đź“… Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
đź•’ Start Time: 4:00 PM
đź“Ť Location: Harkness Chapel, Classroom
đź‘Ą Who: Free | Open to the public
About the Series
Our weekly Friday colloquia showcase current research by distinguished visiting scholars alongside our own faculty and graduate students in musicology, historical performance practice, and music education. A brief reception follows each talk to keep the conversation going. All are welcome!
About the Talk
This talk will feature two presentations by two CWRU PhD candidates.
Supernatural Schooling: How the Harp Got Its Technique
"The man is a wizard, and his harp is a siren … breathing forth the fascinating sounds of another world.” So declared the Mémoires of Hector Berlioz regarding the harp virtuoso Elias Parish-Alvars. This evocative characterization of both the supernatural harp and its performer echoed a host of similar nineteenth century analogies; indeed, the formation of a predominantly French harp tradition coincided with the instrument’s ability to convey otherworldly resonances, typically in the form of special technical effects.
I argue that supernaturalism defined and shaped the harp’s core technique in pervasive ways. “Special effects” provided a foundation for formal pedagogies, from the Nouvelle méthode of Stéphanie-Félicité de Genlis (1802) through key treatises and concert solos by François-Joseph Naderman (1825), Nicolas-Charles Bochsa (1832), Elias Parish-Alvars (ca. 1830s, unpublished), Félix Godefroid (1891) and Henriette Rénie (1946) — all of whom located supernatural evocation at the center of virtuosic harp technique and organological discourse.
Musicology in the Archives
Musicology is a niche specialization within a competitive academic job market, and one of the challenges that graduates face is finding a position within their field of study. Outside of teaching, jobs in museums, collections, and archives present practical options that are well-matched for the skill set they’ve spent years developing. Drawing from her experience managing the Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments at the University of Michigan, CWRU PhD candidate Katie Sucha discusses ways to incorporate one’s musicology and research expertise into a non-faculty academic job. With self-direction, a collaborative spirit, and departmental support, it’s entirely possible to develop (and expand) a job to check more of your career goal boxes.
About the Speakers
Ina McCormack is a Musicology PhD candidate at Case Western Reserve University and an active orchestral harpist in the Northeast Ohio area. Her forthcoming dissertation presents classical harp performance as a history of supernatural evocation, focusing primarily on repertoire and pedagogical materials from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
In addition to her academic endeavors, Ina is an Instructor at The Music Settlement and served as The Cleveland Orchestra Archives Research Fellow for the 2025-2026 season. She holds performance degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Katie Sucha is a PhD candidate at Case Western Reserve University and the program manager for the Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments at the University of Michigan. Her work at the collection supports faculty, students, and community members through research assistance, curriculum enrichment, and by connecting musicians with instruments for performance. Katie's research and performance focus on nuptial imagery in 16th and 17th century convent music from Europe and the Americas.
Venue Information
Harkness Classroom, located inside Harkness Chapel, serves as both a lecture hall for large classes and a backstage area during events. It is also the meeting location for the CWRU Music Colloquium Series.
Health + Safety
The health and well-being of our community is important to us as we gather for campus events. University Health and Counseling Services provides up-to-date guidance and resources to help support a safe campus experience. For life-threatening emergencies, please call CWRU Public Safety immediately at 216.368.3333.