Harpist Dr. DIana Kolben of Salem donated her beloved Lyon and Healy 23 concert grand, built in 1938, to the Manchester Community Music School. Here harpist and MCMS executive director Piper Runnion-Bareford plays while Dr. Kolben looks on.

SALEM – To some people, the majestic, 47-stringed harp beckons Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” and the introduction to “Waltz of the Flowers.”

Still for others, it’s the sound heard at the beginning of any dream sequence filmed for a movie or television show.

But for life-long music educator Dr. Diana Kolben, the harp represents her passion, her craft, her old friend of more than 50 years.

Kolben began playing the harp in the 8th grade and studied music at Oberlin College, going on to teach in music throughout her life. Now, she is no longer able to play the instrument, but was determined to donate her harp to a place that would continue fostering the love of music and her “old friend.” She has donated the harp to the Manchester Music Community School.

It was the beauty of the harp that first attracted Kolben to playing it.

“I had substantial piano background,” she said. “So I didn’t have to learn to read music. I knew that already.”

Kolben is perfectly blunt as to why she can’t play anymore.

“I got too old,” she said most succinctly. “I couldn’t carry it anymore. I’m a widow, so it would only be me. And my eyesight isn’t as good as it was. It was time for me to donate it to someone. I was in touch with Robin Neill with the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra, and he put me in touch with Piper.”

Piper is Piper Runnion-Bareford, a gifted harpist and the executive director of the MCMS, who is enthralled at the donation of the harp.

“It is so exciting and inspiring when our whole community comes together to see lives changed through the power of music,” Runnion-Bareford said. “Diana’s generosity is an illustration of this — the Philharmonic thinking of the school and its students, and her legacy of education that inspired her to give such an immense gift. As a harpist, I know the value of access to an instrument and what possibilities that can open up in the life of a young student. In this year of challenges, it is wonderful to celebrate in this way the power of music and community that brings such hope for the future.”

Donating her harp wasn’t as challenging as some may think. Kolben’s instrument is a Lyon and Healy Model 23 concert grand, built in 1938 with a gold base and crown. The instrument was completely refurbished in 1983 and before donating her harp, Kolben had it completely restrung.

“Piper was ecstatic,” Kolben said. “She made the arrangements to come and pick it up. All I had to do was give it to her.”

The emotional parting of the harp was another story.

“I had to cry,” Kolben shared. “I always just had this harp. It originally came to my college, Oberlin. My parents had been looking for one for me. And my harp teacher got in touch with them, and when they came to my graduation, they bought it.”

As a performer, Kolben has played in the Nashua Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Manchester Philharmonic.

The harp, Kolben said, is as difficult to play as it looks.

“It’s the fourth-most difficult instrument in the orchestra,” she explained. “One of the reasons is because you use your feet all the time, for the sharps and flats. So, you’re moving your feet constantly, sometimes both at a time. And of course, you’re playing with eight fingers, but not ten, because the pinky is too weak.”

The thumb plays like the other fingers do, but if plucking is involved, then the thumb “does the job.”

MCMS musical director of the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra Mark Latham said their mission is to change lives through the power of learning, sharing and making music.

“Both institutions – the NH Phil, and the Manchester Community Music School – understand the necessity and joy of collaboration, of working with fellow institutions to help fulfill their missions,” he said. John Donne might have written, ‘No institution is an island.’ When we share our energies and our resources, we are all the better for it, and our outreach is greater.”

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