harpcolumn

Toczko releases debut album featuring rock song covers

Toczko releases debut album featuring rock song covers

Harpist Kristan Toczko will release her debut album featuring rock song covers on Feb. 16. Recorded on the Leaf Music record label, Rock Echoes will be available on all streaming platforms and via Bandcamp. Toczko will also release a few singles before Feb. 16. Her...

DHF World Harp Competition announces 2024 semifinalists

DHF World Harp Competition announces 2024 semifinalists

The Dutch Harp Festival (DHF) has announced the semifinalists of its 2024 World Harp Competition. After 25 contestants pitched their original program in the video round, the jury selected the following 11 harpists to advance to the semifinals: Llywelyn Ifan Jones...

Remembering Thomas Edward “Ed” Galchick (1954–2023)

Remembering Thomas Edward “Ed” Galchick (1954–2023)

After a 12-year battle with cancer, harp technician Thomas Edward “Ed” Galchick passed away Dec. 17, 2023, at the age of 69 at his home in Salem, Ohio. His friend, harpist Wallace Ford, says he was known for caring about his customers and for his sense of humor. “The...

Whiting releases new album on First Word Records

Whiting releases new album on First Word Records

Harpist Amanda Whiting will release her new album, The Liminality of Her, on March 22. It will be available on vinyl from all distributors and via Bandcamp as well as streaming on Spotify and Apple Music. This 10-track album showcases Whiting as both a performer and a...

Hampton Roads Harp Festival announces 2024 lineup and competition

Hampton Roads Harp Festival announces 2024 lineup and competition

The Hampton Roads Harp Festival will take place Saturday, March 16, at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, with an option to attend virtually. Featured artist Maeve Gilchrist will headline the festival with a performance and workshop. Other events include...

DHF competition announces video round candidates

DHF competition announces video round candidates

The 2024 Dutch Harp Festival (DHF) World Harp Competition has announced the 25 candidates who have advanced to the video round, following a preselection round. The competition will stream the video round performances on its YouTube channel on Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. Central...

Remembering Faith Carman (1941–2023)

Remembering Faith Carman (1941–2023)

Harpist Faith Carman died on Dec. 20, 2023, in Farmington, Maine. Born on Jan. 23, 1941, in Bethesda, Maryland, Carman was best-known in the harp world for her many publications. Former American Harp Society (AHS) President Lynne Aspnes says Carman’s most memorable...

Remembering Maria Casale (1962–2024)

Remembering Maria Casale (1962–2024)

The USA International Harp Competition announced the death of Maria Casale on its social media outlets, writing the following tribute: The USA International Harp Competition is deeply saddened to announce the passing of harpist Maria Casale, gold medalist of the first...

Tokyo Symphony Orchestra announces harp auditions

Tokyo Symphony Orchestra announces harp auditions

The Tokyo Symphony Orchestra has announced auditions for a harp position, with two rounds of auditions to be held May 4 and May 9 near Tokyo. Application forms must be submitted by mail and are due by 6 p.m. Japan time on March 15. Please see the audition listing for...