Organizational

Membership

Finances

CHAPTER HANDBOOK

Please refer to the current AHS Directory and contact the appropriate chairman for further information about a specific program.

To produce a magazine for the membership containing articles and columns designed to inform members and to leave an accurate record of the activities of the AHS and current issues in the harp world. This material may include (but is not limited to) biographies of major figures of the past and present, bibliographies, historical studies, listings of publications and recordings, articles of educational content for students and teachers, and articles concerning construction and maintenance of the harp.

The American Harp Journal is published twice a year. For submissions contact the Editor; for advertisements contact the Business Manager.

To prepare a publication to address the needs of the harp teacher. Topics will include, but not be limited to discussions of literature, pedagogy, teaching materials, and the business of teaching.

The AHS Teachers Forum is published twice a year and included as an insert to The American Harp Journal. On the AHS website, www.harpsociety.org, teachers can submit comments about articles in the AHS Teacher's Forum.

Uncle Knuckles Knews is a publication designed for students ages 8 to 18 and their teachers. It is published twice a year as an insert to The American Harp Journal.

During the summer on even-numbered years the American Harp Society holds a national conference. This event is an opportunity for all harpists to hear fine solo, chamber and concerto concerts featuring the harp. In addition, workshops and panel discussions are held and harp manufacturers, music publishers and others are featured in an exhibit hall.

On odd-numbered years the American Harp Society sponsors a Summer Institute which is an event for harp students of all ages to come together to listen to other harpists and learn from experienced teachers. Featured are musicianship classes including music theory, music history and ear training, as well as recitals, master classes and student evaluations. There are also seminars of interest to teachers.

National solo competitions in four levels are held every two years in conjunction with the Summer Institutes of the AHS.

Each summer at the annual event of the AHS, the competition for the Anne Adams Awards is held. These awards are given in honor of Anne Adams by her husband, Dr. Burton Adams. Each of the three winners receives $2000 for full-time study of the harp. Lyon & Healy enhances the awards with a $500 gift certificate and specially designed trophy for each award winner. A permanent plaque in Lyon & Healy's showroom is engraved with the winners' names.

Any active Chapter of the American Harp Society may apply for the Chapter of the Year award. The winning chapter will be determined by a majority vote of the Executive Committee after they have had an opportunity to evaluate the materials. The announcement will be made at the annual event of the American Harp Society, preferably at the General Membership meeting.

The application should list activities including completed and projected projects from the previous annual meeting to the upcoming annual meeting (July through June). Activities must be documented in detail with accompanying programs, clippings and photographs. All materials must be placed in a binder and submitted to the President of the AHS by May 15.

Criteria for selection of the Chapter of the Year:

1. The Chapter must be in good standing and in compliance with AHS policies. (i.e. by-laws on file, annual reports submitted to the Executive Secretary.)

2. The activities of the Chapter will be evaluated in terms of fulfillment of the Mission Statement of the American Harp Society, Inc.:

The general aims and purposes of the Society shall be to cultivate, promote, foster, sponsor and develop among its members and the general public the appreciation of the harp as a musical instrument; to develop and further the quality of the instrument itself and of its related components; to encourage the composition of music for the harp; and to improve the quality of performance by harpists.

A. "cultivate, promote, foster, sponsor and develop among its members and the general public the appreciation of the harp as a musical instrument"

An effective chapter newsletter
Public recitals and workshops
Sponsorship of the AHS Concert Artists
Media coverage of harp events in the community
Establish close working relationships with local music schools and faculties

B. "develop and further the quality of the instrument itself and of its related components"

Harp repair clinics etc.

C. "encourage the composition of music for the harp"

Offer assistance to composers and arrangers in understanding and effectively writing for the harp.
Commission harp compositions and offer competitions and prizes for musical works featuring the harp.
Program recent works for harp written by local composers.

D. "improve the quality of performance by harpists"

Establish and promote competitions among harpists.
Award grants and scholarships to contest winners and other worthy applicants.
Support student harpists by conducting Music Education Auditions and master classes or workshops with outstanding harpists.

For further information contact the President of the AHS.

The American Harp Society maintains a library of video and audio tapes for use by chapters and members. The newly formed Interview Series 2000, a video archive, records and celebrates the lives and careers of prominent harpists and members of the harp community. Contact the appropriate chairman for a current catalog and procedures to borrow the tapes.

The AHS Music Education Auditions, open to students of all ages who are national members, consists of two auditions ("hearings") held approximately one month apart. At the first, the participants play two pieces of their own choosing. At the second, they play these again--to show their improvement--along with a third piece they have chosen.

In addition to playing for each other and for a friendly audience of family and friends, (which in and of itself could be the program's raison d'être--so much is gained by playing for and listening to others,) the participants perform in front of an Advisor--NOT a judge. This program is not a competition. Comparisons are not made between participants. The Advisor's job is to provide oral and written suggestions for each participant. Usually this Advisor is a master teacher from a nearby area, or a local non-harpist music teacher known for his/her exceptional ability to work with students.

All pieces are left up to the participants. However, we do ask that the three pieces performed represent the Classic, Romantic, and Contemporary periods of music. We strongly recommend that the music be within the participant's mental and emotional capacity. The emphasis is entirely on musicianship, not on "showing off."

Written theory tests are given at the first audition. An oral or ear training test may be given at the second. The tests are simply to impress upon the students the necessity of a good grounding in the theory of music.

Every participant who completes both auditions will receive a handsome Certificate of Participation from the American Harp Society, Inc.

Upon request and with Executive Committee approval, up to $100 is available to chapters to defray the expense of these auditions.

Further information is available from the Music Education Auditions Chairman.

The AHS Concert Artist program provides great visibility for the harp to the general public and gives a chapter the opportunity to plan a recital which will draw community interest and participation. Chapter requests for the AHS Concert Artists recitals should be addressed to the Concert Artist Chairman.

An Artist or Artist/Ensemble will be selected by audition for a two-year promotion which includes a stipend of $3000.00 per year. Of this amount, $1000.00 each year will be earmarked for travel expenses incurred for performances at AHS Chapter recitals. Up to $500.00 per year will be available from the John Escosa Fund and is to be used to enhance concert presentation and stage demeanor. The remainder is available to assist the artist in career development in such possible ways as producing a professional video, paying agents' fees, developing publicity, providing performance evaluation and professional photographs, and underwriting a debut recital.

The selection of the artist will be made every two years in conjunction with AHS Conferences. The auditions are open to soloists, duos, and trios. The harpist must be a member of the American Harp Society, be at least twenty-five (25) years of age at the time of the audition, and have credentials as a performer. A recital program and a school demonstration program will be submitted from which the audition will be played. The audition panel will have three judges: two harpists and one non-harpist musician.

The archives/repository of the AHS are located at the Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University in Provo, UT. All submissions and inquiries to the collection which includes music, recordings, research materials, and professional papers should be directed to the AHS Archives/Repository Librarian. This material is available to all legitimate scholars for study and research and is intended to foster serious academic study of the harp, its history and development.

For information about any other programs or activities of the AHS not described in this document please contact the appropriate group coordinator listed on the organizational chart.

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