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Anne Roos
Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos - OwnerSouth Lake Tahoe, CA
http://www.celticharpmusic.com
Other Blog
Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos
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Gold Country Weddings Bridal Fair
August 6, 2010
Getting married in the Sierra Foothills or South Lake Tahoe?
This is a great opportunity to audition me at this lovely boutique bridal show, inside a beautifully restored mansion, the Sequoia.
I will be performing in Molly’s Parlor and have the entire room to myself to play your favorite wedding selections.
Email me with your request and I’ll play it for you.
Get two admissions for the price of one with your online registration at www.goldcountryweddings.net. -
Why bagpipes are played at weddings
August 4, 2010It’s always a treat to perform on local radio, especially on comedian Howie Nave’s fabulous morning radio show on KRLT called “Howie’s Morning Rush”. Not that we have a morning rush here at Lake Tahoe at all. The pace is slow. And on Howie’s show, the mood is decidedly silly.
Piper Seán Cummings joins me in the interview as we promote our 5th Annual Celtic Concert, part of the Valhalla Summer Music Festival.
Hear Seán and I play “Mist Covered Mountains” (Seán plays the Scottish whistle on that number with me on the Celtic harp). Listen closely and you’ll hear me play a few notes of “Stairway to Heaven”. Find out why bagpipes are played at weddings and laugh along with us.
Thanks, Howie! We had a blast! (click on the links below to listen)
Harpist Anne Roos & bagpipe player Sean Cummings pt 1 (4min 18 sec)
Harpist Anne Roos & bagpipe player Sean Cummings pt 2 (4min 01 sec) -
When Are the Best Times to Visit Ireland to Experience Traditional Music and Dance?
July 24, 2010Here’s some great information from our guest bloggers, Kathy and Travis Nelson. They have traveled to Ireland several times and produce the Engaging Ireland podcast, where you can find travel tips, guides to places of interest, interviews and all things Ireland. You can view their blog and listen to their podcast at www.engagingireland.com, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. Kathy and Travis are also amateur photographers. A sampling of their work can be found at www.sixeightcreations.com. Here’s their article about some of the most popular Irish music festivals. Enjoy! (Note: If you’d like to know how to pronounce some of the Gaelic terms in this article, go to forvo.com):
It’s difficult to think about Ireland without thinking about music and dance. And if you’re thinking about Irish traditional music and dance and will be making a trip to Ireland, you should schedule a fleadh or two in your itinerary. While fleadh simply means “festival,” fleadh cheoil is a festival of music.
There are many fleadhanna (the plural of fleadh) held in Ireland each year. Cavan plays host in 2010 to arguably the largest festival of the year, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann (which means “Festival of Music in Ireland”). Visit www.fleadh2010.ie for more information about this fabulous festival, which will include not only music and dance but other art forms as well. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are the organizers of this and many other Irish traditional music and culture events around the world. Visit their website at comhaltas.ie to learn more.
Fleadh Nua started in Dublin in 1970 but moved across the country in 1974 and is now held in Ennis each May. The Ennis fleadh events are held over one week and take place mainly in the medieval town centre. Pub sessions and céilís are an integral part of this festival, and you may encounter some well-known artists and performers as you wind your way through the narrow streets of Ennis and drift from pub to pub. If you’ll be in the West of Ireland at the end of any given May, check out the Fleadh Nua website at www.fleadhnua.com to see what’s on tap.
Over the May bank holiday weekend (the bank holiday is the first Monday in May), you’ll want to visit the lovely town of Abbeyfeale near the southern tip of County Limerick for the Fleadh by the Feale. This fleadh includes opportunities for storytellers to ply their craft. To learn more about the Fleadh by the Feale, visit their website at www.fleadhbythefeale.com.
If you’re a fan of the pipes, you’ll want to visit Armagh in November to take in the International Piping Festival (www.armaghpipers.org/wkpf/en/festival). The festival is organised by the Armagh Pipers Club and brings together traditional instruments from all over the world.
No matter what time of year you visit Ireland, be sure to check for festivals and events in the areas on your itinerary. If there are no scheduled festivals, you’re sure to find a pub session or céilí wherever the wind blows you. Slan! -
How you Can Use Irish Music in Your Podcasts
July 12, 2010Here's a novel use of my music: Corey and Liam from the Irish Fireside Blog and Podcast used my sprightly rendition of “The Gold Ring” from my A Light in the Forest CD for their July 7, 2010 Ireland travel video “Liam's Horse Ride Through Knockahopple in Ireland”. It's Liam's first lesson driving a horse and gig. Will he end up in a ditch? You've got to click here to view the video and find out...
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Tips on how to hire a wedding musician
June 8, 2010It's June and wedding season here in the U.S.--and if you are still looking for wedding music, consider hiring musicians instead of using the iPod stereo or pre-recorded music.
Need reasons? Blog author Amanda Williams offers several reasons:
1. Live bands are great for getting guests to interact with each other.
2. They are more likely to remember the band that played at the wedding than any sort of prerecorded music.
3. You will get the most for your money if you are willing to hire a band. This is especially true if you are choosing a band that plays requests or follows a set playlist.
She also says, "After you have experienced a live band performing at your event, you may never want to have prerecorded music played at another event afterward." Read more at Merchant Solutions IQ.
And if you need tips on how to hire a harpist, string trio or quartet, check out Lianne McCombs blog.
And for more info, my new book, "The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable" is now available for pre-sale on amazon.com. -
Celtic Harp Music at a Tea Party
May 27, 2010May is a perfect time for tea parties! I performed at Dr. June Scofield’s tea party at Sweetie Pie’s Restaurant in Placerville, California, on May 13th. Guests were encouraged to wear big Victorian-style hats, and you can see the hat I chose for the occasion below. We played a round of “Name that Tune”, where I performed songs from Broadway and the movies for everyone to guess their titles. Dr. June knows how to throw a great party!
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A Day at Cain’s Crossing Renaissance Faire
May 13, 2010Some of my earliest performance experiences were at the nation’s first Renaissance Pleasure Faire held in Agoura, California. Since then, I caught the performance bug and was hooked on playing at Ren faires throughout California with my trusty harp.
My latest performances were at the Cain’s Crossing Renaissance Faire in Auburn, California on Mother’s Day. Fairgoers and performers alike dress in Renaissance period clothing and celebrate the heraldry of 1500s England. Visitors mingled with royalty, cheered for dueling sword fighters, bartered with merchants, indulged in wonderful foods, and of course, experienced my silly brand of humor coupled with historical Renaissance period harp music.
Here are a few photos from Mother’s Day at Ren faire. First, a close-up of me playing on stage:
This photo answers the question: How do you hug a man on stilts? Answer: Very carefully so that he doesn’t topple over.
And this is by far, my favorite moment of the entire faire. Yes, I actually played in the rain with the help of two good Samaritans. That’s me on the stage with Katy on the left and Wanda on the right. (Hmmm. What was on Wanda’s mind while she was holding that umbrella?)
This final photo shows me with a few of my faire friends. That’s me, bottom left, sitting next to Sandy (who has performed as good Queen Bess in past faires). Bob is standing on the left, with Eric the pirate, on the right. My roadie, Marni, stands in the middle, looking like she's having a grand time. Thanks, Marni, for taking the great pictures above and helping me out in the rain at Ren Faire!
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Celtic Top 5 Charts
May 4, 2010Want your latest fix of Celtic music? A great podcast to listen to is the Irish and Celtic Music podcast, hosted by Marc Gunn. Get it on iTunes and from Celtic Music Podcast. You can also vote for your favorite Celtic tunes to appear on the Celtic Top 5 Page. Take a listen and tell Marc I said, "Hello!"
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Gift ideas for Brides
April 28, 2010Gifts for brides and moms can be unique and timeless when you look for something with a bit of Celtic flair. The ancient Celts created illustrations of complex interlacing, unending patterns, knots, and animal designs, all interconnected with unbroken lines. They believed that the more these lines interlaced each other..., the greater their protection against eveil. The unbroken lines symbolize infinity.
Look for unique Celtic jewelry from Moonstone Jewelry . Another one of my favorites is Deep Creek Celtic Company . These companies also have specials available to Facebook folks.
Finally, there's my friend Liam's unique jewelry fashioned from shards of vintage Irish china. Check them all out and find something wonderful for the ladies in your life. -
Not Elevator Music, But Rather Elevating Music
April 13, 2010If you want to find out all things Celtic music, you’ve got to check out The CelticMusicFan’s Weblog. I received a stellar review in this popular online blog--“I have heard most of her songs...and I tell you, this is something that you will not want to miss. This is not elevator music but rather elevating music.”
Read more at Celticmusicfan's Weblog
The Celtic Music Fan blogmaster Jose Rommel “baxter” Labatos first fell in love with Enya’s Watermark album and then he just started collecting anything and everything Celtic music. Baxter created a blog to connect with others who also love Celtic music. The Celtic Music Fan’s Blog, a collection of album reviews and artist interviews, is fast becoming the one stop place to find out what’s new in Celtic music on the Internet.
My CDs are available for purchase online at Amazon.com, CDBaby.com, and elsewhere on the Internet. They are also available at retail outlets such as Barnes & Noble and Borders stores. Autographed copies can be purchased at Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos.
The Musician’s Guide to Brides: How to Make Money Playing Weddings is also available for purchase at Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos. It’s published by Hal Leonard Books and can also be bought at any book, music or online store, including Amazon.com, SheetMusicPlus.com, Barnes & Noble, and Borders. -
Wonder how I got my start playing the harp?
March 10, 2010Here's a great pose with host Cody Stark of the Good Day Sacramento TV show. I played there on the morning of February 14, 2010. View a clip from that show on their website. And here is another short clip from that show, too. Learn how I got started playing the harp, check out Cody's holiday interview of me. Visit the video page of Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos for many more videos.
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Interesting Facts About The Emerald Isle
February 10, 2010I just recently came across this blog and I wanted to share the posting with you. You can read the original post here.
Irish Flag
Ireland’s national flag know as the tricolour (three colours) and has three equal vertical bands of green, white and orange. The green symbolises Nationalism, the white symbolises Peace and the orange symbolises Unionism, therefore the national flag of Ireland represents peace between Nationalists and Unionists.
President Flag
The national flag of the President of Ireland is a blue flag with a silver stringed gold harp. The blue background represents Saint Patrick who is the patron saint of Ireland. Although St. Patrick is often depicted in green garments, before the 20th century the saint was more often shown wearing blue garments. This flag represent “the Ancient Colours of Ireland”.
National Anthem of Ireland
The National Anthem of Ireland is called Amhrán na bhFiann which means ‘The Soldiers Song’. Amhrán na bhFiann was very popular among Irish republicans, and was sung by rebels in the General Post Office also known as the GPO during the Easter Rising of 1916. The song became the official state anthem in 1926.
The anthem of the Irish rugby home team is called ‘Ireland’s Call’ and at matches played in the Republic of Ireland both Amhrán na bhFiann and Ireland’s Call are sung, elsewhere, Ireland’s Call is the only anthem used in recognition of the need for a unifying anthem and has also been adopted by the Irish Cricket, Hockey and Rugby Union teams.
The Shamrock
The shamrock is a three-leafed clover and is a world-renowned symbol of Ireland. The Shamrock was used by Saint Patrick (the patron saint of Ireland) to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish. Saint Patrick’s day is celebrated throughout the world each year on March 17th and it is tradition that people wear a shamrock on their clothing and dress in green to honour Saint Patrick and celebrate being Irish, like we need a reason! Shamrocks are said to bring good luck.
Celtic Cross
A Celtic cross is a symbol of a cross with a circle surrounding the intersection of the cross. The cross often appears in different shapes, sizes, and in many different styles. It is said that Saint Patrick was also the founder of the Celtic cross and that he used the ’sun cross’ as an example to explain to pagans the importance of the cross.
Today the Celtic cross is used for individual reasons like jewellery, T-shirts and tattoos, grave markers and head stones to name a few. Versions of the Celtic cross are also used by the GAA / Gaelic Athletic Association and the Northern Ireland national football team.
About Mairead Foley
Mairead writes for GoIreland.com - Ireland’s leading travel and accommodation website. -
Gold Country Bridal Fair
February 8, 2010Getting married in the Sierra Foothills or South Lake Tahoe?
This is a great opportunity to audition me at this lovely boutique bridal show, inside a beautifully restored mansion, the Sequoia Restaurant. I will be performing in Molly’s Parlor and have the entire room to myself to perform your favorite wedding selections. If you plan to attend, email me, and I’ll play your request for you. Admission is just $5. Click here for the Gold Country Bridal Fair.
February 21, 2010 from 11 am-3 pm
Where you will find me:Sequoia Restaurant643 Bee St.
Placerville, California
(530)622-5222 -
The Totally Off-Topic Comfort Food Dessert Recipe
January 27, 2010Okay, so this recipe isn’t Celtic in origin, but it’s absolutely wonderful. Here’s Real Vanilla Rice Pudding! The recipe is supplied by my husband, who likes to be know as “Mr. Bakerman”. Enjoy!
Serve this dish warm or cold You can add a cinnamon stick while the rice is cooking, or just top it off with a few raisins, sliced almonds, or fresh berries. This recipe makes up to 8 servings, depending upon the size of your servings.
Ingredients:
1 ½ C. water
¾ C. basmati rice
¼ teas. salt
3 C. whole milk
1 C. heavy whipping cream
½ C sugar
½ vanilla bean, split down the center lengthwise
How to do it:
Bring the water rice and salt to a boil in a saucepan over medium/high heat. Once it’s boiling, cover the pan, turn the temp to low, and simmer for about 10 minutes. Simmer a little longer if the water is not absorbed.
Add the milk, cream, and sugar. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and then drop the bean in. Bring up the heat to medium and keep on cooking and stirring until it has reached the creamy texture that suits you (should take about 35 minutes). When done, remove the vanilla bean, add toppings, and serve. -
Celtic Harp Valentine's Day TV Performance with Anne Roos!
January 13, 2010Ooo la la! Romantic music played by Anne Roos on the Celtic harp on Valentine's Day! Tune in to the Good Day Sacramento Show on the CW Channel 31 and receive a harp serenade. The program is aired live throughout the greater Sacramento area, and video may also appear on their website after the broadcast.
Sunday from 7-10 am
Feb 14, 2010 -
Irish Fireside, 2009 a Year in Review
January 4, 2010I was recently featured in the 2009 Ireland Travel Review from the Irish Fireside. Here are just a few of the Roadtrip Highlights:
Irish Oatmeal Soap
John Wayne Birthplace
Liam Sings with the McMurrows
Celtic Harp with Anne Roos
Visit to America’s Oldest Irish Store
I had a great time visiting with Corey and Liam last February. You can check out the video of their visit at http://www.celticharpmusic.com/userpages/videos_sound.aspx. -
Live TV Performance and Interview!
December 16, 2009
Last year, I performed holiday music inside an elevator on the Weekend Good Day Sacramento show on the CW Channel 31.
I also played "Stairway to Heaven" in that broadcast. What's next for my appearance this year?
You'll have to tune in to find out. The program is aired live throughout the greater Sacramento area, and video may also appear on their website after the broadcast.
All the details:
Good Day Sacramento
December 20, 2009 at 7-9 am
KOVR-TV, CBS CW Channel 31
Aired throughout greater
Sacramento, California(916)374-1313 -
The Irish Fireside Podcast, Episode 97-Christmas In Ireland
December 3, 2009
If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to spend Christmas in Ireland, this is the podcast for you! Learn about holiday traditions from Imen McDonnell, an American married to an Irish farmer. She'll keep you enthralled with her discussion of holiday delicacies from the Emerald Isle in this November 24, 2009 episode of the Irish Fireside Podcast.
During this episode, you'll hear my rendition of “Shanghai Brown” from Mermaids & Mariners CD and “Mairi's Wedding” from Haste to the Wedding CD. Listen to this episode at the Irish Fireside website and download this and other episodes from iTunes.
The Irish Fireside Podcast is the ultimate place where you can get the inside scoop on Irish travel and culture from hosts Corey and Liam. And while you are visiting the Irish Fireside website, enter the Irish Fireside Holiday Gift Giveaway 2009 where you can win one of my CDs! Happy Holidays and a Very Happy New Year!
Sample my CDs-take a trip to my Listening Room. -
Family Holiday Concert featuring Anne Roos & Friends
December 2, 2009
Listen to your holiday favorites mixed in with a variety of music from Anne’s recordings inside the upstairs ballroom of the Cozmic Café.
Some of Anne’s musical friends might stop by, too. Anne may have a few other holiday surprises in store for you as well, so bring your friends, kids, and parents to this fun and relaxed concert.
Delicious snacks are also available during the performance, and during intermission, you can explore the authentic gold mine inside the building! Tickets are $10 each and half price for kids 12 and under.
Sunday, December 13th from 3-5pm PT
The Cozmic Café
594 Main St.
Placerville, California
(530)642-8481 -
Banjo Bunny E-cards
November 25, 2009
I'm pleased and tickled to announce that my music is now part of Banjo Bunny's land of whimsical, inventive, and funny animated Internet greeting cards!
For all my friends in the U.S., you'll find my music embedded in Banjo Bunny's newest Thanksgiving e-card, "Grateful Harp". This card is graced with the song "Epping Forest", an old English dance tune dating back to 1670. The full version of this tune is a track from my A Light in the Forest album. What a fabulous way to sample the tune! (You can purchase it as a download on iTunes and at Amazon.com)
Like multiplying bunnies, there are many more e-cards on their way that will include my music. Hop on over to BanjoBunny.com to start sending those magical cards to friends and loved ones for the holidays!
Check out A Light in the Forest and all of my CDs on many online stores such as Amazon.com and CDBaby.com. They are also available for purchase at retail outlets like Barnes and Noble Booksellers and Borders stores.
Autographed albums can be purchased at http://www.celticharpmusic.com/, the only place where you can buy three of my CDs for the price of two--a money saving option for holiday gifts. Inexpensive shipping is available (U.S. Media Mail) as well as speedier shipping options that allow for tracking. -
Holiday Shopping Concert
November 17, 2009
The holiday shopping season is fast approaching. And just for my Sacramento area friends, here's a way that you can take a little break from it all...
I'll be performing a special Holiday Shopping Concert at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at the Arden Faire Mall on November 28th, the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. The store will be decked out for the holidays (and so will I).
Enjoy this FREE afternoon performance of winter holiday music and even take part in helping me decide what to play. Email me your song request and I might just include it in my program.
All of my CDs, along with my book, are featured in the store, and I'll be happy to autograph your purchases for you (if you are looking for little gifts under $20, my CDs are perfect).
Bring your friends and family! I look forward to seeing you there.
Here are the Details:
Holiday Shopping Concert
DATE: Saturday, November 28, 2009
TIME: noon-2 pm
WHERE: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1725 Arden Way at Arden Faire Mall, Sacramento, California
PRICE: FREE!
FOR MORE INFO: Phone (916)565-0644 and visit the Barnes & Noble online for map and directions.
Have a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving,
Anne
P.S.--Would you like to hear a sampling of Celtic harp music? Whether you are attending this concert or not, there's a free harp music download waiting for you at my website. -
The Irish Hanky
November 12, 2009
Irish brides usually carry a linen handkerchief down the aisle to catch their bridal tears, a custom that may have started bylinen companies in Norhern Ireland.These companies suggest that the hanky cam be saved as a christening bonnet for the couple's first baby and that the child can in turn, use the hanky for her own wedding. In this way, the hanky turns into a family heirloom as it carries many generations of tears of happiness. Tying a piece of rosemary to this family hanky symbolizes remembrance of those who used it in the past.Copyright © 2005 by Anne Roos, excerpt from the liner notes to "Haste to the Wedding" CD, available on the Cambria Master Recordings Label. All rights reserved. -
The Bell of Truce
November 4, 2009
The tradition of the bell of truce comes from the peasants in the west of Ireland, but it may also be attributed to St. Patrick. He thought the sound of a bell ringing would help perform miracles.
In a wedding ceremony, the bell of truce is blessed and presented to the bride and groom by the ceremony officiant. The couple is asked to give the bell a good hardy ring while thinking of each other and their future together. It's then taken home as a reminder of the wedding day. Whenever arguments arise, the rining of this bell sounds a truce. It serves as a reminder of the couple's wedding vows.
A bell of tuce also provides a decorative addition to the wedding ceremony an to the home-it may be made of Irish crystal, pewter, or iron.
Your heart is never away,
But ever with mine, for ever,
For ever without endeavour,
To-morrow, love, as to-day;
Two blent hearts never astray,
Two souls no power may sever,
Together, O my love, for ever.
D.G. RossettiCopyright © 2005 by Anne Roos, excerpt from the liner notes to "Haste to the Wedding" CD, available on the Cambria Master Recordings Label. All rights reserved. -
Celtic Roots Radio Podcast and Anne Roos
October 30, 2009
Raymond McCullough, host of the Celtic Roots Radio podcast, included the popular wedding tune "Mairi's Wedding" from Anne Roos' Haste to the Wedding CD on his October 24, 2009 episode. Her music is in good company in this episode, with lovely acoustic Celtic tunes from around the globe.
This isn't the first time Anne's music has been featured. Her tune "Considine's Grove", from A Light in the Forest CD, was featured in the September 4, 2009 episode called "Root 'n' Troot Supper, Hey!". What does this saying mean? "Fish 'n' chips" in the North Antrim County lingo.
This podcast originates from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and offers the listener more than just music. McCullough explains some of the common terms used in Northern Ireland, along with descriptions of what life is like in that part of the world. Of course, the music is the star of his podcast, spanning a broad spectrum of Celtic folk, folk/rock, Applachian, bluegrass, Scottish, Irish, Breton, and Cajun music. As McCullough declares at his website, "If you enjoy Celtic, roots, or acoustic music, you'll find it here on Celtic Roots Radio."
Thank you, Raymond, for including Anne's music on your outstanding podcast!
Enjoy this Podcast and listen to some of Anne's other tunes on the Celtic Roots Radio Live365 station. Then Sample Anne's CDs, too. -
The Celtic Loving Cup
October 28, 2009
In Scotland, the Loving Cup is known as a quaich, which comes from the Gaelic word cuach, meaning cup. This is used for the wedding toast. It is often highly decorated and has a handle on either side of the cup.
A Loving Cup ceremony, or Anam Cara, can be included as part of the wedding vows or during the wedding reception. The purpose of this ceremony is for the bride and gtoom to share their first drink together as a married couple. The meaning of the cup is "togetherness". The cup is then passes down throughout the generations to insure happiness and good fortune to all who drink from it.
Copyright © 2005 by Anne Roos, excerpt from the liner notes to "Haste to the Wedding" CD, available on the Cambria Master Recordings Label. All rights reserved.
