A harp emoji is one of seven new characters expected to be available for use in late 2024 or early 2025. Unicode Consortium recently added the new harp emoji to the beta version of its Unicode 16.0 emoji catalog. When the beta review period concludes July 2, the...
The USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) has announced the dates of its upcoming 13th Competition as May 14–24, 2025. The competition will take place at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Ind., and is open to harpists of all...
Robert “John” Gill passed away at home on May 26, 2024, with his loving wife of 38 years, Mary Radspinner, at his side. John fought a courageous battle with small-cell carcinoma for two years. John was best-known in the harp world for Melody’s Traditional Music retail...
Harpist Cindy Horstman has created a video for World Otter Day using music she composed to represent the playfulness of otters. According to a press release, after hearing a performance by Duo Da Capo of her piece Life Aquatic for flute and harp, Cindy Horstman heard...
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) has appointed Alyssa Katahara principal harpist, following three rounds of auditions held Oct. 9–11, 2023. Katahara will begin performing with the DSO this fall. “Throughout my trial everyone in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra was...
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has appointed Emily Melendes principal harpist, following international auditions held March 16. Melendes will begin performing with the orchestra in September. “I’m thrilled to be joining the Calgary Philharmonic this fall,”...
Atlanta-based harpist Angelica Hairston is featured in a new American Family Insurance commercial. We asked Hairston to share more about her experience. How did this commercial come about? The commercial came about through an open national call from [American Family...
The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic has appointed Julia Johnson principal harpist, following auditions held Nov. 15, 2023. “I am so excited to start working with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic,” Johnson says. “I feel grateful and humbled to get to develop my...
The Szczecin (Poland) Philharmonic has appointed Juliusz Wesołowski principal harpist, following auditions held Feb. 28. Wesołowski will begin his new role in September. “I had my debut concert [May 17], performing [Manuel] de Falla’s El Sombrero de Tres Picos, as...
The New Bedford (Mass.) Symphony Orchestra (NBSO) has appointed Maria Rindenello Spraker principal harpist, following auditions held Jan. 18. “I’m honored to be joining the fantastic musicians of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra!” Rindenello Spraker says. “I love...
The American Harp Foundation has announced the winners of the 2024 Anne Adams Awards and Marcel Grandjany Memorial Competition. Both competitions took place virtually in early April. The 2024 Anne Adams Awards winner is Chaela Franck, a student of Gretchen Van Hoesen...
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has appointed Louisic Dulbecco principal harpist, following auditions held Sept. 25–26, 2023. Dulbecco’s one-year trial for this permanent, full-time position will begin in July. “I am very excited to start on this new adventure in...
The New York City Ballet (NYCB) has appointed Caroline Bembia principal harpist, following auditions held March 25–27. Bembia will begin performing with the orchestra in the fall. “I have been a huge fan of the New York City Ballet ever since I was a young Juilliard...
The USA International Harp Competition is now accepting applications for its 13th edition, which will take place in Bloomington, Indiana, in the spring of 2025. Applications are due January 15, 2025. The competition is open to harpists of all nationalities between 18...
The United Kingdom Harp Competition has announced the winners of its 2024 contest. Hebe Kan won first prize; Kan is a student of Skaila Kanga at Trinity College, Cambridge. Stien De Neef (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire) won second prize, and Katie Lo (Royal Academy of...
The International Harp Contest in Israel is postponing its 22nd competition, originally scheduled for September of 2024. The competition will now take place Dec. 1–11, 2025. In an announcement on its website and social media channels, the organization says,...
Alis Huws, official Royal Harpist to HRH King Charles, has signed as an exclusive recording artist with Decca Classics. Her debut EP will be released later this year. Huws released a single from the album on May 3, her arrangement of the Welsh folksong “Tra Bo Dau”...
The Oregon Symphony in Portland, Ore., has appointed Matthew Tutsky as its new principal harpist, following auditions held Jan. 8–10. Tutsky says of his appointment, “I am so honored to be joining the incredible musicians of the Oregon Symphony as their principal...
The fourth Glowing Harp Competition, held April 1–30, awarded the first prize in its top division to Ligia Nowak of Poland. Eugenia Alfier (Italy) and Iva Dimitrijević (Serbia) tied for second prize. Lauren Swain (USA) won third prize. This year, 69 harpists from 19...
The USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) has appointed Francine (Fran) Marseille as its new executive director. Marseille was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and was raised in California. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from California...
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