Harp, flute music will fill church

Janelle House The Naples Music Club begins the new season with “A Magical Evening of Harp and Flute” featuring flutist Janelle House, one of the club’s Turiel Scholarship winners, along with Naples Philharmonic Orchestra harpist Dickie Fleisher and the sevenmember Flute Cocktail led by Wendy Willis.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at North Naples United Methodist Church. As is true at all Naples Music Club performances, there is no charge for admission, although a free-will offering will be collected for the Naples Music Club Scholarship Fund.

Inspired at the age of 6 by a Christmas harp performance, the now 27-year-old Ms. House has performed at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center and has appeared with numerous orchestras since 2005. It is her work outside the conventional arena, however, that has distinguished her musical career. In 2006, she traveled to the Bronx, N.Y., to share the beautiful sounds of her small harp with adults and children in the area’s housing projects, subways, soup kitchens and churches.

“Reaction to the music was amazing,” she says. “People stopped what they were doing to listen. I even sensed a reduction in stress wherever I played.”

Ms. House has also created a music ministry she calls Journey to Rest, in which she uses the harp as a call to relaxation and contemplation. ”From the very beginning, I thought the harp was the prettiest thing I had ever heard,” she says. As an adult, she still feels her life is much happier as a result of her discovering the soothing sounds of the harp. About the Naples Music Club

The Naples Music Club was founded by Tom and Grace Truesdale in 1965. Over the years its members have helped enlarge the string curriculum in Collier County schools and worked to improve the performance skills of young musicians in Immokalee music, among other initiatives. The club has awarded scholarships to Collier County students since 1970 and has received special awards from Immokalee High School for providing supplemental music instruction and instruments, from the District School Board of Collier County for its continued financial support of the Collier County Choral Program and the Choral Library, and from the Education Foundation of Collier County, which selected the Club as an Outstanding Partner in Education in 1999.

Following “A Magical Evening of Harp and Flute” on Nov. 8, the season continues with:

• The Annual Members’ Recital, 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, at Moorings Presbyterian Church — “A Celebration of American Music” will feature melodies and rhythms representing what audiences love most about America’s rich musical heritage.

• Piano recital by Alden Gatt, 2 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at Moorings Presbyterian Church — This 23-year-old pianist’s performance is certain to be a riveting reflection of his passion for connecting music and audiences. A graduate of Community School of Naples, Mr. Gatt offers this performance as his thanks to the Naples Music Club and to the community.

• “Music by the Masters” Gala Benefit Recital and Reception, 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, at the home of maestro William Noll — Florida’s pre-eminent master musicians will perform in the superb setting of Mr. Noll’s art-filled salon. Champagne, savories and sweets will follow. This evening fundraiser is open to members and guests by invitation; members will receive invitations. Others may e-mail a request to musicinfo@ naplesmusicclub.org.

• 40th Anniversary Scholarship Winners’ Recital, 2 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at First United Methodist Church — This popular recital will introduce the winners of the club’s 2010 Student Scholarship Competition to the membership and to the community. An anniversary celebration will follow the performances.

For questions about programs, call Program Chair Jeannette Boucher at 273-6622. 

Tune up for scholarship competition

Applications are available now for the Naples Music Club’s 2010 Student Scholarship Competition, including the Senior Turiel Award and the Haegg Award for need-based music lessons. The competition will take place Tuesday, April 17, at Golden Gate High School. For more information, call Jan Grundeman or Judy Halpin at 353-2216 or visit www.naplesmusicclub.org.