Friday, January 7, 2011

A pluck in time at the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair

Harpist Meredith Coffman
Meredith Coffman has been playing the harp for more years than the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair has existed. She was playing about a decade before the  Tampa Bay mecca for bibliomania was even considered.

In addition to playing for countless weddings, banquets and grand openings, Meredith Coffman has worked with top drawer artists like Melissa Manchester, Johnny Mathis, The Moody Blues, The Irish Tenors, Frank Sinatra Jr., Diana Ross and Dennis DeYoung.

She's pretty top drawer herself, which is why she'll do a special performance when the 30th Annual Florida Antiquarian Book Fair gets under way on the evening of March 11 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg.

After all, only the best for the Southeast's largest and best antiquarian book fair, right?

Meredith Coffman has the credentials. She graduated from USF with a bachelor of music degree. She taught there, too. Her subject: harp, of course.

Meredith is nothing if not versatile. She's a Broadway road show harpist: A Chorus Line, The Producers, Carousel, among others. She's a classical harpist: The Florida West Coast Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, The Imperial Symphony Orchestra, The Orlando Orchestra, The Continental Orchestra.

A harpist plays where a harpist is needed; if you've spent a lot of time at weddings or funerals in the Tampa Bay area in the last couple of decades, there's a good chance that you've come across Meredith and her harp.

Need a joyful harp for a wedding? Meredith's your harpist. Need somber harp for a memorial service? Meredith's your harpist. Need a literary harp for your book fair? Meredith's your ... literary harp? You bet. Come find out.

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1 comment:

  1. Really, really enjoyed your playing. Beautiful music you make even more beautiful with your harp.
    First time I've heard Rhapsody in Blue on a harp, and your version was terrific. Thanks very much for your lovely contribution to the atmosphere and art of opening night.
    [Wonder how many of those really old fine European books might have actually heard/felt harp music before . . . ?]
    Jim Shelton

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