The sound of music made the night special in Charlotte

Elisabeth von Trapp – granddaughter of Baron and Maria von Trapp, of “The Sound of Music” fame – recently performed a concert at the opening of Myers Park Presbyterian Church’s new banquet hall.

Elisabeth von Trapp, daughter of Werner von Trapp, said she believes she’s been singing since she was born.

“My mother tells me that as a baby I cried very loud,” said von Trapp. “I personally believe that I was even enjoying hearing my relatives and hearing my father’s voice while being in my mother’s womb.”

Born into the legendary von Trapp family, whose story inspired the movie “The Sound of Music,” Elisabeth von Trapp has been surrounded by music her whole life. Her father was one of the members of the Trapp Family Singers, who toured for more than 20 years to more than 30 different countries.

Von Trapp and her siblings have been singing together since she was 3 years old. Her earliest memory is of them standing together in a church sanctuary singing, with their father accompanying them on guitar.

“We were singing ‘Silent Night’ in German, with our maternal grandmother prompting us from the first church pew seat,” said von Trapp.

Von Trapp said growing up in the ’50s and ’60s, when music was becoming more accessible for everyone, allowed her to soak up musical knowledge. She began taking piano lessons at age 8, and by 16 was playing guitar and traveling the back roads of New England, performing with her siblings at weddings, gospel meetings and town halls.

Von Trapp said her taste for diverse music has helped her to stay focused and connected to her feelings and helped her experiment and develop her own sound.

“I always search for that honest melody or harmony that musically defines the meaning of the words and emotions in the lyrics,” she said.

Her concerts range from Bach to Broadway, and critics have called her voice “hauntingly clear” and “joyfully expressive.”

In June 2004, von Trapp released the album “Poetic License,” featuring musical settings of poems by Robert Frost and William Shakespeare, as well a Japanese haiku.

Von Trapp has released five self-produced albums and has performed throughout the U.S., Austria and Russia. Over the last three to four years, she has performed numerous concerts at churches as a way to help them with their growing music programs.

One of those churches was Myers Park Presbyterian in Charlotte. Lee Northcutt, interim minister of music at the church, had been to one of von Trapp’s concerts before and suggested bringing her to the celebration of the church’s newly renovated banquet space, Oxford Hall.

The Jan. 27 event welcomed approximately 300 people and treated them to a gourmet meal to the backdrop of folk tunes performed by von Trapp, including poems by Robert Frost as well as some familiar songs from “The Sound of Music.”

Event chairwoman Gail Brinn Wilkins said the spirit that night was one of excitement, anticipation and joy.

“Her clear a cappella voice, in perfect pitch, enthralled the audience, especially on several of the powerful tunes,” said Wilkins. “This, along with her gentle rapport of stories, kept the audience engaged.”

One of the church’s elders, Lib Harkey, 95, said the evening spoke to her with great meaning. She said she felt the presence of God in the new hall and that the ministry of music will be an important vehicle for their church to share what it stands for.

Wilkins said she couldn’t have said it better herself. “The evening will be remembered as one of the most special events Myers Park Presbyterian has ever had,” she said.

Von Trapp agrees with the women’s assessment of the concert: “It was a wonderful event, just lovely,” she said. “When I am back home in Vermont, sitting in that still and quiet environment, those are the moments that come to mind. I treasure those experiences.”

Von Trapp, 58, has been married to her husband, Ed Hall, who also is her manager, for 27 years. They live in the Madriver Valley in Waitsfield, Vt.