Ringgold harpists featured in Pittsburgh concert
Though Melanie Sandrock will be one of about 40 harpists performing Saturday in Pittsburgh, she’ll also play the part of a spectator.
“I made sure I’m in the back row,” said Sandrock, Ringgold Middle School music director. “I just watch them all. They know what an opportunity this is. They take it all in.”
Sandrock, with the Ringgold Harp Ensemble, will perform with the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Harp Society at PPG Place’s Wintergarden, allowing Ringgold students in grades 7 through 12 to play alongside Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne university students, as well as Gretchen Van Hoesen, principal harpist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; and Craig Johnson, executive director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra.
“You could not buy an experience like this,” said Sandrock. “For our Ringgold students to get to sit next to a national champion from Carnegie Mellon … or next to Gretchen (Van Hoesen), probably one of the greatest harpists in the country … you can’t buy something like that.”
The free concert, which starts at 6 p.m., takes place during Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s holiday season events, including the Holiday Market, carriage rides and ice skating.
“PPG Place is just packed with people. There’s a gingerbread house display with about a 1,000 gingerbread houses from area schools,” Sandrock said. “PPG is decorated with beautiful decorations. The skating rink is outside. It’s a neat Christmas experience.”
The group will perform 18 pieces, including selections from “The Nutcracker” and several Christmas carols.
This is the second time the Ringgold ensemble has performed with the harp society, of which Sandrock is vice president. They also performed at PPG Place two years ago during the holiday season.
This year, even the two group rehearsals on the Carnegie Mellon campus made an impression on the student musicians.
“Getting to rehearse in Alumni Concert Hall is wonderful. Just to be in that atmosphere, in the music building – it’s a wonderful venue,” said Sandrock. “You think of all the people who have come through those doors. Sitting down and playing harps with other accomplished musicians…it’s an experience.”
Ringgold Harp Ensemble is composed of students in middle school and high school.
The Ringgold ensemble has been rehearsing after school since September.
With Sandrock at the helm, Ringgold’s harp program is robust, with about 40 students who play the instrument. A celtic harp course is available to students in grades 6 through 8.
The ensemble has performed for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and Pennsylvania Association of School Administrator’s convention in Hershey, and for the United Way banquet luncheon.
“We’ve been honored and asked to play many places,” said Sandrock.
The ensemble, with the Ringgold band and choir, will hold a Christmas concert on Dec. 19.
Sandrock advised those attending Saturday’s concert to arrive early, as there is no assigned seating.
“People will be milling around, people will be skating,” she said. “It’s quite an experience.”