Laura Logan Brandenburg & Kela Walton, Co-Chairs
San Jose Youth Symphony Harp Ensemble ~ Summer Institute 2023The purpose of the American Harp Society Ensemble Festival is to encourage musical collaboration, the building of community through harp ensembles, and to inspire harpists of all ages and levels to advance their ensemble performance skills. By hosting a national event during which ensembles perform programs, the AHS Ensemble Festival offers an opportunity for participants to receive valuable feedback and ratings from preeminent harpists and adjudicators. The American Harp Society Harp Ensemble Festival is presented in conjunction with the Twenty-Sixth AHS Summer Institute 2025.
The Festival is divided into six (6) Divisions:
Division 1: Primary Division
Up to age 12 as of June 1, 2025
15 minutes maximum performance time limit, including transitions between pieces
Division 2: Middle School/Junior High Division
Ages 12-15 as of June 1, 2025
15 minutes maximum performance time limit, including transitions between pieces
Division 3: High School Division
Ages 14-19 as of June 1, 2025
15 minutes maximum performance time limit, including transitions between pieces
Division 4: Mixed Pre-College Division
Up to age 19 as of June 1, 2025
15 minutes maximum performance time limit, including transitions between pieces
Division 5: Collegiate Division
All members must be enrolled in a collegiate program as of Spring 2025
20 minutes maximum performance time limit, including transitions between pieces
Division 6: Open Division
Any age
20 minutes maximum performance time limit, including transitions between pieces
Ensembles in each Division may participate in one or more of the following five (5) Categories:
Harp Duet (two harps all playing individual parts)
Harp Trio (three harps all playing individual parts)
Harp Quartet (four harps all playing individual parts)
Medium Ensemble (maximum of 12 harpists, players may double and/or divide parts)
Large Ensemble (more than 12 harpists, players may double and/or divide parts)
Applications open on November 15, 2024 and are due by February 1, 2025.
Entry fees are due by March 1, 2025. Entry fees are non-refundable.
Small Ensembles (Duet, Trio, Quartet) = $20 per ensemble
Medium Ensemble = $40 per ensemble
Large Ensemble = $60 per ensemble
All programs are free choice. Each program must include at least one work originally composed for harp ensemble. Transcriptions will not count as works that are ‘originally composed’ for harp ensemble.
Ensembles will perform once before a panel of adjudicators and live audience in the division and category in which they are registered.
Ensembles will receive written comments on their performance as well as ratings.
Ratings shall be awarded as follows: I (Superior), II (Excellent), & III (Good).
Ratings will be based on precision of ensemble playing, blend of sound, quality of articulation and tone, ensemble intonation, and musical interpretation of the score.
The performance of the ensemble shall be the only factor considered when determining ratings. Ensembles will not receive rankings (first, second, third place, etc.) within a division or category.
Multiple ensembles can earn the same rating within the same division and category.
Participants in any Division may elect to receive written comments only, with no rating. In doing so, that ensemble will not be eligible for Outstanding Ensemble Performance Award consideration.
The Outstanding Ensemble Performance Award represents the attainment of superior musicianship by an ensemble as demonstrated in their performance at the AHS Ensemble Festival. Within each division and category, Outstanding Ensemble Performance Awards may be conferred at the discretion of the adjudicators. Ensembles receiving the Outstanding Performance Award will be invited to perform at the Closing Concert and Ceremony without remuneration. Excused absence from this performance must be requested in advance.
A complete list of rules and regulations may be downloaded here. A PDF of this announcement page is also available.
