This past Saturday, "May the Fourth," was Star Wars Day. The holiday originated as a pun from the movie's catchphrase, "May the Force be with you." Fans of the series of nine films celebrate Star Wars Day on 'May the Fourth" worldwide and even in space! For example, Wikipedia says, "On Star Wars Day 2015, astronauts in the International Space Station watched Star Wars."

Another large media franchise about space is Star Trek. There have been twelve Star Trek television series, including 906 episodes across 47 seasons, and also thirteen feature films. 

I hear you saying to yourself: "What on earth (or in the stars) does this have to do with harps?!? I don't remember seeing harps in any of these shows."

Continue reading, and you'll find out!

-- Sylvia

P.S. Hmm . . . perhaps I should say, "May the Fourth, the Fifth, the Octave, and the Major 7th Chord be with you."

Or "May the Harp be with you!"

Meredith Lowder has been taking online lessons with me for over ten years, and we have become great friends. She currently owns a variety of harps, including one pedal harp and six harps made by the Harpsicle company. She wrote a helpful article for my November 2016 newsletter about Traveling with Your Harpsicle.

In February, Meredith took her Special Edition Fullsicle on a Star Trek Cruise to the Caribbean with her friend, Karen. Here's what she wrote about her experience.

People who know me know I take my Harpsicle Harp all over the place, especially on vacations. On a whim, I brought it on a recent Star Trek cruise. At these events, you can meet celebrities from the series and obtain their autographs. People have them sign photographs, books, and other collectibles. I decided I would use my harp. Fourteen amazing celebrities signed my beautiful harp. The Star Trek stars were delighted and touched that I wanted their autographs on my harp.

When I walked around the ship with my harp, I was often asked, “Can you play the harp?” I usually played something short for them. But occasionally, I looked them in the eye and explained it was my “emotional support harp” (which I think is true for most harpers and harpists!). I played all over the ship, much to the amusement and delight of the passengers and crew.

Me and Tawny Newsome (Star Trek Lower Decks)

I played many of my earlier pieces from Sylvia's “Teach Yourself to Play the Folk Harp” book, which has been collecting dust while I progressed to other music. My fingers remember the notes even when my head could not, and it felt like seeing old friends again.

Me, my harp, and Nelix (Star Trek Voyager) at the buffet

My thanks to Sylvia Woods, Harpsicle Harps, and all the actors who signed my harp:

David Ajala (Star Trek Discovery), John Billingsley (Star Trek Enterprise), LeVar Burton (Star Trek Discovery), John de Lancie (Star Trek the Next Generation/Voyager/Picard), Michelle Hurd (Star Trek Picard), Doug Jones (Star Trek Discovery), Tawny Newsome (Star Trek Lower Decks), Robert Picardo (Star Trek Voyager), Anthony Rapp (Star Trek Discovery), Ed Speleers (Star Trek Picard), Todd Stashwick (Star Trek Picard), Connor Trinneer (Star Trek Enterprise), Nana Visitor (Star Trek Deep Space Nine), and Garrett Wang (Star Trek Voyager).

-- Meredith

Here are some of the PDFs I've recently added to harpcenter.com.

Paulette Miller

Shenandoah - for lever or pedal harp and flute

Blind Mary and King of the Fairies - for lever or pedal harp and flute

Blind Mary - for lever or pedal harp solo

Kathleen Blackwell-Plank

Manx Medley - four traditional Manx melodies for lever or pedal harp

Joy Slavens

Simple Gifts - for lever or pedal harp duet

Diana Stork

First Pieces for the Harp - for beginning students

Please note: The PDFs in this section are not part of the monthly sale. 

La La Land

including City of Stars

by Sylvia Woods

PDF or Sheet

15% off with Star code

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Creator of the Stars

by Douglas Beck

PDF

15% off with Star code

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The Star-Spangled Banner

by Sylvia Woods

PDF or Sheet

15% off with Star code

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California Celtic

including Distant Star

by Diana Stork

PDF

15% off with Star code

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Homage to Yeats

including Starry Summer Sky

by Carol Wood

PDF

15% off with Star code

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Traditional Irish Music #1

including Star or Munster

by Grainne Hambly

PDF

15% off with Star code

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The Harp Constellation

including Calypso Star, Erin's Star, You are My Star, and more

by William Mahan

PDF

15% off with Star code

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Star of the County Down

by Angi Bemiss

PDF

15% off with Star code

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A Walk in the Mountains

including The Stars Come Out

by Kathryn Cater

PDF

15% off with Star code

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Cold December Winds

including Star in the East

by Suzanne Guldimann

PDF

15% off with Star code

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Star of Wonder

by Sunita Staneslow

PDF

15% off with Star code

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Celtic Christmas #2

including The Star

by Thom Dutton

PDF

15% off with Star code

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15% off select sale items when you use the code word Star

Our newsletter promo codes are redeemable online and are only valid for the products listed above in the monthly sale section. They are not valid for phone or email orders. This month's code word is Star.

Here's how to get your newsletter discount at harpcenter.com:

#1. Put the items you want to purchase in your cart.

#2. On the page where you view the items in your cart, type this month's code word Star in the "Enter Promo Code" box and click "Apply."

The actual price of the featured sale products on this page will then automatically change to reflect the discount. For example,

   Unit Price: $9.95 (the original price)

   Total Price: $8.46 (the discounted price)

You'll also see a note below the Promo Code box saying the name of the promo code you entered and the percentage amount of the discount.

REMEMBER: You must enter this month's code word Star in the Promo Code box and click "Apply" on your shopping cart page by May 31, 2024, to get the discount!

If you forget, or if you have trouble adding it to your order, email Sylvia immediately.  

This offer expires at the end of the day on 5/31/2024.