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The USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) is a triennial performance competition held at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana. Founded in 1989 by Susann McDonald, world-renowned harpist and pedagogue, the USAIHC is among the largest and most esteemed solo harp performance competitions in the world. Its mission is: “To elevate exceptional harpists to extraordinary heights through performance, new music, and education.”
The USAIHC is searching for an Executive Director. Reporting to the President and Treasurer, Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide dynamic leadership and direct the management, planning, and fundraising activities of the USAIHC. The Executive Director will be instrumental in directing all programs of the USAIHC, enhancing the USAIHC’s reputation as a leading international harp competition and a regional promoter of education and outreach of classical music performance. The USAIHC focuses its endeavors on the synergy of four areas of expertise – solo harp competition, classical music composition through our triennial international Composition Contest, classical music performance through our annual Concert Series, and education and outreach through our Harp Start.
Headquartered on the campus of Indiana University, at the Jacobs School of Music (IU JSOM), the USAIHC is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit institution founded in 1987 in Bloomington, IN. In 2019 the USAIHC conducted its 11th USA International Harp Competition with 39 contestants from 19 countries. The USAIHC is an external agency at IU JSOM with the JSOM as an exclusive sponsor of the USAIHC, along with Lyon & Healy Harps, Chicago, IL. USAIHC employs a three-quarter time Executive Director for two of the three triennial years of each competition. From October before the competition to October immediately following the competition the position is full-time, with time and a half for hours worked over 40 hours per week. Additional staffing is provided by university interns from the Arts Administration program of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) and the IU Harp Department, along with a 23-member working board of directors and volunteers. The three-year budget generates revenue of $325,000 and receives significant in-kind support from our exclusive sponsors amounting to an additional $100,000. Its programs are supported by charitable donations, earnings from endowments (equivalent value of $222,500,) as well as grants, event admission fees, entry fees and merchandise sales.
A bachelor’s degree is required, with a master’s degree a plus. At least three years of successful leadership, management, and fundraising experience are preferred as is prior experience managing a non-profit. A background in classical music performance and arts administration is preferred. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and resume. For additional information please visit www.usaihc.org.
(USAIHC) is among the largest and most esteemed solo harp competitions in the world. The USAIHC includes four
primary programs that make it unique within the arts environment of Central and South Central Indiana and worldwide including:
1. A ten-day triennial solo harp performance competition held in Bloomington, IN that presents over 80
performances free and open to the public. The event offers opportunities for several thousand people to
experience the harp, including over 80 performances from 40 harpists, a Stars of Tomorrow concert
presented by international prizewinners under eighteen years old, a Composer’s Forum, and two ticketed concert events.
2. A triennial solo harp composition contest which produces approximately 100 new harp compositions
each cycle. During the correlating performance competition, the winning composition is required repertoire
for the third stage and a composer’s forum includes an interview with the winning composer and performances of the finalists’ pieces.
3. An annual Concert Series that presents distinguished harpists. These concerts take place in
the fall and spring annually, as well as during the ten-day competition.
4. A year-round educational program called "Harp Start" which shares the harp and the enriching power
of music with hundreds of students and community members of all ages and backgrounds. An Ambassador program that engages high school orchestra students to interact with contestants and attend concert events.
