Out of my depth here!?

OK, a harp basically does most of what a piano can do in terms of range and notes, plus a bit more in terms of glissandi etc. If your harpist has a small harp without pedals, (often harpists start on these for the first couple of years) they may be a bit restricted as to keys because they are tuned to Eb major so you can't get more than 3 flats. Likewise, you can't get more than 4 sharps, so E major is your limit. With a big pedal harp, you are much less restricted as the pedals make the accidentals, but worth bearing in mind that they change the note at every octave, eg if you change an A to an Ab, you change every A on the harp.

Harps lend themselves to lots of glissandi and arpeggios, and lots of orchestral pieces incorporate this. They aren't difficult on a harp.

A couple of problems to be aware of. First, this kid will be the only harpist in the orchestra. That sounds obvious, but it has implications. A violinist can drop out for a bar, lose their place, catch what the violinist next to them is doing and pick back up again. A harpist can't do this. If they get a bar out they can be really stuck! There's very little feedback as a harpist in an orchestra as to whether you are getting it right or wrong. So you might find, at first at least, that the pieces have to be easier than the level he/she is working at, to compensate for the difficulty of playing solo.

Secondly, orchestral harp music tends to be very sporadic, with bursts of activity and long, long rests. I remember trying to count 88 bar rests and then the conductor not bothering to or forgetting to bring me in - it's nearly impossible without the conductor until you get familiar with the piece. So be aware of this and be prepared to give very good signals to your harpist in this instance!

Thirdly, much orchestral harp music is very hard indeed. I joined a local orchestra when I was about Grade 5 (UK grades), so relatively accomplished. The music was all way above me and when I took it to my harp teacher she said I couldn't possibly be expected to play it, it was all Grade 7, Grade 8 or diploma level! The poor conductor had had much the same problem as you, scoured around for orchestral harp arrangements and really didn't know the level of it. So, if it looks like it might be fairly tricky on the piano, it will be very difficult on the harp!

YIPE... well... that will certainly open up some new musical possibilities for you.

Look at www.sheetmusicplus.com because they have an excellent section for orchestral music and maybe you can get some inspiration. Good Luck

When I was in High school, I had a friend of the family who played the harp and we used to play duets with piano/harp and guitar/harp, and in general it came out pretty well.

I don't have any suggestions on how to deal with an instrument you don't know, but I _would_ suggest that you program "Waltz of the Flowers" while you have the chance. :-)