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. The AHS Ensemble Festival offers the unique opportunity for harp ensembles to perform their program for a live audience, and to receive valuable feedback and ratings from preeminent harpists and adjudicators.
AHS Harp Ensemble Festival participants will have the opportunity to:
The Festival is divided into five (5) Divisions:
Ensembles in each Division may enter to perform in one or more of the following five (5) Categories. Entry in multiple categories is supported and encouraged:
Collegiate ensembles may apply to be featured in the Collegiate Showcase performances on Saturday June 19, 2027.
Applications open on November 15, 2026 and are due by February 1, 2027.
Ensemble entry fees are due by March 1, 2027. Entry fees are non-refundable.
All participants and ensemble directors must hold current membership in the American Harp Society. Discounted educational Group Memberships are available for students and teachers either through our AHS K-12 Organization Group Membership or our AHS Studio Membership.
In addition to paying entry fees as a performing ensemble(s), all participants and ensemble directors must also register individually for the 2027 AHS Harp Ensemble Festival.
All programs are free choice. Each program must include at least one work originally composed for harp ensemble. Transcriptions will not count as a work that is ‘originally composed’ for harp ensemble. All program repertoire information is due by May 1, 2027.
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. Spoken comments will also be given by the adjudicators after the performance as time allows.
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, ensemble leadership, 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.
Collegiate Showcase ensembles will receive written comments and ratings only, and will not receive verbal comments from the adjudicators. Collegiate Showcase ensembles receiving ratings will be eligible for Outstanding Ensemble Performance Award consideration.
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.
An 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. Only ensembles receiving all I. (Superior) ratings from each of the adjudicators will be eligible for Outstanding Ensemble Performance Award consideration. Ensembles receiving an Outstanding Performance Award will be invited to perform at the Closing Concert and Ceremony without remuneration.
A complete list of rules and regulations may be downloaded here.
