The Filarmonica de Queretaro in Mexico has appointed Joana Téllez Sosa principal harpist following its recent auditions. Téllez Sosa has won multiple prizes at the Mexico International Harp Competition, including first prize in the Intermediate II category in 2017.
Basel harp competition announces results
The Basel International Online Harp Competition 2023 has announced its results. The competition was open to contestants of all nationalities and was divided into six categories by age. Mitsumi Okamoto of Japan won first prize and the semi-grand prize in category F...
Horstman receives bronze medal at 2023 Global Music Awards
The Global Music Awards of 2023 has awarded 2tone, a duo featuring harpist Cindy Horstman and bassist Michael Medina, the Bronze Medal in the instrumental division for their composition and production of “Remembering” from their album Duets. “We are thrilled to...
Gewandhausorchester in Leipzig announces harp opening
The Gewandhausorchester has announced an opening for one of its two full positions in harp, with auditions to be held May 21–22, 2024. The Gewandhausorchester performs at the Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, the Oper Leipzig, and the Thomaskirche. The ensemble began as a...
Granger appointed to Queensland Symphony Orchestra
The Queensland Symphony Orchestra has appointed Emily Granger as its new principal harpist. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Granger studied with Susann McDonald at the Jacobs School of Music and with Sarah Bullen at the Chicago College of the Performing Arts....
Di Nicola releases album of musical miniatures
Francesca Romana Di Nicola has released a new album titled Miniature, a compilation of 27 short pieces for solo harp, which she composed in 2020. According to her website, each musical miniature “tells a personal story inspired by an emotion, a reflection, a childhood...
YAHS announces 2024 guest artist
The Young Artist’s Harp Seminar (YAHS) has announced its 2024 guest artist, Mariko Anraku, associate principal harpist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (the Met). Applications for next summer’s YAHS and Prep programs will open on January 1, 2024, and are due by...
Agresta Copely nominated for GRAMMY award
Harpist Kirsten Agresta Copely is nominated for a 2024 GRAMMY Award in the “Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album” category for her second New Age album, Aquamarine. According to a press release, the album is “inspired by [the artist’s] deep connection with the ocean...
Plank featured on Mozart flute and harp concerto recording
Harpist Elisabeth Plank and flutist Diren Duran, accompanied by the ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester and conducted by Howard Griffiths, will release a new recording of Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp. The Nov. 10 release is the seventh volume of the “Next Generation...
Atlanta Harp Center Festival announces 2024 lineup
The upcoming Atlanta Harp Center Festival will take place March 15–17, 2024, in Decatur, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. The festival will feature harpists Juan Riveros, Kim Robertson, Amanda Whiting, and Valérie Milot. Other guest artists will include Rhett Barnwell,...
Remembering Elizabeth “Liz” Elyse Yockey Ilku (1928–2023)
Elizabeth “Liz” Elyse Yockey Ilku graced the world with her talent, love, disciplined determination, inner and outer beauty, and kind fellowship from March 2, 1928, until August 21, 2023. She passed away from natural causes, peacefully at her home, with her children...
Oregon Symphony announces principal harp opening
The Oregon Symphony in Portland, Ore., has announced an opening for principal harp. Applicants must send a resume by email to auditions@orsymphony.org by Dec. 1, along with an indication of whether or not the applicant plans to bring a harp. The auditions will be...
USAIHC appoints new Artistic Director and Associate Artistic Director
The USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) announces the appointment of its new Artistic Director Elizabeth Hainen and Associate Artistic Director Emmanuel Ceysson. Since founding the USAIHC in 1989, Susann McDonald has served as its Artistic Director. She will...
The Yehudi Menuhin School launches new first-study harp and composition programs
The Yehudi Menuhin School in Stoke d’Abernon, Surrey, England, has launched a new first-study harp program, led by its new Professor of Harp, Keziah Thomas. The harp program includes solo repertoire, chamber music for strings and harp, and orchestral repertoire. Harp...
USAIHC announces 8th Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest
The USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) is calling for scores for the 8th Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest. Composers of all nationalities are invited to submit new unpublished works for solo harp, between six and eight minutes in duration. The USAIHC...
KIHC announces 2024 required repertoire
The Korea International Harp Competition (KIHC) has announced the required repertoire for its next competition, set to take place April 24–28, 2024. Next year’s competition includes four divisions: Junior 1, Junior 2, Youth, and Young Professional. Co-directors Jung...
Great Falls Symphony in Montana announces principal harp opening
The Great Falls (Mont.) Symphony and Music Director Grant Harville have announced an opening for principal harp. The audition will take place virtually Nov. 10–12, with an additional final live round if requested by the audition committee. To apply, email a one-page...
Glowing Harp Festival announces 2023 guest artists
The Glowing Harp Festival has announced its 2023 guest artist lineup. Directed by Ukrainian harpist Veronika Lemishenko, the festival will take place in person Nov. 22–26 in Zagreb, Croatia. The Zagreb Harp Festival and its artistic director Tajana Vukelić Peić will...
Shoji appointed to Orchestre Philharmonique du Québec
The Orchestre Philharmonique du Québec has appointed Honoka Shoji principal harpist, effective Oct. 1. Shoji replaces Annabelle Renzo in this role. “I am looking forward to growing both musically and personally in my new role with the Orchestre Philharmonique du...
Powell appointed to Sarasota Orchestra
The Sarasota Orchestra has appointed Phoebe Powell as its new principal harpist, beginning in the 2023–2024 season. Powell was previously principal harpist of the New World Symphony. Powell says of her appointment, “I’m so thrilled to be joining the Sarasota Orchestra...