John Doan Concert at the Chapel Arts Center, Bath, England

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Lorelle

Press Release

(Bath, UK). — Emmy nominee and master harp guitarist John Doan with family roots to Bath and Burton, will perform at the Chapel Arts Centre, St James’s Memorial Hall as part of his European Tour 2013. Chapel Arts Centre is located at Lower Borough Walls, Bath, BA1 1QR. The show is scheduled for 8pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Tickets are advance: £8.00, Door: £10.00. For more information, call the Chapel Arts Centre at 01225 461700.

A “Celtic Pilgrimage with John Doan” features music from John’s award winning recording “Eire – Isle of the Saints” (Winner of “Best Celtic Album of the Year”) and Wayfarer (also nominated for the same title).

Concert Description

Master harp guitarist and storyteller John Doan is a Bard for the 21st Century bringing back soulful and provocative musical sketches from a pilgrimage to the most sacred sites of the British Isles. “Thin Places,” as they were once called, were believed to be where the space between heaven and earth, and past and future, were thinly divided. John shares what he found there inspired by breathtaking landscapes, historic ruins, and dynamic stories underlying the faith and vision of a people who shaped the world we have come to call our own. He now leads his audiences back down ancient paths to locations made famous by St. Patrick and the “Twelve Apostles of Ireland” along winding roads to secluded sanctuaries and by boat to remote island retreats. Adventurous, thoughtful, and renewing, this is a journey memorable for its achingly beautiful moments and encouraging spirit. Continue reading →

Victorian Christmas Tour 2012

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Lorelle

This year celebrates the 26th annual tour of John Doan’s Victorian Christmas Concert. This year’s tour includes Oregon, California, and Arizona. Tickets sell out fast, so get yours now.

The festive concert is a live version of Doan’s Emmy-nominated Public Broadcasting television special, which re-enacts what it might have been like to celebrate Christmas a century ago. “The show explores how Victorians invented many Christmas traditions we remember and quite a few we have forgotten,” said the Willamette music professor. “The 20-string harp guitar, classical banjo and ukelin are just a few of the original instruments that will be featured. The aim is to recapture the feeling of a time before radio and TV when our ancestors provided most of their own musical entertainment at home, especially during the holidays.”

Doan plays more than a dozen turn-of-the-century instruments once popular in American parlors, on vaudeville stages and in mandolin orchestras. He explains their history in a entertaining and often zany fashion, shows slides of old catalogues and archival photographs, and leads the audience in singing (or whistling) many of our most beloved carols. John will include several arrangements from his CD, “Wrapped in White: Visions of Christmas Past.”
Continue reading →

To Russia with Love – Part 1 – First Impressions

Posted on August 14, 2012 by John Doan

I suppose if one were living life fully, each moment in each day would seem like an adventure. Travel takes me away from all that is ordinary which is no doubt extraordinary except for that I have gotten use to everything and everyone that is usually around me. Last December a fan of mine in some ways awoke me from my waking sleep when he wrote me from Moscow and inquired if I had plans of performing there in the future. My custom is to write back and explore if there are any possibilities. I then received an extraordinary response from Жилин Андрей, or should I say, Andrew Jilan who claimed that when he was fifteen he had three favorite musicians/groups that he listened to. I never dreamed that I would ever be in league with Jimi Page and Iron Maiden but there I was raised high in the pantheon of cultural icons. We skyped each other and set a week mid May for my debut concerts in Russia and perhaps for the first harp guitar concerts heard there as well.

After having performed in Ukraine and Germany my wife Deirdra and I arrived on my Birthday in Moscow. Andrew had prearranged a cab – basically someone who has highjacked the family car and has found a few hours of employment (the cabbies at the airport charge several times more).

Andrew had never received a rock star before. I didn’t know if he was being kind and shaved part of his head to emulate me or that he enjoyed looking like Vladimir Lenin but his gentle demeanor put us at ease as we rushed through the strange landscape of endless apartment structures and construction detours.
Continue reading →

John Doan Visits L’viv, Ukraine, New Harp Guitar Capital of the World?

Posted on June 25, 2012 by John Doan

Early in May I had an adventure visiting L’viv, Ukraine to give harp guitar concerts.

It was like entering into a time warp as the city had a holiday celebrating its long history with people walking through the streets in medieval costumes. There were even horse drawn carriages.

Ancient church walls were adorned with spectacular gold icons and detailed wall paintings.

There were shops with handmade goods like this candy shop brimming over with tempting delights.

The central park benches were either filled with lovers locked in Ukrainian embrace or with old men playing board games.

Deirdra and I were waiting our turn for a park bench

I sat down and had a long talk with one of the locals and later went atop a building for a view of the city skyline.

There were children dancing to folk music on a large stage in the town square.

This is where I introduced the 20-string harp guitar to mobs of cheering Ukrainians who were introduced to the instrument as “The Bandura of the 21st Century” (read on about the Bandura).

The real exciting part to my adventure in Lviv was a visit to the Trembita Musical Instrument Factory. They have years of experience building Ukrainian instruments like the Bandura. It is not unlike the version of harp guitar I have championed my entire career (complete with super treble strings).

It was amazing to see the walls lined with instruments.

They have remained a Ukrainian favorite for centuries as seen in one of the local sculptures. An image of one is even found on their money.

Myron Kuzemsky, the president of the factory, showed me one of the Banduras near completion.

I meet Jay Buckey who is working with Trembita to make harp guitars. The one I tried out was made quite well and had a very nice tone. Jay showed me one of the tops for an upcoming Dyer Model harp guitar.

Jay Buckey has formally started his new company “Your Harp Guitar” after a series of test instruments were made. He has overseen a number of modifications and has even included in his future production harp mandolins and the new 21-string “John Doan Model” – a harp guitar based on the plans of his Elliott-Sullivan harp guitar (with an added bass string). He is consulting with its noted designer – Jeffery Elliott aiming at the highest quality in an affordable instrument.

Before leaving L’viv Jay and I gave the first harp guitar concert in Ukrainian history with a little help from his friends (Alla who has the voice of an Angel, and Peter who moved the audience to tears!). The audience was so responsive with applauds that continued on and on prolonging the concert. They loved it and we loved playing for them.

One fan came 3 hours by train to come to the event. He is anxious to make a “Your Harp Guitar” one of his own and with the factory gearing up to produce 40 harp guitars a month this dream can come true.

Do the math. At that rate of production most harp guitars made on the planet will come from L’viv, Ukraine perhaps making it by sheer numbers the harp guitar capital of the world someday!

European Tour Concert Addition: John Doan in Tennisheim Nassenfels June 10, 2012

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Lorelle

John Doan’s European tour is so popular, they’ve added another show to the schedule. John will be performing at Tennisheim Nassenfels at 1900 (7PM) on June 10, 2012, in Nassenfels, Germany. Details on the concert are available in German. The public is welcome and tickets are by donation. Continue reading →

John Doan and Muriel Anderson in Portland on 06/20/12

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Lorelle

Muriel Anderson and John Doan will be performing together in concert in Portland, Oregon, on June 20, 2012, just after John returns from his successful European Tour.

The two virtuosos of harp guitar will be performing solo pieces and songs from their popular Harp Guitars Under the Stars duet album in this rare evening event.

John Doan Beyond Six Strings Concert in Lavin Switzerland on June 3, 2012

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Lorelle

John Doan European Concert Tour Poster 2012 playing the Brunner travel harp guitar NOTE: The concert date has been changed from June 2 to June 3.

John Doan will be performing his Beyond Six Strings concert in Lavin, Switzerland, on June 3, 2012, at 8PM as part of his ongoing harp guitar design and development project with Brunner Guitars on his Concert Tour in Europe 2012.

Lavin is located in one of the most beautiful valleys in Switzerland called Engadin. It is an old small town in the middle of the valley surrounded by high mountain peaks.

The concert will be in this intimate setting with John playing a travel harp guitar made by Lukas Brunner in Lavin, bringing the harp guitar back home. The European Tour Poster features John playing his Brunner travel harp guitar.

The workshop of Brunner Guitars and this most remarkable instrument builder is a must-see destination for fans of the harp guitar.

John Doan Presenting Guitar Master Class in Moscow May 21, 2012

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Lorelle

john doan harp guitar retreat nick receives pointers from John Doan John Doan will be presenting a Master Class for guitar and harp guitar in Moscow as part of his Concert Tour in Europe 2012. It will be followed by a May 23 concert at the Moscow Guitar Club.

For information about the Master Class and Moscow Guitar Club concert, please email Жилин Андрей.

Welcome

Featured

Posted on April 16, 2012 by John Doan

John Doan a pioneer of the twenty-string harp guitar. He is also an Emmy-nominated performer, composer, public speaker, historian, instrument collector, and university professor. Upcoming concerts are listed in the calendar and news, updates, and articles can be found on John’s blog.

John Doan performs internationally on stage and at fairs and festivals, dazzling audiences with the harp guitar and other multiple stringed instruments. Upcoming concerts include:

John Doan’s Victorian Christmas Concert tour is lining up for winter 2012. Concerts in Arizona and Oregon are confirmed. Stay tuned for more news or subscribe to the site or email alerts to be notified of upcoming concerts.

To listen to samples of John Doan’s music and buy CDs, visit the Discography pages where CDs, DVDs, Sampler Releases, and Sheet Music.

John Doan offers group, private, and college courses on the harp guitar, multiple string instruments, history of music, and more. The annual Harp Guitar Retreat in his home in Salem, Oregon, is every July. This year’s Harp Guitar Retreat is Fifth Annual Harp Guitar Retreat July 6-8, 2012, and registration is now open.

Contact John Doan for more information on performances, speaking, and concerts, or if you have questions about the annual Harp Guitar Retreat.

To learn more about John Doan, check out his blog, biography, read press reviews of concerts and recordings, watch videos, view a gallery of fascinating string instruments from around the world and throughout history, many of them from John’s collection.

Victorian Christmas in Arizona 2012

Posted on April 6, 2012 by John Doan

John Doan returns to Arizona with his Emmy-nominated Victorian Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 23rd, 2012, at Higley Center For The Performing Arts at 2:30PM.

He brings two dozen instruments from a century ago, a parlor set, archival photos of people caught in the act of entertaining themselves, leads group sing-alongs, and lots of laughter and fun. Don’t miss this historic event!

John Doan – Master of Harp Guitar, Composer, Storyteller

The Master Muse of Music and Story, Harp Guitar, Composer, Speaker, Instructor, Historian

Tag Archives: concert

John Doan Concert at the Chapel Arts Center, Bath, England

Press Release

Concert Description

Victorian Christmas Tour 2012

To Russia with Love – Part 1 – First Impressions

John Doan Visits L’viv, Ukraine, New Harp Guitar Capital of the World?

European Tour Concert Addition: John Doan in Tennisheim Nassenfels June 10, 2012

John Doan and Muriel Anderson in Portland on 06/20/12

John Doan Beyond Six Strings Concert in Lavin Switzerland on June 3, 2012

John Doan Presenting Guitar Master Class in Moscow May 21, 2012

Welcome

Featured

Victorian Christmas in Arizona 2012

Press Release

Concert Description

Event Details

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Event Details