You can hear Abby's video, recorded at Second, this Saturday, September 4th starting at 1PM, at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYJSsXiJFTA
Abigail Kent, harpist, has been recording in our sanctuary recently to audition for the International Harp Contest in Israel. In addition to being a doctoral student at the Juilliard School in NYC, she is a harpist with the Charleston Symphony, and she comes from right here, from Mount Pleasant. Second Church supports this rising star by providing the venue for her audition recordings, and Ken Carrington is her sound engineer. We'll hear Abby in our service later this fall. A few words from her about the competition:
"The International Harp Contest in Israel is the oldest and most prestigious solo harp competition in the world. Established in 1959, most of the contest's winners have gone on to continue established solo harp careers or have acquired coveted orchestra positions like the Berlin Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic. The competition is organized into four stages, where the first two contain solo works, the third is chamber music, and the final stage is a concerto with orchestra. Both the structure and the prestige of the contest make this the harp equivalent of the famous Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Because of the COVID situation around the world, the Israel competition has decided that the first two rounds will be virtual, and the final two shall be in person in Israel. The First Stage is premiering the pre-recorded videos of contestants from September 1-5."
The First Stage has 49 contestants from 22 countries, and 25 of these contestants will pass on to the Second Stage, which will also be premiered on Youtube. If Abby passes the first stage, her video will be shown September 12-14, and more information will follow if that happens. Of those in the Second Stage, only 9 will move on to the semifinal stage, and finally 3 will be chosen for the finals. Let's keep Abby in our thoughts and prayers as she continues to represent the Lowcountry on the world stage.
Julia Harlow, Director of Music
You can hear Abby's video, recorded at Second, Saturday, September 4 starting at 1PM