French harpist and recording artist Xavier de Maistre’s most recent album release on the Sony Classical label features music entirely by Russian composers, including two concertos. The first is a familiar classic: Reinhold Glière’s concerto, influenced by folk music...
Camac Harps, which has been making harps in France since 1972, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a festival Oct. 21–23. Held at Camac’s showroom in Paris, with special evening concerts at the Cité de la Musique. The festival is free to attend with advance...
The Minnesota Orchestra has appointed Katherine Siochi as its next principal harpist. Siochi will phase into her new role this fall. She will play in October on a program led by Music Director Designate Thomas Søndergård, as well as in November for the orchestra’s...
The Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva has appointed Valerio Lisci principal harpist after the retirement of former principal harpist Notburga Puskas. “I look forward to sharing music with amazing musicians and being part of a bigger family,” Lisci says. The...
Two Canadian musicians, harpist Erica Goodman and flutist Suzanne Shulman, mark 50 years of musical collaboration with their new album, Being Golden. Released July 7 via Wolftone Media, the album is available on Bandcamp. The album’s centerpiece is a suite the duo...
Abigail Kent has been appointed principal harpist of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, following the retirement of Patricia Anderson. Kent was chosen from multiple candidates who were invited to work with the orchestra throughout the prior season. She will begin her...
New York-based harpist Margot Sergent and her trio, So French Cabaret, performed for the third time at Birdland Jazz Club this summer. Sergent’s show, featuring harp and vocals, blends Edith Piaf classics with trad jazz. We caught up with Sergent to find out more...
Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas, has appointed Kela Walton to its harp faculty. We asked Walton, a frequent contributor to Harp Column, to share her thoughts on the position. What specialized skills or interests do you bring to the position at...
The Sarasota Orchestra appointed Hannah Cope Johnson as principal harpist, following three rounds of auditions May 15–16. Cope Johnson begins her first season with the orchestra in September. Cope Johnson says preparing 14 excerpts and three solos and auditioning over...
The Louisville Orchestra and Music Director Teddy Abrams announce the permanent position of principal harp. Qualified applicants must either email or mail a typed one-page résumé to be received by Sept. 2. Auditions will take place Oct. 16–17. The salary for Principal...
With her debut album Ethereal, harpist Madison Calley brings together R&B and the classical pedal harp. We asked Calley to reflect on what she has learned since releasing the album via Platoon in December 2021. As you reflect on life after the album, what are some...
The Salvi Electra, now available from Salvi Harps, comes with 48 pickups: one for each string, plus one for the soundboard. The soundboard pickup is designed to capture not only the harp’s overall vibration, but also any percussion effects using the harp’s wood. A...
The Vancouver (Washington) Symphony Orchestra has announced an opening for principal harp. To apply and receive the repertoire list, interested harpists must email a one-page resume to orchestramgr@vancouversymphony.org by Sept. 8. Auditions will take place in...
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, French harp maker Camac Harps reveals a new harp model, the Jubilé. The harp features an asymmetrical and multifaceted column and base, with geometric soundboard decoration. Camac’s president, Jakez François, sketched the new...
The Tucson Symphony Orchestra has announced an opening for principal harp. Applicants must email a one-page resume to auditions@tucsonsymphony.org by Sept. 13—see the audition listing for formatting requirements. Auditions will be held Sept. 27–28 for this permanent,...
Ellis Schuman, composer, pianist, harpist, and teacher, passed away on June 22, 2022, in San Francisco. Born May 25, 1931, in Chicago, he received his early education in his hometown. He continued his studies earning degrees in music from Roosevelt University and Ohio...
Hawaiian-born harpist Lara Somogyi releases her debut solo album Sept. 23 on the London-based record label Mercury KX. Recorded in Somogyi’s home studio in Los Angeles, her new album is entitled ! —a nod to her search for greater expressive range on the harp through...
Harpist and composer Alina Bzhezhinska is set to release her second album, Reflections, Sept. 23 on BBE Music in vinyl, CD, and digital formats. The album is available for pre-order on Bandcamp. Born in Ukraine, Bzhezhinska is now based in London, where she founded...
The Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) has announced an opening for principal harp. The application deadline is Sept. 9. Auditions will take place Sept. 18. For more information, visit the BRSO website or contact the director of artistic operations at...
Technological University (TU) Dublin Conservatoire is seeking to recruit a Permanent Wholetime Assistant Lecturer in Harp Performance. The Conservatoire is now located at a new center for the performing and creative arts in the TU Dublin City Campus at Grangegorman....
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