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Harpist to perform in Rancho Bernardo on Sept. 11

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Harpist and singer Mair Rathburn will perform a variety of songs and share some history of her instrument during the next “Sunday Afternoons @ 3” installment.

The hour-long concert will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Ed Brown Center for Active Adults, 18402 W. Bernardo Drive in Rancho Bernardo Community Park.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, 12 and under. Purchase at the concert or in advance by calling 858-487-9324 or stopping by the center between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays.

Rathburn calls her repertoire “eclectic” since it includes classical, folk and contemporary styles of music.

“Many people come to my concerts to hear a harp, but also to see one and to ask questions about it,” Rathburn said. “In this concert coming up, I will be talking about the harp, its history and mechanical functions and demonstrating all of that with musical pieces and photos.

“The harp is a very ancient instrument and a fascinating one,” she said. “I sing and play, and the pieces will range from traditional Irish harp tunes, classical, jazz and a song or two of my own. The lore of the harp is really entertaining, and I have a question and answer period afterwards so people can satisfy their curiosity about harps.”

The mostly self-taught harpist said she was introduced to harp music early on and fell in love with the history of the harp and the “incredibly haunting Irish melodies.” After starting with the Irish harp, she transitioned to a pedal harp. She plays a 1905 gold Lyon and Healy style 21 and a 2014 mahogany/bronze Lyon and Healy style 23.

“The harp is primarily a melodic instrument,” she said. “For a piece to work on a solo harp, it has to have a clear, well-defined melody. ... If I hear a beautiful, clear melody in any style of music, I have to try it on the harp. If it works, it stays in my repertoire. ... I always chose songs that have lyrics that are personally meaningful to me and will not sing something that isn’t.”

Rathburn has a bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis in voice and in addition to being a harpist is often called upon to be a vocalist. She has performed with the San Francisco Civic Chorale, Golden Gate Park Band and was a soloist at Airman Memorial Chapel at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. She was also the lobby lounge harpist at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad.

She has released three CDs, available for purchase through CDBaby.com. Some of her music has also been played on Muzak, XM, JMX, Sirius and EWTN Radio.

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