A continuation of a series of interviews, begun in September, to help newer and older members become acquainted during this pandemic.
—Rozella Bower, church archivist
David D. Harp, Cantor
Dave Harp’s journey to Moorestown began in Brighton, Colorado, about 20 minutes north of Denver. Like many youth, he was active in sports, on the swim team, tennis team and even basketball, but he soon “realized the NBA was not going to be in my long term plans.” His mother was organist and choir director at their Lutheran church and it was only natural that she wanted him to begin musical studies. She started him in violin lessons in kindergarten and in piano lessons the following year. Later he added the oboe, which continued thru college but “don’t ask me to play either violin or oboe at this point.”
After graduating from Brighton High School (“Go Bulldogs”), he entered the University of Northern Colorado, a great jazz school, because he had dreams of playing jazz. But something occurred to completely change his direction: he attended a concert by the St. Olaf Choir in Denver, not knowing what to expect, and he was “hooked”. “The dynamics, the uniform sound, their ability to sing softer than any ensemble I’ve ever heard and their musicality drew me in.” After his sophomore year, he transferred to St. Olaf where he sang in the world renowned St. Olaf Choir and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree. He received a Master’s degree in Theology and Sacred Music from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, which he thought was critical for his profession. While in seminary he sang in the National Lutheran Choir, an auditioned professional choral ensemble based in Minneapolis, with a mission to “strengthen, renew and preserve the heritage of sacred choral music.” Later he did graduate work at Westminster Choir College in Princeton.
After graduation from seminary, Dave accepted a position as Director of Music at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Portland, OR, where there were 3 services each Sunday and he directed 7 ensembles. A friend was General Manager of the American Boychoir School in Princeton and he offered Dave a job as Proctor/Houseparent. Dave felt the educational opportunity was too great to turn down. He was responsible for 80 boys between fifth and eighth grade during rehearsals and on tour. He assisted with rehearsals and occasionally conducted. He also traveled across the U.S. and overseas. It was hard work with little pay but a major “perk” was meeting Kristin who became his wife 18 years ago. Their daughter Aurelia is a freshman at Camden Catholic High School.
Dave took a full time job in Project Management at Educational Testing Service in Princeton and worked part time at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Levittown, PA. From there, he came to Saint Matthew Church and continued to work at ETS. Among the highlights in his time with us, one particularly stands out: a compliment from Pastor Herluf Jensen (retired bishop of the NJ Synod and our former pastor) following the first Advent/Christmas concert in 2005. “His kind and encouraging words were an inspiration to this newcomer on the church staff.” The Advent/Christmas concerts have been so well planned around a theme, and inspiring to those of us who have participated as well as to the people who have gathered to listen. Dave says he gets his inspiration “from any number of places: a line of a hymn, scripture, poetry, the text of a new anthem. I try to look at what is happening in the world and come up with a theme that is relevant, something that answers the question, ‘How/Why do we need Jesus to come to us this Advent?’ ” One wonders what might be the theme this year if there could be a concert. Matt Schwinghammer has been accompanist for the concerts. He and Dave met at St. Olaf and later worked together at the American Boychoir School. Matt and his family are also former Saint Matthew members and he sometimes travels back from his home in PA to play a service here.
When asked who has greatly influenced his life in music, his first answer was his mom because she got him started. He mentioned two others: Larry Fleming who directed the National Lutheran Choir for the way he “built programs and concerts”. The other person was Paul Westermeyer, chair of the Sacred Music program at Luther Seminary, whom he considers the greatest mentor in his church music career. His focus was on texts used in worship, believing that church musicians should be humble servants of the church, encouraging congregation participation. Dave continues to strive for that ideal.
Several years ago Dave asked to have his title changed from Director of Music to Cantor. He explained, “Cantor is the historical term among Lutherans to describe the role of the musician. Loosely defined, it is the “Leader of the People’s Song”. As a Cantor, my instrument isn’t the organ or piano; it is the congregation; you, the people. My job is to use whatever resources are at my disposal to help lead you in that song: the vocal choir, the bell choir, soloists, instrumentalists, drums, piano, organ …”
Whenever he has time to relax, Dave enjoys gardening and puttering in the yard. He’s also known to watch many sports on TV although there’s a question about whether that is relaxing, especially if the Broncos are playing.
The pandemic has created extremely difficult circumstances for church musicians. When asked for his comments about this, Dave’s honest answer was “demoralizing”. He has always “preached” how critical congregation participation is in worship. As leader of the song of the people, he has encouraged that participation and strives to keep the congregation front and center in hymns, liturgy and responses he selects. “And now we can’t sing. It has been difficult but it will end. There will come a time when we’re able to lift our voices in song, but it won’t be for awhile.” He also believes that some good can come from this time. “As musicians we are forced to leave our comfort zones, to try new things. As the hymn says, “Ponder anew, what the almighty can do.” At Saint Matthew we have learned a lot about live streaming; we’re making better use of microphones; putting bulletins online; having soloists sing hymns on behalf of the congregation; and for me, learning to play and sing from the keyboard. And we’ll continue to learn and grow throughout the duration of this plague. It isn’t the first time in history that this has happened and some wonderful music has come out of equally trying situations. So, fear not! We will sing again! How can we not? As another hymn states, “through the church, the song goes on!”
Thank you, David Harp, for 15 years of using your special gifts to lead our song here at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Moorestown.