Anne Roos

Genre: Celtic
Secondary Genre: Standards South Lake Tahoe, California USA Contact

Anne Roos is considered at the top of her field as a Celtic Harpist. She is a many-faceted performer who excels as a soloist in concert, as well as with her ensemble. Her recorded music is aired internationally and is described as "lovely" and "enchanting".

Artist Information

Biography

Anne Roos' love of English and Celtic music blossomed as a child and young teen at Southern California Renaissance Fairs, when she became involved singing in madrigal groups, performing period music. She started playing the Celtic harp quite by accident. While employed at an incredibly stressful job, Anne serendipitously met Sylvia Woods at a booth full of little Celtic Harps at a Winter Solstice Fair and began taking private instructions from her as a creative outlet. Then came music theory courses at UCLA and eventually teaching music for the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Anne has performed throughout the country for more than twenty years as a soloist at resort hotels, convention centers, cruise ships, concert venues, highland games, Celtic and Renaissance fairs, casino clubs, wineries, meditation retreats-- you name it. She has been invited to perform for several dignitaries, including the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ireland.

Her ability to play a wide variety of music, ranging from traditional Celtic, Early, Renaissance and classical music, to modern popular music from the movies, Broadway, Beatles, and even Metallica, have made her a popular and much sought after musician for all types of events. Most recently, Anne was the regularly scheduled musical entertainment at Llewellyn’s restaurant on the top of Harvey’s Resort Hotel in South Lake Tahoe. Fulfilling requests from dining guests, from “Canon in D” and “Greensleeves” to “Stairway to Heaven,” showcased the extent of her repertoire.

Anne is not only comfortable performing in front of a live audience, but also on camera and behind a microphone. She has appeared on a number of television programs and radio shows, performing with the Celtic Harp. Several resort vacation videos promoting travel to beautiful Lake Tahoe, where she resides, showcase Anne on the Celtic Harp. She has been able to utilize her extensive knowledge of music as a Classical, Jazz, and World music announcer for National Public Radio.

Anne is also a published author and considered a wedding music specialist with her book "The Musician's Guide to Brides", published by Hal Leonard books as a how-to manual for musicians who are interested in performing at weddings. She also counsels and mentors musicians and entrepreneurs to help them make a living by gigging.

Anne’s latest book, also published by Hal Leonard Books, is “The Bride’s Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable”. This is the guide for those seeking help in building live music into their wedding plans while offering great ways to save money.

Anne is an active member of the San Francisco Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Recording Academy and served on the Board of Governors for the San Francisco Chapter. Anne is proud to be involved with this organization, which works to positively impact the lives of musicians, industry members and our society at large.

Instrumentation

Anne Roos: Celtic Harp

Discography

Anne’s CD projects demonstrate quality musicianship and versatility. Anne’s albums are unique--Her recent releases are actually little books with CDs tucked neatly into the back page. She recognizes that her listeners enjoy reading about the background of the music on her CDs.

Anne’s latest collections include music that she has arranged and performed over the past decades by request. “Velvet: Timeless Standards on the Solo Harp” contain melodies that will bring you back to the days of old movies, Broadway musicals, and televisions shows, dating back from the early 20th Century all the way to the early 1970s. And when you hear Anne’s “Blue Jeans: Modern Pop on the Solo Harp” album, you’ll think, “ I didn’t know anyone could play those songs on a Celtic harp!” It includes classic rock, heavy metal, R&B, country, and even a bit of new age music—Ballads that may bring back memories of school days, long-lost friends and teenage crushes. Both of these recordings contain a combined 50 tracks of your favorite songs.

“A Light in the Forest”, is her most technically beautiful recording to date. It was recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound, and is perhaps the first folk/world/Celtic CD to be available in this format. The disc contains music of the Celtic Harp with a small ensemble performing music about the woods and the creatures that dwell within them—fairies, trolls, nymphs, leprechauns, witches, bears, and more. It’s packaged in a 31-page hardcover book describing the folk history and legends of these creatures and the tunes.

Anne arranged and recorded a special Celtic wedding music CD called “Haste to the Wedding,” in direct response to the many requests she received from brides and grooms. “Haste to the Wedding” is popular with couples looking for romantic music to accompany their wedding festivities. It includes traditional Celtic music played on solo harp accompanied by an ensemble of traditional instruments. This CD is enclosed in a 48-page hardcover book containing vintage color images, Celtic toasts, blessings, legends, wedding traditions, and recipes.

“Mermaids and Mariners” features traditional and original music of the sea, arranged by Anne for both solo Celtic Harp and harp within a small ensemble. The beautiful sea ballads and shanties are packaged inside a 24-page hardcover book containing a bounty of illustrations and tales about life at sea and the lost loves of those who sail on its waves and swim at its depths. Selections from this recording have been featured on United Airlines Inflight Music Service.

One of her earliest projects, “Through the Mist,” features original New Age flute and harp duets, with flutist David Blonski. This recording is enhanced with soothing environmental sounds woven into the selections. This recording remains a favorite among massage therapists and yoga enthusiasts.

Anne’s Celtic Harp can also be heard on a number of recordings available through the Siddha Yoga Foundation in South Fallsburg, New York, featuring music based on Indian ragas. She has recorded as a guest artist on many other projects.

Her recorded music is also available for licensing. Anne Roos is an active member of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), and her published music can be licensed through the Harry Fox Agency (Anne Roos is an ASCAP publisher).

Anne's recorded music and CDs can be sampled and purchased at her website, www.celticharpmusic.com

Links

Audio

Lyrics

Video

Anne Roos--"The Foxhunter's Jig"

StairwaytoHeaven

Photo Gallery

  • Portrait of Anne with her harp by ciprianphotography.com

  • Portrait of Anne by ciprianphotography.com

  • Laughing between songs at the Recording Academy Honors, Westin St. Francis Hotel Ballroom, San Francisco

  • Wedding Performance at the Edgewood Country Club at Lake Tahoe, Nevada

  • Anne plays a solo during the Valhalla Music Festival at the Boathouse Theatre in South Lake Tahoe, California

  • Mendocino Art Center Concert

  • Close-up of Anne at the Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, California

  • Still from Anne's YouTube Video

  • Anne rocks at the Hard Rock Café at Lake Tahoe, California

  • Performing at East West Bookshop in Sacramento, California

  • Anne gets dressed in vintage Victorian clothes to play at a tea party.

  • Christmas Eve Performance at Sealed With A Kiss boutique in South Lake Tahoe

  • Costumed in Renaissance Attire

  • Anne performs in costume at an assembly program for the kids at Minden Elementry School, Minden, Nevada.

  • Anne's CD Books

  • Happy playing by the shores of Lake Tahoe.

  • Velvet_Cover

    Download print quality (high-res) version

Press

  • A 5+ Star Rating for Anne Roos' Surround Sound Album [+ Show ]

    For Immediate Release--October 19, 2008 A 5+ Star Rating for Anne Roos' Surround Sound Album “...

  • Anne's CDs Recommended in Popular Irish Holiday Gift Guide [+ Show ]

    For Immediate Release--December 5, 2008 Anne’s CDs Recommended in Popular Irish Holiday Gift Guid...

  • An Amazing Album from An Amazing Harpist-Anne Roos' Latest Review [+ Show ]

    “Anne Roos is an amazing harpist and this CD showcases her talents beautifully. A small musical ...

  • Applause for Anne Roos' 5.1 Surround Sound CD [+ Show ]

    May, 2008 “What brings this CD up a level from just another pretty harp album is Roos...

  • Is it Traditional Celtic Music or Metallica? [+ Show ]

    “Metallica on a harp. That’s what I need to play on this podcast,” remarked Al Mann, host of th...

  • Hot Review of Anne Roos' CD Mermaids & Mariners [+ Show ]

    In the August/September 2005 issue of Dirty Linen Magazine, Susan Hartman reviews Mermai...

  • Anne Roos' Music Heard Round the World! [+ Show ]

    Flying in May or June of 2005? A track from Anne Roos’ CD Mermaids & Mariners will be featu...

  • Renaissance Magazine Calls Anne Roos’ Music “A Genuine Treat” [+ Show ]

    Anne Roos’ 5.1 Surround Sound CD, A Light in the Forest, is “Highly recommended to those who enjoy C...

  • Anne Roos’ Sea-Faring Album Gets “Sweet” Review [+ Show ]

    Visit Zoom Street Magazine at www.zoomstreet.org. In their “Street Talk” section, you’ll find the la...

  • Review of Anne Roos' "The Musician's Guide to Brides"--"WOW!" [+ Show ]

    “If I had to choose just one word to describe this new book by Anne Roos, it would be WOW! ...

Setlist

Anne's repertoire is incredibly diverse. You'll find her complete list of music on her website. A typical set can range from one hour, to several hours (with breaks at each hour). Anne includes plenty of storytelling in her programs, and adds a bit of gentle humor, too.

SAMPLE CONCERT PROGRAM
Solo Celtic Harp
Two Hours in Length

Planxty George/Twa Bonnie Maidens (traditional Celtic)

Romantic Traditional Irish Music selections:
Star of the County Down
The Gentle Maiden
Give Me Your Hand

Greensleeves (Francis Cutting)

Romantic Classical Music:
Chopin Prelude & Waltz Brillante
La Dona Mobile

Set of Fairy Tale Music (traditional Irish):
Fairy Child/Fairy Queen (Turloch O'Carolan)
King of the Fairies
The Golden Castle
Forest Nymph Songs

More Water Music:
The Water Kelpie (from the Isle of Mann)

Romantic Seagoing Music:
Mermaid’s Tears
Arran Boat/Sky Boat Song
The Princess Royal/Miss McDermott

INTERMISSION

More Seagoing Music:
Metal Man
I’ll Cross the Stormy Seas

Forest Tunes: Modern Celtic Music:
In the Forest (by Sylvia Woods)

More Forest Tunes:
Epping Forest (English)
Craigieburn Wood (Scottish)
Roslin Castle/Woods of Kilmurry ((Scottish & Irish)

Fun Irish tunes by O’Carolan:
Shebeg & Shemore
O’Carolan’s Welcome
Lady Gethin/Planxty Hewlett

Modern Popular Songs:
Love Me Tender
As Time Goes By
I Say a Little Prayer
I’ll Be There
Stairway to Heaven

Last Song: Wonderful Tonight or Danny Boy depending upon tastes of the audience

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SAMPLE NEW AGE CONCERT BOOKSTORE PROGRAM
Solo Harp
Two Hours in Length

Planxty George Brabazon/Twa Bonnie Maidens (trad. Scottish/Irish)

From Haste to the Wedding CD:
Star of the County Down (trad. Irish waltz)

From Mermaids and Mariners CD:
The Mermaid’s Tears (D.A. Hawkinson)
Aaran Boat Song/Skye Boat Song (trad. Scottish)
Metal Man (trad. Irish)

More Water Music:
The Water Kelpie (trad.-Isle of Mann)

Renaissance Period Music:
Greensleeves (Anon.)
Scarborough Fair (Anon.)
Epping Forest (Anon.)
Robin is to the Greenwood Gone (T. Robinson)

Modern Celtic Music:
The Legend (S. Woods)
Forest Nymph (A. Roos)

A Sampling of Modern Popular Music:
Valentine (J. Brickman & J. Kugell)
As Time Goes By (H. Hupfeld)
And I Love Her (J. Lennon & P. McCartney)
Wonderful Tonight (E. Clapton) or The Unforgiven (Metallica--J. Hetfield, L. Ulrich & K. Hammett)

Traditional Irish Music:
Carrikfergus
Brian Boru’s March

INTERMISSION

More from Haste to the Wedding CD:
Give Me Your Hand (trad. Irish waltz)
She Moved Through the Fair (trad. Irish air)

More from Mermaids and Mariners CD:
Shanghai Brown/Jacky Tar (trad. American/English hornpipe)

Fairy Tale Music:
Fairy Child/Fairy Queen (trad. Irish/att. to O'Carolan)
King of the Fairies (trad. Irish jig)
The Golden Castle (trad. Irish)

Popular Irish Music:
Foggy Dew
Molly Baun

Music by Turloch O’Carolan, Renaissance Period Irish Harper:
The Bold Princess Royal/The Princess Royal (From Mermaids and Mariners CD)
Shebeg & Shemore
O’Carolan’s Welcome
Lady Gethin/Planxty Hewlett
Morgan Magan
Maurice O'Connor
Planxty Sweeney

Last Song: Danny Boy (trad. Irish)

------------

SAMPLE RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Solo Harp
45-Minute Set—No Intermission

This sample program is typical for any performance where there are rotating acts sharing the same stage. Of course, the music will vary: Scottish tunes played for Highland Games, Irish and Scottish for Celtic Festivals, and English music for Renaissance Fairs.

Planxty George Brabazon/Twa Bonnie Maidens (trad. Scottish/Irish)

The Water Kelpie (Isle of Man)

From Mermaids and Mariners CD:
Arran Boat Song/ Skye Boat Song (trad. Scottish)

Scarborough Fair (trad. English)
Casey’s Hornpipe (trad. Irish)
Brian Boru’s March (trad. Irish)

Epping Forest (trad. English)
Robin is to the Greenwood Gone (T. Robinson)
My Lady Care’s Dompe (English, Anon.)
Lord Essex Galliard (J. Dowland)
Another English Galliard (Anon.)
Gamble Gold/Abbots Bromley Horn Dance/The Green Man (English, Anon.)

Greensleeves (English, Anon.)

King of the Fairies (trad. Irish)

Three Early French Dances:
Lai Et Rotrounge

Music by Turloch O’Carolan, Irish Renaissance Period Harper:
Shebeg and Shemore
Carolan’s Welcome
Lady Gethin
Hewlett
Morgan Magan
Lord Inchquin

Possible Encore-Brian Boru’s March (trad. Irish)


Anne's ensemble set list will vary depending upon the number and type of additional instruments requested (possible instrument availability includes: fiddle, guitar, viola, bodhran, flute/pennywhistle/recorder, and/or bagpipes).

Basic Requirements

Calendar

DateTimeVenueCity
May 24, 2012 Thursday 7:00 PM Murphy's Irish Pub And Rockwater Restaurant South Lake Tahoe, CA, US
May 25, 2012 Friday 7:00 PM Synapse Wines Placerville, CA, US
Jun 7, 2012 Thursday 6:30 PM Club Retro Roseville, CA, US
Jun 10, 2012 Sunday 11:00 AM High Hill Ranch, 2901 High Hill Rd. Camino, CA, US
Jun 22, 2012 Friday 7:00 PM Synapse Wines Placerville, CA, US