Rules & Regulations

A.   Competition Divisions

  1. The competition is divided into four divisions:

Emerging Professional Division
Maximum age 25 years during 2025

Advanced Division
Maximum age 19 years during 2025

Intermediate Division
Maximum age 16 years during 2025 

Junior Division
Maximum age 13 years during 2025

 

B.   Eligibility

  1. Competitors must pay the entry fee which must be paid by September 1 for an entry to be complete.

  2. All competitors must be at or below the maximum age for each division during the year 2025. 

  3. Winners of the previous Competition are not eligible to compete in the same division, but may compete in the division above.

  4. Harpists who place first, second, or third in the AHS National Competition are not eligible to compete in the same division, but may compete in the division above.

     

C.  The Program

  1. Contestants may perform the program in any order.

  2. All compositions must be performed by memory.

  3. All repeats are removed.

 

D.  Final Division Performances 

  1. Contestants will appear in a predetermined random order. The number or letter assigned will determine the performance order.

  2. Every contestant will be entitled to compete his/her performance of the program and will not be interrupted by the judges.

  3. The public is invited to attend the competition performances

  4. No applause or demonstrations of encouragement are allowed for any Division.

  5. Applause is allowed at the end of the final piece for each contestant.

  6. A contestant may only enter one Division.

 

E.   Judges

  1. All performances for the judges will be blind behind a curtain to ensure anonymity and fairness.

  2. Judges will confirm that they have not regularly taught (e.g. weekly lessons) any contestant within the previous 12 months.

  3. In the event of a tie, the judges will determine a winner by a discussion.

  4. The decision of the judges is final.

 

F.   Prizes 

  1. All Contestants will be awarded a Certificate of Participation

  2.  Prizes are presented to the winners at the Competition Ceremony, following the completion of the final division performances. Attendance of all competitors is required unless special permission to not attend is requested.

 

G.  Application Procedure

  1. Entry forms and all required application material must be received no later than 11:59 MST on September 1, 2025. There are no exceptions. Early bird registration ends 11:59 MST July 15, 2025. 

  2. A entry fee is required. Entry fees are non-refundable. Regular entry fee is $50. Early-bird entry fee is $40. 

 

H.  Logistics

  1. Travel expenses for the Competition are the contestant’s responsibility.

  2. Competitors are expected to bring their own harp to perform on.

  3. A Salvi or Lyon & Healy harp will be provided for qualified circumstances only.