World Harp Congress

The WHC Spectrum is a World Harp Congress initiative to foster contemporary music for harp, performed by young professional harpists. 
Successful videos are hosted on a special public World Harp Congress Vimeo Channel for at least one year, and performers receive an e-certificate if their video is selected. Two application rounds are held each year in January and July.
Submissions are selected with equal consideration for both composition and performance, as well as originality and quality of presentation. Although compositions do not need to be premier performances or individually commissioned works, Spectrum especially aims to encourage collaboration between emerging professional harpists and composers, as well as harpist-composers. 

• Round B 2025: 31 July 2025 (applications open 15 May 2025)
• Round A 2025: 31 January 2025 (applications open 15 November 2024)

• 35 years or under at the time of recording and submission OR Full time student enrolled in harp at an institution of higher education such as a University or Music Conservatory (if older than 35 years at the time of application).
• Works of 3 - 6 mins in length, with musically appropriate and composer-approved excerpts allowed
• Compositions for solo harp or ensemble including harp, written in or after 2000 (the work is not required to be a premier performance)
  

• $50 Application fee (for each round entered)*
• Proof of World Harp Congress membership:  Harpists must be WHC members at time of submission (WHC membership information and application) . Note to WHC Spectrum applicants who are already WHC members: When prompted to give proof of World Harp Congress membership, please contact membership@worldharpcongress.com to request your member number.
• High quality audio and video as a continuous video with no cuts, recorded in a public / commercial / educational facility or similar recommended. Formatting guidelines: landscape format, minimum 720p.
• The composition submitted must be publicly available for purchase through a publisher or other distributor, downloadable pdf from composer, or other means.
• Up to 200-word description of the composition, which must include a link to publication information; it may also include a link to performance of the complete work, and a link to the performer / composer websites.
• Performers and composers will be required to sign a waiver form for all licensing rights for the one-year duration of hosting on the Vimeo site. Performers are responsible for obtaining this permission from the composer.
• A maximum of two video submissions per twelve-month period accepted: one solo, one chamber music.
  

• Click on the green "Apply To" button found at the top of the screen, and follow the prompts.

• For US applicants, Acceptd has a fee waiver program for students who are on Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL).  Please go to Fee Waiver Information to request this. 
• If you do not qualify for a US Acceptd waiver, ie you are not a US citizen, please contact the treasurer@worldharpcongress.com to request an application fee reduction form from the WHC, at least one month prior to the application deadline.