INTRODUCTION

ARPADEMIA was born out of an unconditional love for all types of Harp and out of the utmost

respect for the magical instrument and its unparalleled vibrations. I firmly believe that those who

have the luck and the opportunity to experience the compelling cultural wealth and appeal of the

harp are truly blessed and should share their joy not only with their contemporaries but also with

future generations (since we are not exclusive owners of anything). It is exactly for this reason that

we are now launching the first edition of the International Arpademia Harp Competition.

Our association organised three editions of a Harp Festival and for twenty years it has been

engaged in research concerning string vibrations within outstanding health and wellness

institutions. It has also organised experimental outreach activities with the harp aimed at people of

the most diverse age groups and backgrounds. Now the association, which for many years has been

investing all its revenue in projects concerning the harp, together with highly qualified teachers,

who saw in innovation a great opportunity for growth, and harpists, who played pieces that over the

past twenty years have revolutionised teaching techniques, has conceived and is fostering an

International Harp Competition called “Arpademia for Celtic Harp”. My sincere thanks go to all of

them.

I also wish to thank all the associations and companies that in our unusual times have recognised

Arpademia as a proactive and reliable partner; in spite of many difficulties, they took care of our

challenging requests and helped us launch what is going to become an International competition

for young harpist from all over the world who will be able to compete in order to win the musical

instrument of their dreams.

Eleonora Perolini, President

Taking on the role of Artistic Director of the first “Arpademia for Celtic Harp” International

Competition is a great honour and privilege for me. My goal will be to allow for the rich potential

of the Celtic Harp be explored and promoted at the international level. In order to reach this goal,

we propose a competition which is not only aimed at various age groups, but also features a careful

selection of obligatory pieces, with a particular focus on Italian composers.

Tatiana Donis, Artistic Director

PRESENTATION

The “Arpademia for Celtic Harp” International Competition, open to Italian and international harpists,

has been created to provide tangible support to harp players in the early years of their studies and to

highlight the importance of the relevant repertoire.

The official languages of the competition are Italian, English and French.

The competition is going to be completely innovative and fully online; the prizes will be awarded by

a highly qualified selection jury and there will also be a special prize awarded to the performer with

the highest number of “likes” expressed by the public at large.

Created by the Arpademia Association together with Università Popolare dell’Alto Monferrato (a

social development organisation in the Alto Monferrato district of Piedmont Region in Northern Italy),

supported by the Italian Harp Association and also promoted by SalviHarps and ABRSM the

Competition offers the chance to participate to harpists from all over the world. On April 1st 2022,

participants’ performance videos will be uploaded onto a dedicated online channel; the videos will be

available to view and “like” until April 30th 2022. On May 10th there will be an online awards

ceremony and, if safe, there will also be a live ceremony in the premises of the Provincial Authority

of either Alessandria or Cuneo.

Art.1 SECTIONS and CATEGORIES

SECTION I CELTIC HARP

Cat. J) Competitors up to 7 years of age

Cat. A) Competitors aged 8 – 10

Cat. B) Competitors aged 11 – 13

Cat. C) Competitors aged 14 – 16

Cat. D) Competitors aged 17 – 19

Cat. E) Competitors aged 20 – 30

Cat. F) Celtic Harps Ensembles (consisting of two or more players with an average age of

up to 15 years)

Cat. G) Celtic Harps Ensembles (consisting of two or more players with an average age of

up to 30 years)

Cat. H) Harp Therapy (no age limits)

SECTION II HARP in MUSIC SECONDARY and HIGH SCHOOLS (this

section is dedicated ONLY to ITALIAN Secondary and High music Schools

wich specialised in Music)

Cat. A) Competitors up to 13

Cat. B) Competitors aged 14-16

Cat. C) Competitors aged 17-18

Cat. D) Chamber Music with compulsory Celtic Harp (performed by two or more players

with an average age of up to 18 years)

Note: Categories are based on candidates’ age at the time of signing up.

Art.2 PROGRAM

SECTION I CELTIC HARP

J Category:

First round:

one piece from list J

Second round:

free programme for a total length of 6 minutes. We accept original pieces, transcriptions,

arrangements, or one or more movements of a Suite or Sonata. It is not compulsory to play

the pieces from memory. Refrains are optional

A Category:

First round:

two pieces from list A, of which one must be by an Italian composer.

Second round: free programme for a total length of 8 minutes. We accept original pieces,

transcriptions, arrangements, or one or more movements of a Suite or Sonata. It is not

compulsory to play the pieces from memory. Refrains are optional.

B Category:

First round:

two pieces from list B, of which one must be by an Italian composer.

Second round:

free programme for a total length of 10 minutes. We accept original pieces, transcriptions,

arrangements, or one or more movements of a Suite or Sonata. It is not compulsory to play

the pieces from memory. Refrains are optional.

C Category:

First round:

two pieces from list C, of which one must be by an Italian composer.

Second round:

free programme for a total length of 14 minutes. We accept original pieces, transcriptions,

arrangements, or one or more movements of a Suite or Sonata. It is not compulsory to play

the pieces from memory. Refrains are optional.

D Category:

First round:

two pieces from list D, of which one must be by an Italian composer.

Second round:

free programme for a total length of 16 minutes. We accept original pieces, transcriptions,

arrangements, or one or more movements of a Suite or Sonata. It is not compulsory to play

the pieces from memory. Refrains are optional.

E Category:

First round:

two pieces from list E, of which one must be by an Italian composer.

Second round:

free programme for a total length of 20 minutes. We accept original pieces, transcriptions,

arrangements, or one or more movements of a Suite or Sonata. It is not compulsory to play

the pieces from memory. Refrains are optional.

F Category:

free programme for a total length of 10 minutes. We accept original pieces, transcriptions,

arrangements, or one or more movements of a Suite or Sonata. It is not compulsory to play

the pieces from memory. Refrains are optional.

G Category:

free programme for a total length of 20 minutes. We accept original pieces, transcriptions,

arrangements, or one or more movements of a Suite or Sonata. It is not compulsory to play

the pieces from memory. Refrains are optional.

Categoria H:

Free programme for a total length of 15 minutes maximum, which must include an

improvisation lasting at least 3 minutes featuring a major-minor-major modulation. A

written creative visualization on a theme chosen by the candidate, to be submitted alongside

the video.

We accept original pieces, transcriptions, arrangements, or one or more movements of a

Suite or Sonata. It is not compulsory to play the pieces from memory. Refrains are optional.

SECTION II HARP in SECONDARY and HIGH MUSIC SCHOOLS

A Category: free programme for a total length 5 minutes

B Category: free programme for a total length 8 minutes

C Category: free programme for a total length 10 minutes

D Category: free programme for a total length 10 minutes

Art.3 PRIZES

SECTION I CELTIC HARP :

CAT. J-A-B: 1st ABSOLUTE PRIZE with a score of 100/100 points CUM LAUDE

Salvi Celtic Harp MIA

CAT. C-D-E: 1st ABSOLUTE PRIZE with a score of 100/100 points CUM LAUDE

Salvi Celtic Harp UNA

CAT. F-G: 1st ABSOLUTE PRIZE with a score of 100/100 points CUM LAUDE

300 euros offered by Arpademia

Selection of music scores for Duo and Ensemble

CAT. H: 1st ABSOLUTE PRIZE with a score of 100/100 points CUM LAUDE

Celtic Harp Harpsicle for HARP THERAPY

Cat. J-A-B-C-D-E--H

FIRST PRIZE 96/100-99/100

The following prize will be awarded only to participants who have obtained the highest

score in their category:

– First Prize Diploma

– 100 euro voucher (or equivalent prize of same value) offered by SALVI HARPS

– Free attendance to one of the courses (value: 350 euro*) to be chosen by the winner

from those offered during the Sardinia Summer Festival (travel and accommodation

not included)

Other first Prizes :

– First Prize Diploma

– Free attendance to one of the courses (value: 350 euro*) to be chosen by the winner

from those offered during the Sardinia Summer Festival (travel and accommodation

not included)

– Discount voucher to buy a Salvi MIA or UNA harp, or a Harpsicle Celtic Harp

*the prize cannot be transferred or exchanged with goods of the same value or with cash

Cat. F-G

FIRST PRIZE 96/100-99/100

The following prize will be awarded only to participants who have obtained the highest

score in their category

– First Prize Diploma

– 100 euro voucher (or equivalent prize of same value) offered by SALVI HARPS

Other first Prizes:

– First prize Diploma

– Discount voucher to buy a Salvi MIA or UNA harp, or a Harpsicle Celtic Harp

SECOND PRIZE: 90/100-95/100

– Second Prize Diploma

– Discount voucher to buy a Salvi MIA or UNA harp, or a Harpsicle Celtic Harp

THIRD PRIZE: 85/100- 89/100

- Third Prize Diploma

MERIT DIPLOMA: 80/100 – 84/100

PARTICIPATION DIPLOMA: 79/100

SECTION II CELTIC HARP in SECONDARY and HIGH MUSIC SCHOOLS

CAT. A-B-C-D:

FIRST PRIZE: 96/100-100/100

First Prize Diploma

SECOND PRIZE: 90/100-95/100

Second Prize Diploma

THIRD PRIZE: 85/100-89/100

Third Prize Diploma

MERIT DIPLOMA: 80/100 – 84/100

PARTICIPATION DIPLOMA: 79/100

The jury may award Honorary Diplomas to teachers and participants who delivered a

particularly outstanding performance:

HONORARY DIPLOMAS

- LIKE DIPLOMA

- BEST IRISH TUNE PERFORMANCE

- BEST PERFORMANCE OF A COMPULSORY PIECE BY AN ITALIAN COMPOSER

- MUSICAL EXPRESSION

- ENCOURAGING YOUNGEST PARTICIPANT

- ARTISTRY

- ARTISTIC PERSONALITY

- MUSICALITY

- YOUNG HOPE

- YOUNG TALENT

- TECHNICAL SKILLS

- DIPLOMA FOR THE TEACHER WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF AWARDED

STUDENTS

N.B.Diplomas will be sent only in PDF format by Certified Electronic Mail (PEC). Home

delivery of a printed copy can also be arranged; shipping price is 20 euro.

The Awards Ceremony will take place online after the 10th May 2022 deadline.

PRIZES HAVE BEEN KINDLY OFFERED BY:

ABRSM

Arpademia

Salvi Harps

Università Popolare dell’Alto Monferrato

Victoria sas

Art.4 JURY

For each category, the jury will be made up of 5 members as well as the Head of the

Jury, Eleonora Perolini.

Art.5 SIGNING UP

• Candidates should sign up by completing the form. Deadline 30.11.2021. ï

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/197ZNVZbip5A_4gXdv5Zsgz60RDM_F6umfsDJk

9XVNGI/edit

􀀀 Candidates can enrol in both their appropriate age category (J – E) and in

category F, if they so wish

􀀀 There are no limits to participant numbers

• Registration fees:

SECTION I Cat. J-A-B-C-D-E-H : 55 euros

SECTION I Cat. F-G: 30 euros (for each participant)

SECTION II Cat. A-B-C: 55 euros

SECTION II Cat. D: 30 euros (for each participant)

In order to complete the signup process, candidates must email

[email protected] and attach the following

documents:

• Copy of an identification document for the candidate or, if the candidate is under 18,

a certificate signed by a legal guardian authorizing the candidate to take part in the

competition.

• Proof of payment of the registration fee, which should be paid via bank transfer

to the following account:

Università Popolare dell’Alto Monferrato – Reference : Concorso Arpademia 2021

+ candidate's Name, Surname and nationality

BANCO POPOLARE DI NOVARA

SEDE DI ACQUI TERME

IBAN IT56S0503447940000000008434

Causale: CONCORSO ARPADEMIA 2021 - COGNOME, NOME E CATEGORIA

N.B. Participants will be registered only after proof of payment of the registration fee

by bank transfer is received.

Art.6 KEY DATES

The competition will take place from December 31th to April 30th 2022; videos will be

available to view for a month. The winners will be invited to perform online at the award

ceremony (to be confirmed in light of Covid-19 safety measures). Should it be impossible to

deliver the prizes at the ceremony, home delivery will be arranged (winners will be asked to

cover shipping costs).

Art.7 COMPETITION ROUNDS

Competition rounds will take place in the following way:

SECTION I Cat. J-A-B-C-D-E

1. Candidates will have to record their first round videos and send them via WeTransfer link

by 31st December 2021, together with their privacy declaration and authorisation to publish

their images to the following email address:

[email protected] .

2. Admissions to the second round will be communicated by January 10h 2022.

3. Candidates admitted to the second round will have to record and send their videos for

the second round by March 20th 2022 via WeTransfer link to the following email

address: [email protected]

The videos will remain online until April 30th 2022. The final results will be communicated

by May 10th 2022.

SECTION I CAT. F-G-H AND SECTION II CAT. A-B-C-D

1. Candidates will have to record their videos and send them via WeTransfer link by

March 20th 2022 together with their privacy declaration and authorisation to publish

their images to the following email address:

[email protected]

The videos will remain online until April 30th 2022. 

The final results will be communicated by May 10th 2022.

The email subject should include the candidate’s name, surname and nationality. The

jury reserves the right to disqualify candidates whose videos are too low quality in

terms of sound and/or image. 

The candidate must appear in the video and be recognizable.

3) All videos must contain the recording of one piece only, and follow the guidelines

below:

– The title of the file must contain the participant’s category, their name and

surname, the composer and title of the piece

– The video must be shot in landscape mode and the participant must be clearly

recognisable

– The video should only contain the candidate’s performance, without comments

or presentations

The jury reserves the right to exclude any submissions that do not adhere to the

guidelines or whose quality is too low. In this case, participation fees will not be

reimbursed.

Jury members will watch submissions online and give their score anonymously

Art.8 RULES AND REGULATION

1. If one or more members of the jury becomes unavailable, they will be replaced by another

member of the committee.

2. The jury may not attribute some of the prizes (including the Absolute First Prize) in case

the submissions are not of suitable quality

3. If a candidate’s performance is not considered up to an appropriate standard according to

the whole jury, their performance may not be published online.

4. The jury’s verdict is final and unappealable.

5. The candidates must send a PDF copy of the score of each piece they will be performing

in the free programme via email to [email protected]

The PDF have to be saved and named and the candidate has to specify: CATEGORY, NAME

and SURNAME, AUTHOR and TITLE (ex CAT.E ROSSI MARIA, SALZEDO Chanson

dans la Nuit). It is essential to follow this procedure to ensure each participant is matched to

the correct score.

The improvisation required in the programme for Category F is exempt from this

requirement.

6. The organisers does not accept responsibility for any moral damage of any kind for the

entire length of the competition.

7 All performances (except for ensembles in Section II Cat.D) must be played ONLY on

the CELTIC HARP (with or without levers) under penality of exclusion from the

competition.

CONTACT DETAILS

Please send any queries to the Università Popolare dell’Alto Monferrato at the following

email address: [email protected] or to Arpademia at

[email protected] or call 00393349926741.

2nd International Competition for Celtic harp Arpademia

FIRST ROUND PROGRAMME

CATEGORY J

B. ANDRES Asters N.1 - (Hamelle ed.)

B. ANDRES Marelles 1-2 Cahier (any piece from the book) – (J. Hamelle and C.)

C.BERGO Cuore di Carta o Il Valzer della caramella o Cade la pioggia da -

"Piccole storie d'arpa" (Armelin Musica)

G.BOSIO La canzone degli arpisti di tutto il mondo – Io Suono l'arpa (ed.

Musica Practica)

G.BOSIO Il gatto rosso e quello nero (completo) – Io suono l'arpa (ed. Musica

Practica)

D. FINNEGAN Tripping to the well - Harper's Choice (Craide na Cruite)

M. GRANDJANY Step by Step or Little Waltz - First Grade Pieces (Carl Fisher)

M. GRANDJANY Bonjour Monsieur Rameau - Little Harp Book (Boosey and Hawkes)

M. GROSSI Studio n.10 pag.8 - Ricordi

M. GROSSI Studio n. 21 pag.10 - Ricordi

M. GROSSI Studio n. 31 pag.15 - Ricordi

M. GROSSI Studio n. 34 pag.17 – Ricordi

N. GUSTAVSON Sakura - The Magic RoadT (Salvi)

S.KANGA Sound the trumpets (N.(8) or The Glittering Ballroom (N.10) –

Minstrel's Gallery (Maruka Gallery)

I. LO VETERE 1 Piccolo Canone a scelta dai 12 Piccoli Canoni (Curci Milano)

arr. A. McCRANN Einini - Sounding Harps vol.1 (Craide na Cruite)

H. RENIE Grand Mére reconte un Histoire op.110 - (Leduc)

TRAD. Sean Bui - Sounding -Harps vol.1 (Craide na Cruite)

TRAD. Sprightly Widow – Sounding Harps vol.1 (Craide na Cruite)

C.SALZEDO Lullaby for a doll or A lost Kitten – Tiny Tales for Harpist Beginners

(Lyra Music Company)

J.WEINDENSAUL Barn Dance Memory or El Numero1 or Midnight Stars -First Grade

Pieces (Carl Fisher)

CATEGORY A

B. ANDRES n.1 or 3 or 4 – Aquatintes (Hortensia)

B. ANDRES Study n.1 or 3 – Charades (Hortensia)

B. ANDRES Gavotte – Automates (Hamelle)

B.ANDRES La Gimblette (Hamelle)

C.BERGO Martina "Piccole storie d'arpa"

C.BERGO La Bottega del Caffè da "Piccole storie d'arpa"

C.BERGO La Fatina gentile da "Fiabe con l'arpa"

arr. D. FINNEGAN Mairseail Ri Laoise – Traditional Irish Harp Arrangements vol.1

(D.Finnegan)

arr. O'FLANAGAN Sonny's Mazurka -Sounding Harps vol.2 (Cairde na Cruite)

M. GRANDJANY Reverie or Nocturne or Barcarolle – Trois petites pieces très faciles

op.7 (Leduc)

M. GROSSI Study n.12 (pag.116) or 13 (pag.118) – (Ricordi)

S. KANGA Country Dance hp 1 – Miniatures (Alaw)

S.KANGA Mountain Stream (N.22) or Hippopotamus Rag (N.27) or Bedtime

Blues (N.28) or Swing Time (N.29) – Minstrel's Gallery (Maruka

Music)

SUSAN MCDONALD Alpine Waltz – Harpsolos vol.3 (Musicworks)

CATEGORY B

B. ANDRES Sarabande - Automates (Hamelle)

B. ANDRES Gaillarde – Automates (Hamelle)

C.BERGO The Wizard Azzerbabù (con rit.) da "Images”

C.BERGO My Autumn da "Images”

J.S.BACH Prelude in C, BWV 846 arr. O'Farrel - The O’Farrell Collection

Vol.2 (O’Farrell)

O' CAROLAN Si Bheag's Si Mhor or Colonel John Irwin – The Irish Harper

arr. M.Ni Chathasaigh vol.2 (Old bridge Music)

J.M DAMASE Studio No. 3 - Dix études faciles et progressives (Billaudot)

M.GROSSI Studio 20 (pag.125) or 24 (pag.129) - (Ricordi)

J.HARBISON Bright New Morning - (Irish harp Centre Publications)

SKAILA KANGA Skating on Ice – Miniatures (Alaw)

F. RIZZA Estrella – (Stella Mattutina)

L. ROSSI Passacaglia (Pizzicato)

C.SALZEDO On donkey back – Short Stories in Music First Series (Lyra Music

Company)

A.SANGINETO Rondeau passeggero or Un giro a Vialfrè – Arpacadabra

(A.Sangineto)

V. ZITELLO Piuma*

CATEGORY C

F.ALBERTI Study 2 or 4 or 6 – Dix Etudes Progressives

(Hortensia)

C.BERGO The Moon Dress o A White Lullaby da "Images"

A.BUCCINI Aubade dans les collines du Monferrato (Arpademia)*

CAROLAN arr.M.Ni CHATHASAIGH Morgan Magan – The Irish Harper Book 2 (Old

Bridge Music)

CAROLAN arr.M.Ni CHATHASAIGH Carolan's Draught – The Irish Harper Book 2 (Old

Bridge Music)

I. DANIELI 1 Brano a scelta da Ali d'Arpa (Wicky)

F.J.NADERMANN Study n.5 - Nadermann pour Harpe Celtique

(Zurfluh)

F.RIZZA Akiko – (Harpcolumn)

A.SANGINETO Nerissa – Arpa Creativa (A. Sangineto)

V.ZITELLO Dorado*

CATEGORY D

F. ALBERTI Study 1 or 9 – Dix Etudes Progressives (Hortensia)

B. ANDRES Study 4 or 9 – Etudes breves pour petite ou Grand Harpe

(Hortensia)

A.BUCCINI Souvenirs d'Enfance - (Arpademia)*

CAROLAN arr. A.M.O'FARREL Carolan's Farewell to Music – (A.M. O'FARRELL)

D.H.CONANT Nataliana – (Golden Cage Music)

D.H.CONANT New Blues – (FC Publishing)

arr. G.HAMBLY O'Farrell's Welcome to Limerick – Traditional Irish

Music arranged for Irish Harp (Mayo Abbey Press)

C. PEDRAZZETTI Pucc-pourrì fantasia su arie di Puccini*

E.PESCE Aquae – (Arpademia)*

G.PIPOLO Allegretto (Pizzicato)

arr. KIM ROBERTSON Glenlivet or Moving Cloud – Treasures of Celtic Harp

(Mel Bay)

A. SANGINETO Metropolis – Synantis (A.Sangineto)

B. SHALJEAN Prelude in C or Prelude in Bb – 12 Preludes for Pedal or

Celtic Harp (Blue Crescent Music)

V. ZITELLO Siciliana – (Stella Mattutina)

CATEGORY E

J.S.BACH Prelude from Lute Suite BWV1006a (A-M O'Farrell)

J.L.DUSSEK Sonatina n.5 - (Holywell Music)

A.M. O'FARRELL Chorale Variations on Take my life and Let it Be by Me – (A-M

O'Farrel)

G.F. HAENDEL Andante allegro or Larghetto arr. Le Dentu – Haendel Concerto in Bb

for celtic Harp (Billaudot)

J.PARRY Any piece at your choice from “John Parry Collection vol. 1 & 2”

- (Adlais)

C. PEDRAZZETTI Arancio, fantasia su arie di Verdi e Puccini*

C, PEDRAZZETTI Cavalli e Pastorelle, fantasia su arie di Cavalli, Giordano e Mascagni*

K. ROBERTSON Boundless – Treasures of Celtic Harp (Mel Bay)

A. SANGINETO Thule – Synantis (A. Sangineto)

B. SHALJEAN Fantasia on a Sonata by Cardon – (Blue Crescent Music)

*a PDF copy of the score can be requested through the signup form2nd International Competition for Celtic Harp Arpademia