Artist-in-Residence
by Victoria Criado, Editor-in-Chief on October 13, 2008 in Artist-in-Residence, Culture
Marilinda Garcia (MPP ’10) is a state representative of New Hampshire and a professional harpist. A dual B.A./B.M graduate of Tufts University and New England Conservatory of Music, she is currently the harp instructor at Phillips Exeter Academy and Gordon College.
How did you first come across the harp?
Growing up, I played the piano, as did my older brother. When it became apparent that he was more proficient at it, I decided I wanted to switch to a different instrument. I happened to see a picture of someone playing the harp, and I thought, “wow, that looks cool.”
And now you are also a state representative?
Yes. I’m finishing my first term and have served on the ommittee on Children and Family Law for the last two years. I have learned a lot about government from my legislative experience – kind of like learning by immersion, in the truest sense.
How do you bridge the two in your life?
I actually find an interesting parallel between working as a state legislator and being a harp teacher. In both cases, I really do have to put in sincere personal effort in either promoting legislation and helping my students understand how to use proper technique to draw musicality out of their pieces. But in the end, the result is not necessarily contingent on my efforts alone – in the case of the students, how they ultimately perform is based on their own volition, and in the case of state government, a piece of legislation I’m involved with can evolve drastically as it passes through the houses and be either killed or – worst of all – turned into a study commission. (I’m kidding… sort of…)
What was the most rewarding experience from your travels as cultural ambassador/harpist?
One concert we gave in Lima, Peru was scheduled for 1 PM and there was a huge line outside which had been there for over three hours. The auditorium was filled to capacity such that people were pouring out of the venue. Immediately after the concert, which included five encores and went over the allotted time due to the enthusiastic and receptive audience, we were told that there was still a line of people standing outside waiting. Our conductor and our administrative board assessed the situation and told us, exhausted as we were, that we were to perform the entire concert over again for those people who had not had the opportunity to get in, and who would probably never get the chance to see another live orchestra in their lives. So we did.
The joy on the faces of the people that we played for that second time around made it so much more rewarding than even a concert played in the world’s finest concert halls for the most demanding and knowledgeable audiences because we knew that we were delivering the gift of music. I know that may sound trite, but remember that through history, certain classical symphonies have been adopted as important symbols, say, even of resistance to oppressive governments.
For example, Dmitri Shostakovich, a famous Russian composer who lived during Stalin’s Great Terror in the 1930s, had many of his friends and family killed, his life threatened, and his 7th Symphony and other works banned. He used to go to sleep at night fully dressed and with a packed suitcase because he was firmly convinced he would be seized one night, and he didn’t want his sleeping children disturbed.
Do you have any strange harp stories?
JPMorgan once had a themed event where I was put on a platform in front of an enormous clamshell that had color-changing spot lights shining on it. I was asked to wear a dress in a sea foam color, but to please not wear a mermaid outfit – and yeah, I was really disappointed to not be able to wear my Ariel costume.
In addition, if I am playing for a cocktail party I sometimes have to contend with somewhat inebriated guests and their absurd requests: Stairway to Heaven, Dirty Water (the Boston Red Sox theme song), and the like.
Is the harp the answer to world peace?
It very well could be. I mean, I’m pretty relaxed and serene and non-violent.
Are you willing to give free harp lessons to poor graduate students?
That would depend. On quite a few things.
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