Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos

Cross Pollination for Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:32:00 +0000

Are you looking for some fun ways to say, "I love you"? With February upon us and Valentine's Day approaching you might want to mozy on over to my other blog. It's called Fun With Words and the current post is loaded with love quotes that you can insert into a card or letter or say to your sweetie.

After visiting the Fun With Words blog, come back here for related posts about music and more for Valentine's Day. I call this a bit of cross-pollination for Valentine's Day :-)

Are there some posts you'd like to see here relating to Valentine's Day? Please share your thoughts.

Wedding Music Predictions (And More) for 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:46:00 +0000

With the new year comes predictions of what will be. Since we are closing in on Valentine's Day, I'm posting the Top 12 Wedding Trends for 2012, from the pundits at onewed.com:

#12--Food Trucks--Fun food trucks are rolling in at receptions and after parties with non-traditional food items like fried twinkies and giant pretzels.

#11--Unique Head Chic--Last year's royal wedding turned headpieces into the "in" accessories, as everyone was looking at who was wearing which unique hat at Kate and Will's wedding.

#10--Royal Wedding Inspiration--Not just the headpieces, but this year's wedding styles reflect last year's royal wedding, too (think simpler wedding dresses with lace sleeves, natural make-up, and ivory bridesmaids dresses)

#9--Letterpress with a Modern Twists--Bold colors on traditional paper makes for a popular stationery choice.

#8--Bijou Weddings--Small guest lists mean that couples can afford elegance.

#7--Two Wedding Dresses--One for walking down the aisle, and one for the reception. It's what Kate Middleton and Kim Kardashian did (Kim had three dresses).

#6--Scaled Back Centerpieces--Smaller, shorter centerpieces using unique additions like crystals and antique books.

#5--Touches of Sheer--Transparent necklaces, for instance.

#4--Sparkle--Gold and silver accents are being used for everything from shoes to centerpieces.

#3--Mix and Match Mania--Mixing the dress look for your bridesmaids and groomsmen. They don't need to wear exactly the same outfits.

#2--Ditching Tradition--New traditions are taking place of the old and couples are inventing their own traditions.

#1--Not Your Mom's White Wedding Dress--According to onewed.com, "blush is the new ivory".

Read the entire article at onewed.com.

What about music??? Notice that nothing was said about music! No music in 2012? Ridiculous!

I searched the web, and presently, I could find very little about any music trends for 2012 (at least very little about romantic music trends).

So, here are my own wedding and romantic music trend predictions for 2012:

1. Live Music Makes a Comeback--2011 was the year of the iPod. It was used everywhere, for ceremonies, receptions, and all kinds of other events. The pendulum swings back to live music in 2012. A harpist played at Kate Middleton's reception, and since the royal wedding theme will prevail in 2012, so will live music.

2. Ceremony Music to Fit the Bride's Experiences--More brides will opt for favorite songs as their entrance music, instead of sticking to the traditional (just as they will be creating more of their own wedding traditions and not going with the standard white wedding dress).

3. The Use of Less Mainstream Music--Weddings and events will utilize more music that the couple recently discovered, whether it be Celtic Music, music by independent artists, or music that brings a bit of nostalgia to older generations and is new to young couples. It's their way to introduce something new to their guests.

What are your wedding and music predictions for 2012?

Hint: You can gather some great ideas for your wedding music from my book The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable, published by Hal Leonard Books. It's also available as a Kindle edition on amazon.com.

How Music Can Help You to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:34:00 +0000

Yes, it has been a while since I've posted, and one of my New Year's Resolutions is to keep my blogs fresher! Many of us have resolutions to exercise more, take the pounds off, and be healthier in 2012. Here's how to keep these health resolutions using music!

To start, I found these wonderful tips from Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen. In an article posted at RealAge.com, they say that research proves that "listening to music bestows mind-body benefits":

1. Music improves your brain. It actually helps to boost memory and mental powers by firing up neurons in the brain!

2. Slow tunes lower blood pressure. Just 30 minutes per day breathing along to the beat of slow, soothing numbers can do the trick (think Celtic harp music, especially music from my Through the Mist CD!)

3. Music keeps your ears young. Did you know that older musicians don't usually experience the typical aging in the part of the brain (the auditory cortex) that often leads to hearing problems? This means that it's never too late to take up an instrument (like the Celtic harp!)

4. Music relieves stress. I'm sure we've all experienced this effect when we've listened to our favorite music. But there's scientific proof of this: Listening to music lowered heart rates by as much as 5 beats per minute in critically ill hospital patients hooked up to breathing machines. This helped them to heal by relieving their anxiety.

5. A good beat keeps you moving. Pick songs with a good beat to motivate you to exercise harder and longer.

Read more of this article at RealAge.com. And read and listen to NPR stories with more proof of the health benefits of music:

In The Power of Music, Elena Mannes describes how music affects people and how it can take part in the role of health care.
In Treating Stress and Speech Disorders of the Brain, hear how one musician uses music to help people heal.
And Neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks Observes the Mind through Music: how musicians play from memory, music's healing role for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients, and the relationship between music and math.

Here's hoping that one of your resolutions for 2012 is to immerse yourself in the health benefits of music!

Do you have your own stories about how music benefited your health and well-being? Please share them here.

My Thanksgiving Gifts to You!

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:34:00 +0000

Here in the U.S., Thanksgiving Day is this coming Thursday. It's a day when we all pause to be grateful for the blessings in our lives.

You can express your gratitude to your loved ones by sending a wonderful e-card. My gift of thanks to you, my readers, is a free, 6-month subscription to Rubber Chicken E-Cards. Click here for your gift subscription.

Or, you can send a card expressing your gratitude to those special people in your life using a unique Banjo Bunny E-Card. To send a beautiful e-card filled with my Celtic Harp Music click here.

Don't know how to express yourself in words to show your gratitude? Try using a bit of Shakespeare--Visit my newest blog for a hand in how to wax elegant like the Bard.

And finally, here's a way to save some money. And you don't need to wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday for shopping deals...I have a big sale at my website. Huge discounts on everything--CDs and books! But this sale ends at midnight, Thursday night, Thanksgiving. This sale is for the early shopper. So go there now and save, before the sale ends Friday.

Many blessings to you for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

How to be Frugal Without Being Cheap--Plus A Special Gift!

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:33:00 +0000

November is here, the stores are stocking holiday gift items, and most of us start looking at our bank accounts to determine what we can afford. It's trendy to save money, and everyone understands this. But there is a big difference between saving money and being frugal and pinching pennies to be cheap. Frugal looks good and is trendy. Cheap looks like you really didn't want to bother in the first place. You can always purchase an inexpensive gift that looks like you put some thought into it.

Find out what your friends and loved ones really want, then start shopping for bargains now. And if that item is completely outside of your pocketbook, get creative. I don't mean resorting to "junk", the stuff that you wouldn't want to receive yourself. Give gifts that would last. Music, movies, and events that create a memory. Here are some creative ideas from thinksimplenow.com. My favorite fun gift sites include Liam Hughes Shard Jewelry and On Purpose, but that's just my style of gift-giving. Really, just Googling the kind of gift someone wants to receive will take you to sites that may contain some inexpensive choices.

Rule of thumb: Don't give anyone something you wouldn't want to receive yourself. Ask yourself before you buy, "Does this gift look cheap?", or "Will this gift make me look like a cheapskate?"

An inexpensive, but in no way "cheap" way out of buying a gift is to send a card. Wonderful e-card sites enable you to send the perfect gift cards to your friends without paying postage and getting hand cramps from writing. If you love harp music, go to Sylvia Woods' website and send wonderful harp e-postcards. Send a uniquely magical e-card from Banjo Bunny, including a wonderful Thanksgiving e-card containing my music! Many thanks to Susan, the head Bunny (and gifted animator) at Banjo Bunny!

Since you've read along this far, I have a special thank-you for you, my wonderful blog readers. It's something you can use today, and you can consider it my early holiday gift to you! My good friend Steve, the "head chicken" of RubberChickenCards.com, has included my music in a couple of his cards, a lovely encouragement card and one featuring Louise the Angel.

Louise the Angel

Now, as an expression of thanks, he has gifted me with something that I am passing along to you:

Get your f*ree 6-month subscription to Rubber Chicken Cards by clicking here

Way cool, huh? I love these e-cards, and you will too. Send as many Rubber Chicken e-cards as you want over the next six months for f*ree!

Next post will contain more frugal (not cheap) tips for your holiday parties and upcoming weddings! Have some ideas you'd like me to share? Post them here or contact me!

Cheers,

Anne :-)

P.S.--Of course, the folks at Rubber Chicken Cards hope you'll love their cards and continue using them even after six months. But this is a f*ree subscription with no strings attached (bad harp pun). Just go there and enjoy sending those cards!

(For early shoppers, all of my products are discounted on my website (for a limited time), including my book that contains money-saving hints for your wedding day in my book, The Bride's Guide to Musicians, published by Hal Leonard Books. It's also available as a Kindle Edition. Go to the facebook page to view some ideas now)

8 Simple Ways to Take Back Control of Your Life

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:18:00 +0000

Having a tough time getting things done these days? Juggling tasks as a musician, balancing the day between work and play as an entrepreneur, getting through your "to-do" list for your upcoming wedding--These things all require willpower and stick-to-it-ness.

Here is an abbreviated version of some great tips supplied to me from my friend and guest blogger Eliseo Mauas Pinto from a fantastic article by Tony Schwartz. Any one of these tips might help you to reflect happily at the end of the day that you accomplished what you needed to accomplished.

Tony says:

"Here's the problem we face, every day of our lives. Nearly everything that generates enduring value requires effort, focus, and even some discomfort along the way. At the same time, we're deeply wired to avoid pain, which the body reads as mortally dangerous, and to move toward pleasure, the more immediate the better. We're also exposed to more temptation than ever....The sirens sing to us, too: Have the dessert. Skip the workout. Put off the hard work. Surf the web. Check your email. Indulge your whims. Settle for the easy way out."

My own suggestions for owning willpower:

1. Make your behaviors automatic--Willpower is hard. But if you make something that's hard to do a habit, it won't be so hard to do anymore. Take exercise. If you go to the gym the same time everyday, it will simply get easier to exercise.

2. Take yourself out of harms way--Would you eat that entire box of cookies at one time if they were in your kitchen pantry? Avoid the problem altogether and don't buy the cookies in the first place. Have problems dealing with certain people? Simply limit your contact with them.

3. Reflect before you react--Do you need to buy that box of cookies? Do you need tell someone how angry you are with their behaviors? Stop and think. "Do I want to do that, or do I need to do that?" If you need to buy a new tie for an interview, do it, but if you have 15 other ties that would serve the same purpose, do you really need to buy another one?

4. Sleep enough to feel fully rested--This is a tough one for me, as I'm always a light sleeper. But it's true that when you are rested, you can tackle the day and make the right decisions for yourself.

5. Do the most important thing in the morning--Get the hard-to-do stuff out of the way. And also keep in mind that what you do in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day.

6. Eat well--Obviously, if you haven't eaten, your mind is on satiating your hunger, not tackling the day ahead. And if you are trying to have willpower to stay on a particular diet, it is much more difficult to watch your portions when you are hungry. On the other hand, if you are too full or eat foods that do not give you the fuel to tackle the day, you'll tucker out. Eating small meals every three hours that always contain a lean protein balanced with fresh, unprocessed foods will keep you powered up.

7. Focus on one thing at a time--Multitasking means that you are dividing your time between each thing that must be done. Wouldn't tasks be better completed when you aren't interrupted with other things? Willpower is the will to get things done, and it happens when we concentrate on the task at hand.

8. Take a break--Have you heard that saying, "Can't see the forest through the trees." When we take frequent breaks, especially during difficult tasks, we can get a birds-eye view of whether we are on the right track an what needs to be done to complete the task. Taking a break helps to reduce mistakes, because you can see where you are going and can review as you progress.

So, go and finish up what you are doing and get things done today!!!

Please post more suggestions as they come to you...

Anne :-)

(For Musicians: You'll find more suggestions for taking care of what needs to be taken care of in my book, The Musician's Guide to Brides. Purchase a discounted copy at my website and visit the facebook page for updated articles. For Brides: You'll find great suggestions for your wedding day to-do list in my book, The Bride's Guide to Musicians, also discounted at my website and located on facebook.)

Happy Autumn!

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:48:00 +0000

From my friend, harper, and guest blogger, Eliseo Mauas Pinto, some Celtic Autumn joy for you. You'll find this lovely image and more like it from Kristen Fox at deviantART.com.

"May this fall season reconnect us
to the ever-changing aspects of our lives:
color, complexity, beauty and mortality."

Bliss and blessings ♥

Please add your own thoughts for the season below, and link to music of the season, too (check out my A Light in the Forest Album on amazon.com and iTunes for beautiful seasonal Celtic harp and instrumental music).

How Do You Keep Yourself Sane?

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 04:24:00 +0000

Times are tough. As a working musician, they are even tougher. Sure, I can bite my nails and reduce the prices on all of my CDs and books on my website. But how do I keep myself sane? Hobbies and other interests. As much as I love playing the harp and performing, I need to do something else to keep my mind happy.

One thing I do is delve into spiritual practices. A self-hypnosis subliminal tape by Barry Konikov might do the job. Then there's meditation, chanting, journaling. I've been following the Siddha Yoga Path for almost 30 years, and I feel blessed to have a meditation teacher, my guru. To have a guru is to have a life coach for all things in life. And indeed, I need to remember this, because I get really scared when the phone doesn't ring with business.

And then exercise is so important. I sit on my butt playing the harp, and I sit on my butt typing away at the computer keyboard. Gotta get up and work out. My passion is martial arts, specifically karate. And in this realm, I am also blessed to have a wonderful teacher, my sensei Grandmaster Glenn Ristine. To me, the practice of karate is like physical chess--It's not just punching and kicking aimlessly. Grandmaster Ristine has taken me to the Shodan level (blackbelt level). Ha! And I'm a girl who does not have a flexible kid's body. And now, he has shepherded me into teaching "Self Defense Rescripted", a curriculum developed by Sensei Ristine and his sensei, Grandmaster Chris Thomas. (If you'd like to take my workshop in "Self Defense Rescripted", contact me through my website we can schedule a date that works for you and your friends).

So, you now have learned about some of my secret passions. Well, they aren't a secret anymore. What are yours? Certainly, you don't do your job 24/7. I'd love to hear about your emotional and physical releases...

What Happens When You Smile?

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:40:00 +0000

A smile can be infectious, especially spreading to the audience when musicians perform. Watch this video and see how the musicians' enthusiasm makes you feel. If you're a musician or performer, whether you're on a concert stage or at a wedding, what happens when you play with this attitude? How does it affect you? How does it affect everyone else around you? Even if you aren't a musician or performer, what would happen if you brought this attitude to everyone you are in contact?

I'd love to hear your stories!

Special thanks to my friend @DaveJackson and his wonderful podcast "The Musician's Cooler" for sharing this video and his thoughts about smiling and having fun when we play. Listen to his podcast on iTunes. Read his article "Smiles Everyone Smiles!" for more great info. There's more info on his website about the power of a positive attitude. And more for musicians: catch Dave's interview with me for more specifics about playing at weddings.

For wedding musicians, you can read more stories about infectious enthusiasm in my book, The Musician's Guide to Brides. Purchase a signed copy of the book at my website, where a portion of your purchase is donated to charity, and visit the Musician's Guide to Brides facebook page for info tailor-made for wedding musicians.

When Your Co-Workers are Your Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:48:00 +0000

Lake Tahoe Golf Course

Last Friday, I played at Holly and David's wedding at the beautiful Lake Tahoe Golf Course, with the Sierra mountain range as a backdrop. Jackie and Rachel, who handle weddings, are always a breeze to work with. They bend over backwards to make sure I have what I need when I'm preparing to perform.

I was greeted by Mario from Class Act Entertainment, who was happy to plug the microphone for my harp into his sound system. I didn't need to unload my amp from my car and fuss with sound! Thank you, Mario!

Photo by CiprianPhotography.com

And then, Ciprian, the fabulous photographer who has graciously taken photos for my portfolio was the official photographer for this wedding. He took a moment out to take some photos of me. Most photographers will only concentrate on the bride and groom and not take photos of the wedding environment--Ciprian takes in the entire scene. I can't wait to see the new photos!

When everyone works as a team, the wedding goes flawlessly. So if you are getting ready to tie the knot, it's a good idea to hire wedding vendors who have worked together before.

But from a wider view, everyone I worked with wanted to make sure things went perfectly for Holly and David. It is so nice to work with people who are generous with their talents and willing to help each other out to ensure a wonderful day for the wedding couple. This generosity of spirit makes work fun and something to look forward to. My hope is that you and your coworkers share this generosity of spirit in your own work environment, too. Try being generous with your time and your abilities at your workplace--What happens?

(For wedding musicians, you can find out more ideas for fostering good recommendations from other wedding vendors in my book, The Musician's Guide to Brides. Purchase a signed copy of the book at my website, where a portion of your purchase is donated to charity, and visit the Musician's Guide to Brides facebook page for info tailor-made for wedding musicians.

How Do You Know?

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 07:31:00 +0000

Admittedly, this week's post is a rambling. I just want to get the conversation going...

For months and years, there's been a lot of talk in world and national news about how bad everything is monetarily. And this, of course, begins to color the consumer's minds--They're naturally worried about their own income, job stability, and paying rent or mortgage. They respond by holding back on paying for the arts--including music. They dive in for anything that is free or deeply discounted, but for concerts, wedding and corporate entertainment, music purchases, and more, they seem to be holding back (unless they are the rare exception where money is no object).

If you are a musician, are you at a crossroads where you don't know if you'll continue performing or creating your art? Are you thinking of getting out of the music biz altogether to pursue a career that will keep food on the table? And if you have already made this decision, how did you come to this conclusion? How do you know it's time to "throw in the towel"? How did you make the transition? What career did you turn to? How are you doing?

Yes, these are tough questions, but I'm often asked how to make it as a musician in this recession. Here, I'd like to see whether any of you have decided, or are in the process of deciding, to leave the music profession altogether. What's your experience?

Please share your thoughts, because you could help others who are now wrestling with this decision.

For Musicians: The Power of Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 06:31:00 +0000

I had a very busy wedding weekend, performing at weddings at like Tahoe's beautiful Lakeside Beach and the gorgeous Edgewood. I also performed at St. Francis of Assisi at Incline Village, a beautiful church overlooking Lake Tahoe on a picture-perfect summer day. I always look forward to Father Bill's wedding sermon. He always knows how to make the congregation laugh and relax, and at Saturday's wedding, he pointed out the bride's neon high-top converse shoes beneath her gown.

I once commented to Father Bill about how much I enjoy his services and how he gets everyone to laugh during the ceremony. His response was something like, "The couple can't pray when they are nervous. So laughter relaxes them so that they can pray. A wedding is, after all, a prayer."

And I remembered this response during Saturday's wedding and thought, "I'm so grateful to be here to play at this wedding. At all weddings. At all my gigs."

Then, I read the Musician's Cooler Blog today. My friend David Jackson wrote about Staying Professional at a Gig. He mentions some great info....

1. Stay calm--give your client what they want with a smile
2. Keep the big picture in view--understand how your attitude will affect others
3. Wait till the next band practice to discuss the situation and how to handle it in the future--Don't air your complaints in front of your client and their guests. Wait till you have all cooled off and can discuss things rationally.

My suggestion: Come to the gig with an attitude of gratitude.

Want to add your suggestions? Please comment below.

I look forward to seeing you at my next gig at Synapse Wines this coming Saturday!

Congratulations!

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:20:00 +0000

Congratulations to Amelia Gerlach of Winston-Salem, NC, the winner of the "Get Ready for your Wedding" Contest! She has won a bunch of great prizes, all worth more than $350! She'll be sharing the winnings with her daughter, a bride-to-be.

Check back to this blog for future contest, prizes, and all kinds of great info. And if you have ideas of what kinds of info and contests you'd like to see posted here in the future, please comment below. Also, invite your friends to follow my blog. They may never find out about about future contests without following...

Cheers,
Anne :-)

Your Chance to Win $350 In Wedding Prizes Ends This Friday!

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 21:40:00 +0000

The subject line says it all. See the last post for directions for entry into the "Get Ready for Your Wedding" Contest. Simply "follow" this blog by scrolling down and clicking "follow" in the right hand margin of this blog. Then add your comment. Enter a second time and increase your chances of winning by reading the directions in the last post.

Good luck!!!!

The "Get Ready for Your Wedding" Contest!--Contest Extended to July 15th!

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:48:00 +0000

Is your wedding around the corner and would you like to win over $350 in wonderful prizes?

Here's a contest geared just for you or for your friend or loved one who is preparing to "tie the knot"!

Here's all you need to do to enter the contest:

1. Subscribe to my blog at http://celticharpmusic.blogspot.com

2. Post a comment on any one of the articles that live there

Do this before July 15th, and you'll automatically be entered into my raffle. In addition, when you post the following on Twitter and/or Facebook (you need to friend me on Facebook so that I see your comment in the newsfeed), your name will be entered into the drawing twice, increasing your chances to win.

Wondering how to follow to this blog? Simply scroll down and click "follow" on the right hand column of this blog.

RT: Brides, win over $350 in prizes by subscribing to http://j.mp/66I0Rs and leaving a comment there. Good luck, @anneroos

Here are the prizes:

10 lucky subscribers will be awarded:

- A free copy of my latest book, "The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable” , published by Hal Leonard Books ($20 value)

5 very lucky subscribers will be awarded:

- A free copy of my latest book, "The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable” , published by Hal Leonard Books ($20 value)

- My Celtic wedding music CD, "Haste to the Wedding" ($18 value)

1 exceptionally lucky subscriber will receive the Grand Prize:

- A free copy of my latest book, "The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable” , published by Hal Leonard Books ($20 value)

- My Celtic wedding music CD, "Haste to the Wedding" ($18 value)

- Hand-made Celtic-style earrings ($24 value)

- Relaxing Heart Rock herbal bath gift set ($20 value)

- My soothing "Through the Mist" CD, filled with environmental sounds ($16 value)

- A Beachbody workout kit, including DVDs and a diet and exercise book containing simple guidelines to get you in shape for your wedding day and keep you in shape long thereafter ($129 value)

- A one-months supply of Xocai Healthy Chocolate High-Antioxidant Protein Meal Replacement Shake to enjoy while you are shaping up for your big day ($165 value)

Winners will be chosen at random from among followers to this blog who add a comment to any article on this blog between June 7th and July 14th. People who subscribe and tweet the above message will be entered into the drawing twice. Winners will be announced July 15th right here at http://celticharpmusic.blogspot.com. If you already happen to follow my blog, no worries… simply post a comment on the blog and you can take part in the raffle as well.

The Contest is open only to men and women who: (a) are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, Washington, DC, and at least eighteen (18) years of age) at the time of entry; and (b) possess a valid e-mail address. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. P.D.T., July 14, 2011.

One entry per blog follow who adds a comment on the blog. A bonus entry is added for that follower who also posts the specified verbiage above on the Facebook newsfeed, and/or Twitter newsfeed.

My Magical House Concert Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 07:36:00 +0000

Last Saturday, I performed at a private house concert with 8th generation bagpiper Seán Cummings, and it was an amazing experience. Sure, it was my first house concert performance, but we had a full house, guests were treated to luscious home-baked chocolate cheesecake, and they watched the snow fall in the windows behind us as we performed. Magical!

What's a house concert? You can find out all about house concerts and how to host them. They are really no difficult to host than a well-planned party. And it costs you very little money...Check out concertsinyourhome.com. And you only have a very small space you can host a mini-house concert--visit dinnerandsong.com for more about that. I actually performed at a "Dessert and Song". And there will be many more...Can't wait to play at my next house concert!

Here is just one video clip from my latest house concert:

Feel free to contact me if you'd like me to play the harp for your own concert! If you've had any personal experiences attending or hosting a concert, please share them below....

Wedding Traditions--Their Origins and Meanings, Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 07:17:00 +0000

Here it is, June, the big wedding month. And finally, three more wedding traditions and their origins:

• At one time, weddings were week-long celebrations. In today's harried times, the rehearsal dinner creates perhaps the only chance for the couple's families to socialize.

• The word "bridal" comes from an old English custom. The bride brewed a strong "bride-ale" which was sold to friends after the wedding to help start the couple off.

• June became the month for weddings, because it was considered good luck to marry during the month named after Juno, the goddess of marriage and family.

Coming soon: Be sure to check back here for the chance to win valuable wedding prizes!

Wedding Traditions--Their Origins and Meanings, Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 23 May 2011 09:31:00 +0000

Here are a few more traditions to add to last week's list:

• The term "Honeymoon" comes from a very old tradition. At one time, German and French couples drank a honey-sweetened wine each day for a month to celebrate the sweetness of their love. Another legend says that the honeymoon was a time to hide from the family and friends of the captured bride until tempers had cooled.

• The groom's cake tradition arose from the time when all weddings had two cakes--one to eat at the wedding and another for the guests to take home. Pieces of the groom's cake were saved to be eaten by the couple on their first anniversary.

• In many towns, the finest stores kept a list of gifts already purchased so that wedding guests could avoid duplication. Sometime between World War I and II, the practice was formalized as a service offered to department stores and called the "Bridal Registry".

More traditions in the next post...
Coming soon: Be sure to check back here for the chance to win valuable wedding prizes!

Wedding Traditions--Their Origins and Meanings, Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Tue, 17 May 2011 03:50:00 +0000

Here at Lake Tahoe, summer wedding season is upon us. Have you ever wondered about the meanings behind the most common of wedding traditions? Here are some:

• We wear our wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand because it is believed that this finger is linked to the heart.

• In ancient times, a man was expected to acquire a wife by capturing her. She surrounded herself with female friends for protection and he enlisted his male friends to steal her away. The maids, playfully dressed alike to confuse the men.

• The French began the tradition of icing wedding cakes and topping them with small toys in the 17th century. As weddings became more elaborate, confectioners made their reputations on wedding cakes and tried to outdo one another with lavishness. Queen Victoria's daughter had a cake topped with small portraits of the bride and groom which led to today's tradition of small figures of the bride and groom on the cake.

How Do You Run a Successful Giveaway?

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 09 May 2011 21:27:00 +0000

Years ago, I had a monthly giveaway of one of my CDs to all those who signed in to my free download, the Celtic Club, on my website. Here's what I discovered: Many many of those people who signed up were not interested in the music, they just wanted to win something, anything. They would post my giveaway at sweepstakes websites, but these folks just wanted to win win win. My email list was overwhelmed by people who used several different email addresses to stuff the ballot box, so to speak, even after I'd announce a winner. I guess you could call them sweepstakes junkies.

Since then, I've been rather shy of having another giveaway, but the wonderful folks at Hal Leonard Books are willing to offer one of my books as a prize, starting with my newest book, The Bride's Guide to Musicians. My thought is to post a trivia question once a week, here on my blog, and the first person who answers it will receive my book. And you'll have to answer it here, at my blog. Nowhere else.

But before I get started, I'd like to receive your input....What do you think? Have you run successful online giveaways? Where did you post it? What made you think it was successful? I appreciate your thoughts...

More Music for the Season...Time to Choose Your Wedding Music

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 09 May 2011 20:17:00 +0000

Whether you're opting to use a disc jockey service or live musicians, some serious thought must go into the selection of music for both the wedding service and reception. How can a you decide what kind of music to choose for your big day?

Keep in mind two important thoughts as you select your music:
1. Let the music reflect your own unique personality-This is your wedding. You don't need to follow the current wedding trends or old wedding traditions. You don't need to cave in to the wishes of other, either.

2. Select the music that you love-What kind of music do you and your fiancé enjoy the most? What type of instrumentation do you like? What do you dance to? What music is on your iPod or mp3 player? What does your favorite radio station play on your commute to and from work? What music do you never tire of hearing?

Have you selected a wedding theme? Here are eight thematic ideas and examples of ways that music can match them:

1. Music to reflect the things you enjoy-Use the music to paint a picture of you and your fiancé's personalities. For instance, if you are a fan of Disney movies, include Disney music within each event at your wedding.

2. Music to match your wedding location-Compliment your wedding scene with your music choices. Getting married on the beach? You could choose 60s surfer tunes. If you are planning a destination wedding, select music that is popular in the location or use music that describes the scenery.

3. Music to honor your religious background-The music that you grew up hearing in synagogue, singing in church, chanting in temple may have specific importance to you. If you're exchanging vows inside a house of worship, you could weave sacred melodies throughout your ceremony.

4. Music to celebrate your ethnicity-Let the music highlight your heritage. For instance, if you are planning a traditional Scottish wedding, where the gentlemen will be wearing kilts, let a bagpiper lead you down the aisle. Of course, the musicians can also dress according to your ethnic theme-think of the color that a mariachi band adds to a Hispanic wedding.

5. Period music for a period wedding-Choose a time in history and design your entire wedding around that period. You and your guests can wear costumes of that era, dine on food that may have been eaten at that time, and listen to music that was fashionable then. Your musicians can visually fit into the theme as well-they can wear vintage costumes as they perform. Popular themes include Victorian weddings, medieval Romeo and Juliet weddings, and Renaissance weddings.

6. Music for a holiday celebration-If you are getting married on or around a holiday-Christmas, Valentine's Day, Fourth of July, Saint Patrick's Day, or even Halloween-make your wedding music part of the festivities. For instance, you could add lively jigs and popular songs like “My Wild Irish Rose” if your wedding falls on or near St. Pat's Day.

7. Music to reflect the season-There are many songs written about spring, summer, fall, and winter. For example, “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” can tie in with a winter wonderland themed wedding.

8. Song titles that mirror your wedding themes-What if blue is your main wedding color? Use tunes with that color in the title (“Blue Moon,” for example). If your theme revolves around roses, use tunes that include the word “rose” in the title (like “La Vie en Rose”).

Whatever your wedding theme, it's almost a sure bet you can find song title to match it.

By the way, there is no rule that says that you can't mix and match thee themes. Who says you can't have a backyard barbecue and bluegrass music following a formal Catholic wedding Mass complete with sacred hymns? Have fund and come up with some ideas that will make you say, “I can't wait to hear the music at my wedding!”

Read more from my book The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable (c) 2010 by Anne Roos, published by Hal Leonard Books. It's available at my website with free shipping for a limited time only. It's also availble in a Kindle edition on amazon.com.

What Kinds of Music Goes With...Graduation?

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 09 May 2011 19:47:00 +0000

From OnlineUniversities.com, here is a fabulous article shared by guest blogger Kaitlyn Cole:

As cool as high school seniors think they are, graduation season is the perfect excuse for waxing nostalgia on days that haven’t even ended yet. From the pop kids to the hipsters to the band geeks, stereotypical songs aren’t just allowed, they’re celebrated and played on repeat all month long. Here are ten that’ll make you burst with pride and make you weep as you hang up your cap and gown in anticipation of graduation day:

1. Pomp and Circumstance

2. “It’s the End of the World as We Know It”

3. “Time of Your Life”

4. “Here’s to the Night”

5. “I’ll Be There For You”

6. “We Are The Champions”

7. “The Graduation Song”

8. “School’s Out”

9. “Graduation Day”

10. “Time of My Life”

Why these ten? Check out the complete article. And add your favorites below...

You Don’t Need to Spend as Much as Kate and Will

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:14:00 +0000

Kate and Will's royal wedding is fast approaching, and it is sure to be an extravagant affair. But most of us are on a budget when we're planning a wedding. You can still afford all kinds of frills, including live wedding music, for your dream wedding.

Timing is everything! Choose a date, time or season that is less popular for tying the knot. Here are a few ways to time your wedding to save money:

• Choose any day except Saturday, the most popular day to tie the knot. You might even qualify for a midweek discount!

• Be a “morning person”--If you are getting married in a public location (such as a park), you'll get more privacy. Plus, you'll save money on the bar tab, because people won't drink as much in the morning hours.

• Avoid holidays--Most wedding service providers charge extra to work on holidays, or they may not be available at all.

• Gravitate to the off-season--Check which months are the most popular at your chosen wedding site and then select a different month to get married. You might qualify for discounts, plus your favorite wedding services are more apt to be available for you.

• Decide early, then relax--Book your wedding services as early as you can. You'll get everything you want, plus you may avoid yearly cost-of-living increases that they may pass on to you closer to your wedding date.

• Stick to your wedding day agenda--Don't allow your wedding day events to run late, because overtime costs from each wedding service provider can add up to an astronomical sum.

And

• Shave off some time--Trimming your guest list, reducing the size of your bridal party, reducing the number of courses served at your reception, serving a buffet or fixed menu at your reception, and holding the ceremony and reception in the same location can reduce the length of your wedding festivities and reduce your overall costs.

You'll find many more useful tips in my book, "The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable", published by Hal Leonard books and available at my website with free shipping for a limited time only. It is also available in a kindle edition on amazon.com.

Visiting Thin Places with a Video of Ireland's Mystical Sites

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:55:00 +0000

Mindie Burgoyne writes about travel and places that have a mystical quality. They may be haunted places or places that seem to touch the eternal world in some way--"thin places". She hosts tours to Ireland and other haunted, mystical places. You can read more at her wonderful Thin Places blog.

In this beautiful video Mindie posted on Easter Sunday, you get to do some armchair traveling to Ireland's mystical sacred sites, while listening to my version of "Craigieburn Wood", a Scottish Air by Robert Burns, from my A Light in the Forest CD.

Visit Mindie's Blog to see the list of these lovely locations.

And for more about Celtic traditions and Celtic traditional music, check out the newest post by my talented harpist friend, Eliseo Mauas Pinto. Find out about the "Queen Mary" harp in the latest post of his Celtic Sprite blog.

The Queen Mary Harp

Is Live Music Too Much Trouble?

noreply@blogger.com (Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 06:56:00 +0000

Posted on the Event Planner's Guide Book Blog, here is Part I of my suggestions for Event Planners (and Brides, too!)...

Sometimes your clients want live music and entertainment at their wedding or event, but do you prefer to book a DJ or have them go with the iPod stereo? Are musicians too much trouble to hire? Is it difficult to find just the right musician? Are you concerned about their professionalism?

Don't give up! Here are some great reasons to consider live music and entertainment for your clients' weddings, parties, and corporate events...

Go to the Event Planner's Guide Book Blog for the rest of the article....Thank you, Kim Sullivan, for posting this article.

Also, those of you who are a members of the Event Planner's Association can receive a 25% discount on my book, "The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable", published by Hal Leonard Books. Simply go to the blog for details.