Harpist, writer, and educator Ashley Jackson will release her debut solo album, Ennanga, in advance of Juneteenth, the holiday celebrated on June 19 to commemorate African American history. Jackson says of the album, “Inspired by my musical heritage, Ennanga pays...
The Rogue Valley Symphony has announced an opening for principal harp. Applicants must send a current resume and audio recordings of the required excerpts to auditions@rvsymphony.org by June 2. After the recorded first round, selected applicants will be invited to a...
The World Harp Congress (WHC) and American Harp Society (AHS) have announced plans for a joint conference to be held in July 2026 in Toronto, Canada. The WHC and AHS will be working together to combine programming for the entire event. Representatives from the AHS say...
A new book written in Japanese features a collection of magazine and newspaper articles by Japanese harpist Yoshie Abe, compiled and edited by her last student, Kyoko Tanaka. Abe was a student of Ksenia Erdeli, Marcel Tournier, Henriette Renié, and Lily Laskine, and...
Japanese harpist Mai Fukui has released a new album, Parfum de la harpe, now available from 299 Music Records. Fukui spent a decade studying French repertoire at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. She says, “I’ve always wanted to...
Lyon & Healy Harps has announced the required repertoire for its next competition, set to take place March 6–8, 2024, in Chicago. All competitors will perform Etude no. 6 by Eric Schmidt, Une châtelaine en sa tour by Gabriel Fauré, and Le jardin mouillé by Jacques...
The Teatro San Carlo in Naples has appointed Elèna Vallebona principal harp. Over 70 candidates performed in the initial round of the harp audition, which has not been held since the 1980s. The audition consisted of four rounds. Following the elimination and...
The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra has appointed Ellie Kirk principal harpist following two days of auditions, held May 11–12. Kirk begins performing with the orchestra in the 2023–2024 season. Kirk has served in orchestral harp positions with the Illinois Symphony...
Jessica Browning is set to release her new album May 19 on major streaming platforms. Browning says Her Odyssey is about crossing the ocean, healing from childhood trauma, and coming home to herself. “I've made a choice to speak openly about my trauma, and a community...
Scottish harper Rachel Hair and Scottish guitarist Ron Jappy are set to release their second album, élan, on May 19. The ten-track album is available for pre-order as a CD and as a streaming pack. To learn more, check out our cover interview with Hair in the...
The 2nd Helsinki Harp Festival 2023 will be held Aug. 31–Sept. 3 in the Helsinki Music Centre. The theme of this year’s festival is wellbeing. The lineup includes sound healing concerts, Pilates lessons, and ergonomic coaching by physiotherapists for harpists of all...
The ARD International Music Competition has announced the 43 candidates for the harp category of its 72nd edition. The four-stage competition will be held in Munich Aug. 28–Sept. 15, 2023. The 43 participants are listed below. For more information, visit the...
The USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) is searching for an executive director. This is a full-time position with a salary range of $52,000–$60,000 and the potential for a health care supplement. The executive director leads the management, planning, and...
Multi-GRAMMY-nominated harpist Yolanda Kondonassis will release her new single Wildflower “Yolanda’s Song” May 12 on Azica Records. This supplemental track to Kondonassis’ 2022 album FIVE MINUTES for Earth was composed for her by the Cuban virtuoso trumpeter and...
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....
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....
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),...
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...
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...
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...
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