About The Competition

The 3rd New Century Harp Competition aims to inspire musicians, especially harp performers, to arrange and compose music for folk harp, and to encourage previously unpublished arrangers and composers.

Entries must be arrangements of melodies in the public domain or original compositions.  It is the responsibility of the artists to research and determine whether their selected music is in the public domain. There is a wealth of music out there waiting to be arranged for the harp, and many harp players are composing original music.

(The prize listings are from 2007 and will be edited as the sponsors confirm their 2008 participation)

• Grand Prize: Awarded for the most outstanding entry : $1,000 value: $500 in cash - plus - $500 in gift certificates from our sponsors - plus - the opportunity to perform the winning piece at the 2008 Somerset Harp Festival - plus - published and distributed by Afghan Press. 
  
• Nine Merit Prizes: Each will receive $220 in gift certificates from the sponsors - plus - published and distributed by Afghan Press.*

*The ten winners will have their music published in a new book by Afghan Press, to be available in the summer of 2009. A Royalty of 10% of the retail sales price of all books sold will be donated to the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen whose work over the past three decades has been crucial in the renaissance of the harp .  However all music remains the copyright of the artists and can be republished elsewhere. All winners may purchase books at wholesale price from Afghan Press.

The judges for the 2008 competition are yet to be announced. All judging will be anonymous. The judges will not see your name on the music, only the 6-digit code that you provide and print on your manuscript.

Before submitting an entry please read the rules. If you still have questions, send an email.