your wedding ceremony, or enjoy some upbeat music for your cocktail hour or reception, HarpingSwiss can help.
Whether you would like to add some sparkling music to your baby shower, or you would like soothing harp sounds to comfort your loved ones at a funeral or viewing, HarpingSwiss can provide.
Whether your orchestra score asks for a harpist, or your church would like to add a guest musician, HarpingSwiss would be honored to play.
Sylvia LaPratt is HarpingSwiss and can’t wait make your event special!
Sylvia
For over 25 years, Sylvia LaPratt has been performing her harp for weddings, receptions, orchestras, theatrical performances, recitals, and many other events.
She completed a university degree in Harp Performance and Music Education at the Zürich Hochschule für Musik und Theatre in her native Switzerland.
Her repertoire includes classical, popular, and religious music suited perfectly for weddings, receptions, and other events. She has performed harp music internationally and in the U.S.A.
In addition to being an accomplished harpist, Sylvia is also an extraordinary singer. She has toured with international choirs to over a dozen countries on four continents.
In 2012, Sylvia completed her Masters in Music degree from Wayne State University in Detroit where she studied vocal performance. She enjoys sharing her special talent of singing and playing the harp at the same time.
When not playing her harp, Sylvia’s passion is teaching children about the wonders of music. She has been an elementary music teacher for the past 16 years and loves watching her students find their talents.
F
ees
Wedding Ceremony - $350
(includes all harp music for prelude while guests are being seated, processionals, solos during the ceremony, and postlude while guests leave the ceremony area)
Any other event - $350/first hour, $100/additional hour
Special Requests of music not currently in the repertoire - $25 plus cost of sheet music
$100 deposit at time of booking, remaining balance is due by the day of the event.
Mileage - $0.50/mile round-trip between White Lake, MI and event location
Gallery
FAQ
-
How do I schedule you for a wedding or event?Call me at (517) 914-7088 or email me to determine if I am available for your selected date. If the date is available, a $100 deposit reserves the date and time. Complete and sign the "Music Agreement", then mail it to the address on the Agreement. Dates and times are held only with a deposit on a first come first serve basis.
-
How much space does the harp require?My Concert Pedal Harp is just over six feet tall made of a natural ("blonde") wood finish with gold accents. Because of its height, it is seen easily by guests from a good distance yet fits into a limited space of 40" x 60" that accommodates both harp and harpist.
-
Is your harp loud enough to be heard?When necessary, I amplify the sound of the harp with an electric amplifier. This device allows the sounds of the harp to be heard over dinner noise and at outdoor events.
-
Why pay money for a live musician when a CD will do?A live musician plays the music that you have selected for various parts of a ceremony. A live musician can make a wedding appear perfectly choreographed even when things don't go perfectly as planned. A live musician can slip from one song to another depending on what is happening at the time. Live musicians can also shorten or lengthen a piece so that everyone walks or moves with the music just as the wedding/event planners (you) envision it.
-
Who decides what music is played and when?You can have as much or as little to do with the decision making process as you would like. Some say to me, "You are the expert; I trust in your talent and experience. Please make the musical decisions for me." Others choose selections from my repertoire or make special requests that can usually be accommodated if given appropriate advance notice. All those decisions can be made over the phone, or by email, or on Teams meeting.
-
What happens on the day of the event/wedding?I will arrive 60-90 minutes before the event/ceremony so that I can set up and tune. I begin playing as soon as guests arrive (approximately 20-30 minutes prior to the ceremony). For weddings, I then play the processional music for the bridal party and the bride. Another selection is often played during the ceremony for the lighting of the unity candle or other traditional portion of the ceremony. Then the recessional music is played for the wedding party, and I conclude with music while your guests depart.
-
Do you play for/with a vocalist or other instruments?I will consider accompanying a vocalist or playing with other instruments. These arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis.
-
Can the harp be played outdoors?Yes. However, for these events, the harp requires a flat and solid surface and a shelter of some kind in case it is raining.