The Italian Harp Association, in collaboration with the Omraam Foundation ETS and Stella Mattutina Edizioni Publishing House, announces the First International Competition of Harp Composition “Daniele Garella.” The contest is dedicated to the late Florentine composer...
The Italian Harp Association has announced the repertoire for its 14th International Harp Contest in Italy Suoni d’Arpa. The competition will take place Aug. 26–31, 2025, at the Fondazione Scuola di Alto Perfezionamento Musicale, in the medieval town of Saluzzo in the...
Organized by the “Opera Zero” Cultural Association of Bari (Italy), the 2nd International Harp Competition “Ángel Padilla Crespo” will take place this spring. The online competition is open to musicians of all nationalities and is divided into four solo harp...
In her new album available May 23 on digital platforms, Swedish jazz and experimental harpist Stina Hellberg Agback features original compositions for her ensemble, Shinken Shobu. According to a press release, “shinken shobu” is a Japanese expression meaning “a duel...
The Orchestre de Paris has announced auditions for its solo harp position, open to applicants of all nationalities. Applicants must submit an online application form and CV by June 30 for the pre-screening round. Auditions will be held October 8–9. Please see the...
Following auditions held in July 2024, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra has appointed Sophie Baird-Daniel principal harp, after the retirement of Julia Rovinsky. Baird-Daniel began her new role with the orchestra in October 2024. “It’s such an honor to join a storied...
The American Harp Foundation has extended the deadline for the Lucile Lawrence Award. Applications are now due May 20. View Harp Column’s previous competition announcement for more information.
French harpist Marcel Cara has released his debut solo album. Recorded on the Paraty label, Résurgence is now available as a CD and on digital platforms. According to a press release, the program hinges on Cara’s transcriptions of three Debussy pieces—“Hommage à...
The Great Falls (Mont.) Symphony has announced an opening for principal harp. The audition will take place virtually May 2–4, with an additional final live round if requested by the audition committee. To apply, email a one-page resume to auditions@gfsymphony.org by...
Harpist Penny Howk Beavers (1942–2025) was born on August 30, 1942, to John and Aileen Howk, in Joliet, Illinois, where she began her study of the harp at age five, guided by her mother whose loving instruction led the way to a legendary career, as a professional...
Harpist Alina Bzhezhinska is collaborating with electronic music producer and mix engineer Tulshi to release the digital single “Whispers of Rain” on March 18 with Tru Thoughts Recordings. According to a press release, the composition is intended to depict “the...
The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, Texas, has appointed Allegra Lilly as Associate Professor of Harp, starting in the fall of 2025. “I’m deeply honored to become part of the Shepherd legacy,” Lilly says in a press release. “The faculty is made...
The USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) has announced the jury for the 13th USAIHC, which will take place May 14–24 in Bloomington, Indiana. Harpist Patrizia Tassini (Italy) will serve as jury president. Harpists Karen Lindquist (United States), Sivan Magen...
Trio Haydée has released its debut album as an ensemble. The French group consists of Marielou Jacquard (voice), Anastasie Lefebvre de Rieux (flute), and Constance Luzzati (harp). The album, titled Ciels d’or (Golden Skies), was released on Feb. 7 on the UK label...
Turkish-born harpist Beste Toparlak has released a solo album titled Valses Poéticos, adapting the eponymous collection of short waltzes by Enrique Granados for the harp. Recorded in Charlotte, North Carolina, the album was accepted into the “Best New Global Classical...
The Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra has appointed Merve Kocabeyler as its new harpist. “I am truly excited to join the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Orchestra and to be part of such a vibrant artistic community,” Kocabeyler says. “Performing opera has...
The Hampton Roads Harp Competition has announced the winners of its 2025 contest. After a preliminary online round, finalists were invited to perform live at the 9th annual Hampton Roads Harp Festival (HRHF) event, held on March 1 at the F. Ludwig Diehn School of...
Cruit Éireann, Harp Ireland (an Irish national organization supporting Irish harping) is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead its strategic vision, including plans to expand programming and to establish the World Centre for Irish Harping in Dublin. As part of the...
Harpist and composer Alexander Boldachev is collaborating with the Italian fashion brand Fendi for its 100-year jubilee. The collaboration, which will include events featuring Boldachev's harp performances, was sparked by a performance at the private house of Barnaba...
The 14th edition of the Concours Français de la Harpe took place Feb. 28–March 2, 2025, in Limoges, France. The international competition included 12 repertoire divisions. This year, Nicole Pedroni of Italy won first prize in the top division, Excellence (Level 12)....
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