13th USA International Harp Competition - 2025

The USA International Harp Competition was founded in 1989 by world-renowned harpist and Distinguished Professor Emerita of Harp at Indiana University, Susann McDonald. The triennial competition is held in Bloomington, Indiana, at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

The 13th Competition will take place May 14 - 24, 2025.

The 13th Competition is open to harpists of all nationalities between the ages of 18 and 32. All repertoire must be performed from memory (with the exception of the 8th USAIHC Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest winning work in Stage III).

Prizes

Gold Medal:

  • Lyon & Healy or Salvi premium harp, up to a value of $63,000, sponsored by the Salvi Foundation (USA)

  • Solo debut recital sponsored by the Salvi Foundation (USA)

  • International Laureate Exchange Prize between the USA International Harp Competition and the International Harp Contest in Israel (laureate recital at the 22nd International Harp Contest in Israel)

  • Winner’s recital in Greater China (including Hong Kong and Macau) arranged by Hong Kong Harp Chamber Music

  • $6,000 – Susann McDonald Prize

Silver Medal: $5,500 – Hong Kong Harp Chamber Music Prize

Bronze Medal: $5,000 – Korea International Harp Competition Prize

Fourth Prize: $4,000 – Hong Kong Harp Centre Prize

Fifth Prize: $3,000 – Dr. Konrad William Rinne and Dr. Erzsébet Gaál Rinne Prize

Sixth Prize: $2,500 – Gorman Jones Prize

Seventh Prize: $2,000 – Mary Stuart and Judy Sights Honor Prize, given by Luke & Emily Fife

Eighth Prize: $1,500 – Eleanor Fell Memorial Prize

Special Prizes:

  • $1,000 – Concerto Prize in honor of Susann McDonald from the Weiger Lepke-Sims Family for the best performance of Concertino for Harp and Chamber Orchestra by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco

  • $1,000 – Mario Falcao Prize for the best performance of the 8th USAIHC Ruth Inglefield Compositition Contest winning work (Bioluminescence by Kalen Smith)

  • $1,000 – Emmanuel Ceysson Prize for the best performance of Pièce symphonique by Henriette Renié

  • $1,000 – Fleisher Family Prize for the best performance of Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 by Johann Sebastian Bach