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Some questions to
ask:
1) Where did the harpist attend school?
Victoria Hughes graduated from the famous
Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Md. It’s part of
Johns Hopkins University and, along with Julliard, is one
of the top five music schools in the country.
2) How many years as the harpist been playing professionally?
Victoria Hughes has been performing professionally
for over twenty years.
3) Does the harpist perform anywhere regularly?
Victoria Hughes performs every Sunday
for brunch in the famous lounge, Top of the Mark, of The Mark
Hopkins Hotel in Nob Hill.
4) Do I recognize the songs on the harpist’s repertoire
list?
Remember that it’s not just the
quantity of the repertoire list that counts, but the quality.
Victoria Hughes believes in playing music that people know
and love, whether it’s a well-known classical favorite
or a popular tune. Many harpists just play generic harp music,
because they don’t know how to do anything else, but
Victoria is also an arranger, and can play almost any song
on the harp. People are frequently surprised and delighted
by the different kinds of songs they hear her play.
5) Is the harpist able to play my requests?
Victoria Hughes is one of the only harpists
that not only takes requests, but welcomes it!
6) Is the harpist amplified?
Victoria Hughes firmly believes there’s
no point in playing if you can’t be heard.
A small, but discreet, battery-operated amplifier is brought
to all events. She also has pick-ups on both her harps, enabling
her to be able to plug in to hotel sound systems.
7) How experienced is the harpist at playing at weddings?
Victoria Hughes has twenty years experience
performing at thousands of wedding.
She is familiar with services of all religions, from Catholic
masses to civil ceremonies.
8) Has the harpist helped me with planning my music?
Victoria Hughes will ask you many questions
about your preferences for music and make helpful suggestions.
She can even include music of your ethnic background.
9) Is the harpist able to help me plan my processional and
recessional?
Nothing is more important than your processional,
and it must be timed and organized exactly. Victoria will
meet with your minister beforehand, as well as speak to you
in detail to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
10) Can the harpist accompany and or perform with others,
such as singers?
Victoria Hughes frequently accompanies
singers on such pieces as Ave Maria or a popular love song
of the couple’s choosing.
11) How experienced and reliable is the harpist at getting
into difficult locations?
Victoria Hughes is a native San Franciscan.
There are few places in the Bay Area she hasn’t performed.
12) Does the harpist look presentable and act professionally?
Victoria Hughes has twelve years performing
on cruise ship stages and lounges. She always looks presentable,
and both her harps are made of beautiful wood with gold.
Remember that no serious professional asks
for an extra fee for playing a
request, or an unusual amount of time to learn a new song.
This indicates that
they probably have had no formal training, and certainly not
a degree in harp
performance. Most likely, they are an amateur who has only
recently taken up the
instrument.
The tears that a bride sheds on her wedding day should be
tears of joy, not
tears of regret that she hired an amateur musician.
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