Harp & Clarsach Syllabus
Sponsored by Pilgrim Harps
Entries open 01/01/2026 and close 25/02/2026
The Harp and Clarsach section will take place on Saturday 9th May 2026 at Reigate Park Church, Park Lane East, Reigate, Surrey.
Adjudicator: Gwenllian Llyr
Welsh harpist Gwenllian Llŷr is known for her charismatic and engaging performances. With prizes too numerous to list, including from the USA International Harp Competition and the Royal Over-Seas League Annual Music Competition, Gwenllian is becoming increasingly in demand as a solo performer. Her career has already taken her across the globe to perform in prestigious venues alongside renowned artists such as jazz legend Al Jarreau, pianist Imogen Cooper, and international opera singer Bryn Terfel.
Following the successful release of her debut solo album, ‘Dusk to Dawn’, for which her playing was hailed as “magnificent” and “powerful”, Gwenllian toured the UK both in concert venues and in the community as part of her work for the charity Live Music Now. As many a harpist before her, Gwenllian became inspired – largely by her students – to expand the harp’s repertoire with her own compositions. Some of her pieces are regularly featured on the concert circuit and have been heard on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio Cymru, as well as being featured on exam syllabuses for Trinity and ABRSM. Gwenllian’s latest work, her own take on that quintessential Welsh hymn, Calon Lan, featured on her CD with Ty Cerdd, ‘Soliloquies for harp’.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, The Juilliard School and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Gwenllian is enjoying a busy and varied freelance career. Alongside several solo recitals, her upcoming year will feature a tour with the other half of Aliara Duo, flautist Sirius Chau, both within the UK as well as in at the World Harp Congress in Toronto.
Enquiries
Any enquiries about this section should be emailed to: harp@rrfestival.org
Rules
For a full list of the Festival’s rules and regulations see here.
Please take note of Rule 3a: it is a condition of our Surrey County Council performance licence that all performers in school years 11 and below must be accompanied by an appropriate adult at all times while at Festival venues.
In addition, the following section rules apply;
- A copy of the music must be provided for the adjudicator for all performances.
- If a photocopy is provided it will be destroyed after use and not returned.
Classes
400 SOLO Beginners Pre Grade 1
One piece from the Initial Grade or Step exam syllabus or an own choice piece of a similar standard.
Fee ₤5.00
Up to 2 mins
401 SOLO Grades 1 & 2
Own choice of one piece from any standard examination syllabus or one piece appropriate to the standard of that grade.
Fee ₤5.50
Up to 3 mins
402 SOLO Grades 3 & 4
Own choice of one piece from any standard examination syllabus or one piece appropriate to the standard of that grade.
Fee ₤6.00
Up to 5 mins
403 Dress up to complement your piece
Dress in character to complement your piece. Any choice of piece, any standard. Age 11 yrs and under. See regulation 19.
Fee ₤6.00
11 and younger
Up to 4 mins
404 Non-Competitive Class Under 18 years
Under 18 , any standard. Own choice of one piece. The performer will receive an adjudicator’s comment. Small groups can also enter this class.
Fee Solo: ₤6.00 Group: ₤6.00 per group
Solo or Group of 2 to 4 people
18 and younger
Up to 4 mins
405 Traditional
One piece or a set of traditional pieces from any country.
Fee ₤6.50
Up to 5 mins
406 Pop, Film or Musical
Own choice of an arrangement for harp of a song from a musical or film; or a pop song from any era, or an arrangement of a film soundtrack
Fee ₤6.50
Up to 5 mins
407 SOLO Grades 5 & 6
Own choice of one piece from any standard examination syllabus or one piece appropriate to the standard of that grade.
Fee ₤6.50
Up to 5 mins
408 SOLO Grades 7 & 8
Own choice of one piece from any standard examination syllabus or one piece appropriate to the standard of that grade.
Fee ₤7.50
Up to 7 mins
409 RECITAL Age 14 years and under
Own choice of 2 or 3 contrasting pieces.
Please note Regulations 11 & 19.
Fee ₤9.00
14 and younger
Up to 10 mins
410 RECITAL Age 15 years and over
Own choice of 2 or 3 contrasting pieces.
Please note Regulations 11 & 19.
Fee ₤12.00
15 and older
Up to 14 mins
411 Duet/Trio for Harps Year 7 and under
Own choice of piece(s). See regulation 19.
Fee ₤7.00 per duo/trio
Group of 2 to 3 people
Year 7 and under
Up to 4 mins
412 Duet/Trio for Harps Year 8 and over
Own choice of piece(s). See regulation 19.
Fee ₤7.50 per duo/trio
Group of 2 to 3 people
Year 8 and over
Up to 4 mins
413 Duet for one Harp with instrument or voice (year 7 and under)
Own choice of piece(s). See regulation 19.
Fee ₤7.00 per duo
Group of 2 people
Year 7 and under
Up to 4 mins
414 Duet for one Harp with instrument or voice (year 8 and over)
Own choice of piece(s). See regulation 19.
Fee ₤7.50 per duo
Group of 2 people
Year 8 and over
Up to 4 mins
415 Ensemble
For two or more harps plus other instruments and/or voices, or four or more harps only. Own choice of piece(s).
Fee ₤13.50 per group
Group of a minimum of 3 people
Up to 6 mins
416 Ensemble for Fun!
An opportunity to join an ensemble of harps and clarsachs to play a piece together. The music will be sent to you in advance.
Fee ₤0.00
417 Non-Competitive Class Adult (Over 18 years)
Any style and any standard. Own choice of piece. Small groups may also enter this class (up to 4 players). Players will receive adjudicator’s comments and a certificate.
Fee Solo: ₤7.50 Group: ₤7.50 per group
Solo or Group of 2 to 4 people
18 and older
Up to 5 mins
418 Tiny Harps Beginners – For harps with 20 strings or fewer
Own choice of piece. Small groups are welcome (up to approximately 6 players). No age limit, all welcome.
Fee Solo: ₤6.00 Group: ₤6.00 per group
Solo or Group of 2 to 6 people
Up to 4 mins
419 Tiny Harps Intermediate – For harps with 20 strings or fewer
Own choice of piece. Solo players or small groups are welcome No age limit, all welcome.
Fee Solo: ₤6.50 Group: ₤6.50 per group
Solo or Group of 2 to 6 people
Up to 5 mins
Concerto Competition
For Concerto entries, please see our Concerto Competition section.
