Valerie Vonpechy facts for kids
Valerie Vonpechy Whitcup (born December 11, 1947) is an American composer, a talented harp player, and a teacher. She has shared her music and knowledge with many students and audiences over the years.
Valerie was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She went to Baldwin-Wallace College and the University of Miami for her studies. She learned to play the harp from Edward Vito, who was a very important harpist for the famous conductor Arturo Toscanini's NBC Orchestra. Valerie married Peter Whitcup, and most of her musical works are published under her maiden name, "Vonpechy."
Before moving to Florida, Valerie was a visiting professor at the University of Illinois. For 35 years, she was the main harpist for the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra. She also played for the Florida Grand Opera and traveled with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra. On top of that, she taught harp at the University of Miami for three decades!
In 1988, Valerie arranged a choral song by John Corigliano called L'Invitation au Voyage for flute and harp. Later, in 2001, Valerie and Lucas Drew, a double bassist, started a company called St. Francis Music Publications. They wanted to publish music for instruments like the double bass, cello, harp, and string groups. They have released seven books of harp music, including original pieces, and arrangements by her old teacher, Edward Vito. Valerie carefully edited and prepared these books for everyone to enjoy. This special series of books is called From the Library of Edward Vito.
Valerie is a very flexible musician. She has performed live or toured with many famous artists! These include Frank Sinatra, the Bee Gees, Tom Jones, the Moody Blues, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Barry White, KC and the Sunshine Band, Rick James, Tony Bennett, Lauryn Hill, and the Reggae Band. She has also played on several recordings, such as:
- Acugenics- Stress Relief In Five Minutes (Gateway Records GSLP 7613)
- Billion Dollar Band (Good Sounds GS102)
- Do You Wanna Go Party
- Passion (Prelude Records – PRL 12176)
- Voyage (Albany Records TR1185)
Valerie's music is published by Elkin Music International, G. Schirmer Inc., and St. Francis Music Publications.
Valerie's Musical Compositions
Valerie Vonpechy has written many different kinds of music. Here are some of her works:
Chamber Music
Chamber music is written for a small group of instruments.
- Dream and Csardas (for string quartet, flute, clarinet, and harp)
- Duet (for flute and harp)
- Flight of Fancy (for oboe, bassoon, and harp)
- Sunrise at Rocky Knob (for oboe and harp)
- Sweet Is My Ladye Love (for harp playing by itself)
- Two Pieces for Diatonic Harp
Musical Theater Works
These are pieces written for plays or shows.
- Armadillo’s Pillow
- Webster the Musical Spider
Vocal Music
These compositions include singing.
- "Cloudy" (the words are by Mary Ann Vonpechy, and the music is by Valerie Vonpechy)
- Five Lullabies (for flute, harp, and a soprano singer)
