Gretchen Brumwell is Principal Harpist with Orchestra Iowa and performs for weddings and other events around eastern Iowa. Committed to excellence in performance and service to clients, she is eager to discuss how she can help make your event a success.
Visit her website to find information about specific events, answers to frequently asked questions, and audio samples.
I hired Gretchen for a holiday party at a care facility that had over 100 residents as well as a good number of guests with their families that joined. The staff, guests, and residents were highly impressed with her music and entertainment she provided. It added such an ambiance to the party we didn't know we needed while we ate, passed out gifts, and socialized. Her talent truly shines through, and she came highly prepared with all her equipment and needed items to perform. She asked all the right questions to ensure she did everything properly and even preformed in two different areas of the facility and moved to the other space with ease ensuring not to disrupt the flow of the party. We'd be honored to have her return in the future as well as recommend her to anyone that may want to hire her for her musical talents!
Response from Gretchen Brumwell:
Thank you so much for your kind words and for inviting me to be part of your holiday party! I would love to come back for a future event!
Gretchen did an amazing job playing and working with the song we requested. Prompt and professional especially on a wedding day where we are running around like crazy people. It sounded Beautiful and we can't thank her enough!
Gretchen was the perfect fit for my daughters wedding! She was easy to work with, and had examples of songs for the different parts of the ceremony. This was nice as we were not sure how to choose songs. She was very professional and kind. We would definitely recommend her.
She played new and old. She was punctual and quick with communication. She was the first to respond to our inquiries.
Gretchen did a fantastic job! She was very professional, a great communicator, and helped make our big day extra special. We are so happy to have had her for our ceremony!
I recommend her for your event! She Played wonderfully!
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gretchen Brumwell is principal harpist of Orchestra Iowa and an active performer throughout eastern Iowa. In addition to her work as an orchestral and freelance musician, she has appeared as a featured soloist with many area symphonies, including Orchestra Iowa, the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony, the Fort Dodge Area Symphony, and the Iowa City Community String Orchestra. As a chamber musician, she is a regular performer on Orchestra Iowa’s Showcase Chamber series.
A passionate educator, Ms. Brumwell serves as harp instructor at the University of Northern Iowa and Coe College and maintains an active private teaching studio. In the summer, she is the harp instructor at the Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival. She has previously held faculty positions at Grinnell College, Wartburg College, Cornell College, the Lutheran Summer Music Festival, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and the Orchestra Iowa School.
Ms. Brumwell followed an unusual path to the field of music, receiving a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and humanities from Grace University before earning her master’s degree in harp performance from Rice University. While at Rice University, she was a regular substitute with the Houston Symphony and the Houston Ballet Orchestra. She has studied with Paula Page, Mary Bircher, and the legendary Alice Chalifoux.
| June 21, 2025 • 4:00pm - 5:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| August 31, 2025 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| September 06, 2025 • 3:00pm - 5:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| December 31, 2024 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Dinner Party |
| December 18, 2024 • 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Christmas Party |
| September 22, 2024 • 3:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| July 30, 2024 • 10:00am - 11:30am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| January 26, 2024 • 6:30pm - 7:30pm | Fundraiser |
| September 02, 2023 • 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| June 17, 2023 • 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| November 21, 2022 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Christmas Party |
| October 15, 2022 • 3:30pm - 5:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| July 28, 2022 • 5:00pm - 8:30pm | Corporate Event |
| July 02, 2022 • 3:00pm - 3:15pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| June 11, 2022 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| April 30, 2022 • 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| April 17, 2022 • 10:00am - 1:00pm | Easter Party |
| April 02, 2022 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| July 03, 2021 • 3:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| April 16, 2021 • 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Retirement Community Event |
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