Audition Required | Eligibility: Harp Students RCM Level 8+
Successful applicants will be responsible for their own travel, accommodation, travel insurance and One Harp World Registration fees
Participants will first join the VAM Harp Ensemble Summer Program, and then travel to Toronto for One Harp World 2026, the joint conference of the American Harp Society and World Harp Congress. The conference runs July 28 – August 3, 2026 (primarily at the Sheraton Centre) and features masterclasses, workshops, concerts, exhibits, and networking celebrating harp music worldwide.
We are proud that the VAM Harp Ensemble has been selected to participate in this prestigious and highly competitive event, recognizing the ensemble’s outstanding international reputation over the past four years. For students, this is an exceptional opportunity to gain international recognition and strengthen their musical résumé for university applications—whether as aspiring music majors or as a significant extracurricular achievement for non-music majors. The level of exposure and prestige is comparable to participating in the Olympics in a sports setting.
VAM Harp Ensemble Summer Program
Eligibility: Harp Students RCM Level 8+
Audition requirement: submit a video of selected movements from Resonantities.
Applicants will receive the audition excerpts by email after the March 13 deadline. Recordings must be submitted by March 31.
Coaching faculty: Joy Yeh & Rosanna Chiu
Rehearsals:
- June: 2 sessions, 2 hours each
- July 21–24: daily 6–8 PM
- July 25: final rehearsal & concert
Audition Fee: $25
Audition form at the bottom of the page
Audition Application Deadline (extended): March 20, 11:59pm
Audition Video Submission Deadline (extended) : April 7, 11:59pm
Program Fee: $575
The summer program prepares students for performing at One Harp World 2026.
Schedule and Ensemble Performances in One Harp World, Toronto
Arrival: July 26
Rehearsals: July 27 (daytime), July 28 (pre-performance, TBD)
Performance 1 – Opening Gala Prelude
- Date/Time: July 28, 7:30 -8:00PM
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Program: Music composed or arranged by Canadian composers
- Theme: “Travelling Canadian Harpists YVR to YYZ” (TBD)
- Location: Grand Ballroom Lobby
Performance 2 – Lecture-Performance: Resonantities
- Date/Time: July 29, 10:30-11:15 AM
- Duration: 15-minute performance within a 45-minute lecture
- Faculty: Edward Top, VAM Composition Associate Professor & Division Chair
- Performance Repertoire: Six movements of Resonantities, performance to conference attendees, together with a lecture that presents innovative approaches to writing for harp ensembles. (Link to more information: https://www.edwardtop.com/orchestra/six-pieces-for-harp-ensemble)
One Harp World Registration
Successful applicants will be responsible for all associated registration fees.
- Student Full Conference Registration (under 21/full-time): Before April 17: $600 | After April 17: $800
- Single Day Registration (student): $275
- Evening Event Tickets (family/friends): $45 each, available at registration table or door
- Link to detailed registration fee information on One Harp World: http://oneharpworld.org/registration
Accommodations
Successful applicants are responsible for their own accommodations and associated fees.
- Most activities at Sheraton Hotel or nearby walking-distance venues
- Group Rate for One Harp World Attendees: $329/night + tax
- Dormitory options may be listed on the One Harp World website
- More information: https://www.oneharpworld.org/lodging
Complete your audition application form below
Audition Application Deadline (extended): March 20, 11:59pm
Audition Video Submission Deadline (extended): April 7, 11:59pm
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