Arpademia & Harp's Universe
2nd International Competition for Celtic Harp Arpademia
2nd International Competition for Celtic Harp Arpademia
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:
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:
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