Canadian Composer Kalen Smith Wins Prestigious International Harp Composition Competition
TL;DR
Kalen Smith from Canada wins the 8th Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest, gaining $2,000 and inclusion in the 13th USA International Harp Competition's Stage III required repertoire.
Smith's award-winning composition, Bioluminescence, explores extreme harp registers and combines tonal music structures, contemporary techniques, and effects from electronic music.
The USA International Harp Competition aims to inspire artistic excellence, encourage personal growth, and create community between musicians and their audiences.
Bioluminescence by Kalen Smith creates musical color by exploring extreme harp registers with a variety of techniques including près de la table, xylophonics, harmonics, and fingernails.
Found this article helpful?
Share it with your network and spread the knowledge!
The USA International Harp Competition has selected Canadian composer Kalen Smith as the winner of its 8th Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest for his innovative piece 'Bioluminescence.' This prestigious competition attracted 73 applications from composers across 23 countries, demonstrating the global interest in advancing contemporary harp composition. Smith, currently pursuing a Master's Degree in composition at McGill University, brings unique perspective as both a composer and harpist, blending traditional harp techniques with electronic music influences to create groundbreaking sonic landscapes.
Smith's winning composition 'Bioluminescence' explores the extreme registers of the harp, creating an underwater-inspired soundscape through innovative techniques that push the instrument's boundaries. The victory brings significant recognition and opportunities for the emerging composer, including a $2,000 prize funded by the American Harp Society, Inc. More importantly, 'Bioluminescence' will be included in the 13th USAIHC's Stage III required repertoire and performed by the 2025 Gold Medalist at debut concerts, ensuring international exposure for Smith's work.
The composition will achieve broader accessibility through publication by Lyon & Healy Publications, with the score available for purchase on https://www.harp.com starting January 2, 2025. This publication represents a crucial step in disseminating new harp repertoire to musicians worldwide. The competition's international jury, featuring renowned composer Chen Yi and distinguished harpists from multiple countries, also recognized four other finalists from South Korea, Canada, Iran, and the United Kingdom, reflecting the diverse global nature of contemporary harp composition.
The USAIHC, founded in 1989 by Susann McDonald, has played a vital role in promoting new works for the harp through its composition contest. Now in its eighth cycle, the competition serves the organization's mission to inspire artistic innovation in harp music while providing essential platforms for composers and enriching the repertoire available to harpists globally. The upcoming Composition Forum during the 13th USAIHC in Bloomington will feature performances of the other finalists' works and include a discussion with Smith about 'Bioluminescence,' offering valuable insights into contemporary harp composition and performance techniques.
This competition's impact extends beyond individual recognition, contributing to broader appreciation of the harp and fostering connections between musicians and audiences. By promoting artistic excellence and encouraging personal growth, the USAIHC plays a critical role in launching careers and sustaining the future of harp music. The selection of 'Bioluminescence' as the winning composition underscores the ongoing exploration of new sonic territories in harp music, representing a fusion of traditional playing with contemporary approaches that may influence future directions in harp repertoire and performance practices.
Curated from 24-7 Press Release
