Play my Music …
DHC ~ COMPOSER
Harp Concertos
& Orchestral Works
Solo Harp Works
Music Theater
& Songs
Chamber Music
Song Cycles
Concertos | Orchestral | Solo Harp | Music Theater | Songs | Chamber Music | Song Cycles
NOTE: This page is currently under construction. Check back soon for complete content and working links. If you have questions, please reach out via Ask-a-Question as it goes directly into the Team’s Queue.
I write music that tells stories – from intimate solo harp pieces to orchestral concertos, from one-woman musicals to dramatic song cycles. My Grammy-nominated works have been performed by the Boston Pops, National Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic and ensembles from major symphonies to school orchestras worldwide.
My Catalog Includes:
- Harp Concertos – full orchestral works, chamber ensemble versions and solo harp adaptations
- Solo Harp Works – from professional-level concert pieces to simple, accessible arrangements for all levels
- Musical Theater – one-woman shows and full musicals including the recently-completed “The Golden Cage”
- Song Cycles – dramatic works for voice and piano or chamber ensemble
- Chamber Music – works for small ensembles – primarily an 8-piece ensemble with harp feature plus solo strings, flute, clarinet & percussion
- Jazz-Inspired Suites – crossover works blending classical forms and jazz sensibilities and rhythms
How to Access My Music:
- Purchase or License for Performances – Standard orchestral licensing available for concerto, and purchase of all published materials
- Download Sheet Music & Scores – Access to sheet music and licensing of scores
- Browse & Listen – Explore the catalog with audio samples and score previews (coming soon)
- Sponsor Catalog Completion – Support the massive project of manually notating and publishing three decades of orchestral works, musicals, chamber pieces and educational materials including reconstruction of all files due to the recent discontinuation of the “Finale” software system – helping transfer decades of compositions into published, performable editions.
- Performance Coaching – Work directly with me to prepare your performances of my pieces
Legacy Bridge Project
Connect with artists who need sponsorship for performance licenses, like the recent performance of “Baroque Flamenco” on Ukrainian National Television.
[Learn More About Legacy Bridge] [Browse Catalog (Coming Soon)]
[Contact for Licensing Concertos – Contact for Licensing or Collaborations on “The Golden Cage”]
From students to masters, I love seeing my music come alive through other performers’ unique artistic voices.
HARP CONCERTOS
Deborah Henson-Conant’s harp concertos blend virtuosic harp techniques with rich orchestral textures, creating dynamic, emotionally charged pieces. They’re created to feature the versatility of both the acoustic-electric concert harp and the electric lever harp.
The best-known is ‘Baroque Flamenco’ – a fusion of classical melody and Flamenco-inspired harp techniques. It can be programmed alone or as the 3rd movement of the 3-Movement “Soñando en Español” and is appropriate for both classical concerts and alternate programming. The centerpiece of the 2007 “Invention & Alchemy” album, it was nominated for a Grammy for “Best Classical Crossover” album, and appeared as part of a PBS special throughout the US.
“Baroque Flamenco” was premiered with the Boston Pops and has since been programmed world-wide in professional, regional, community and school orchestras. In 2025 it was adapted as a Bandura Concert for a premiere in Kiev, Ukraine and later broadcast on Ukrainian National TV.
For more concerto info:
- Baroque Flamenco Licensing & Info
- Additional Concertos and the full “Soñando en Español” are available by request.
OTHER ORCHESTRAL WORKS
The DHC Catalog of Orchestral Works runs from Concertos to Symphonic Blues and “Peter & the Wolf”-type story for narrator and symphony orchestra.
Primary Harp-centered these orchestral works combine classical technique with extended styles including Flamenco, Blues, Latin and jazz influences, and feature the use of an acoustic-electric pedal harp or the “DHC” Electric Lever harp.
Several of the works are from the Grammy-Nominated 2007 collection of these orchestral works received the nomination for “Best Classical Crossover” album.
Every one of the pieces has been premiered and performed by orchestras around the world including Pittsburgh Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Boston Pops, Orlando Philharmonic, Grand Rapids Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Salzburgh Philharmonic, Prague Radio Orchestra etc. – as well as for use in Universities and other Educational projects that pair professional soloists with community and student orchestras.
These works include pieces for orchestra and concert harp or lever harp – some suitable for classical programming, and all suitable for alternate programming.
- Harp Concertos including works for classical programming and alternate programming – Baroque Flamenco Licensing & Info
- Works for Alternate Symphonic programming include Celtic-inspired works, Holiday-themed arrangements, Family-Friendly programs, Blues, Calypso, Latin, Jazz and story-driven works like “Stress Analysis of a Strapless Evening Gown” and “The Frog Princess.”
- Story-telling pieces for Narrator / Singer and orchestra: The Frog Princess – premiered with Buffalo Philharmonic
- Two Holiday Suites for Harp and String Orchestra
SOLO HARP WORKS
for Pedal- and Lever-Harp
As a composer for the solo harp, Deborah Henson-Conant creates innovative pieces that challenge both the performer and the listener, pushing the boundaries of what the harp can achieve. Her solo works range from intimate, reflective songs to bold, virtuosic pieces that blend classical and contemporary influences. Through her compositions, Henson-Conant invites listeners to experience the harp in new and unexpected ways, offering a deeply personal musical journey.
These works include:
- “Soñando en Español” suite for Solo Concert Harp – originally adapted for Germany story-telling harpist Verena Jochum, this 3-Movement suite is now available for advanced players, to be played with or without the story-telling elements.
- The full catalog of works includes Classical-influenced pieces as well as pieces inspired by Latin, Flamenco, Blues and Music Theater which can be performed on the solo stage, in festivals, or combined with story or dance.
- There are works for Pedal Harp and for Lever Harp, instrumental and vocal, with looper technology and without.
- Those that are not yet released in print can often be requested from the composer for performance or recording.
MUSIC THEATER
Henson-Conant’s original interest as a composer, was musical theater. The harp works came later, as she turned her skills to developing works to develop her own career as a performer.
In her musical theater works, Deborah Henson-Conant explores compelling storytelling in mediums from standard musical theater to “Peter and the Wolf” type storytelling for narrator/singer and orchestra – and all invite audiences into a world of deep emotion, wit, and expanded musical expression.
The works include:
- Musicals for stage production, including “The Golden Cage” which is currently available for collaboration and licensing (at GoldenCageMusical.com) and “The Ground Zero Club” which is currently in revision.
- One-Woman musicals for stage production or concert, including “The Letter,” “Honey, I Shrunk the Harp” and “Electra’s Lyre”
- Stories for Narrator and orchestra, including “The Frog Princess” and “Stress Analysis of a Strapless Evening Gown”
- Click Here for Audio Samples
SONGS
The Songbook Includes vocal-piano and vocal-harp pieces – some from DHC’s musicals, and some stand-alone songs.
Many of the songs in the songbook are also arranged for Chamber Ensemble or Harp and Orchestra so they can be performed on stage solo or in larger contexts.
Styles include Latin, Blues, Pop, Jazz, Folk, World Music and Music Theater – and some include addition of stories, and expanded techniques like the use of a looper pedal.
Click here for Audio Samples of the DHC Songbook & Musical Theater soundtracks.
CHAMBER MUSIC
DHC’s chamber music compositions fall into two camps:
1. Adaptations of DHC’s harp concertos for 7-piece chamber ensemble to create greater access to harp soloists.
2. Operatic Song-Cycle chamber works that allow a soloist to either use the works for a complete story-driven evening of chamber music, or to be used on a program with other chamber works.
Harp Soloist Feature (with Chamber Ensemble)
-
- Baroque Flamenco (Publication scheduled for late 2025; currently available by special request)
- The Nightingale (Publication scheduled for late 2025; currently available by special request)
- Samples & More Info at Chamber Ensemble Page
Harp & Voice Feature (with Chamber Ensemble)
- The Nightingale (Publication scheduled for late 2025; currently available by special request)
OPERATIC SONG CYCLE
Early in my career I wrote a series of operatic song cycles based on mythic and historical women for soprano Gloria Hodes, for concert performance.
Each told the story of a womans response to injustice. They were reupdated in 20?? for the Boston University music department to kick off their “Women’s History Month” performances and they’re currently available by special request and scheduled for publication in 2025 or 2026.
Each can be performed separately, or they can be used as the first and second half of a solo concert.
-
- Songs of the Pyre – a five-song cycle about a woman accused of witchcraft in 16th-century Europe. Her journey goes thru disbelief, fantasy and finally madness as she experiences torture and betrayal of her deepest beliefs.
- Persephone Lost – a single story-telling piece with recitatif and aria – about Demeter, Publication scheduled for late 2025; currently available by special request)
