In Tribute to Daphne Boden

The World Harp Congress community is saddened to learn of the death of the British harpist Daphne Boden at the age of 83, following a short illness.

Daphne Boden served as a member of the World Harp Congress Corporation and Board of Directors, and as Chair of the Focus on Youth Committee.

Karen Vaughan, WHC Associate Artistic Director writes:

Daphne Boden studied at the Royal College of Music, London, with Marie Goossens, and with Mireille Flour at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where she was awarded the Premier Prix. On her return she worked with Marisa Robles.

Her parents, Leonard and Margaret Boden, were well-known artists who painted many portraits of the British Royal Family and no less than ten portraits of Queen Elizabeth ll.  Daphne was invited to play privately for the Queen and often played while her parents painted.

At the start of her career she gave solo recitals and took her harp to schools around the country, but her teaching is undoubtedly her greatest legacy.  She taught at the Royal College of Music for 55 years in both the Junior and Senior departments, at the Royal Academy of Music (1988-2002) and at The Purcell School for Young Musicians (from 1996). Generations of harpists have benefited from her thorough and dedicated approach and unfailing support.

Daphne had a passion for wildlife, especially elephants!, visiting Kenya to work with the ‘Born Free’ actress Virginia McKenna. She also loved horses and dogs. 

A great supporter of the United Kingdom Harp Association, Daphne served on the Corporation and Board of Directors of the World Harp Congress from 2002. For many Congresses she managed the Focus on Youth programme.  

She will be missed in so many ways and by so many people.

In Tribute to Susann McDonald

On May 29th, the harp world, the music world and the World Harp Congress heard the very sad news of the passing of Susann McDonald at the age of 90. Susann McDonald was a founding member and the first Artistic Director of the World Harp Congress.  She served as Artistic Director until 2011 leading the artistic programmes at WHC Congresses in Maastricht, The Netherlands (1983); Jerusalem, Israel (1985); Vienna, Austria (1987); Paris-Sèvres, France (1990); Copenhagen, Denmark (1993); Seattle-Tacoma, Washington USA (1996); Prague, The Czech Republic (1999); Geneva, Switzerland (2002); Dublin, Ireland (2005);  Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2008); and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (2011).  After stepping down from her role as Artistic Director, she continued to serve as a Member of the Corporation of the World Harp Congress. 

Isabelle Perrin, WHC Artistic Director and Susann McDonald’s former student writes:
‘Many of us can speak in the warmest ways of Susann, but here, I will speak in my own name as well as in my role as the Artistic Director of the WHC.  

Susann McDonald has probably been the person who has most inspired me as a musician, as a teacher and as a person. I met her in France, when I was 18 years old, then a year later I became her student at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. During my three years of studies, her dedication to music, the harp and her students opened my eyes and ears in so many ways. She taught me openness, flexibility, friendship to classmates and so much more. Still today I can hear her say: « Here you will make friends from all over the world for your entire life ». And yes, today a number of my classmates at that time are still some of my best friends. 

Then I had the great honor to substitute for her at the Indiana University for a few months in 2001 when she had her first sabbatical period. And the honor was even greater when some years later, at the WHC in Vancouver, she asked me together with Linda Rollo, if I would accept taking over from her as Artistic Director of the WHC. Besides the incredible joy and honor to be asked, I felt at the same time that I could never step into her shoes in the role she created in the Harpweeks in the Netherlands, which later become the WHC, as she had always been to me a figure no one could replace. But in this also Susann has been my mentor, guiding me through this amazing task. 

So, Susann, I just want to say in my name as well as in the name of the WHC: THANK YOU. Thank you for being the amazing harpist, teacher and person you always have been; thank you for your life of dedication to music and to the harp community. And not least, thank you for all you have taught me through the many decades I have known you. The harp world as well as myself will miss you terribly.’