Enough already. That’s what you’re thinking, right? Everyone wants to have 150 thumbs up and 1000 likes! Well, I guess that makes me no different. I just want to make sure someone out there’s reading my posts : )
Here I am, waiving my hands in the air saying, “Like me! Like me!”
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monica-Schley-harp/81551655517
I do work performing, teaching, accompanying, and recording. Another service I offer is house concerts!
Frequently, I play in either a private person’s house (concert style) or for a fundraiser (in a home or venue). Live harp music can spruce up a party like nothing else! I play either background music, or concert program style (with or without Q&A for the audience to talk directly to me).
A house concert can be in lieu of an audience going to a venue. Instead, the venue is someone’s home. This musician, Shannon Curtis, has made a career for herself playing house concerts. If you, or someone you know, would like to host a harp concert in their home, backyard, or for a fundraiser, I’d love to talk more!
I have experience in making these events happen so its a financial win for all involved.
In a private home, the host either absorbs to cost to hire me and pays me directly; OR a cover at the door is taken, similar to any other concert event.
Say you had a more public facility, perhaps the actual arboretum you’re raising funds for. You charge $12 at the door, expecting 75 people. That’s a gain of $900. I charge between $200-$300 for a one hour house concert (which includes a Q&A session with audience). You might also choose to charge $15. In a private home seating 40 people, that’s still $600 and then I’d suggest us splitting the door. Guests are encouraged to have potluck dinner/appetizers and the host can make additional $ by having a no host bar of donations.
These are just some of the ideas I’d like to offer you, based upon my personal experiences. Please visit my website below to hear my music. I’d be glad to talk more to you about the possibility of playing for your organization or your friends!
Admittedly, I’m not the greatest at capturing the moment while out gigging. I could do better at photo cataloguing, because I always feel like I’m so lucky to play the most interesting variety of shows, performances, and private concerts! But, sometimes just showing up with a big instrument and a bunch of gear to do my job is work enough. And sometimes I luck out and a professional photographer (or two) comes to save the day! Yay.
May was a highlight month for a variety of performances. The West Seattle Mermaid Parade was a hoot. I was asked by Leslie Rosen, leader of Sirens of Serpentine, to lead a troupe of belly dancers in song for a public performance. She gave me less than 7 minutes of Persian beats. My assignment was to loop it, add harp tracks and make it last for 30minutes. I worked on a pre-recording w/my fully-chromatic harp, but didn’t want to bring that nice big one to the beach. So, I played it on my little 22-string lap harp that has limited (chromatic) capabilities, only it sounded full range – pretty sneaky, eh?
The event was super playful and drew a big crowd. Everyone in attendance was encouraged to dress like a mermaid. The event was held on a beautiful late spring day on Alki Beach overlooking Elliott Bay. After the dance, the entire crowd (about 100+ people) walked in a parade. It was a cinematic morning, as you can see. Plus, this event was just old-fashioned fun for the sake of fun. No agenda. Just fun. What a concept!
I am so excited about my new project, an all-female band of all-star proportions! The Daphnes will be playing our debut concert at the swanky Sorrento Hotel on March 7th. We’ll be playing 2 sets of original material starting at 7:30pm.
The Daphnes are: Monica Schley, harp/vocal;
Julie Baldridge, violin;
Lori Goldston, cello;
Anne Matthews, vocal
But wait – there’s more!
The following week, The Daphnes will be at Egan’s in Ballard. March is Women’s History Month. We’re playing a bill of Women in Music Thurs. March 12, 9pm with the amazing jazz duo Syrinx Effect:
Naomi Siegel, trombone;
Kate Olson, saxophone
I guess I’m one of those people who like a Top 10 List – what can I say?
2014 was a pretty decent year. It had some fun pockets of rising high, but it also had the plunges. These may not be the best photos of the year literally, but the sentiments that go along with them are. Also, they’re not numbered in any particular importance.
Weddings!
I played some lovely weddings in 2014, solo harp, or with my cellist friend Maria. This is a photo that I use on my new promotional postcard, taken by Malcom Smith.
Therapeutic Bedside Music
I began Level 2 in the Harp for Healing Program to become a Certified Clinical Musician (CCM). Right now I play weekly at Highline Hospital in Burien. 2015 is the year I’m looking for paid work in this field. I look very forward to bringing therapeutic to hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and elsewhere and having folks get in touch with me about having harp come to them!
Songwriters Showcase
Back in February I played at Egan’s in Ballard with a small group of three other songwriters. I was immensely pleased to be on the ticket with Cynthia Alexander, Cynthia Marie and Camelia Jade & Mike Antone.
Stephen Goes Back To Painting
When I met my husband 10 years ago, he was a full-time illustrator for print advertising, magazines, books, and fine art. Since that time the market for his work has taken a deep plunge and he’s moved to web design, consulting, logo design, marketing… the whole package deal for start-up and small businesses. One of those businesses in early 2014 was Majdor. This client wanted him to paint a piece for the cover of the home page, as well as design the website and other marketing materials. It was wonderful to watch him create art again! Zephyr thought he did a good job too.
Birthday Recording Session
My Early-March birthday comes at the armpit of winter. The time when snow gets ugly and melted, when the sky constantly drizzles, and when there is only a faint inkling of crocuses starting their accent. It seems like the world is so dull. By February, I begin to feel trapped by winter – but then I turn the calendar and my birthday saves me! With its celebration of cake and kinship, it truly feels like I survived another year! This year, I went to Carkeek Park with my friend Julie Baldridge and picked up flotsom garbage from low-tide. Then, we came back to my place and did a recording session. It was a fabulous day.
Goodbye Franklin Cat (2007-2014)
Franklin left us the week before Halloween. Franklin (aka Good Buddy, Buddy, Bud, Frank, FranKitty, Franklin Delano RooseKatz) is really really missed. He was slighted his nine lives! Troubled with several health problems, we just couldn’t fix his collapsed lung. He was such a special, gentle cat – never a swipe, claw or hiss. He went out to “In A Silent Way” in the end. We took this photo the day before he died.
Now I’m Fine
I am honored, thrilled and left with a loss for words about how grateful I am to be a part of Ahamefule Oluo’s Now I’m Fine. With four amazing shows in early December, we sold out On The Boards before we began. Reviews were terrific and to make maters even more exciting, the album (which I also recorded on this summer) was simultaneously released and has been attracting a lot of positive attention. I didn’t even realize it, but this photo below was chosen to be the cover spread of On The Boards’ season booklet.
Port Townsend Getaway
This is sort of personal, but my husband Stephen and I haven’t had a childless getaway in four years. There’s a lot of reasons for that, I won’t share, but I wanted to post this photo because it captured a certain bliss and spontaneity we’ve been able to retain for 10 years.
Drumming at Folklife
Space Needle. Cute kid on a drum set. Folklife Festival. This photo kicked off summer.
Neighborhood Shot
I took this on a random day in the fall, after spending all day cooped up practicing or working on the computer or being mom in the house, this was my 15 minutes to break away outside alone! The afternoon lighting was eerie and peaceful and made me feel very content to live in Seattle, my rainy home.
