Susann Hackett McDonald

We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of Susann H. McDonald, distinguished professor emeritus of harp at Indiana Jacobs School of music, on Thursday, May 29th, 2025, at the age of 90. School of Music faculty in 1981, McDonald was recognized as a world-renowned pedagogue, a robust concertizing career and teaching positions at the Juilliard school, the University of Southern California, the University of Arizona, and 35 years at Indiana University. Susann was born May 26, 1935, in Rock Island, Illinois; to George McDonald and Catherine (Hackett) McDonald.
In 1955, at the age of 20, she became the first American to receive the Premier Prix de Harpe from the Paris Conservatory. One year later, Susann would perform for an audience of 60,000 at the Chicagoland Music Festival at Soldier Field. McDonald was a treasured and beloved teacher, musician, and friend to harpist around the world. Susann served as the artistic director for the world Harp Congress from its inception in 1983, until 2011, an accomplishment of which she took great pride in. Susann promoted worldwide friendships and lived to see her students and fellow harpists succeed. In 2008, she received the world harp Congress award of recognition for service to the International Harp Community at the 10th World Harp Congress. McDonald is one of very few to receive such an honor.
She served on juries for virtually all the world's major harp competitions, including Israel, Italy, France, Hong Kong, and Mexico. McDonald has performed many times on the PBS television show "Joy of Music" with Host and longtime friend Diane Bish, an acclaimed organist. Susann has produced numerous CDs under various labels as well as she founded the U.S. International Harp competition in 1989. Thus, constructing one of the largest and most esteemed solo harp performance competitions in the world.
Susann McDonald's deep Christian faith was always a guiding light in her life. Susann wrote several daily devotional books, including "Praise the Lord with the Harp" and "A Journey of Faith". She also was the co-author of "Harp for Today, a Universal Method for the Harp". Her writings have impacted many around the world. Often Susann could be spotted on her back patio writing and studying the Bible. She was an avid reader, loved to garden, and play golf. She enjoyed her golfing community, submerging herself in the wilderness, in Naples, Florida where she spent her winters since 1999. Susann is survived by two nieces Amy Brakeman (Sausalito, California) and Amanda Mayeda (Culver City, California); and nephews David McDonald (Los Angeles, California) and Christopher McDonald (Torrance, California).
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, George McDonald Jr.
A visitation will be held for Susann on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Allen Funeral Home and Crematory (4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47401) from 6pm-8pm. The funeral service will be held at 11am on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church (2700 E Rogers Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401) with an hour of visitation beforehand. Susann will be laid to rest at Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Susann's honor to the USA International Harp Competition ( https://usaihc.org/donate )