'In Harmony'
John Ruch's dream has come true.
Ruch, who died in 2016, dreamed of having an old, historic building in Harmony be a site for music. He wanted buildings like the Harmonist-Ziegler Barn and Mennonite Meetinghouse to be a place of song.
A year after his passing, the “In Harmony” Heritage Music Festival was born.
“This was his vision, his dream,” Cheryl Speir, event director, said. “He wanted to have these beautiful venues, which were both built in the early 1800s, to have music come out of them. We're trying to make that happen for him.”
The festival is a place where local talent can be showcased. Traveling bands, local bands and student performers took the various stages on Friday and Saturday.
Friday's music featured Scott & Rosanna Sindler, Dearest Home, Echo Valley and the Allegheny Drifters at the barn.
However, Saturday, 15 acts, played from 10 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. at both locations.
Included in Saturday's performances were 12 student musicians. Taught by Duane Davis, a guitarist, bassist and drummer, the performers rotated during the two-hour opening set at the barn.Alexa Speicher, a student at Lincoln Park in Midland, Beaver County, and Ella Tirch, a Mars Middle School student, performed together. Both middle-school students play guitar and sing. Ella also plays the ukulele.“I've always been a singer, but Duane incorporated guitar into my lessons,” Alexa, 12, said. “He knows a lot about guitar and you really learn a lot from him. He helps us prepare for going in front of big or small audiences.”Ella, who had her first show three years ago, said she has gotten more comfortable performing on stage.“Once you do more and more shows, the nervousness goes away,” she said. “I was really nervous during my first show. The next year, I did more songs and started to sing. Last year, I did the band and now I'm not as nervous as I used to be.”Her stage partner agreed.“You grow as a performer,” Alexa said.The duo performed “Stay, Stay, Stay” by Taylor Swift, “Riptide” by Vance Joy and “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash.
Other student performers included bassists Steve Brock and Evan Weston; guitarists Miles Weaver, Jack Hadley, D.J. Kovarik, Zane McClelland and Sam McCune; vocalists Maggie Danko and Caden Price; and drummer Kai Roylo. Following the students, the Pittsburgh Banjo Club, The Early Mays, MillBillys, Buffalo Rose, Jay Smar, Well Strung and Cello Fury were featured on the barn stage.At the Mennonite Meetinghouse, South Wing, Old Song Rescue Society, The Snappin' Bug String Band, Sarah Steranka & Devin Sherman, Dearest Home, The Wayward Companions and Pittsburgh Historical Music Society Orchestra took the stage.Historic Harmony President and CEO Rodney Gasch said the event is a “great opportunity” to showcase talent in Western Pennsylvania. He also mentioned how the group is always looking for new ways to utilize the historic buildings.“We're open to sharing them with the public,” Gasch said. “The barn and the Mennonite Meetinghouse are always available for rent. We're just trying to show them off.”All proceeds raised will benefit Historic Harmony.“The money will keep the buildings in Harmony in good repair,” Speir said. “We're all volunteers; no one is paid to do this. We did this because we really wanted to work. We appreciate the attendance and support.”To learn more about Historic Harmony, visit their website http://www.harmonymuseum.org.
