Roger Helfrick, baritone and Celtic harp player, is offering a concert on May 26 at the Cumberland United Church.
Roger wowed audiences for the past two Decembers when he appeared as a guest vocalist with Winter Harp, and is thrilled to be presenting this, his 11th (nearly annual) spring concert.
It is entitled Elemental and features Roger's voice accompanied by Celtic harp, medieval harp and guitar.
The evening will explore the themes of primal energies (earth, fire, air, water, spirit) and the fundamentals of life. Roger's original songs and improvisations will be interspersed with traditional and early music from Japan and Europe.
Roger has performed at various concerts and charitable events since moving to the Comox valley in the fall of 2007, and is teaching harp and preparing music for his next recording.
A professional musician for 18 years, he has produced three CDs, garnering national and international radio play, as well as performances across Canada and in Japan. He has also been hired to be the main vocalist with Winter Harp for the 2012 Christmas season tour.
“In all my years as a musician I have only heard a few such gorgeous voices. Roger’s singing is like velvet," says Lori Pappajohn, harpist, singer and director of Winter Harp.
"His voice has this clear, transparent, warm, completely natural sound that truly makes you want to melt away," she adds. "And he tells the song’s story so simply and beautifully.”
Elemental is on May 26 at the Cumberland United Church on the corner of Penrith Avenue and First Street. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Laughing Oyster Books, Videos N More and at the door.
More information is available at www.rogerhelfrick.ca or 250-331-0482.
— Roger Helfrick