STUDENT EVALUATIONS PROGRAM Spring 2026
January 31st, 2026: 1-4 pm (MT) Online Zoom Format
February 21st, 2026: 12-3 pm (MT) In Person
Mile High Chapter Spring Harp Recital: TBD (following second round of Evaluations)
Check back soon for more details of the Spring Recital
We are excited to announce our guest advisor will be Jenna Hunt!
These evaluations are held to help our Mile High Chapter Members improve their playing and musicianship. It is our hope that students (of all ages) will gain experience playing for and listening to others while receiving feedback from a guest advisor.
AN OVERVIEW
From The American Harp Society Website
"Auditions and Evaluations is an educational program for harp students sponsored by the American Harp Society, Inc.
Participants come specifically to be heard and to hear one another. Because this is a unique two-part program, there is
special focus on the improvement that can be made by participating on both days.
The word “audition” comes from the Latin [audio] which means “to hear.” We must not confuse our Harp Society “Auditions” with the more common usage of the word audition; for this is not a competition. On the first day, participants play pieces of their own choosing for an advisor and for one another. The advisor gives each student feedback on their performance. A performer’s worksheet or traditional theory test is given. On the second day of the program, about a month later, participants show their improvement by playing the same pieces again. Because this is not a competition, no prizes are given, however everyone who participates both days receives a Certificate of Participation from the Music Education Committee of the American Harp Society."
INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2026 MILE HIGH CHAPTER STUDENT EVALUATIONS
There will be two rounds of evaluations – the first will be held on January 31st from 1:00 - 4:00 pm and the second will be held on February 21st from 12:00 - 3:00 pm.
The first evaluation will be held in a completely virtual setting (as in previous years) and we will use the format found below. The second evaluation will be held in person at Faith Bible Chapel South in Denver. If there are travel hardships please reach out to the Mile High Chapter Board. Students must complete both evaluations to receive their American Harp Society Participation Certificate.
Step by Step Information for the evaluations:
1. For the evaluations, participants should prepare 3 to 5 minutes worth of music. This can either be one piece, several shorter pieces, several orchestral excerpts, or an excerpt of a piece that is longer than 5 minutes. (See below in the FAQ for more information) If you are new to student evaluations, you can ask your harp teacher for help in selecting your music and if you have further questions, please reach out to the Mile High Chapter.
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We ask that each student participating in the evaluations submit a video recording of their music before the first Zoom evaluation, so we can hear the student with better audio quality.
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At the start of the video please announce the title of the song(s) before playing each piece.
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Please send your unedited recording as either an .mov or .mp4 file to milehighahs@gmail.com. The submission date for the video recording is Tuesday, January 27th by 11:59 p.m.
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Additionally, please attach a pdf file of each song that the student is performing and be sure to put (Name) Student Evaluation Recording 1 in the subject line of the email. (If you do not own a scanner there are several apps that convert a picture taken with your cell phone to a pdf file.)
A few tips to help make your recording session go smoothly:
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Don't worry if your performance isn't perfect. We want to hear the real you! To help take some of the pressure off, try recording the song several times and then use the best take of three.
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Be sure to record your "practice" takes as well. Sometimes it is the recording that you are the happiest with as you are more relaxed.
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Enlist a family member to help press record/stop. Also, that family member can help to keep background noise to a minimum.
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Dress for success! Sometimes wearing clothes that you would normally perform in can help get you in the zone.
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Please don't forget to give your harp a good tune up before recording!
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Have fun and remember to breath.
2. On January 31st, participants will be assigned a time (about 20 minutes) to receive live feedback and work with the guest harp advisor in real time through Zoom. We encourage you to sign on to the Zoom meeting early or stay on after your assigned time to listen to at least one other student work with the advisor. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to hear other harpists perform, learn something about their songs, and support one another. (Participants and their teachers are welcome to stay signed in for the entire Zoom session if they so desire.)
The Zoom meeting link and the assigned feedback time will be emailed out to the participants using the email address provided when registering, a minimum of 24 hours prior to the event. The schedule will also be posted on this website page.
3. Participants will receive written feedback from their assigned guest harp advisor based on the video performance and Zoom session. The participants can then take this feedback to their teachers, and they have the opportunity to work on incorporating the comments into their piece over the next month.
4. The second evaluation is scheduled for February 21st in person at Faith Bible Chapel South in Denver. If the student participant has illness or traveling hardships, please reach out to the Mile High Chapter Board prior to to second in person evaluation so that other arrangements can be made.
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On February 21st, we ask you to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled performance time. There will be a pedal or lever harp available for you to play on, however if you feel more comfortable on your own harp you may bring it as well. Students will have the opportunity to play their music for everyone and then receive additional feedback from your evaluator. The second evaluation will be of the same music in order to demonstrate improvement in performance and show mastery of the music. If possible, we encourage the student to perform the music from memory at the second evaluation.
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The Mile High Chapter Board encourages participants to arrive early or stay after their assigned time to listen to at least one other student work with the advisor. This is a great opportunity to show support for your fellow harpists and learn about other fun harp music you may want to learn as well!
5. The registration fee is $25 dollars and students must be current members of the local Mile High Chapter of the American Harp Society in order to participate. If you are not a member of the Mile High Chapter, you can pay membership dues online and participate in this event and other events in the future. Space is limited, so be sure to register soon! All students who complete both evaluations will receive a Certificate of Participation from the American Harp Society, Inc.
6. The annual Mile High Chapter Spring Harp Recital will follow the second round of evaluations (time to be determined in January 2026). All Chapter member harpists are welcome to participate in this event even if you did not play for student evaluations. Please check back soon for more details!
Please register and pay online by clicking the event button below.
We are pleased to announce that our 2026 guest advisor will be
Jenna Hunt!
See more information about our guest advisor below.
Evaluation Schedule
FAQ
WHAT IF MY SONG IS NOT VERY LONG? (EXAMPLE UNDER 2 MINUTES)
Students are encouraged to play more than one song for the evaluation if their perfomance time is under two minutes. Just be mindful that the total performance time for all songs combined cannot exceed 5 minutes.
DO MY MUSIC SELECTIONS NEED TO BE ”PERFORMANCE” READY?
No. As long as the music is out of the learning notes stage and can be played at a steady tempo it is acceptable to play it as a piece in progress.
DO I NEED TO BRING MY HARP?
For the first evaluation, no, as it will be held in an all virtual setting and you will be playing your own harp from the comfort of your home. For the second evaluation, there will be a lever and pedal harp available for participants to play. You are welcome to bring your own harp instead if you are more comfortable playing on it. However, we ask that if you are bringing a harp please arrive EARLY to get your harp unloaded and tuned, so we can stay on schedule.
DO I NEED TO BE AN AHS MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE?
Yes, you need to be a current member of our local Mile High Chapter to participate in the student evaluation program. Student Member ship dues are $15, regular membership dues are $20, and the registration cost is $25
IS THIS A COMPETITION AND WILL MY PERFORMANCE BE COMPARED TO OTHER PARTICIPANTS?
No. This is an opportunity to grow as a performer, gain more mastery of the music, learn from others, and support your fellow harpists.
IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE?
Students of ALL ages are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Jenna Hunt
Known for her versatility and intense musical interpretation, Colorado harpist, Jenna Hunt, brings a fresh perspective to being a professional musician in today’s culture. She received her bachelor’s degree in jazz performance at University of Northern Colorado in 2015 and completed her master’s degree in harp performance at University of Denver Lamont School of Music in 2020. While at University of Denver, Ms. Hunt was a finalist in the University’s concerto competition, performing the final movement to Ginastera’s Harp Concerto. She has studied under such legendary harpists as Ann Marie Liss, Grace Browning and Kathy Bundock-Moore and she is acting principal for the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, and subs with orchestras such as the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Colorado Symphony, among others. In addition to performing as a soloist, chamber musician, jazz musician, and orchestra musician, Jenna maintains a private lesson studio for aspiring harpists of all ages, and enjoys working as a wedding harpist along the Front Range and in the Rockies. She is currently the harp instructor at Colorado College, University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, and Pikes Peak State College.