The Prayer Project by Amanda Harberg

After learning about the cancellation of the 2020 NFA Convention, composer Amanda Harberg conceived of The Prayer Project. The piece, originally written in 2011, was created as a prayer for her mother’s recovery from a serious illness. Harberg’s goal in arranging Prayer for virtual flute orchestra was to uplift and bring friends and collaborators together through the performance and creation of this meditation on healing. The Prayer Project features more than 90 flutists from around the world, alongside harp and percussion, and was conducted by Maestra JoAnn Falletta and produced and edited by filmmaker Micah Fink.

Taking part in this project has been one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had during this time of quarantine, not only because it felt so good to be making music with people, but also because the music is uplifting and prayer is exactly what the world needs right now.

–Jenny Cline

It has been so great during this time of separation and great hardship for me to feel a part of something larger than myself and to be connected with flutists and musicians across the globe. It was also a thrill to work with JoAnn Falletta, even virtually; what an inspiration!
–Christine Gustafson

Performing for Amanda Harberg’s Prayer Project provided an emotional homeostasis for me during this unprecedented time. Even though I miss face-to-face collaboration, I enjoyed making music with others over a digital medium.
–Isaiah Shaw

Recording the video of my part, I experienced the emptiness of the orphaned chamber music hall of the Gewandhaus in Leipzig and at the same time the strong emotion of being heard all over the world. It was magical and heart-warming. I hope very much that sharing music, friendship, and generosity will continue long after the corona crisis is over!
–Gudrun Hinze

I’m thrilled to be able to add my voice to our community of musicians. In this period of uncertainty, Amanda’s Prayer gave me a way to express my hope for the future and love for those who are dealing with so many kinds of loss.
–Sally Foreman Humphries

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CREDITS

Composed and arranged by Amanda Harberg
Conducted by JoAnn Falletta

Produced by Amanda Harberg and Micah Fink

Edited by Micah Fink

Final mix by Ryan Streber, Oktaven Audio

Web design and consultant Ulla Suokko

In association with the National Flute Association

Harp

Mélanie Genin

Timpani/Percussion

Andrew Bambridge

The Flute Orchestra

Soloists

Robert Langevin

Erica Peel

Piccolo 1

Zart Dombourian-Eby

Pamela Stahel

Nicola Mazzanti

Lindsay Leach Sparks

Marta Rossi

Erica Peel

Piccolo 2

Gudrun Hinze

Mary Ann Archer

Peter Verhoyen

Regina Helcher Yost

Patricia Lazzara

Chelsea Kaye Anderson

Flute 1

Amy Porter

Angela Massey

Erika Boysen

Eve Marie Nezich

Jennifer Grim

Julietta Curenton

Rena Urso

Tara Rozanski

Robert Langevin

Flute 2

Trudy Kane

Chelsea Davis

Dilshad Posnack

Joanna Bassett

Laura Dwyer

Nancy Stagnitta

Snježana Pavićević

Flute 3

Asako Arai

Christine Gustafson

Jennifer Parker-Harley

Mercè Medina Estelrich

John McMurtery

Lucian Rinando

Pam Youngblood

Coreisa Janelle Lee

Caroline Sonett-Assor

Chelsea Davis

Emily J. Butterfield

Flute 4

Caroline Sonett-Assor

Nicole Chamberlain

Svjetlana Kabalin

Anna K. Meyer

John Bailey

Noelia Miranda Gutierrez

Flute 5

Deb Harris

Michael Alampi

Hilary Abigana

Martha Wadlington Buck

Sally Foreman Humphreys

Spencer Hartman

Flute 6

Marie Schwartz

Jeannie Fessenden

Isaiah Shaw

Natasha Loomis

Paul Novak

Susan M. Davis

Wendy Luck

Mina Valtcheva

Hilary Abigana

Alto Flute 1

Penny Zent

Carole Bean

Deborah Rebeck Ash

Eileen Grycky

Matthew Roitstein

Rose Johnson

Christopher Chaffee

Alto Flute 2

Virginia Schulze-Johnson

Barbara Ogar

Gretchen Pusch

Hal Ide

Mindy Kaufman

Eileen Grycky

Sascha Rathey

Sharyn Byer

Matthew Roitstein

Alto Flute 3

Darla Wilmot

Pamela Sklar

Peter Westbrook

Sascha Rathey

Sharyn Byer

Stefanie Janin

Bass Flute 1

Wendy Stern

Katherine Emeneth

Christine E. Beard

Lish Lindsay

Nan Raphael

Janet Somers

Bass Flute 2

Cobus du Toit

Kim Hickey

Elise Carter

Jenny Cline

Kerm Towler

Wendy Stern

Contrabass Flute

Phyllis Avidan Louke

Jonathan Cohen

Ned NcGowan

Sydnee Stein

Paige Dashner Long