Focus on Youth 2029

The goal of the Focus on Youth Concerts is to encourage and recognize gifted young harpists 22 years of age and under, by providing a performance opportunity, followed by comments from a panel of distinguished harpists.  All applicants must be members of the World Harp Congress at the time of submission.  

Visit the Focus on Youth for inspiration.

Before submitting an application, please review the following information on eligibility, repertoire, video requirements, and how to apply.  Please be certain that  you are eligible before submitting an application.

Application submission requirements:

  • Proof of World Harp Congress membership: Harpists must be WHC members at the time of submission. See Membership
  • A video recording not exceeding 20 minutes of solo harp music (or including some chamber music involving no more than 3 players).
  • The video should  include a spoken introduction presented by the harpist, including information on the program (also typewritten in English), why you chose the harp as your instrument, and what your goals are for the future (in English). 
  • Video requirements: high quality, horizontal format, positioned to see your face and hands.
  • One selection on the video must have been composed after 1960.
  • It is encouraged (but not required) that a composition from the applicant’s country or composed by the harpist him/her/them self/selves be included in the program.
  • Two letters of recommendation: one from a current harp teacher and one from another harpist, musician, or teacher. If the harpist is under 18 years old on the date of the submission, a recommendation letter from one of the parents is also  required.
  • Two recent publicity photos (black and white, or color)
  • A brief, typewritten biography and  program in English.
  • Proof of birthdate: harpists should not have reached the age of 23 on the 6th July 2029 (born after 6th July 2006)
  • All Focus on Youth repertoire must be played from memory with the exception of new music scores or chamber music scores, as approved by the committee.
  • Compositions can be recorded separately but must be merged into one video file. All recordings must have been recorded within six months of the submission date (July 1, 2028)
  • The committee will  invite selected harpist to perform live in Berlin. Harpists are expected to perform the submitted program. 
  • The committee will not be able to invite everyone to perform live in Berlin, however, the video recordings of all applicants will be uploaded to this special website for Focus on Youth right after the World Harp Congress in 2029. If you don’t want your video to be uploaded to this website, please, remove it from YouTube before June 1st, 2029.
  • You will receive a confirmation email and PDF copy of the completed form after submission.

How to Apply

Information on how to apply will be published here when the application process opens.

Meet our Focus on Youth Alumni