1. Important Dates:

    • January 15, 2027: Online application opens at www.usaihc.org/9th-ricc-application

    • September 10, 2027: deadline to submit your application

      • Online application form, including one anonymous PDF score in US Letter size (8.5 in x 11in, 0.5 in margins). Please include the TITLE ONLY in the attachment name. The score should not show the name of the composer anywhere. Please note that the jury will refer to scores by title only. Program notes are acceptable, as long as they do not include clues to the identity of the composer and are included in the same PDF document as the score. The PDF should be "camera-ready" – meaning publishable quality. Immediately after the announcement of the winning composition, the winner will be asked to send an identical PDF with the composer's name added. This PDF will be used for printing by the publisher.

    • October 10, 2027: deadline to submit your MP3 recording

      • MP3 recording of submitted work played by a harpist sent as an attachment to an email to ricc@usaihc.org. Please include the TITLE ONLY on the attachment; however, include the title, the composer's name, and the name of the recorded harpist in the body of the email message. The MP3 file should not show the name of the composer or harpist anywhere. Digital or MIDI recordings will NOT be accepted. Scores submitted without a recording will NOT be considered.

    • December 15, 2027:

      • Winning composition announced on www.usaihc.org and on social media @usaihc.

  2. Submissions which are incomplete or do not follow the exact guidelines and parameters described here will be disqualified.

  3. The work for solo pedal harp must be unpublished, un-awarded, and not have been recorded for commercial distribution.

  4. Though the composition is for solo pedal harp, other instruments may be included if played by the harpist. Electronics are permitted if no additional personnel are required.

  5. The work must be between six (6) and eight (8) minutes in duration.

  6. The contest is open to composers of all nationalities.

  7. Previous winners are not eligible, but previous applicants who have not been awarded (including finalists) may apply again.

  8. A distinguished panel including harpists and one composer will select the winning composition. The decisions of the jury are final.

  9. RICC respects the copyrights of composers. No score will be distributed without its composer's knowledge. All PDF files and MP3 recordings will be deleted from our records after the following USA International Harp Competition has concluded (June 2028).

  10. While RICC names a winning composition, Lyon & Healy Publications negotiates and manages the publication contract. The contest winner may negotiate copyrights with Lyon & Healy Publications. In many previous cases, the winning composer has retained intellectual property rights when their work is published.

  11. The jury may request to contact composers about their work.

  12. Prizes for the winning composer Include:

    • $2,000 USD American Harp Society Prize

    • Inclusion in 14th USA International Harp Competition's Stage III required repertoire (performances by all semi-finalists in 2028 Competition, to be posted on USAIHC YouTube).

    • Score published by Lyon & Healy Publications.

  13. Questions? Please check the Frequently Asked Questions section first. Questions not answered there should be addressed to Sonja Inglefield, USAIHC Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest Director at director.ricc@usaihc.org. RICC is administered by volunteers of a nonprofit organization. We kindly ask all participants to be patient, courteous, and respectful in all communications and interactions.

  14. Recommended resource for information on notation, effects, etc.: Writing for the Pedal Harp by Ruth K. Inglefield and Lou Anne Neill, second edition published by Vanderbilt Music (www.vanderbiltmusic.com). All royalties from Writing for the Pedal Harp go to the USAIHC.