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 USA International Harp Competition will take place July 2 - 12, 2025.

The 13th Competition is open to harpists of all nationalities between the ages of 18 and 32 as of May 15, 2025.
All repertoire must be performed from memory with the exception of the 8th USAIHC Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest winning work in Stage III.

Applications will open online on May 15, 2024, and the deadline to apply is January 15, 2025.

click to view REQUIRED REPERTOIRE

USA International Harp Competition

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Vision

Our vision is to be a global platform for the harp that will inspire artistic excellence, encourage personal growth, launch careers and create community between musicians and their audiences.

Mission

The USA International Harp Competition exists to inspire, promote, and sustain artistic excellence while fostering a broader appreciation of the harp and its repertoire.

Bringing people together through the universal language of music, we enhance international and community relationships by producing our harp competition, composition contest, concert series, and educational programs.

Competition videos

Visit our Youtube channel to view the USAIHC video collection

VIDEOS

More than the Gold

Founded in 1989 by Susann McDonald, the USAIHC is known as the foremost solo harp competition in the world, but it is so much More than the Gold. The video details the four core programs which make up the USAIHC, and also highlights our invaluable community engagement in our Host Families program. Enjoy learning about our:

Solo Performance Competition
USAIHC Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest
Harp Start educational program
Concert Series
Community engagement - Host Families

Dream with US(AIHC)

At all levels of the USA International Harp Competition, from our Stars of Tomorrow performers to our forty contestants, dreams are what fuel each individual to reach their personal best.

The USAIHC’s four programs – the Solo Harp Performance Competition, the USAIHC Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest, Harp Start educational program, and Concert Series – are the framework that allow dreams to flourish and be shared. Our Competition and Composition Contest provide the opportunity for harpists and composers to make their dreams become reality, while Harp Start and our Concert Series share these dreams with people of all ages and backgrounds through culturally enriching performances.

Dream with us and consider making a donation to the USA International Harp Competition!

The USA International Harp Competition, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to the USAIHC are tax deductible according to current USA laws.