This summer, a Mercer University School of Music adjunct professor became the first harp teacher at a long-standing music festival in Acqui Terme, Italy.
Calista Anne Koch’s skills were requested by the Interharmony Music Festival, which was founded in 1997 but had never before offered harp instruction. She recruited several harp students to attend the two-week event, including Mercer freshman Annalynn Waddy.
“It was a huge honor to be asked, and I was very flattered that they sought me out,” Koch said. “They’ve asked me to come back next year and keep doing it. I’m looking forward to the future and having more time to prepare. Being able to perform with such world-class faculty was such an honor.”
Koch worked with the harpists — who came from Middle Georgia, Boston and China — during private lessons. She also coached chamber ensembles and led orchestra sectionals, which helped the musicians to prepare for performances held throughout the festival. In addition, Koch played in three concerts, including a faculty concert in which she performed a duet with a flutist.
Renowned Swiss/Russian harpist Alexander Boldachev gave a community spotlight concert and provided a master class for the harp students. Waddy, a music major and Koch’s daughter, was one of the harpists who had the opportunity to learn from Boldachev.
“He’s kind of a harp hero to me,” said Waddy, who has played the harp for 10 years. “Once I found out I might have the opportunity to meet and seek instruction from him, of course I wanted to get over (to the festival) if possible. I want to take every opportunity I can to work with orchestras.”
Waddy performed a solo piece she composed, as well as in duets, a seven-member ensemble and a full orchestra. She said it was a wonderful learning experience to work with an international orchestra and conductor, and she enjoyed getting to engage with other harpists.
Harp instruction at the festival would not have been possible if not for its location, Koch said. Transporting a harp is expensive and presents many logistical challenges, but harp-building company Salvi Harps is located in the same province as Acqui Terme and provided instruments for the musicians to use.
The festival location was interesting from cultural, historical and geographical perspectives. Koch said they were a mile away from some of the Roman aqueducts, and a hot spring ran through the center of town.
“It was such a fascinating little town to be in,” Koch said. “We started our day, and we were putting on concerts from 9:30 in the morning to 11 at night. It was an interesting opportunity to see a different culture as well.”
Waddy said performing in historic churches and buildings in the town was inspiring. Some of the concerts were so well attended that the venues were standing-room only.
“It was really amazing being able to play for so many people,” she said. “I’m a lover of the visual arts as well. It was such a treat to be able to see so many works of art displayed on the walls and the architecture. It was magical being able to perform and listening to my friends perform in such whimsical places.”
