Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS- Mollie Marcuson, recent recipient of a master's degree in harp performance from Rice University, will be teaching harp lessons through the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music's Music Preparatory Division during the 2006-2007 school year.

Marcuson replaces Alison Read who is taking a one-year sabbatical.

"We are quite pleased with Mollie's decision to join us this year," said Pat Barnett, director of the Music Preparatory Division. "She's a talented musician and experienced teacher."

Marcuson will also be teaching SFA harp students.

The Houston resident is currently on the faculty of the Michael C. Hammond Preparatory Program at Rice University, the Klein Independent School District in Spring and the American Festival for the Arts Summer Music Conservatory in Houston.

Recently appointed as harpist for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Marcuson has appeared with the Kansas City Symphony and the Shreveport Symphony. She has performed all five of the major concertos written for harp: Georg Frederic Handel's Concerto in B flat, Claude Debussy's Danses, Maurice Ravel's Introduction and Allegro, W.A. Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp and Alberto Ginastera's Concerto for Harp.

Marcuson has also performed as a soloist at the IBM Worldwide Workflow Conference in Vienna, Austria, and several recitals in her home state through the Tourism Arts Alliance of Kansas.

SFA's Music Preparatory Division has been offering harp lessons since 1998, and the number of enrolled students has steadily increased.

"We were able to add harp instruction to our program because of a generous donation by Ed and Gwen Cole of troubador harps and an Aoyama Amphion grand pedal harp," explained Barnett. "Students have access to practice on the division's harps or may rent one for at-home practice."

Weekly private lessons are available to students in fourth grade or higher, and students with at least one year of harp study may also enroll in a harp ensemble class. Private lessons begin the week of Aug. 21.

Marcuson will be available to meet with prospective students at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, in Room 150C of the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.

To register for classes or for more information on the Music Preparatory Division, call Barnett at (936) 468-1291.