International Harp Competition Felix Godefroid 2026
Article 1: Organization
The 2026 edition of the Félix Godefroid International Harp Competition will be staged from 29 April to 3 May 2026.
The 9th International Harp Competition Felix Godefroid is organized by the association “ Les Amis de la harpe mosane a.s.b.l. ”. Located in « Rue des Poulées 8, 1400 Nivelles, Belgium ».
Article 1: Goals
In order to increase the public awareness of the harp and to celebrate the harpist and composer Felix Godefroid, an international harp competition named: “International Competiton Felix Godefroid “ is being organised in Tournai. The competition is organized every three years.
Article 2 : Admission
The Competition is open to harpists of all nationalities who have not passed their 35th birthday by the time of the competition.
Article 3 : Registration
Registrations open on: 1st October 2025
The registration deadline is set on March 25th 2026.
During the registration process, a registration fee will be required.
Amount
A non-refundable registration fee is to be paid:
- 60 € per participant in the ‘Espoir’ and ‘Jeune Talent’ categories
- 100 € per participant in the ‘Espoir’ and ‘Jeune Talent’ categories
Article 4: Receipt
Each duly registered candidate will receive an official invitation.
Article 5: Categories
Four categories define the distribution of candidates:
- Espoir
- Jeune Talent
- Excellence
- Soliste
Article 6: Programs
“Espoir”: celtic or pedal harp.
The mandatory piece will be announced in October.
Complete the programme with pieces of your choice to achieve a total duration (including the compulsory work) of at least 7 minutes and at most 10 minutes.
“Jeune Talent”: pedal harp.
Mandatory piece: Choose One piece between:
- La Laura by Félix Godefroid (edition of your choice)
- Le Désir by Félix Godefroid (edition of your choice)
Complete the programme with pieces of your choice to achieve a total duration (including the compulsory work) of at least 12 minutes and at most 15 minutes.
“Excellence “: pedal harp.
Two mandatory pieces:
- In the Book “20 études mélodiques” from Félix Godefroid, choose one of the following studies: Study 15 OR Study 18
- “Barcarolle”, by Philippe Verkaeren
Complete the programme with pieces of your choice to achieve a performance lasting a total of minimum 20 minutes and maximum 25 minutes (including the mandatory piece).
” Soliste “: pedal harp.
Elimination Round:
- Two compulsory pieces:
- “Un petit écho de fredons”, Claude Ledoux
- In the Book “20 études mélodiques” from Félix Godefroid, choose one of the following studies: Étude nr.16 OR nr. 20
- Complete the programme with pieces of your choice to achieve a performance lasting a total of minimum 25 minutes and maximum 28 minutes (including the mandatory piece).
Final Round:
- Two compulsory pieces:
- Sacred Dance and Profane Dance by Claude Debussy, accompanied by The Tournai Musical Chapel Orchestra
- A piece by Félix Godefroid of your choice
- Complete the programme with pieces of your choice to achieve a performance lasting a total of minimum 25 minutes and maximum 28 minutes (including the mandatory piece).
- No piece from the elimination round may be performed in the final round.
Article 7. : Instruments
Celtic and pedal harps from the firm CAMAC will be available for use during the contest.
Competitors may choose the instrument on which they will perform the pieces presented.
If they wish, they may perform on their own instrument.
Article 8. : Prizes
“Espoir”
- 1st prize: €300
- 2nd prize: €200
- 3rd prize: €100
“Jeune Talent”
- 1st prize: 500 €
- 2nd prize: 300 €
- 3rd prize: 200 €
“Excellence”
- 1st prize: 1500 €
- 2nd prize: 1000 €
- 3rd prize: : 500 €
“Soliste”
- 1st prize: 3000 €
- 2nd prize: 1500 €
- 3rd prize: : 1000 €
Article 9 : Jury
The Jury is composed of professional Belgian and foreign musicians and harpists.
Jurors cannot vote for any participant who is or has ever been their student.
The attribution of a prize (or a non attribution) is an exclusive jury competence.
Decisions of jury are final and there is no right of appeal.
Article 10 : Invitation
Candidates are personally invited by e-mail.
The invitations indicate the date, place and approximate competition time of the candidate.
Article 11 : Cancellation
A non-refundable registration fee is due to “Les Amis de la Harpe mosane a.s.b.l.” for all the general expenses occurred for the organization of the contest.
If the organizer should announce the cancellation of the contest, the participants who had already paid would be refunded their subscription fee and only this fee.
Article 12. : Scores
Candidates will bring their own scores except for the mandatory piece.
The Artistic committee remind to all participants that the use of photocopies is forbidden.
Article 13 : Public
Performances at all stages will be open to the public in compliance to any health regulations that may be imposed.
If the sanitary situation does not allow the competition to be held in person and in public, the competition administrators reserve the right to hold the competition via streaming.
Article 14 : Image Rights
The candidate agrees that his/her performance may be photographed and filmed in order to be streamed and published for the purpose of promoting the Felix Godefroid competition.
Article 15 : Acceptation
Each candidate or any civil representatives having read the present competition rules accept them all.
Decisions of jury are final and there is no right of appeal.