Canadian Composer Kalen Smith Wins Prestigious USA International Harp Competition Composition Award
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.
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The USA International Harp Competition has announced Canadian composer Kalen Smith as the winner of its 8th Ruth Inglefield Composition Contest for his piece 'Bioluminescence,' selected from 73 applications across 23 countries. This prestigious recognition underscores the global reach and artistic innovation occurring in contemporary harp composition. Smith, currently pursuing a Master's Degree in composition at McGill University, brings his experience as a harpist to create a unique underwater-inspired soundscape that explores the extreme registers of the harp through innovative techniques.
The victory brings Smith significant professional opportunities, including a $2,000 prize funded by the American Harp Society, Inc. and the inclusion of 'Bioluminescence' in the 13th USAIHC's Stage III required repertoire. The composition will be performed by the 2025 Gold Medalist at debut concerts, providing international exposure for Smith's work. Lyon & Healy Publications will publish the score, making it available for purchase on https://www.harp.com starting January 2, 2025, ensuring broad accessibility to harpists and music enthusiasts worldwide.
The competition's international jury, featuring renowned composer Chen Yi and distinguished harpists from around the world, also recognized four other finalists representing South Korea, Canada, Iran, and the United Kingdom. This diverse selection reflects the global nature of contemporary harp composition and the competition's role in fostering international artistic exchange. The USAIHC, founded in 1989 by Susann McDonald, has been instrumental in promoting new works for the harp through this composition contest, now in its eighth cycle.
In May, during the 13th USAIHC, a Composition Forum will be held in Bloomington featuring performances of the other finalists' works and a discussion with Smith about 'Bioluminescence.' This event will provide valuable insights into contemporary harp composition and performance techniques, offering educational opportunities for musicians and audiences alike. The competition's impact extends beyond immediate recognition, contributing to the broader appreciation of harp music and fostering connections between musicians and their audiences.
The selection of 'Bioluminescence' as the winning composition highlights the ongoing exploration of new sonic territories in harp music, representing a fusion of traditional harp playing with contemporary compositional approaches. This innovative work potentially influences future directions in harp repertoire and performance practices, demonstrating how traditional instruments can adapt to modern artistic expressions. The availability of Smith's composition through established publishing channels ensures that cutting-edge harp music reaches performers and enthusiasts, supporting the continued evolution of the harp's role in contemporary classical music.
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