The United Kingdom Harp Competition has announced the winners of the 2023 contest, which took place April 30 and May 1 in London. Huw Boucher won first prize, including £500, a paid recital opportunity at the 2023 Harp On Wight Festival, and a recital at Salvi London....
Valley Symphony Orchestra announces principal harp auditions
The Valley Symphony Orchestra (VSO) in McAllen, Texas, has announced an opening for principal harp. Auditions will be held in person on June 10. Applicants must register online by May 26 and must also send a $50 audition deposit by mail, to be received by June 2....
Castañeda releases album with World Ensemble
Colombian jazz harpist Edmar Castañeda releases a new album, Viento Sur, on May 5. The recording features his World Ensemble, a nine-person group of musicians from around the globe. The ensemble also includes Felipe Lamoglia (Cuba), saxophone; Itai Kriss (Israel),...
Q and A with Pilot award recipient Medgina Maitre
Temple University harp student Medgina Maitre was in for a big surprise when she arrived at a harp ensemble rehearsal earlier this spring. The Philadelphia-based Lyra Society presented Maitre with a new concert grand harp as the winner of the inaugural Ann Hobson...
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra announces principal harp opening
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has announced an opening for its principal harp position, to begin in September. National auditions will be held June 3. Applicants must send a one-page resume by email. For further information, including the repertoire list and...
Granger appointed to trials with Queensland and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras
Emily Granger has been appointed to begin two trials as principal harp of two Australian orchestras, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO). Granger begins her six-month trial with the QSO in May, following the retirement of...
2023 Wales International Harp Festival announces competition winners
The fifth Wales International Harp Festival named the 2023 prize winners of its four competitions, held Apr. 5–11 in Caernarfon, Wales. In the 2023 Chief Musician Competition, Isla Biffin won first prize. Lauren Swain was awarded second prize, and Huw Boucher took...
American Harp Foundation announces 2024 competition repertoire
The American Harp Foundation has announced the repertoire for its 2024 competitions: the Anne Adams Awards and the Grandjany Memorial Competition. The competitions will be held in late spring of 2024; the location and date of both competitions are to be announced. The...
Roepke appointed to Louisville Orchestra
The Louisville Orchestra has appointed Grace Roepke principal harpist, following the retirement of former principal harpist Mary Julian Rapier. The auditions took place in four rounds, held January 8–9. Roepke will begin performing with the orchestra in July. Roepke...
6th Slovenian Harp Competition announces winners
The Slovenian Harp Competition announced the prizewinners of its 6th contest, held March 31–April 2 in Velenje, Slovenia. Agnese Contadini won first prize in the top division. Emanuel Brun took home second prize, and Claudia Paula Besné Villanueva was awarded third...
Harp·E company launches electro-acoustic harp to increase accessibility
Harp·E has announced its new electro-acoustic harp, developed by London-based Dutch designer and harpist Joris Beets in partnership with the Leerorkest, an Amsterdam-based nonprofit organization providing musical instruments to over 5,000 children. Harp·E has already...
USAIHC spring concert features Benet Sella in music for harp, violin, and flute
The USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) Spring Concert features Gillian Benet Sella, principal harpist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, along with guest artists Alexander Kerr, concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony and McGill Professor of Violin at Indiana...
Magen appointed harp professor at Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin
The Hochschule für Musik (HfM) Hanns Eisler in Berlin has appointed Israeli harpist Sivan Magen as professor of harp, starting this summer. With this professorship, Magen succeeds Maria Graf, who has taught at HfM Hanns Eisler since 1997. Born in Jerusalem in 1980,...
Glowing Harp Competition announces 2024 repertoire
The Glowing Harp Competition has announced the repertoire for its fourth contest, which will take place online April 1–30, 2024. Led by Artistic Director Veronika Lemishenko, the contest is open to harpists of all nationalities and is divided into five categories by...
Younger releases new album honoring Dorothy Ashby
Harpist Brandee Younger is set to release her second album for Impulse Records, titled Brand New Life, on April 7. The album is available for pre-order on major streaming platforms. In an interview with Good Morning America, Younger says the album’s title alludes to...
Lilly appointed to Houston Symphony
The Houston Symphony has appointed Allegra Lilly principal harpist, following four screened audition rounds and a trial week. She succeeds Megan Conley in this role and will begin her new position in May. Lilly says of her appointment, “The Houston Symphony...
Lyra Society awards new harp in first Ann Hobson Pilot Award
Philadelphia harp student Medgina Maitre is the winner of the Lyra Society’s inaugural Ann Hobson Pilot Award and will receive a new concert grand harp valued at $25,000. Maitre began her harp studies with Lyra Society Teaching Artist Elizabeth Steiner. She is...
Harp concerto nominated for Swedish Grammy
A harp concerto is among the recordings recently nominated in the classical music category for the Swedish Grammy Awards (Grammis). The album Four Elements features compositions by Swedish composer Andrea Tarrodi, including a harp concerto performed by Sweden-based...
Grammy-winning album includes performance by harpist
Harpist Kirsten Agresta Copely performed on the Grammy-winning album An Adoption Story by Kitt Wakeley, named “Best Classical Compendium” in the 65th edition of the awards. Agresta Copely was mentioned on stage at the awards ceremony and will receive a certificate...
Luzzati releases first album of Rameau on modern pedal harp
Harpist Constance Luzzati’s first solo album is now available on the French record label Paraty. The album, titled Enharmonique, features her own transcriptions of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s works. Luzzati is an alumna of the dual Sorbonne University and Paris...