Solo Competition

Solo Competition

The 2021 Solo Competition is virtual. Registration is open through May 31st.

Competition

Video links due by 7 pm CST July 13th, 2021

Winners' Recital

7 pm CST July 20th, 2021 via Zoom

The Zoom link will be posted here and on the home page one hour before the recital.

Click here to watch the recital!

First and Second Place recipients perform at the Winners’ Recital.

First and Second Place winners in each division must perform in the Winners’ Recital to receive their award. Honorable Mention winners must be present at the Winners’ Recital to receive their certificate. Non-winning competitors are encouraged to attend the recital.

2021 Repertoire

Novice

  • Lever or Pedal Harp Entry Fee: $20
  • 1st Place Prize - $50
  • 2nd Place Prize - $25
  • Required Piece - Grand’Mère Raconte une Histoire – Henriette Renié

Intermediate I

  • Lever or Pedal Harp Entry Fee: $25
  • 1st Place Prize - $75
  • 2nd Place Prize - $40
  • Required Piece - Danses d'Automne #2 – Bernard Andrès

Intermediate II

  • Pedal Harp Entry Fee: $30
  • 1st Place Prize - $100
  • 2nd Place Prize - $50
  • Required Piece - Sonata in C Minor, Op. 2, I. Allegro– Sophia Giustina Dussek
    *If your edition has repeats, do not take them.

Advanced I

  • Pedal Harp Entry Fee: $40
  • 1st Place Prize - $150
  • 2nd Place Prize - $75
  • Required Piece - Petite Suite, Nocturne and Fire Dance – David Watkins
    *Both movements must be recorded in one take.

Advanced II

  • Pedal Harp Entry Fee: $45
  • 1st Place Prize - $200
  • 2nd Place Prize - $100
  • Required Piece - Fantaisie on a Theme of Haydn – Marcel Grandjany

Solo Competition Guidelines

  • Competition: Video link due by 7 pm CST July 13th, 2021
  • Winners' Recital: 7 pm CST July 20th, 2021 via Zoom
  • First and Second Place Winners must perform in the Winners' Recital to receive their award. Non-winning competitors are encouraged to watch the online recital.
  • Competitors may only compete in ONE division.
  • You do not need to register for the Sight-Reading Challenge to participate in the Solo Competition.
  • Harpists who have previously won First Place in a particular division MUST compete in a higher level.
  • All pieces must be memorized.
  • Harpists found to have chosen a repertoire selection below their level of competency will be disqualified by the judges.
  • Non-professional harpists of any age are allowed to compete.
    A professional musician is one who plays an instrument or several instruments proficiently; performing is their primary source of income. (taken from liveabout.com)
    Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome.

Video Recording

- The registrant must be the one performing.
- Video should be taken from the harpist's left side. The whole harp and performer must be visible.
- You may record as many times as you like, but the submitted video must be one single take.
- No editing or effects allowed.
- Avoid bright lights behind the harpist.
- Limit background noise as much as possible.
- Tune the harp before you begin recording.
- Do not talk during your video.
- If you are using your phone/tablet to record, make sure no cases, fingers, etc. are blocking the microphone. We also recommend you put it on silent before you begin recording to avoid interruptions!
- Upload your video to YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc., and send the link to MidwestHarpFestival@gmail.com.

Dress

- Semi-formal to formal stage dress is appropriate.

- If you are wearing a skirt or dress, please make sure it hits below the knees. If there is a slit, it should also stop below the knees.

- We recommend practicing in your competition outfit (that includes shoes!) so you are at ease when you compete.

- Shoes are required.

Music

- You must have the original printed music at home.
- You should number the measures of your music at the beginning of each line. You do not need to number each actual measure.
- When you email us your video link, also include a copy of your music.

Scoring

- Each judge critiques 10 different qualities of the performance: dynamics, rhythm, note accuracy, etc. A maximum of 100 points is given by each of the 3 judges.
- Competition winners are determined by the total cumulative points (300 maximum) given by all 3 judges. It is possible that not all winning levels will be represented if none of the contestants achieve enough points.
Points needed to achieve placement for each level:
- First Place 270 – 300 points
- Second Place 240 – 269 points
- Third Place 210 – 239 points

  • Judged by Dr. Charles W. Lynch III, Elizabeth Richter, and Faye Seeman. Substitutes may be present.​
  • The judges’ decisions are final.
  • The winners will be announced by the end of the day on July 18th, 2021. Results will be emailed to competitors and posted on this page.
  • Each competitor will receive comment sheets after the competition.
Register Now!