Music Published in Folk Harp Journal

Two original Christmas arrangements chosen

JoAnne Jones began writing and arranging music for her 26-string Dusty Strings harp shortly after taking up the instrument more than twelve years ago. One her favorite seasons for harp music is Christmastime. This year Folk Harp Journal has chosen two more of her Christmas arrangements for inclusion in the Winter Issue 2023 No 201. JoAnne plays her harp for church services and at nursing homes. She studied music composition at Houghton University and harp under Deette Bunn.

For Unto Us a Child Is born

About this piece, originally composed in 2014, JoAnne says, “I’ve always loved Handel’s Messiah, and ‘For Unto Us a Child is Born’ is a favorite part. Adapting the choral and accompaniment parts into a do-able version for my 26 string harp was a little tricky.” The result, however, is a robust, energetic harp celebration of our Savior’s birth. (Click below to listen to the synthesized version.)

Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella

One of JoAnne’s favorite techniques as a composer is to bring about surprising yet pleasing combinations of familiar tunes. In this Christmas beauty, JoAnne weaves together the traditional French carol with the complex rhythms and melody of Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” The duet begins with the the flute leading with the simple melody of the carol. Then the interplay begins as the harp takes up a counter-melody and the flute responds with snatches of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” The instruments trade back and forth until the flute breaks into a joyful dance, finally concluding with “Joy to the World.” JoAnne says about the 2018 work, “It was a joy to arrange, and it practically wrote itself.” (Click below to listen to the synthesized version.)