The VII Mexico International Harp Competition and Festival will take place March 8–15, 2026, in Mexico City. All stages of the competition are open to the public. Mexican harpist Baltazar Juárez founded the competition and festival in 2006 with the goal of helping young people to flourish as classical artists by competing at the international level.
The competition is divided into four categories by age. First, second, and third prize winners in each division will receive cash awards. In addition to a monetary award, the first prize of the Young Professional division includes a concerto performance with the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico immediately following the competition, as well as a solo recital at the next edition of the festival.
The competition is open to harpists of all nationalities who have not passed their 36th birthday by March 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted by email by Nov. 10, 2025. For more information, contact mexihcf@gmail.com, or visit the competition’s Facebook page for repertoire and rules.
Junior Division
(Maximum age 14 years on March 1, 2026)
First Stage
- Choose one of these pieces from Trois Petites Bluettes pour la harpe by Alphonse Hasselmans:
- “Istorietta”
- “Ländler”
- Choose one of these pieces from Bach for Early Grades Book 1:
- Minuet in G major (no. 7) Allegretto by J.S. Bach
- Minuet in G major (no. 10) Animato by J.S. Bach
- Free choice piece, 2–4 minutes
Final
- Mexican piece to be announced
- Free choice piece, 2–4 minutes
Intermediate Division
(Maximum age 19 years on March 1, 2026)
First Stage
- Una Noche by Alfredo Rolando Ortíz
- Choose one sonata from Sept Sonates Progressives Op. 92 by François-Joseph Naderman
Semifinal
- Choose one of these pieces from the book La Colección Aguirre by Prof. Oscar Rodriguez Do Campo:
- Aire Criollo no. 2 by Julián Aguirre
- Aire Criollo no. 3 by Julián Aguirre
- Free choice piece, 2–5 minutes
Final
- Mexican piece to be announced
- Free choice piece, 2–5 minutes
Advanced Division
(Maximum age 24 years on March 1, 2026)
First Stage
- Nocturne by Mikhail Glinka
- Choose one of these pieces by Alfredo Rolando Ortíz:
- Venezolana no. 3
- Niagara Moon
- Iguazú
- Free choice piece, 5–8 minutes
Semifinal
Free choice recital, 25–30 minutes, including the following:
- One piece composed by Mario Ruiz Armengol
Final
- Concerto for Harp and Flute in C Major K. 299 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Young Professional Division
(Maximum age 36 years on March 1, 2026)
First Stage
- Choose one:
- Carnaval de Venise by Félix Godefroid
- Introduction and Variations on Favorite Airs from Bellini’s Opera “Norma” by Elias Parish Alvars
- Variations sur un thème dans le style ancien by Carlos Salzedo (with the traditional cut indicated in the score)
- Zarabanda y Son by Arturo Márquez
- Free choice piece, 7–12 minutes
Semifinal
Free choice recital, 30–35 minutes, including the following:
- Choose one of these pieces from the book La Colección Aguirre by Prof. Oscar Rodriguez Do Campo:
- Triste no. 3 by Julián Aguirre
- Huella by Julián Aguirre
Final
- Concerto for Harp and Orchestra Op. 25 by Alberto Ginastera
- Mexican piece to be announced
