Fox River Academy of Music and Art's Holiday Harp Recital Delights a Full House

People wrapped in warm coats with scarves and gloves walk through the snowy night toward the lighted village hall. Gathering in the warm interior, they mingle quietly and slowly settle into chairs to listen to timeless Christmas carols and classical music.

No, this is not a scene out of a Charles Dickens story. It happened Monday night at the . The held their second annual Holiday Harp Recital. Despite a snow storm blanketing the Fox Valley, the harpists played to a packed house. Every seat was filled with people standing along the walls. All had gathered to listen to beautiful music beautifully played, and no one was disappointed.

The concert consisted of 10 harpists ranging in age from less than 10 years old to adulthood. Each student performed a piece of their own choosing. Teacher and recital director Nichole Luchs created many of the arrangements to reflect both the skills of the harpist and what the performer loved most in each piece. Allowing the students to choose their own pieces fosters a special relationship between the musician and their music.

The program began with an ensemble performance of Silent Night. Afterward each harpist performed their solo. The delicate beauty of the pieces enveloped the audience with the enchanting magic of music. The conclusion of the concert was an ensemble performance of Carol of the Bells. The holiday favorite reached new depths and colors as the "ding, ding ding, dong" was played on harps. The crystalline sounds spun and danced through the air before seeming to fade into the cold night.

Performers included Susan Carhart, Nicole Stark, Katie Moga, Emily Stivender, Terri Overstreet, Rebecca Bourg, Catrina Egner, Cecilia Jimenez, Lauren McCombe and instructor Nichole Luchs.

The Fox River Academy of Music and Art, founded in 2003, is devoted to offering exceptional music and art education to students regardless of age or experience. Monday night's performance featured harpists with many years of experience as well as students who were new to harp playing.

"Music enriches ones life on so many levels," says Academy Director, Ron Stark. "Whether a person intends to study music for a short time or eventually would like to pursue a career in music, they are welcome at the academy."