Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium

This detail of hieroglyphs is from the entrance to the rock tomb replica, one of the museum's most popular teaching venues. The replica is modeled on elements from several originals in the Beni Hasan desert in Upper Egypt.

Harpfusion Ensemble gives Benefit Concert at Rosicrucian Park May 19, 2003!

On Monday May 19, 2003 at 7:30 pm, the internationally acclaimed Harp Ensemble, Harpfusion from the University of Arizona (Tucson), led by Dr. Carrol McLaughlin, will give a concert at Francis Bacon Auditorium (on the Naglee Avenue side of Rosicrucian Park) to benefit the 75th Anniversary Capital Campaign for the renovation of Rosicrucian Park.

The Capital Campaign goals include the restoration and reopening of the historic Planetarium, the 5th Planetarium built in the United States; the continuing renovations of the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum which houses the largest display of Egyptian Artifacts in the Western US; the construction of a full scale18th Dynasty Egyptian Peace Garden, complete with a reflecting pool, a temple and authentic flora; the restoration and expansion of the Park’s central fountain plaza; and many other projects.

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum was featured this spring in an episode of the National Geographic Channel’s Mummy Road Show series, which focused on the search for the identity of the Museum’s most famous mummy. In addition, the Museum has been included in segments on the Discovery Travel Channel’s programming.

The inspiration for the Concert in an Egyptian setting was sparked by Dr. McLaughlin’s new composition, Masmoudi for the Pharaoh, which will be featured in the concert. Light refreshments will be provided by the Al Masri Egyptian Restaurant (San Francisco).

Tickets for the concert are available for a minimum donation of $25.00 per person ($12.50 for students and seniors). Orders for tickets may be sent to Harpfusion Benefit Concert / Rosicrucian Park / 1342 Naglee Ave / San José, CA 95191, phoned to (408) 947-3546 or faxed to (408) 947-3677. Further information is available at lodges@rosicrucian.org. Checks, money orders and credit cards are accepted. Please do not send cash through the mail.

About HarpFusion:

HarpFusion was named by members of the group because of its unique fusion of many different styles of music and cultures represented in the ensemble. All members of the group are harp students at the University of Arizona, and students of Dr. Carrol McLaughlin. HarpFusion is the largest touring harp ensemble in the world, and has received international acclaim for its creative and exciting performances. The ensemble performed last summer at the World Harp Congress in Geneva, Switzerland. Other recent international tours have taken the group to Russia, Czech Republic, and Puerto Rico. All the music HarpFusion plays is written or arranged by a member of the group. They have recorded three Compact Disks and are in the process of recording a DVD, which has involved filming and recording in Russia, Switzerland, and throughout the U.S. Their three Compact Disks, "The Trouble With Angels", "Desert Reflections" and "The Best Gift" will be on sale at intermission and after the concert.

Dr. Carrol McLaughlin has performed extensively as a soloist and with orchestras throughout North and South America, Europe, Japan, Indonesia, Honk Kong, Taiwan, China, India, and Russia. Her performing career has included concerto performances with the Kyoto Symphony, Japan; the St. Petersburg Symphony, Russia; the Orchestra de Santiago in Santiago, Chile, and many others. She has given solo recitals in Carnegie Hall, New York; Wigmore Hall, London; Casals Hall, Tokyo, and the National Concert Hall in Taipei, Taiwan. She was featured as the opening recitalist at the World Harp Congress in Copenhagen and the American Harp Society National Conference in Denver, Colorado. She has also been featured at the Vera Dulova Festival in Moscow, the World Harp Congress in Prague and Geneva, the Lily Laskine Festival in Paris, the Soka City Festival in Japan, and numerous other festivals around the world. Her education includes Master of Music from the Juilliard School and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Arizona. Since 1982, Carrol has held the position of Professor of Harp at the University of Arizona and won numerous awards for her teaching, including the University’s highest honor, the Five Star Teaching Award (Sonya: for several times). She is the founder and director of the international touring ensemble, HarpFusion, who have recorded extensively and toured throughout the US, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Russia, Europe, Japan, and the Czech Republic. They are one of the largest touring harp ensembles in the world and have attained international acclaim for their innovative and creative programming. Carrol is one of the few harpists in the world who combines classical harp repertoire on the concert stage with original pop and jazz arrangements….a skill she learned when at age four she began to perform with her father’s jazz bands.

The University of Arizona's HarpFusion Program for the Benefit Concert

1. Star Medley (Vincent /When You Wish Upon A Star)
D. MacLean,L.Harline & Ned Washington (from Pinoccio) arr. C. McLaughlin

2. A Baroque Medley (Vivaldi Concerto & Handel Messiah) arr. J. Kubecka

3. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 E. Grieg, arr. K. Withers
I. Morning Mood
II. Ase's Death
III. Anitra's dance
IV. In the Hall of the Mountain King

4. Circle of Life E. John, arr. C. McLaughlin

5. Somewhere My Love/Hurry Go Round Jarre/Hide, arr. McLaughlin/Saito

6. Cantina Band Song J. Willians, arr. C. McLaughlin

~Intermission~

1. Masmoudi for the Pharaoh C. McLaughlin

2. McKim's Reel Trad. Celtic , arr. M. Williams
Misty Williams, Hammered Dulcimer

3. Wana Baraka Trad. Kenyan Christian Chant, arr. M. Williams

4. Lir I Lir Trad. Javanese folk melody, arr. C. McLaughlin

5. Chrysalis C. McLaughlin (1999)

6. Sebastian's Salsa V. Sheldon (2002)

7. Spaghetti Rag S. Joplin, arr. A. Schipperus

For more information on the 18th Dynasty Peace Garden, please go to http://www.rosicrucian.org/park/index.html .

Rosicrucian Park, which includes the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, is sponsored by the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC. The Park is located in San Jose, and has been serving the community of the Bay Area for 75 years. For more information, visit http://www.rosicrucian.org, and for the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, please visit http://www.egyptianmuseum.org/ .

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Harpfusion Ensemble gives Benefit Concert at Rosicrucian Park May 19, 2003!