2 days ago

Florence Sitruk is the newly appointed Artistic Director of the International Harp Contest in Israel

Israel Competition Announces Repertoire for 2015

Florence Sitruk, Artistic Director, together with the Music Committee of the International Harp Contest in Israel announced the required repertoire for the 19th Harp Contest to be held Nov. 19–Dec. 3, 2015 in Israel. The required repertoire includes:

1st stage:

Choice of one:
• Jean-François Dizi (1780-1847) Grande Sonate pour la harpe (Ed. Marielle Nordmann, Durand) (With repeats)
Or
• W. A. Mozart, (1756-1791) Sonata in F-Major for piano, KV332 (300k) (Arr. for harp by Maria Luisa Rayan, L&H editions or any other) (Without repeats)
• Paul Hindemith (1895-1963), Sonata for Harp (1939) (Schott Edition)
• Henriette Renié (1875-1956), "Contemplation" and "Danse des Lutins" (L&H Edition)
• A new Israeli commissioned piece by The Propes Foundation. To be published by 31 December 2014.

2nd stage:

• Giovanni Battista Pescetti (1704-1766), Sonata in c-minor (Original version for harpsichord, will be put on the website) (No repeats in the 2nd movement)
• Elias Parish Alvars (1808-1849), Sérénade for harp, op. 81 (Edition Billaudot)
• Darius Milhaud (1892-1974), Sonata for harp (Edition Max Eschig)
• Choice of one:
a) Carlos Salzedo - Variations on a theme in the Ancient Style, op. 53 (Ed. Leduc)
b) Marcel Tournier - any complete Suite of "Images" (Ed. Lemoine)
c) Elena Kats-Chernin - Chamber of Horrors (Australian Music Centre)
d) Luciano Berio - Sequenza (Universal Edition)
e) Heinz Holliger - Präludium, Arioso & Passacaglia (Schott)
Or:
A piece of your own choice, not to exceed 10' (May be of any century, may be a transcription, may also include video, media, electronics)

3rd stage:
Chamber music—recital for harp and string quartet

• Marcel Tournier (1879-1951), Féerie, Prélude et Danse, for harp & string quartet (String quartet parts will be on the website for download)
• Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), Concerto in D Arr. for harp & string quartet by A. Bax (Lyra Music Company)
• Choice of one:
André Caplet, Le Masque de la Mort Rouge, Conte Fantastique (1907/8) (Editions Durand)
Sergiu Natra, Sonata in one movement, for harp & string quartet (1999) (Harposphere, Paris)
Murray Shaffer, Theseus harp & string quartet (1983) (Arcana Editions, Canada)

Final stage:
The Final Stage will be performed with The Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nir Kabaretti.

Choice of one:
• Ami Ma'ayani - Concerto Symphonique (1966, Ed. Boosey & Hawkes)
• Elias Parish Alvars - Concerto op. 98 in E-flat Major (Ed. Lyra)
• Jorge Malats, "Serenata espanola", arr. by Marielle Nordmann (Ed. Durand)

For more information, visit the competition's website at http://www.harpcontest-israel.org.il/.

April 30, 2013

Allegra Lilly is the new Principal Harpist with the St. Louis Symphony.

Allegra Lilly wins St. Louis Audition

New York harpist Allegra Lilly will begin as Principal Harp with the St. Louis Symphony in September, following a final round of auditioning that took place on April 29, 2013. A preliminary round took place earlier in the month. "I would really like to acknowledge what a talented group of harpists this was and how honored I am to have been offered a position with one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the country, with a fabulous music director who's such an ardent promoter of new music," says Lilly. "It was also one of the most well-run audition processes I've ever been through—they even had a harp technician on call all day in case we had any instrument issues!" Allegra has previously appeared with the New York Philharmonic; Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Charlotte Symphonies. She is a graduate of Juilliard with B.M. and M.M. degrees as a student of Nancy Allen. A Detroit native, Lilly studied previously with Ruth Myers.

USAIHC Announces Contestants

The USA International Harp Competition has announced the roster of harpists who will compete at the live event July 10–20, 2013, in Bloomington, Ind. Fifty harpists from 21 countries were invited to compete in person at the 9th International Harp Competition following a preliminary video screening of first round repertoire. For complete details about the USAIHC, visit their website at www.usaihc.org.

The contestants are:

Ritsuko Arima, Japan
Ursula Ascic, Slovenia
Vuokko Athila, Finland
Emilie Bastens, Netherlands
Madeline Blood, USA
Chu Chun Cheng, Taiwan
Yu Ying Chen, China
Daphne Coullet, France
Joana Daunyte, Lithuania
Seika Dong, USA
Maja Dvoracek, Germany
Irene Fenninger, Germany
Helen Gerhold, USA
Louise Grandjean, France
Feier Gu, China
Viktor Hartobanu, Germany
Zachary Hatcher, USA
Emily Hoile, UK
SeHee Hwang, South Korea
Saika Ireshiro, Japan
Coline Jaget, France
Agne Keblyte,Lithuania
Jeremy Kepplemann, USA
Merve Kocabeyler, Turkey
Elizaveta Kozina, Russia
Emily Levin, USA
Chu-Heng Liao, Taiwan
Shuang Liu, China
Gwenllian Llyr, UK
Julia Lukan, Austria
Marta Marinelli, Italy
Mina Marinkovic, Serbia
Ann McLaughlin, USA
Ian McVoy, USA
Mayo Miura, Japan
Yuki Miyata, Japan
Cristina Montes Mateo, Spain
Alexandra Mullins, USA
Emmanuel Padilla Holguin, Mexico
Jia Peng, China
Elisabeth Plank, Austria
Betuel Ramirez, Mexico
Marion Ravot, France
Mary Reid, UK
Haley Rhodeside, USA
Aubrey Shumway, USA
Markus Thalheimer, Germany
Remy van Kersteren, Netherlands
Sarah Verrue, Belguim
Joel von Lerber, Switzerland
Nora von Marschall, Germany
Gao Xing, China

April 12, 2013

Anna Odell is the winner in the Senior Division of ASTA National Solo Competition.

ASTA Competition Winners

Anna Odell was the Senior Division winner in the harp category of the 2013 American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition, which was held April 6–8, 2013, at Merkin Hall, in New York City. Odell currently attends the Curtis Institute of Music where she studies with Elizabeth Hainen. She received $1,000 and performed Impromptu for Harp (Faure, Gabriel) in a winner's recital on April 8. Jessica Ding was the Junior Division winner and received $500.

"I was honored to compete in the ASTA National Solo Competition, and even more honored to win in the harp category," says Odell. "I found the competition to be a very rewarding experience in performance—I played Viejo Zortzico by Jesus Guridi, Fugue in D Minor by J.S. Bach, and the Faure Impromptu. All of these pieces are challenging in very different ways and require a great amount of concentration. Among the most rewarding parts of the experience was participating in the evening concert for competition winners—that was a real treat with truly excellent performances on violin, cello, and bass. It was unforgettable. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and would encourage harpists to participate in future ASTA events."

Senior Division finalists also included Natalie Severson and Hannah Blalock. Junior Division finalists included Heidi Morey and Mia Venezia. For more information about ASTA visit www.astaweb.com.

April 8, 2013

Strings drying at Bow Brand. Pictured: Jason Azem; Rachael Stahl; Peter Wiley; Ivan Gardner; Andrea Gardner; Davide Arduino, Karen Gottlieb, and Ed Galchick.

Harp Technicians Launch Website/Tour Bow Brand

Members of the Lyon & Healy/Salvi Technicians Guild recently launched their new website harptechguild.com, which allows viewers to locate technicians around the world, as well as view touring schedules of traveling harp technicians. The website launch coincided with the fourth meeting for members of the Lyon & Healy/Salvi Technicians Guild, hosted by string manufacturer Bow Brand in London and King’s Lynn, U.K., in February, 2013. "The meeting focused on discussing improvements to harps and exchanging ideas on problem-solving and techniques, as well as an in-depth tour of string production at Bow Brand," according to the company.

April 3, 2013



Gayle Barrington performed with the Angelaires (pictured l. to r. Ruth Papalaia, Pat (Wentworth) Furley, Jude Mollenahuer, Joan Ceo, Gayle Barrington)

Remembering Gayle Barrington

Gayle H. Barrington
October 15, 1937–March 16, 2013

Gayle H. Barrington, of Austin, Texas, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House. Gayle was a resident of Westlake for 35 years, and later moved to the Colonial Gardens Assisted Living Community, which provided a caring and comfortable home for her.

Born Greta Gayle Horn in McKinney, Texas, October 15, 1937, she demonstrated early musical talent and began studying piano at age 5, and by age 9 she took up the harp, which would become her passion and livelihood. She performed at many local events, including her family’s general store, Horn and White Auto Supply, in McKinney. By high school, she had begun formal harp training and spent three summers in Cleveland Ohio studying with Alice Chalifoux, principal harpist with the Cleveland Orchestra, and later spent one summer at the famed Interlochen National Music Camp in Michigan.

After a short time working towards her BMA at Baylor University, she began her studies in the fall of 1957 with renowned composer and stylist of the harp, Carlos Salzedo, at the Summer Harp Colony of the World, in Camden, Maine. He encouraged her to go on contract as a member of the Angelaires Harp Quintet, with which she toured for a year. The Angelaires exhibited glamorous showmanship and exceptional technical ability, and were devoted to educating and entertaining the public with Salzedo’s harp compositions and unique style. The tour was highlighted by an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

By 1961, she received her BMA at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and she played in several orchestras in Cleveland, including the Cleveland Philharmonic, and later with the Florida Symphony in Orlando. In 1965 she accepted a teaching position at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as the principal harp position with the Austin Symphony Orchestra. There she met the new principal horn player, and fellow music professor at U.T., Wayne Barrington. They soon married and began an instant family, as Wayne had been recently widowed with three daughters, to which they added a son and daughter.

Gayle played in the Austin Symphony until 1982, and taught harp at the U.T. Austin until 2001. She created and built an impressive program for studying the harp and the Salzedo technique at the University of Texas, and assembled the U.T. Harp Ensemble, bringing many of the best and the brightest harpists to Austin. In 1985, she organized an unprecedented concert commemorating what would have been Carlos Salzedo’s 100th birthday. The Salzedo Centennial Concert was held at the Bass Concert Hall in Austin, and boasted 72 harpists from around the world in what would be the largest collection of harps playing in unison to date.

Gayle Barrington was both brilliant and beautiful, and had a wry sense of humor. She was an incredible hostess for many symphony member and college student parties that were always fun, and full of laughter and culinary delights, at which she also excelled. Gayle was a consummate performer, a demanding teacher, and was a Mom to many who knew her and studied with her.

Gayle was preceded in death by her husband Wayne, her parents Clyde and Merrett Horn, her brother C. Dennis Horn, and stepdaughter Kathryn Barrington. She is survived by her daughter Beverly Barrington Bovbjerg and her husband Blair; her son Alan Barrington, his wife Lynda, and their son Kendrick; her stepdaughter Margaret Litten, her husband Mark, and their daughters Marisa and Melanie; her stepdaughter Elisabeth Zakes, her husband Chris, and their children Rosalind (Zakes) Bradshaw, Robert, and Briony; and by one step-great-granddaughter, Artemis Bradshaw.

—Beverly Barrington

March 30, 2013

Remembering Bob Litterell

Bob D. Litterell
September 10, 1946–Jan. 30, 2013

On January 30, Denver harpist Bob Litterell died peacefully in his sleep after a two-year battle with a malignant brain tumor. Bob touched many lives as a harpist, arranger, composer, and, what many in the harp world did not know, as an avid enthusiast for all things having to do with Egyptology and Egyptian culture.

Born in La Junta, Colorado, Bob began his musical studies in violin at age seven. Although he played violin even into his college years, he became fascinated with the harp and began harp lessons as a teenager before college. After high school, Bob attended Wichita State University where he graduated from the harp studio of Mary Bickford and was the harpist with the Wichita State University Orchestra. After graduation, Bob spent time in California where he studied privately with Susann McDonald and served as solo harpist with the Kern Philharmonic.

Eventually, Bob made Denver his home and, for a number of years, spent six nights a week playing harp at the very popular downtown Denver restaurant, Café Giovanni. Later in his life, Bob worked for United Healthcare imputing patient records and was touted by the company’s as the best and fastest working computer employee, while he remained an active performer on his instrument, established the Litterell Harp Quintet, a flute and harp duo, and other chamber combinations.

Bob’s interest in finding rare, forgotten and, in some cases, unknown harp music took him on trips worldwide to conduct research in archives and library collections. The result of such work took the form of new editions of harp compositions taken from either the composer’s autograph or an early edition, like Parish Alvars’ Op. 91 Concertino in D Minor for Two Harps and the Eichner’s Concerto for Harp in C Major (Op. 6). In the interest of promoting more performances of harp concerti, Bob took on a number of projects to convert orchestral scores to the forces of string quartet, so the harp performer could program this repertoire more easily. In like manner, he made arrangements of Gustav Holst’s Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda and portions of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake into chamber arrangements for flute, string quartet and harp. His trips to Egypt resulted in the discovery of unknown works written for the harp by Egyptian composers, and he enjoyed his time visiting Cairo Conservatory to lecture and coach.

In 1999, Bob was thrilled to be accepted to perform at the Seventh World Harp Congress in Prague. In the Rudolfinum’s Dvořák Hall, Bob and Don Hilsberg performed the Parish Alvars Concertino for Two Harps and Orchestra with the Radio Prague Symphony to a full house which included several of us from the Mile High Chapter of AHS who cheered them on enthusiastically that evening. The following years saw Bob performing with area groups like the Evergreen Chamber Orchestra where he performed the Belgian Emile Detour’s Concertino in Jazz on his new Camac Big Blue Electric harp.

Bob’s interest in rarities extended to harps, as well as harp music. In 1997, he bought the Special Style 11 from the estate of harpist Ed Vito and had the instrument completely restored. He did the same for a beautiful Wurlitzer Stark Model DDX. It was always fun to go to Bob’s house to see his newest objet d’art, project on his computer, or instrument that he discovered and had to have. People were understandably attracted to his gold harps, and those of us in the know always waited for the inevitable event when someone would approach one of the instruments with out-stretched hand to hear Bob say, “Don’t touch the gold!” while we rolled with laughter.

Bob loved to entertain, whether it was the Egyptian Study Society for which he was Treasurer or the Mile High Chapter of AHS where he served that same function for many years while
hosting countless Potlucks, student evaluations, board meetings, or just “get togethers.” While his closer friends began to notice some cognitive changes in Bob’s personality in late 2010, we were shocked to learn that he had developed a fist-sized brain tumor which was discovered during an emergency operation in late December 2011 after he collapsed in his home. He was fearless in his determination to get well and play again and, for two years, he accomplished that goal. He began to perform again and harpist friend Catherine Rands came over to work on harp duet literature every other Friday afternoon to rekindle their harp duo. Sadly, on the two-year anniversary of his operation, an MRI disclosed that the tumor had begun to grow back. Three weeks later, Bob died in his sleep. On January 27th, three days before his death, a small group of us from the Mile High Chapter got together to have a Potluck lunch and to read over harp music for our biannual harp concert that Bob loved so much to play. He brought his special red velvet cake that he liked to bake and played every work put on his stand. We selected several for the concert that he brought himself and he was well pleased. This October, Bob will be in our minds and hearts as we play our multi-harp concert that will be dedicated to Bob Litterell, our good friend and great spirit.

—Suzanne L. Moulton-Gertig

March 12, 2013

Victoria Anna Jankowska

Polish harpist dies tragically

The harp world is mourning the loss of 27-year-old Polish harpist Victoria Anna Jankowska who was found murdered Friday morning in the building of the Lower Silesia Philharmonic in Jelenia Gora in western Poland. A 60-year-old security guard in the building was also found murdered.

A 29-year-old stage hand with the orchestra, identified only as Michal M., has been charged in the double homicide.

Jankowska was a student at the Frederic Chopin University in Warsaw where she studied with Urszula Mazurek. She was to graduate in June. Reports say she was staying in a guest room in the building overnight before she was to join the orchestra for a concert on Friday.

The Lower Silesia Philharmonic is performing Mozart’s Requiem on Mar. 22 in memory of the victims.

Job Opportunity in Thailand

Mahidol University, in Bangkok, has announced an opening for the position of Artist/Teacher of Harp to begin June 1, 2013. The position includes teaching responsibilities at Mahidol University and a possible concurrent appointment with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra. "I am hoping to pass this job onto someone who will pick up where I left off with this brand new harp department in Thailand and take it further," says Elizabeth Jaxon who is leaving the position. Applicants should send required materials by email as soon as possible; applications will be accepted until the position is filled. See the following announcement from Mahidol University for the complete job description and application procedure.

Mahidol University
Artist/Teacher of Harp

Application Due: Until Position is Filled
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Type: Full Time

Mahidol University, College of Music, Artist/Teacher of Harp. Appointment beginning June 1, 2013 or as
soon as possible thereafter.

Position Description and Responsibilities
Teach applied harp, harp literature and pedagogy classes, coach chamber music, and teach other courses depending on the department needs and the candidate’s expertise. A concurrent appointment with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO) exists for the right candidate.

Qualifications
Doctoral degree or Master’s degree with national or international performing experience. Excellence in teaching, performance, and creative achievement desired.

Mahidol University
Mahidol University is one of the most prestigious universities in Thailand, recognized for its outstanding achievements in teaching, research and professional services. Mahidol is one of Thailand's leaders in the "internationalization" of higher education, collaborating with numerous universities from around the world as well as many international organizations. With over 2,700 faculty and 20,000 students, Mahidol is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in Southeast Asia. Website: http://www.mahidol.ac.th/

*College of Music
The College of Music at Mahidol University is the first music conservatory in Thailand to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in numerous areas of music. Housed in a state of the art complex, the College of Music is an arts complex housing the latest technologies. The school includes 120 full time and 80 part time faculty with a support staff of 100. There are approximately 1,200 pre-college, undergraduate, and graduate students. Website: http://www.music.mahidol.ac.th/

Application Procedure
Appointment to begin June 1, 2013, or soon thereafter, depending upon candidate’s availability. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Application materials should include letter of application, curriculum vita, references, a recent performance recording (mp3 format or YouTube link), and other supporting materials. Email submissions required.

Rank and Salary
Rank and salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Apply to:
Mr. Paris Paraschoudis
Harp Search Committee
Mahidol University College of Music
25/25 Phutthamonthon Sai 4, Salaya
Nakhonpathom, 73170, Thailand

Phone: +6683-311-0584
Fax: +662-800-2530
Email: paris.paraschoudis@gmail.com

Hungarian Competition Invites Entries

The 3rd International Harp Competition in Szeged, Hungary, invites harpists to participate in their next event, which takes place November 28–December 1, 2013. Prizes from €100 to €1500 will be awarded in three divisions for harpists under 12, under 17, and under 25. "The harp is not a very frequent instrument in Hungary, but it is getting to be more and more recognized thanks to the harp events like the International Harp Festival in Gödöllő, International Harp Competition and Spring Harp Days in Szeged, and Summer Harp School in Budapest," says competition Artistic Director Natalia Gorbunova. "The program is mainly of free choice with few Hungarian set pieces for the two older categories, and Debussy Dances as set piece for the second stage of the eldest category. I hope that in 2013 new young talents will be revealed, and hope that this competition will be great experience in the life of the competitors and will help many to develop their musicianship." The competition is supported by Camac Harps. The deadline to enter is September 30, 2013. For more information and repertoire, harpcompetition.webs.com.