FOR HARPISTS OF ANY AGE • ANY GENRE
In this category we’re looking for innovation, creativity, and originality! You may perform music of any genre on any type of harp. The music may be composed by yourself or someone else, and it can be an original, arrangement, transcription or improvisation. Please do also have a look at the “Advanced Class via the menu shown.
1ST PRIZE: £300 • 2ND PRIZE: £200 • 3RD PRIZE: £100
Prizes are in the form of gift vouchers which can be spent online, in-store or by mail order from Salvi Music London.
Requirements
- Entry Fee is £40 - this includes admission to all of the festival except the opening headline concert.
- No repetition between rounds is permitted.
- Feedback from the adjudication panel will be provided to all competitors in both rounds.
Round 1
- Submission of a 5-minute video of at least two contrasting pieces, via an unlisted YouTube link.
- No edits are permitted.
- The deadline for entries is 6pm on Friday 15th January 2027.
- Competitors will be informed by 1st February 2027 whether or not they will proceed to Round 2.
ROUND 1 ADJUDICATORS:
- Harriet Adie
- Sue Rothstein
Round 2
- Competitors will perform a 10-minute recital live and in-person on Sunday 7th March 2027 at the RNCM during the Manchester Harp Festival.
- Competitors may introduce their pieces, and this is included in the total time of 10 minutes.
- Harps will be provided by Salvi Harps. Competitors are free to perform on their own instruments.
- A warm-up room (not longer practice facilities) will be available for a short period before performances.
- Where possible and/or suitable, competitors may provide their own original scores for the adjudication panel. Photocopies of these may be used for the convenience of the panel. Photocopies will be destroyed after the competition.
ROUND 2 ADJUDICATORS:
- Rachel Dent (Chair)
- Chris Hoyle Head of Strings, The Royal Northern College of Music
- Tom Redmond Joint Principal & Director of Music, Chetham’s School of Music