PROF. KAREL PATRAS HARP COMPETITION 2025
5th year, 16-19 January 2025
Competition is held by courtesy of Dagmar Patrasová and her son Felix Slováček jr.
and under the auspices of
Ing. Mariana Čapková MBA
the first deputy mayor of the Municipal district of Prague 6
and councilor for education and Social Policy
This year is dedicated to important live anniversaries of the harpists and composers Alphons Hasselmans (*1845) and Henritte Renié (*1875)
Promoter:
Základní umělecká škola Jana Hanuše, Praha 6
U Dělnického cvičiště 1/1100 B
Prague 6 – Břevnov
and Dům dětí a mládeže Praha 6
in cooperation with Klub přátel školy při ZUŠ Jana Hanuše, Praha 6
1. The goal of the competition is to promote and popularize harp playing, support of mutual meetings and comparing players’ skills of young harpists.
Competition is designated as one-round, open to students under the age of 26 and of all grades of art schools.
2. Competition categories:
| Category 1 | Born in 2017 and younger | 2 – 4 min |
| Category 2 | Born in 2015 and 2016 | 3 – 5 min |
| Category 3 | Born in 2013 and 2014 | 4 – 8 min |
| Category 4 | Born in 2011 and 2012 | 5 – 10 min |
| Category 5 | Born in 2008, 2009 and 2010 | 7 – 12 min |
| Category 6 | Born in 2005, 2006 and 2007 | 10 – 16 min |
| Category 7 | Born in 2002, 2003 and 2004 | 12 – 18 min |
| Category 8 | Born in 1999, 2000 and 2001 | 14 – 20 min |
Competitors in categories 1-2 will play the lever harp. Category 3 and higher are allowed to use only pedal harp.
Minimal duration limit for each category is mandatory. Participants that do not follow this rule will be disqualified.
The maximal limit may be exceeded by one minute, then the performance will be stopped with no influence on number of marks in the evaluation given by the jury. Non compliance with the choice with repertoire will be sanctioned by disqualification or reduction in points.
Competition performances are public.
There will be lever and pedal harps Lyon&Healy and Salvi available. All harps will be lend by Mr. Antoni Gralak. Participants may also play their own instruments, brought on their own expense and responsibility.
The order of competitors will be set during one of the Christmas concerts of ZUŠ Jana Hanuše by drawing the specific letter, which all categories will start from. Each participant will have a possibility of a warming up before his/her performance.
Immediately after the end of each category a seminar with the jury will take place.
3. Repertoire:
Category 1 – 2 – pieces of free choice within the specified duration limit
Category 3 – min. two pieces of different periods – baroque or classicism and music of 19th – 21st century
Category 4 – obligatory piece by Alphons Hasselmans: TROIS PETITES PIÉCES FACILES, No. 2 ROUET
and two pieces of different periods – baroque or classicism and music of 19th – 21st century
Category 5 – obligatory piece by Henriette Renié: SIX PIECES, No. 2 AU BORD DU RUISSEAU and two pieces of different periods – baroque or classicism and music of 19th – 21st century
Category 6 – obligatory piece by Alphons Hasselmans: PETITE VALSE op. 25 and two pieces of different periods – baroque or classicism and music of 19th – 21st century
Category 7 – 8 – obligatory piece by Henritte Renié: CONTEMPLATION and two pieces of two different periods, mentioned above
Compositions with the accompaniment of any other instrument are not allowed.
On the request of the jury, competitors are obliged to put in the sheet music of interpreted compositions.
PLAYING BY HEART is the condition in all categories.
Obligatory pieces are free to download on www.imslp.org
4. The jury will be set up of five renowned harp teachers chosen by the organizers of the competition. The jury’s decision is final and unchangeable.
The first award winners will obtain the title “competition laureate”.
The winner of the entire competition will be declared at the final concert.
5. Application shall be submitted by 30 November 2024 electronically by the form filled out below on www.patrasharpcompetition.cz or www.zuspraha6.net and labeled as Harfová soutěž prof. Karla Patrase. Please add the payment confirmation copy of passport or other birth certificate. The payment confirmation of the competition fee of 80,- € – electronic payment on account IBAN CZ6101000000000004332061, SWIFT /BIC/ KOMBCZPPXXX with variable symbol 16012025 must be specified by the name of the school and the surname of the competitor.
Sending the application serves as an agreement with the conditions of the contest and with the eventual posting of names and photographs.
As far as the capacity of the competition is full, the promoter reserves the privilege not to accept further applications.
6. Rules of the competition are an integral part of the announcement of the competition (available on the internet page www.patrasharpcompetition.cz.
Accomodation during the competition can be ordered at the William Hotel ( Hellichova street, Malá Strana, Prague 1) at the email address: manager@hotelwilliam.cz (sales manager Helena Sobotková), where participants will receive a 25% discount after entering the password: PATRAS HARP