Faculty Recital Gloria Galante, Harp
Monday, September 14, 2026 Ware Family Recital Hall Swope Music Building 7:30 PM
PROGRAM La Gimblette ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. Bernard Andres (1941-2026)
Doretta’s Beautiful Dream from La Rondine ................................ ................................ .............................. Giocomo Puccini (1858-1924)
The Moldau ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................... Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884)
The Gipsy Fire Dance ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........Harry J Chalmers (1874-1959)
Cinema Paradiso ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ Andrea Morricone (b. 1964)
Prima Di Dormire ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............Stefani Ottomano (b. 1963)
10,000 Reasons ................................ ................................ ....................... Jonas Myrin (b.1984) and Matt Redman (b. 1974) arr. Gloria Galante (b. 1960)
Cascades of Amber Harp Concerto ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... Gloria Galante (b. 1960) 1. The Rustle of Ochre 2. Autumnal Solitude 3. Cadenza 4. The Golden Harvest
Still Light ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......Carol Robbins (b. 1954)
Please silence all cell phones and electronic devices.
ARTIST PROFILES Bernard Andrés Bernard Andrés was born in Belfort, France, near the Swiss border, and grew up in a musical family. He began piano lessons at an early age and took up the harp in his late teens. He quickly excelled, earning awards in performance competitions and eventuall y serving as principal harpist with the French Air Force Orchestra and the Orchestre Symphonique d’Île-de-France. After retiring from performing in 2005, Andrés devoted himself more fully to composition. As a composer, Andrés is known for writing music with beautiful, angular melodies. He often includes unusual performance techniques that contribute to his works’ distinctive sound world. Playing near the base of the strings produces a unique timbre, while holding a string close to its base as it is plucked with the other hand creates a short, muted sound. These techniques add subtle variations in color and texture, enhancing the impression of movement beneath the water. Bedřich Smetana Bedřich Smetana was a Czech composer who pioneered the development of a musical style closely associated with his people's aspirations for cultural and political revival. He is widely regarded as the father of Czech music. Smetana’s most famous work is The Moldau (Vltava), the second movement of his symphonic poem cycle Má Vlast (My Homeland). Harry J. Chalmers Harry J. Chalmers (1874-1959) was an American composer and harpist from Akron, Ohio. Andrea Morricone Andrea Morricone (born 1964) is an Italian composer and conductor known for his film scores. He is the third son of the late composer and Academy Award winner Ennio Morricone. Andrea collaborated with his father on the score for Cinema Paradiso, for which they received the BAFTA Award for Best Original Film Score. Stefano Ottomano Stefano Ottomano is an Italian percussionist and film score composer born in Bari, Italy. Prima di Dormire is a captivating solo xylophone work that invites intermediate percussionists to explore gentle melodies and expressive phrasing. Published by Alfonce Production, the piece is part of the esteemed Percussions Collection, known for its high -quality percussion repertoire. Prima di Dormire offers a lyrical and introspective journey reminiscent of a lullaby or a reflective moment before sleep. The composition emphasizes musical expression, allowing performers to focus on tone quality, dynamic control, and emotional delivery. Renowned for his sensitive and evocative writing, Ottomano crafts a work that balances simplicity with depth. The flowing lines and subtle nuances provide an excellent opportunity for performers to develop interpretive skills and musical maturity.
Gloria Galante Harpist Gloria Galante has performed worldwide in the genres of jazz, classical, Latin, African, and pop music. She is the recipient of the 2019 Jazz Legacy Award. Gloria currently serves as principal harpist with the Moog-endorsed Divine Hand Ensemble. She has also performed with renowned artists including Cecil Bridgewater, José Feliciano, Diana Ross, Frank Sinatra, Luther Vandross, and Philadelphia jazz luminaries Tyrone Brown, Warren Oree, Fred Vandenberg, and Odean Pope. In 1998, Gloria and Odean Pope were paired as a musical duo by Alice Coltrane. Their recording, Pope-Galante, received widespread airplay and recognition, and the duo performed a concert celebrating John Coltrane’s birthday. A committed educator, Gloria is the founder and director of the Wells School of Music Harp Program at West Chester University. Under her leadership, the program has flourished and is now in its 39th year. The WSOM Harpfest will celebrate its 36th year on November 15, 2026, featuring a Kora Masterclass at 11:00 a.m. in Room 141 and a concert, The Elements of the Harp, at 3:00 p.m. Gloria also directs the Wells School of Music at West Chester University Harp Ensemble and the WCU Community Harp Ensemble. She serves as a Musicopia ensemble leader and as a teaching artist for the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. In addition to her performance and educational work, Gloria is committed to using the harp as a healing instrument. She is a Certified Music Practitioner (CMP) and an advisor for the Music for Healing and Transition Program. Donations to the Galante Harp Scholarship may be made through the Art Code. Please be sure to designate your contribution for the Harp Fund. We are deeply grateful for your continued support.
PROGRAM NOTES Cascades of Amber Harp Concerto Composed by Professor Gloria Galante, Cascades of Amber evokes the image of colorful autumn leaves in motion while referencing the sweeping glissandi that are characteristic of the harp. I. The Rustle of Ochre Captures the visual movement of changing leaves and the crisp sound of the harp’s upper register, evoking the wind through the trees. II. Autumnal Solitude Creates a reflective and introspective mood while highlighting the harp’s intimate and delicate voice. III. Cadenza: Cascades of Amber A virtuosic solo passage that showcases the harp’s expressive and technical possibilities. IV. The Golden Harvest A majestic and celebratory portrait of the season, focusing on its abundance, warmth, and rich colors rather than its decline.
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UPCOMING WELLS SCHOOL OF MUSIC EVENTS For full event details visit wcupa.edu/music or call (610) 436-2739 Sunday, September 20, 2026 , 3:00 PM Faculty Recital: Carl Cranmer, piano Ware Family Recital Hall Swope Music Building
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 , 7:30 PM Chamber Strings Concert Adriana Linares, director Philips Autograph Library Philips Memorial Building
Friday, September 25, 2026 , 2:30 PM WCU High School Honor Choir Festival Concert Kimberly Adams, director Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall Philips Memorial Building
Sunday, September 27, 2026 , 3:00 PM Wind Ensemble & Wind Symphony Concert Andrew Yozviak & Hannah Morrison, directors Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall Philips Memorial Building
Monday, September 28, 2026 , 7:30 PM Guest Artist Recital: John Lane and Allen Otte, percussion Ware Family Recital Hall Swope Music Building
Friday, October 2, 2026 , 7:30 PM Symphony Orchestra Concert Paul Bryan, director Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall Philips Memorial Building
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 , 11:00 AM And now: a word from our friends: Orrin Evans Ware Family Recital Hall Swope Music Building
Thursday, October 8, 2026 , 7:30 PM Chamber Winds Concert Andrew Yozviak, director Ware Family Recital Hall Swope Music Building
*Ticketsare required for this event. For weekday daytime events, please RSVP tomusicinfo@wcupa.eduto obtain a parking pass via email
Interested in supporting the Wells School of Music? Scan the QR code and choose the ‘WellsSchool of Music Excellence Fund' to direct your donation toward sustaining and enhancing the overall programs and musical excellence at the Wells School of Music. For further information,please call (610) 436-2868 or visit wcufoundation.org 🙘 A majority of performances are available to watch via live stream at Vimeo.com/WSOM Mr.Jonathan Lightcap, Director of Recording Services and Digital Media 🙘 Steinway & Sons Piano Technical, Tuning and Concert Preparationsby Gerald P. Cousins, RPT If you do not intend to save your program, please recycle it in the baskets at the exit doors. The Wells School of Music |West Chester University of Pennsylvania Dr. Christopher Hanning, Dean