| My Prayer for You Janet Collison |
| Harp and Soul Ministries |
| The Artist Janet Collison has been on staff at First United Methodist Church, Marshalltown, Iowa, for 14 years. She serves as Worship Leader for the contemporary service, Choir Director for the traditional service and Harpist for all types of events. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a BA in piano, Janet taught vocal music at local schools for a total of 11 years. When invited to direct the music for a new contemporary service at First Methodist, she launched the Celebration Singers and Band which is still in operation each Sunday and functions in the community. Janet's husband, John, surprised her with a harp for Christmas '02 which launched her harp playing. She realized her harp playing seemed to relax and rejuvenate the listener. It created an appropriate environment for prayer, healing and being touched by the Presence of God. Janet's harp CD, entitled My Prayer for You, is the result of personal times of worship and prayer. As you read the CD liner, you catch a glimpse of the prayers and thoughts behind each song. There are no vocals in the music, just soothing, peaceful melodies. Janet lives with her husband John, a dentist and excellent harp mover, and son Jack who is in high school. Her daughter Jane attends Des Moines University to study physical therapy. Janet's regular practice time on the harp continues to be 11:00 pm when she puts everyone to sleep. Her hobbies include gardening, reading and cooking. She seeks to experience the Presence of God and prays that through her harp playing, you will, too. |
| The Harp The first harp to hit the Collison home was an unexpected purchase on Ebay. John bid on an electric blue Camac harp just on a whim of the moment and then had to purchase it as the highest bidder. This was all a Christmas surprise to Janet who did not realize (or desire) she would become a harpist. She quickly realized lessons were needed. Since then, John has made a small lever harp that is easily transported and is perfect for hospital rooms and car trips. A Petite Lyon and Healy pedal harp was purchased 6 years ago at the factory in Chicago. Now Janet is invited to play at all sorts of events ranging from weddings, funerals, prayer services to hospice ministry. One of the more unusual gigs was playing for a YWCA yoga class; the women were stretching and straining to the beautiful melodies soaring over them. |