Our aim is to promote and foster the appreciation of the harp as a musical instrument, to encourage the composition of music for the harp, and to improve the quality of harp performances.
As a member of the American Harp Society, the largest organization of harpists in the world, you join an active community of harpists from across the United States, and beyond.
Benefits of membership include:
Local Chapters
AHS Publications
Competitions, Scholarships and Awards
National Conferences and Summer Institutes
Special Programs
AHS Archives, Audio and Video Tape Libraries
Harp Insurance Program
Local Chapters
By joining a chapter in your area, you can enjoy local performances, workshops and projects, while networking with other harpists. Click here to find a chapter near you.
AHS Publications
The American Harp Journal, an academic journal published twice a year by the AHS, contains articles on a wide variety of subjects of interest to harpists, as well as listings current events, new music and recordings.
Uncle Knuckles' Knews is the American Harp Society's Publication for Young Harpists. Its purpose is to teach and inform the young student as well as provide for the teacher another supplement to use with their younger students. Look for its newest version on line soon. For further information contact: William Lovelace: unknkls@aol.com
Teachers Forum, an annual publication devoted to an in depth look at topics of interest to the harp teacher. For further information please contact: Elizabeth Blakeslee, Editor.
Competitions, Scholarships, and Awards
Every other year, the AHS National Competition is held in conjunction with the Summer Institute. Monetary prizes are awarded in five different divisions. In addition, the American Harp Society Foundation offers scholarships for advanced study and many other prizes and awards. To learn more click here.
Conference and Summer Institute
Each year, the AHS sponsors either a Conference (even years) or a Summer Institute (odd years). These events include concerts, recitals, master classes, workshops and competitions or awards. For more information visit here.
Special Programs
- Harp Literature Committee, promoting new music for the harp.
- Music Education Auditions, offering anon-competitive learning experience for all students.
- Education Project 2000, a listing of published harp parts for school ensembles (grades 1-12)
- Grandjany Centennial Fund, making available tapes and videos of Marcel Grandjany.
- Salzedo Centennial Fund, publishing music by Carlos Salzedo.
Archives/Repository, Audio & Video Tape Libraries
- AHS Archives/Repository, The archive consists of items ranging from scores, manuscripts and recordings to photographs, correspondence, programs and other documents.The AHS Archives/Repository are housed at Brigham Young University.
- Audio Tape Library Tapes of workshops and performances from national conferences you have missed or wish to hear again are available on loan
- Video Tape Library The Video Tape library maintains a library of video tapes of interest and value to AHS members, especially of interviews with noted harpists made at annual AHS Conferences.
Musical Instrument Insurance Program
As a member of the AHS, you are eligible to participate in American Harp Society Musical Instrument Insurance Program, through the Anderson Insurance Group, which offers harp insurance for chapters and members. The policy, issued to the American Harp Society and its participating members, is extremely comprehensive and broad in coverage.