International Harp Competition Finals to be held Saturday

Auer Hall filled with the delicate sounds of the harp and resounding applause as harpists from around the world took the stage Tuesday and Wednesday during stage three of the seventh annual 2007 USA International Harp Competition.\nLike clockwork, the competition begins every three years on the IU campus to help bring harp music to a wider audience through its educational outreach activities, according to the event program. Five presentations were held at elementary schools throughout the Bloomington and Spencer areas.\nColine-Marie Orliac of France, Hanako Hirano of Japan and Maria Krushevskaya of Russia were chosen from ten semifinalists in stage three to commence Saturday’s finals. The four-stage competition began with 36 contestants from 13 countries all vying for a gold medal.\nThe three harpists will perform a harp solo by E. Walter Küne and a piece with the IU Festival Orchestra by G. Pierné, conducted by David Effron, said Aaron Kercheval, executive director of the International Harp Competition.\nKercheval said he was taken aback the first time he attended the finals.\n“You will be surprised at how different three performances of the same piece side by side can be,” he said.\nFounded by Susann McDonald, distinguished professor and chair of the Harp Department at the Jacobs School of Music, the competition attracts world-renowned musicians and instructors to Bloomington and is the only international harp competition to be recognized by the World Federation of International Music Competitions, according to the event program. \nMcDonald will speak at the finals, as will IU President Michael McRobbie and Gwyn Richards, dean of the IU Jacobs School of Music.\nKathlene Smith, mother of 2004 silver medalist and 2001 bronze medalist Julie Ann Smith, is attending the competition for the third time. \n“It’s just a well-run competition and one that I enjoy every time I come,” Kathlene said.\nJulie was recently awarded the position as principal harpist with the San Diego Symphony and performed July 7 at the competition’s Laureate Recital, Kathlene said.\nThe contest continues at 7 p.m. today in Recital Hall during “Stars of Tomorrow,” a concert featuring teenage winners of the 2005 American Harp Society National Competition and the International Harp Competition. The Konghou Troupe of Beijing Union University and 2001 gold-medal winner Dan Yu will perform during a guest concert at 8 p.m. on Friday at Alumni Hall.\nThe 14-day competition will end with the Competition Finals and Awards Ceremony at 7 p.m. this Saturday at the Musical Arts Center, where a $55,000 Lyon & Healy Gold Concert Grand Harp will be awarded to the first place winner.