Harp duo to perform free concert April 7 at Phoenixville church

PHOENIXVILLE — St. John’s Lutheran Church, 355 St. John’s Circle, presents a free concert by “Principally Harps!” on Sunday, April 7, at 4 p.m.

Mindy Cutcher, principal harpist with the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra of Philadelphia, and Janet Witman, principal harpist with the Kennett Symphony of Chester County, will be performing a varied program of concert harp-duo transcriptions.

Among the selections to be performed are “Polovtsian Dances” by Borodin, Debussy’s “En Bateau,” the Disney classic “Under the Sea,” jazz version of “Pure Imagination,” the beloved hymn, “Fairest Lord Jesus,” and Latin dance music Tango and Rumba. The artists perform on concert grand harps; Cutcher on a Lyon and Healy Style 30 and Witman on a French Camac Trianon.

Each musician has more than 30 years of professional harp experience in the Mid Atlantic Region — as soloists, orchestral, ensemble players and teachers.

Cutcher has appeared with the Baltimore, Delaware and St. Louis Symphonies, performed in Japan and on NBC’s “The Tonight Show.”

Witman has been a soloist with Allentown, Kennett, Hilton Head and Savannah Symphonies; and the Copeland Quartet of Delaware. She was resident harpist for the DuPont Co. for over 25 years, performing in the Green Room of the Hotel Dupont, Del.

Both musicians studied under legendary harp teacher, Alice Chalifoux, and are graduates of the world’s most prestigious conservatories, Oberlin and The Curtis Institute of Music.

“Principally Harps!” offers audiences a unique opportunity to see and hear concert grand harps on center stage, as opposed to “hidden” among the instruments in an orchestra. Mindy Cutcher and Janet Witman are masters of their instruments, showcasing their harps with exciting repertoire and demonstrating the uniqueness of pedal harps with the varied sound effects that can be produced from them. Their programs are accessible to young and old; experienced and casual concertgoers.

There is no charge for the concert although a free-will offering will be received.