The USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) is a triennial performance competition held at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana that recognizes the accomplishments and fosters the careers of gifted young harpists worldwide. Founded in 1989 by Susann McDonald, world-renowned harpist and Distinguished Professor of Music at Indiana University, the USA International Harp Competition is open to harpists of all nationalities between the ages of 18 and 32.

During the ten-day competition, contestants compete in four stages: the first two stages consist of required repertoire, the third stage is a 40-minute solo program of the contestant’s choice, and the fourth stage features the three finalists performing a harp concerto accompanied by the Jacobs School of Music Philharmonic at the Indiana University Musical Arts Center. All stages are free and open to the public.

A Jazz Vespers Service featuring readings, meditation and jazz is held each first Friday. This month’s theme is “Connection.”
Music by the Elena Escudero Quartet

The Performing Arts Series offers the Bloomington Community numerous opportunities to experience the talent of its local artists. Bring your lawn chair, blanket, and picnic dinner and delight in the sounds of local musicians with the Performing Arts Series!

Opener: 6:30 pm – Amigo Fields
-21st century Americana
Main act: 7:00 pm – Hoosier Caravan featuring Tom Roznowski
-Original music from Indiana

Summer in Bloomington means warm days, cool nights, and the best free concert series of the year: WFIU Public Radio and the Department of Jazz Studies at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music are proud to present the 2019 return of Jazz in July.

This free outdoor concert series is bringing you more of the best jazz from around Indiana. We encourage guests to bring lawn chairs, blankets or even a picnic!

All concerts take place at the Conrad Prebys Amphitheater.

Rain locations: July 5, 12 – Cramer Marching Hundred Hall; July 19, 26 – Recital Hall

More information available at wfiu.org/jazzinjuly

Pianist Jamaal Baptiste grew up on the island of Aruba, a nexus for the music of the Americas and Europe. His instinctive feel and musicianship delight listeners and dancers alike. Jamaal is comfortable performing in a wide range of musical settings, with experience in Jazz, Blues, R&B, Gospel, Latin, Brazilian, and Caribbean music. His island roots are infused into the trio’s unique sound, and his versatility glues the band together.

Praised by the New York Times as “excellent,” Katherine Siochi is an internationally-acclaimed harp soloist and principal harpist of the Sarasota Orchestra. Katherine is the 2016 gold medalist of the 10th USA International Harp Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious harp contests, and is only the second American to win the prize since 1989. Audiences worldwide have commended Katherine for her virtuosity, as well as her poetic interpretations and innate sense of timing. Katherine strives to connect with her listeners through raw emotion and intensely expressive performances.

Katherine has also received many awards in national harp competitions, including first prize in the American Harp Society’s Young Professional division, earning her the title of AHS Concert Artist for 2015-2017. As Concert Artist, Katherine presented recitals and masterclasses in 23 cities across the US. She has given solo concerts in Hong Kong, China, Israel, and at Lyon & Healy Hall in Chicago. Her performances have been featured on national radio programs: twice on NPR’s “From The Top,” on New York Public Radio for WQXR’s “Young Artist Showcase,” and on American Public Media’s “Performance Today.”

As an orchestral musician Katherine has performed in major venues such as Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, and Alice Tully Hall, and substitutes frequently with the New York Philharmonic. Katherine has performed concertos with the Sarasota Orchestra, Juilliard Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic, and Indiana University Festival Orchestra. She has been a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and Aspen Music Festival, and last summer she was principal harp for the Classical Tahoe orchestra in Lake Tahoe.

Ms. Siochi began her musical studies with the piano when she was 5 years old, and began learning the harp at age 9. She holds her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in harp performance from The Juilliard School, where she studied with NY Philharmonic principal harpist Nancy Allen. While earning her master’s at Juilliard, Katherine was a recipient of the distinguished Kovner Fellowship. In addition to the harp, Katherine studied secondary piano at The Juilliard School under Dr. Michael Shinn during her four years as an undergraduate. Her background as a pianist has contributed to her interest in transcribing piano works for the harp, and her unique attention to voicing on the harp. Katherine’s transcriptions of Debussy and Chopin are published through Lyon & Healy at harp.com. Highly sought-after as a teacher, Katherine gives private lessons and masterclasses throughout the US, and is on the faculty of the Young Artist’s Harp Seminar. She maintains a private teaching studio in Sarasota and teaches numerous students over video as well. Katherine grew up in Iowa City, Iowa, where she studied with Pamela Weest-Carrasco.

Eric Brown & The L Street Band capture the essence of Bruce’s iconic sound in a way that pays homage to the legend’s early rise from New Jersey working class hero to international superstar. The stage show has the kinetic energy that only Springsteen’s music can generate: a visual spectacle accompanied by memorable music! Featuring Dancing in the Dark, Born in the USA, Hungry Heart, Born to Run, fan-favorite Rosalita and many other Springsteen classics. Doors open at 7 pm, showtime 7:30 pm. Concessions available.