About the Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest
The Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest (RICC) is a triennial contest dedicated to expanding and celebrating the solo harp repertoire. Presented by the USA International Harp Competition, the contest invites composers from anywhere in the world to submit original works that showcase the expressive and technical possibilities of the instrument. Established as part of the organization’s mission to inspire new music for the harp, the contest has become a globally recognized platform for emerging and established composers alike. In 2019, the contest was posthumously named in honor of Dr. Ruth Inglefield, whose leadership and advocacy for contemporary harp music shaped the contest during its first six cycles.
Winning compositions are selected by an international jury consisting of distinguished harpists and composers. The winning work receives the $2,000 USD American Harp Society Prize and becomes required repertoire for the next USA International Harp Competition, bringing the piece to an international audience of performers and listeners. Publication by Lyon & Healy Harps gives the winning work an enduring place within the harp repertoire. The Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest continues to foster innovation, artistic excellence, and the creation of significant new works for the harp.
Winners to Date
Click on a winner to learn more about each composition contest.
Garrett Byrnes (USA)
2003
Mischa Zupko (USA)
2003
Chia-Yu Hsu (Taiwan)
2006
Michael Maganuco (USA)
2009
Benjamin Attahir (France)
2012
Jeremiah Siochi (USA)
2015
Uno Vesje (Norway)
2018
Ariel Sol (USA)
2021
Kalen Smith (Canada)
2024
During each USA International Harp Competition, the winning composer is invited to discuss their work at the Composition Forum. Harpists from across the country perform the finalists’ works as part of this event.
Composition Forum
Applicants have included composers from Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, USA, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Wales.