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17th WORLD OPEN HARP COMPETITION

RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN «HARP» NOMINATION 2026

 

SCHEDULE

The competition is completely online and is held annually. Applications are accepted 365 days a year. The competitor selects one of three seasons and sends an application.

SPRING EDITION

Acceptance of applications until April 01. Announcement of results on April 15. 

SUMMER EDITION

Applications are accepted until June 10. Announcement of results on June 25. 

WINTER EDITION

Application deadline is December 10. Announcement of the results on December 25.

 

PROGRAM

The competition program includes two (preferably diverse) compositions of the participant’s choice. Program is to be performed by heart and completely (soloist). Duos and ensembles are not obligated to perform compositions by heart. It is allowed to perform parts (suite, concert…) as two pieces.

 

PARTICIPANTS

Right to participate is given to all competitors from all the countries in the world. 

SOLOISTS:

JUNIOR

 

MIDDLE JUNIOR

 

JUNIOR  ARTIST

 

SENIOR ACADEMIC

 

SENIOR ARTIST

 

RENAISSANCE, CELTIC… LEVER HARP

JUNIOR

 

MIDDLE JUNIOR

 

JUNIOR  ARTIST

 

DUO (two similar or two different instruments)

  

ENSEMBLE (of 3-15 members)

Competition program of the participant’s choice. The ensemble must contain at least 50% of homogeneous instruments of this nomination. Ensemble can perform with only one accompanist and/or one illustrator. Age category is defined by average age of all participants, without illustrator (concertmaster).

 

VIDEO REQUIREMENTS & VERIFICATION

The recording must be a single continuous shot without any editing, pausing, or cuts. On the recording, performer(s), must be clearly seen (soloist, duo, ensemble).

Option 1: Oral Identification

– Soloist or duo must state their first name, surname, year of birth, and the name of the competition (WORLD OPEN MUSIC COMPETITION).

*The participant (soloist) can say the name of the competition and only WORLD OPEN (but in this case only participant in younger categories). Participants in the oldest category do not have to say their year of birth.

– One of the member of ensemble says the name of ensemble, their age category, and the name of the competition. 

 

Option 2: Visual Identification (Poster)

If a poster is displayed, an oral presentation is not required (soloist).

– First and Last Name (in English block letters), Year of Birth, Name of the competition (WORLD OPEN MUSIC COMPETITION)

 

Recording must be sent in Mp4 format. Convert the video through our converter DETAILS

Best way to record a video DETAILS

 

COMPLETED ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

Participant is required to send the following documents:

 

Total maximum size of all files – 100 MB. Detailed instructions for OnLine application DETAILS

 

FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

Participants (soloists) pay a fee of 37 euros. Duets and ensembles pay a fee of 37 euros (from a duet or ensemble) THIS PAGE

 

INTERNATIONAL JURY

Work of the Jury is regulated by special Rules. Jury members are to be elected out of renowned music pedagogues, as well as performing artists, conductors and chamber musicians. All jury members are pedagogues and are performing  on the instrument they are evaluating 100% and have extensive pedagogical experience in working with students! Contestants are ranked according to the average score awarded by the Jury. Competitors are qualified according to the average grade point of evaluations by the Jury. Number of awards (prizes) is not limited.

GOLD AWARD/ LAUREATE FIRST PRIZE – is to be awarded to the competitor who wins 90 – 100 points.

Participant’s performance level:

Performance level: GRANDE PERFORMER (99 – 100),

Performance level: CONCERT PERFORMER (96 – 98,99),

Performance level: VIRTUOSO PERFORMER (93 – 95,99),

Performance level: EXCELLENT PERFORMER (90 – 92,99).

 

SILVER AWARD/ LAUREATE SECOND PRIZE – is to be awarded to the competitor who wins 80 – 89,99 points.

Performance level: EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMER (85 – 89,99),

Performance level: PROMISING PERFORMER (80 – 84,99).

 

BRONZE AWARD/ LAUREATE THIRD PRIZE – is to be awarded to the competitor who wins 70 – 79,99 points.

Performance level: PERSPECTIVE PERFORMER

 

DIPLOMA – is to be awarded to the competitor who wins 65 – 69,99 points.

 

The Absolute Winner in his discipline (all three editions) participates in the Masters Final. Jury selects Absolute Winner of Master Finals, i.e. Absolute Winner of all competition disciplines and the entire competition. 

 

PRIZE FUND

A total of $5,000 in prize money will be distributed as follows:

 

CERTIFICATES FOR COMPETITORS

All contestants receive certificates after the end of each edition in all nominations:

 

LETTERS OF APPRECIATION AND DETAILED CERTIFICATE FOR PORTFOLIO TO TEACHERS

 

ORGANIZER

The European Association of Music Educators and Performers & Producer Agency MIR Production, with the support of the Ministries of Culture and Communications, organizes WORLD OPEN ONLINE MUSIC COMPETITION.

Competition is held by the Rules of participation, which is proposed by expert council, and is to be adopted by Assembly of the Association.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

In case of dispute between Organizer and competitors, provisions of English text will prevail.

By participating in the competition, the contestants automatically waive their right to material compensation in connection with the publication and distribution of the competition videos.

By applying for the competition, participants automatically accept conditions from previous provisions of these Rules.