Rules

Rules and Judging Prodecures

The USA International Harp Competition is open to harpists of any nationality aged between 16 and 32. Between forty and fifty contestants are accepted, based on a selection committee review of application materials submitted. The USA International Harp Competition maintains the highest international standards of excellence in the performance of solo harp. The participants, therefore, are evaluated as young concert artists on the basis of musicianship, technique and artistic presentation.

For Stages I, II and III each juror awards each contestant a single numerical score using the following scale:

          Excellent   21 – 25
          Very good 16 – 20
          Good         11 – 15
          Poor           0 – 10

For each stage, the contestants with the highest average scores advance. No more than half of the contestants in Stage I may advance to Stage II. No more than eight contestants from Stage II may advance to the semi-final round. Three finalists will advance to the final stage. Performances in each stage are evaluated independent of performances in earlier stages.

In the final stage, each juror casts a vote for the contestant he or she deems the winner. The First Prize goes to the candidate who receives the majority of votes. Second Prize is determined in the same manner.

Prizes are awarded to the top eight finishers. The order of finish for fourth through eighth place is determined by contestants’ average scores in the third stage. Additional prizes for specific performances are awarded by vote of the jury. All prizes will be awarded.

Jurors may not vote for any participant who is or has ever been their student.

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4