Moon Over the Mountain

I started backpacking with my parents when I was a teenager and now it is a favorite activity that my husband, Dave, and I love to do in the summertime. Being in the solitude of the mountains surrounded by the beauty of the flowers, trees, rivers, creeks, and the snowcapped peaks and canyons is an astoundingly spiritual experience. The tunes in this book are a reflection of the many places we have been over the years. Check out photos and some narrative of our backpacking trips. Lots of photos that depict the names of the tunes in the book. See how many you can find.

Here is an excerpt of one of the pieces in the book.

There are so many unnamed creeks in the mountains that we decided to name one of them Sweeten Creek after a place in North Carolina that we dearly love for its beauty, friendship and fabulous BBQ!

This book was reviewed in the most Summer 2012 Folk Harp Journal by Denise Grupp-Verbon. Here's what she said:

"Sharon Thormahlen continues to create delightful, playable compositions and Moon Over the Mountain is no exception. Each composition includes a little description. Alpenglow for example explains what the Alpenglow is and Misty Meadow tells of the morning dew in the meadow. Chord symbols are included in each of the compositions which are two to four pages each. In addition to the solo, there is a bonus arrangement for Alpenglow for melody instrument in C (flute, for example) and harp. Special features in this collection include dynamics, rolled chords, syncopated rhythms, a touch-dam chord and a gliss or two. Keys include F, C, G, D and a couple of modal tunes. There are no lever changes and no suggested fingerings are indicated. Highly recommended, along with the rest of Sharon's collections!"

I really enjoy your music. I have all of your books but the Christmas one. I just got Moon Over the Mountain. My favorites are Lilacs and Lavender and The Bride's Bouquet. They are so joyful. They are both about flowers and my mother and I love flowers. I love reading about your gardening, your hiking, and your family. We grew up on a farm and my mom had a very large garden, so we relate to your stories and music. Still, much of our joy comes from enjoying our flowers and plants and our bits of nature plus family and music. Thank you for sharing your stories of family and nature along with your music. We feel connected to a kindred spirit out there on more than on several levels. Blessings from Margaret and Harriett Comer

The book is $14. Now available with an audio CD accompaniment ($6).

The names of the tunes in the book are:

Alpenglow
Lilacs & Lavender
Moon Over the Mountain 
Misty Meadow
Redwood Waltz
The Brides Bouquet
Out of the Clouds
Van Gogh Canyon
Sweeten Creek
The Night Sky
Alpenglow Duet (bonus feature)
Alpenglow Flute Part 

See Earl Newman working on this book cover

There are no lever changes and the tunes start in F (Alpenglow) and go up to D (The Night Sky). My flute/composition student, Jessica, (whom you may know as J. B. Urey from The Lone Egret book) and I worked on a duet for Alpenglow and decided to include it in this book as a bonus.

Go back to the Books,

CD's and Music

or go to A Rose in Winter
The Singing Tree
Gossamer Gate
Sweepin' the Clouds Away
Dance Thru the Music
Where the Fingers Fall
'Tis the Season
Shalom
Waltz Upon a Time
Prelude for Peace
The Lone Egret