Division I - Open Division

The competition will have three rounds: preliminary, semi-final and final. All competitors must submit an electronic copy of their proposed final 20-22 min program to the Administrative Director (kossleraj@appstate.edu) by April 18. After this time, no changes to the program are allowed.

For the preliminary round, competitors must play two selections totaling no more than ten minutes' time, one of which will be chosen by the jury from the competitor's submitted program. The second piece is free choice of the competitor, taken from his or her proposed program. The competitor choice piece is played first. The judges may stop the performance of either piece for time reasons. Should this occur, it will in no way be detrimental to the scoring.

A maximum of twelve players will be selected from the preliminary round to advance to the semi-final round, where they may play up to 15 minutes from their submitted program. The semi-final program must include ten to twelve minutes of the competitor's choice taken from the submitted final program. The judges will then select one other piece from the competitor's submitted program for the semi-finalist to play. As in the preliminary round, time may be called if necessary. Should this happen, it does not adversely affect the player's scoring.

Four competitors will be selected from the semi-finals to perform in the final round, where they must play their full program as submitted at the preliminary round. Finalists will be announced during intermission of the Saturday night concert. As in the first two rounds, and the judges may stop any competitor when the time limit is reached. There will be no scoring penalty assessed if a competitor is stopped for time. All decisions of the judges and competition director will be final.

All communication with competition registrants prior to the festival regarding scheduling will be by e-mail only! Be sure to include an e-mail address with the application!

Special Prize

“George Thomas Panormo” awarded by Dr. Douglas James for the best interpretation of romantic guitar work.  This prize will be awarded in the Semi-Final round of the competition.

 For the purpose of this competition, “Romantic Guitar Work” is defined as: a work written for pre-Torres instruments that precedes the Spanish nationalist style during the 1800’s.  Composers may include, but are not limited to Giuliani, Sor, Regondi, Coste, Carulli, Aguado, Legnani, Carcassi, Paganini, Lhoyer, etc.  Please feel free to contact Dr. Adam Kossler with any questions about at repertoire kossleraj@appstate.edu.

Click here to see Thomas Viloteau perform on a George Thomas Panormo.

Division II

Division II is for those students in grades 9-12, or any younger guitarist who has previously won first prize in the Division III. Three finalists in this division will be selected from the first-round competitors. Program is free choice, 6 minutes long, for both rounds. The judges may stop the performance for time reasons. Should this occur it will in no way be detrimental to the scoring.

Division III

Division III is for those students in grades 6-8. Three finalists in this division will be selected from the first-round competitors. Program is free choice, 4 minutes long, for both rounds. The judges may stop the performance for time reasons. Should this occur it will in no way be detrimental to the scoring.

Division IV

Division IV is for those students in grades 5 and under. Two finalists in this division will be selected from the first-round competitors. Program is free choice, 4 minutes long, for both rounds. The judges may stop the performance for time reasons. Should this occur it will in no way be detrimental to the scoring.

General

All decisions made by the judges are final.  In regards to non-cash prizes, Appalachian State University offers no warranty and assumes no responsibility for continued care of prizes awarded. 

Competition Prizes