Music on McFarland presents - Harp & Holly: Sounds of the Season - Albert Wisner Public Library

Join harpist Erika Lieberman for a festive journey through winter traditions from around the world. Through solo harp music and engaging storytelling, Erika explores the harp’s connection to winter celebrations across cultures and centuries—from hushed medieval carols and Celtic Yule airs to French noëls, Hanukkah melodies, and other midwinter celebrations of light. Between pieces, brief stories illuminate the folklore behind the music, including wassailing, the Yule log, and candles against the darkness. The program explores how music and the harp have offered comfort, light, and hope during the darkest time of year, while celebrating the rich diversity of winter traditions and the enduring enchantment of the holiday season. Welcoming to all ages. Erika Lieberman is a performing harpist, composer, and arranger with over 20 years of experience, performing with ensembles and as a soloist, specializing in early music and Celtic folk traditions. She serves as Vice President and Secretary of the Board of Directors, as well as a frequent workshop presenter, of the Somerset Folk Harp Festival, an international harp conference based in New Jersey. Erika brings a scholar’s curiosity and a performer’s warmth to her programs, blending historical repertoire with engaging storytelling that invites audiences into the music’s cultural roots. Learn more at erikatheharpist.com. Funded by a generous gift to the AWPL Foundation by Glenn P. and Susan D. Dickes.