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updated May 2007

Omaha Symphony Musician Biographies

~ Mary Bircher ~
Principal Harp

Related Links Spotlight Article
More Biographies Select a Musician Biography Index Amador, Ricardo Bircher, Mary Fuller, Craig Giles, James Gullen-Stout, Holly Harding, Maria Hinkle, Marcia Jones, Richard K. Klinghammer, John Fagan, Leslie Moriarty, Molly Motycka, Mark Nagosky, Anne Ritchie, Bill Sandene, Karen Snyder, Ross Thomas,Dwight Trussell, Adam Vanderholm, Rebecca Watkins, Lisa Wise, Jay Yoshida, Ken Zuniga, Christi
©photos courtesy of Mary Bircher

Mary Bircher has performed as principal harpist of the Omaha Symphony and the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra since 1981. On numerous occasions she has been featured as soloist with the Omaha Symphony, and has been praised for her "truly virtuoso and seemingly effortless performance". Ms. Bircher is an avid performer of chamber music and an enthusiastic and respected teacher. As a teacher, she serves as an adjunct faculty member at both the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Creighton University, and also maintains a small private studio. Ms. Bircher has recorded for American Gramaphone Records and Summit Records. Her recordings include Discoveries, Old and New and Simple Gifts, both for flute and harp, with Willis Ann Ross.

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Ms. Bircher is a graduate of the Peabody Institute of Music and is a student of Jeanne Chalifoux and Alice Chalifoux. Ms. Bircher is married to Omaha Symphony trumpet player Craig Bircher. They reside in Omaha with their seven year old son Walter, and daughter Josie, who is four years old.

In July, Mary will be teaching at the Midwest Harp Festival in Tulsa.

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   Simple Gifts
Mary Bircher, Harp        *Willis Ann Ross, Flute

Cover Design by Mike Duman.
Recorded by Chris Acker and John Timm of Digital Sound Design
at Strauss Performing Arts Recital Hall - University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1998   [cd order inquiries]

1. Londonderry Air     arr. by Anita Clark Jaynes 2. Hidden Spring and Heron      Paul Koepke (trans. by M. Bircher) 3. Gifts: Folk Hymn Suite        arr. by Anita Clark Jaynes 4. Chanson Dans La Nuit     Carlos Salzedo

5. Romance I and II     Yvonne Toussaint 6. When You Wish Upon A Star     Leigh Harline (arr. by A.C. Jaynes) 7. Vers La Source Dans Le Bois     Marcel Tournier 8. Stargazing     **Steven Laven

   ** Steve Laven is a former Omaha Symphony principal cellist (1989-1997).
Currently living in Houston where he plays with the Houston Ballet Orchestra.

*Willis Ann Ross holds a bachelor's degree from Washington University and a Master's degree from the Eastman School of Music as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow. Willis Ann was a core member of the Omaha Symphony and the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra from 1964 to 2002. She also taught at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her dedicated sponsorship and promotion of the chamber music series "Mostly Flutes" has made it a popular Omaha tradition for the past sixteen years.

Liner notes: For nearly two decades the Ross-Bircher Duo has been a prominent part of the Midwestern musical landscape. Through their performances, recordings and their ardent exploration of new and varied repertoire these energetic musicians have endeared themselves to audiences throughout the Midwest. Their first recording, Discoveries Old and New for Flute and Harp, encompassed more than three centuries of music in a wide range of styles. In the present recording the Duo leads us through an exciting and contrasting selection of works by 20th century composers and arrangers, much of it never before recorded. From the subtle impressionism of Marcel Tournier and the exotic sonic effects of Carlos Salzedo to the charming and evocative work of gifted newcomers Anita Clark Jaynes and Steven Laven, this disc promises interesting and delightful discoveries for musicians and music-lovers alike.

© 2006-2007 Omaha Symphony Musicians' Organization