What's more beautiful than a harp? One that's being played.
"It needs to be played," says Joanna George. She's talking about the new addition to the Duke music department's collection of musical instruments. The instrument, shiny black and sleek in the Princess Louise style popular in the 1930s and 40s, was recently donated by the George family.
"It was probably made in the mid-1960s," George said, "by Lyon-Healy, the oldest and most famous U.S. manufacturer of harps. I had been taking lessons for a year or two at that point from Emily Babcock, who taught at UNC-Chapel Hill. The harp only belonged to one other person before me, a man who played it in the Air Force Orchestra," she said with a laugh. "I think he traded it in because the Air Force Orchestra didn't want a black harp on stage, but I've always liked it."
George took lessons for four or five years before motherhood and other obligations made it difficult for her to find time to practice. The harp presided over her living room until she decided to donate it in 2005.
"Giving it to Duke was my first choice," she said. "I've always been a Duke fan." Her husband, Rhett George Jr., is an assistant professor in the Pratt School of Engineering.
Emily Laurance, who taught harp at Duke until last summer, transported the harp to Lynchburg, Va., where it received repairs and restoration before arriving at Duke.
Duke has several harp students who are already benefiting from the instrument.
"This will make a huge difference to the students who play on it," says harp instructor Laura Byrne. "It's a powerful harp, with a full, rich sound. The benefit of an instrument of this caliber is that students don't have to strain to achieve good sound projection, which allows them to play more musically. This harp has a great sound board that will only get better as it is used."
Byrne and George share more than respect and affection for the harp. They both studied with legendary harpist Alice Chalifoux: George for one summer and Byrne for eight years. "Miss Chalifoux taught us the Salzedo method, which creates strong, articulate performers," Byrne said.
"I was interested to learn that Mrs. George had studied with my teacher at her summer harp camp in Maine. It was a famous camp, and those of us who were lucky enough to study there feel a connection to each other. By teaching the Salzedo method that we both learned from Miss Chalifoux, I feel we are passing on a legacy of excellence to these young harp students."
In addition to lessons, the harp will also enrich the musical possibilities for student ensembles and visiting artists.
People wishing to hear Duke's new harp will be able to do so at the Duke Symphony Orchestra's concert on Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. in Baldwin Auditorium, where it will be used in Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5. The harp made its first appearance on Baldwin's stage on Sept. 24, played by Welsh harpist Novella in performance with the Onllwyn Male Voice Choir of Wales.
"Novella loved playing it and thanked me publicly during the concert for loaning her the Duke harp for the performance," Byrne said. "I was so pleased with this debut performance."
Joanna George is also excited about the harp's future at Duke. "I just hope the students will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed it."