Florida Guitar Foundation

ICAC Semifinals
2019-06-20 14:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Second set of Semifinal performances in the GFA International Concert Artist Competition.

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PRIZES
Rose Augustine Grand Prize:

$10,000 Cash*
GFA Sponsored International Concert Tour, including approximately 50 concerts throughout the United States, Canada,and Mexico.
Naxos CD Recording
Mel Bay Publication
3 year supply (52 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories
Generous string package provided by Savarez
CD and booklet design and production as well as print/digital marketing and distribution by Contrastes Records

2nd Prize:

$7,000 Cash*
3 year supply (26 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories.
Generous string package provided by Savarez
Generous string package provided by Augustine

3rd Prize:

$5,000 Cash*
3 year supply (26 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories.
Generous string package provided by Savarez
Generous string package provided by Augustine

4th Prize:

$3,000 Cash*
3 year supply (26 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories.
Generous string package provided by Savarez
Generous string package provided by Augustine

*All prizes subject to mandatory 30% federal tax withholding for foreign prize-winners; US prize-winners will be issued an IRS-1099 Form.
*All donated prizes are subject to the delivery by the sponsor. GFA will do everything possible to ensure delivery of all prizes, but GFA will not be held responsible if donor does not deliver a prize as listed above.
All Semifinalists will receive a $500 Travel Stipend. Foreigners must provide receipts to avoid tax withholding.
Other prizes awarded to all Finalists will include gift certificates donated by GSP, Strings by Mail, and KLING-ON products.

JURY
Preliminary Round: TBA
Semifinal and Final Rounds: TBA

COMPETITION RULES
ELIGIBILITY
Open to competitors, who must be 18 years of age by June 1, 2020 (the year following the competition), regardless of nationality.
Required Piece: Fantasia, by Roberto Gerhard.

SEMIFINAL ROUND
Thursday, June 20, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Performance order for this round will be determined by a lottery. The twelve (12) candidates will perform before a panel of seven (7) new judges.
The repertoire for this round will be:
Maximum twenty-five (25) minutes of stage time (timed from the first note, including time between all pieces). All competitors will play the required piece, Fantasia, by Roberto Gerhard, as part of their 25-minute program.
Pieces from previous rounds may NOT be repeated in later rounds.
Four (4) competitors from this round will advance to the Final Round. Announcement of the four (4) competitors to advance will be made Thursday evening at the beginning of Intermission.

FINAL ROUND
Saturday, June 22, 6:30 pm, with live webcast: Performance order for this round will be determined by a lottery. Four (4) candidates will perform before a panel of the same seven (7) judges.
Finalists will perform a free choice program along with the Set Piece. The total performance time, including the Set Piece, must not exceed the length of the Set Piece plus the thirty (30) minute program. Players will be timed from the moment the first note is played (initial entry/tuning time will not be counted provided it is within reason), and the timer will run throughout the performance, including the time between pieces. The timer will be stopped at the end of the piece preceding the set piece, and started again immediately at the conclusion of the set piece. Players who exceed the thirty (30) minute time limit on their free choice program will be stopped.
Pieces from previous rounds may NOT be repeated in later rounds. All decisions by the judges are final.

JUDGING
The judging procedures are reviewed each year by the Competition Committee, and GFA reserves the right to change the procedures outlined below at the discretion of the committee, in advance of the competition. Any changes will be posted on this page.
The Guitar Foundation of America does not use a point system. All judges votes are weighted equally. Judges will evaluate each competitor at their own artistic discretion, and each juror will vote their choice of the twelve (12) competitors from the Preliminary Round to move on to the Semifinal Round. All votes will be tallied and the twelve (12) competitors with the highest votes shall advance to the Semifinal Round. Should a tie result, judges will re-vote on only the tied competitors.
In the Semifinal Round, judges will evaluate each competitor in several categories. Each judge will vote their choice for four (4) finalists, all votes will be tallied and the four (4) competitors with the highest votes shall advance to the Final Round. Should a tie result, judges will re-vote on only the tied competitors.
In the Final Round, judges will evaluate each competitor in several categories. The judges will first vote for first place; then for second; then for third. No ties will be allowed in the Final Round. In the case of a tie in the initial vote, judges will re-vote on the tied competitors to determine who will advance to the higher place.
The winner of the International Concert Artist Competition will perform the Set Piece during the Winner’s Tour.

For further information, please contact Martha Masters, Artistic Director at martha@marthamasters.com
-Martha Masters, Artistic Director, GFA International Concert Artist Competition.

Guitar Orchestra Rehearsal
2019-06-20 17:30 - 18:30 | University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The 2019 GFA Community Guitar Orchestra will perform a special arrangement of the final cut from the EMMY-award winning score to the Netflix mini-series Godless by Carlos Rafael Rivera.
The GFA is once again pleased to offer the opportunity to rehearse and perform with the Community Guitar Orchestra. All registrants, regardless of performance level, are invited to participate. The Guitar Orchestra will be led by Chuck Hulihan. Parts will be distributed by mid May, 2019.
The rehearsal schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, June 19, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 20, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 5:15 – 6:00 p.m.
The performance will be held on Friday 21, at 6:00pm alongside the Spotlight Recital.
Signing up: To sign up for the Guitar Orchestra, just make the selection when you register for the Convention, and you will be provided links to music and any other information via email.

Youth Social
2019-06-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Foster 239, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
A chance for the youth attending and competing at this year’s Guitar Foundation of America Convention and Competition to socialize and network, in a mock Happy Hour setting.

Brasil Guitar Duo
2019-06-20 20:00 - 22:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Brasil Guitar Duo, a 2006 winner of the Concert Artists Guild International Competition, and hailed by Classical Guitar magazine for its “maturity of musicianship and technical virtuosity,” is equally at home on a classical or a world-music series. Its innovative programming features a seamless blend of traditional and Brazilian works, resulting in a full global touring schedule and a growing catalogue of critically acclaimed recordings. The Duo has appeared internationally on major concert series and at festivals in Cuba, Germany, England, Canada, South Korea, Colombia, Brazil, Austria, Panama, Poland, and Bermuda. Recent and current U.S. engagements include recitals at venues in New York, Miami, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, St. Louis, Tucson, Seattle, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Nashville, San Jose, and Oakland.
Duo members João Luiz and Douglas Lora met in São Paulo as teenage guitar students and have been performing together for twenty years. The Duo’s principal teacher was Henrique Pinto, and they also worked privately with Fabio Zanon, Paulo Martelli, Sergio Abreu, and Alice Artzt. Douglas Lora earned his Master’s degree from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music as a student of Dr. Rene Gonzalez. João Luiz received his Master’s degree from Mannes College the New School for Music under Michael Newman, and with sponsorship from the Augustine Guitar Scholarship Fund he earned a doctoral degree from Manhattan School of Music as a student of David Leisner. João is the director of chamber music at CUNY-Hunter College and head of the guitar department at the State University of New York-Purchase.

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Lecture: Juan Oscar Azaret
2019-06-21 09:00 - 09:50 | Weeks Music Library & Tech Center, 210, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Juan Oscar Azaret discusses “Those Mysterious Existences.”

For over two decades, Juan Oscar Azaret has been honing the craft of lutherie. He has also been very involved with (and is now a board member and trustee) of the Boston Classical Guitar Society.
Azaret Guitars

International Ensemble Competition
2019-06-21 09:00 - 12:30 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The second session of the Guitar Foundation of America’s International Ensemble Competition.

International Ensemble Competition
University of Miami | Miami, FL, USA
June 20-22, 2019
Eligibility
The GFA International Ensemble Competition is comprised of an Artist and Youth Division. The Artist Division attracts professional and collegiate-level ensembles while the Youth Division is designed for ensembles whose members are 18 years old or younger. The GFA International Ensemble Competition will take place during the GFA Convention in Miami, FL at the University of Miami. The convention will run from June 17-22, 2019 and the competition will take place on Thursday, June 20 (Youth Division) and Friday, June 21 (Artist Division).
1. International Ensemble Artist Competition – Open to all ages. For rules and more information, Click HERE
2. International Youth Ensemble Competition – All ensemble members must be ages 18 or under through the date of the competition finals. For rules and more information, Click HERE
Ensembles may only compete in one age division of the IEC per year.
*IYC and ICAC competitors are allowed to also compete in IEYC and IEAC, respectively.
If you will participate in more than one competition, first register for one of the two competitions through the appropriate online registration form. Next, contact Ebaa Khamas, Operations Administrator, at info@guitarfoundation.org or 877-570-1651 requesting directions to register for the second competition. An additional registration fee of $100 will be applied for participation in the second competition.
Prizes
International Ensemble Artist Competition (IEAC)
1st Prize: $3000* and Concert at 2020 GFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN**
2nd Prize: $1500*
3rd Prize $750*
International Youth Ensemble Competition (IEYC)
1st Prize: $1000*
2nd Prize: $700*
3rd Prize: $500*
String prizes from Augustine, D’Addario, and Savarez.
*All prizes subject to mandatory 30% federal tax withholding for foreign prize-winners; US prize-winners will be issued an IRS-1099 Form.
**The concert prize is awarded for the winner of the International Ensemble Artist Competition, only. Included with this prize is lodging for the following year’s convention and travel expenses up to $2,000. Jurors are not obligated to award a 1st place prize. Ensemble artists may also be asked to serve on competition juries or teach.
JURORS:
Concert Artist Competition: TBD
Youth Competition: TBD
Competitors Orientation Meeting:
The competitors meeting will be held at 10 am on Thursday, June 20th in location TBD. Attendance is mandatory for all ensemble members. Rehearsal spaces will be assigned for the day of the competition and can be accommodated during the week.

Les Frères Méduses Technique Workshop
2019-06-21 09:00 - 21:50 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Les Frères Méduses have performed as a duo in the United States and Europe over the last five years, programming improvised music, folk music arrangements, classical music and their own compositions, and have premiered new works by Joseph Williams II and Atanas Ourkouzounov. They have performed at the Guitar Foundation of America Festival, Chicago Guitar Festival, Austin Classical Guitar Society, Texas Chamber Music Festival, String Theory at Hunter Museum, Oberlin Conservatory, Nashville Virtuoso Showcase, and the String Festival. European performances include the Festival de Joué lès Tours, Stavanger Gitarfestival, Théâtre Ducourneau, le Conservatoire de Nantes, and Norges Musikkhøyskole.

Lecture: Alan Hirsch and Thomas Kitka
2019-06-21 10:00 - 10:50 | Weeks Music Library & Tech Center, 210, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Dr. Alan Hirsch and Thomas Kitka discuss Teaching the Fingerboard: “Beyond the Open Position”

Dr. Alan Hirsch has written a number of books and ensemble piece collections for Mel Bay Publications.
Thomas Kitka has written a number of instructional guitar books for Alfred Music Publishing.

GFA Vendor Expo
2019-06-21 10:00 - 16:00, 2019-06-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Fillmore Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Dr, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Come check out the vendors at Guitar Foundation of America Convention! The Vendor Expo will take place in the Henry Fillmore Band and Nancy Greene Halls at the University of Miami Frost School of Music.
Vendors include:

MicroTōne GuitarsProductions d’OZ/Doberman
Sean Spurling Guitars
Kevin J. Cope
Vicente Carrillo Guitars
Editions Henry Lemoine
Wiseman Cases
Ubach Method for Guitar
Thomas Baldwin Guitars
Wood Ring Guitars
Dogal Strings
Lubos Naprstek, Luthier
Garrett Lee, Luthier
Sean Spurling, Luthier

Bill Glez GuitarsTraphagen Guitars
Cadiz Guitars
Rokkomann, Inc.
Reverie Classical Guitars
Vincent Xu, Luthier
Yanlei, Luthier
David Chaves, Luthier
The FJH Music Company Inc.
Sean Spurling Guitar Maker
Gregory Byers, Luthier
Hill Guitar Company
Kopecky Guitars
Kris Barnett Guitars

Irina Kulikova & Iliana Matos
2019-06-21 11:00 - 13:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Irina Kulikova tours far afield, with appearances at leading festivals in Europe, North America and Asia and in concert halls such as the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Academic Capella in St. Petersburg, Schloss Mirabell in Salzburg, the Palau de la Musica in Valencia, the Musashino Hall in Tokyo and the Oriental Arts Center in Shanghai.
She received over 30 awards for her artistry, including 1st prizes at the highly prestigious competitions of Michele Pittaluga in Italy, Guitarra Alhambra in Spain, Forum Gitarre Wien in Austria and Iserlohn in Germany.
With the rare beauty of her tone and and her enchanting presence on stage, Irina Kulikova catches the hearts of audiences across the globe. She belongs to that class of musicians that profoundly move people with the purity of their performance.
Some of the most sheerly beautiful playing I have ever heard
-Soundboard Magazine, Al Kunze

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Iliana Matos graduated from the National School of Art in Havana where she studied with José Angel Pérez Puente. She earned a Bachelor of Music (Classical Guitar Performance) from the Superior Institute of Havana (where her teachers included Rey Guerra, Miguel Bonachea and Jesús Ortega), and received a Special Diploma given to the most outstanding graduate for her artistic creative work. She continued her studies with Gabriel Estarellas at the Royal MusicConservatory of Madrid and graduated with a Master of Music Degree from de Extremadura University under Ricardo Gallén. As a student she participated in master classes with Leo Brouwer, David Russell, Sharon Isbin, Costas Cotsiolis, Tania Chagnot, Paolo Paolini, Tomás Müller, Wolfgang Lendle, Carlos Bonell, Juan Carlos Rivera and Joaquín Clerch.Prize winner of eleven major international competitions, including first prizes in the Andrés Segovia in Palma de Mallorca, Luys Milán, and Manuel Ponce International Guitar Competitions. She made history by becoming the first woman to win the prestigious S.A.R. LaInfanta Doña Cristina International Guitar Competition in Madrid, and the only person to win the special prize for Best Interpretation of Spanish Music in two consecutive years, 1995 and 1996.
Her name deserves to go down in guitar history as one of the great players of our time.
Classical Guitar Magazine

Living in Spain for the past 20 years, she has contributed to the development of a new generationof Spanish guitarists while teaching at the Royal Music Conservatory of Madrid, Conservatory ofthe Balearics, and the Conservatory of Salamanca. In addition to this, she regularly gives masterclasses all over the world and has performed extensively throughout Latin American, USA,Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Currently, Mrs. Matos serves on the faculty atUniversity of Lethbridge Faculty of Arts & Science (Canada) where she is head of guitar studies.

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Masterclass: Raphaella Smits
2019-06-21 13:30 - 15:30 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Raphaella Smits plays worldwide in her unique way on eight-string guitars and historical instruments. Recognized as ‘an uncommonly musical guitarist’ (Tim Page, New York Times), she always commits to the soul of the music. Her solo recitals as well as her performances with the most distinguished colleagues always meet enthusiastic audiences and press. In addition to her stage-work, Raphaella Smits has also made 21 recordings.
Raphaella Smits is internationally praised as an inspiring teacher for both guitar and chamber music. In addition to her chair at the Lemmens Institute in Belgium, she regularly gives master-classes in West and East Europe, in North and South America and in Japan.
Smits plays with more heart than anybody should be allowed to have.
Tom Chandler, Classical Guitar Corner.
Today Raphaella Smits is called ‘une Grande Musicienne’ and ‘one of the most delicate and most cultivated performers of our time’ (Jean Bernard, Diapason, FR).

Lecture: Stephen Goss, Jonathan Leathwood, and Stanley Yates
2019-06-21 13:30 - 15:30 | Weeks Music Library & Tech Center, 210, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Stephen Goss, Jonathan Leathwood, and Stanley Yates discuss Improvisation as a Way of Knowing: Towards a New Pedagogy of Notated Repertoire

Stephen Goss
Stephen Goss’s music receives hundreds of performances worldwide each year. It has been recorded on over 80 CDs by more than a dozen record labels, including EMI, Decca, Telarc, Virgin Classics, Naxos, and Deutsche Grammophon. His output embraces multiple genres: orchestral and choral works, chamber music, and solo pieces.
Stephen Goss is Chair of Composition at the University of Surrey (UK), Director of the International Guitar Research Centre, and a Professor of Guitar at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He was born in Wales on 2nd February 1964.

Jonathan Leathwood
Jonathan Leathwood was born in 1970 and has come to Denver from his native England. His first visit to the Lamont School of Music (at DU) was in 1996, when he spent the Spring Quarter as visiting guitar instructor at the invitation of Ricardo Iznaola, then on sabbatical. Recently Denver University awarded him its Artist’s Diploma, the first time they have made this award in individual performance, and made him the first recipient of the Ricardo Iznaola Guitar Scholarship. Jonathan is also guitar instructor at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
He has a PhD from the University of Surrey and a Bachelor of Music from King’s College London. He was later invited back to King’s to teach Music Analysis and Techniques of Musical Composition, before eventually moving to the United States in 1998. His principal teachers in guitar have been Gordon Crosskey, Richard Wright, Paul Galbraith, Ricardo Iznaola and the pianist and conductor George Hadjinikos.

Stanley Yates
British-born guitar virtuoso Stanley Yates has been delighting audiences for two decades with his unique blend of eclectic programming and refined, expressive musicianship. Performing to wide critical and audience acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic, he has been praised for his “transcendent interpretations” (Fort Worth Star Telegram) and “musical instinct and brilliant technique” (Suonare, Italy), and has been described as “one of an elite breed of guitarists” (Classical Guitar, England).
Now a resident of the United States, he currently directs the guitar program at Austin Peay State University, home of Tennessee’s Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts.

International Ensemble Competition
2019-06-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The third session of the Guitar Foundation of America’s International Ensemble Competition.

International Ensemble Competition
University of Miami | Miami, FL, USA
June 20-22, 2019
Eligibility
The GFA International Ensemble Competition is comprised of an Artist and Youth Division. The Artist Division attracts professional and collegiate-level ensembles while the Youth Division is designed for ensembles whose members are 18 years old or younger. The GFA International Ensemble Competition will take place during the GFA Convention in Miami, FL at the University of Miami. The convention will run from June 17-22, 2019 and the competition will take place on Thursday, June 20 (Youth Division) and Friday, June 21 (Artist Division).
1. International Ensemble Artist Competition – Open to all ages. For rules and more information, Click HERE
2. International Youth Ensemble Competition – All ensemble members must be ages 18 or under through the date of the competition finals. For rules and more information, Click HERE
Ensembles may only compete in one age division of the IEC per year.
*IYC and ICAC competitors are allowed to also compete in IEYC and IEAC, respectively.
If you will participate in more than one competition, first register for one of the two competitions through the appropriate online registration form. Next, contact Ebaa Khamas, Operations Administrator, at info@guitarfoundation.org or 877-570-1651 requesting directions to register for the second competition. An additional registration fee of $100 will be applied for participation in the second competition.
Prizes
International Ensemble Artist Competition (IEAC)
1st Prize: $3000* and Concert at 2020 GFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN**
2nd Prize: $1500*
3rd Prize $750*
International Youth Ensemble Competition (IEYC)
1st Prize: $1000*
2nd Prize: $700*
3rd Prize: $500*
String prizes from Augustine, D’Addario, and Savarez.
*All prizes subject to mandatory 30% federal tax withholding for foreign prize-winners; US prize-winners will be issued an IRS-1099 Form.
**The concert prize is awarded for the winner of the International Ensemble Artist Competition, only. Included with this prize is lodging for the following year’s convention and travel expenses up to $2,000. Jurors are not obligated to award a 1st place prize. Ensemble artists may also be asked to serve on competition juries or teach.
JURORS:
Concert Artist Competition: TBD
Youth Competition: TBD
Competitors Orientation Meeting:
The competitors meeting will be held at 10 am on Thursday, June 20th in location TBD. Attendance is mandatory for all ensemble members. Rehearsal spaces will be assigned for the day of the competition and can be accommodated during the week.

Zoran Dukić
2019-06-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Between 1990-1997, Zoran Dukić won more competitions than any other guitarist.
“the genius from Zagreb showed both technical brilliance and tenderness, with the artistic potential and expressive power of life itself. …This is a musician, not a guitarist”
– Kölnische Rundschau (Cologne, Germany)

Dukić is one of the most distinguished classical guitarists of our time. His concert performances, whether as a soloist or accompanied by an orchestra, leave long-lasting impressions on audiences and critics alike. A typical review of one of his shows often sounds like this accolade from Gelvesberger Zeitung of Germany, who called the show “A thrilling concert… the audience was on its feet already after the first piece… a phenomenal evening.”
Dukić graduated from the Music Academy of Zagreb with Darko Petrinjak, and completed his studies with Hubert Käppel at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne. In his “tour de force” competition years (1990-1997) he won an astonishing number of competitions. He is the only guitarist to have won both Andrés Segovia competitions in Granada and in Palma de Mallorca. In the Madrid’s most heralded Spanish guitar competition, in front of the Royal Family, he was awarded the special prize for the best interpretation of Spanish music – the first time it had ever been awarded to a non-Spaniard. Showing astounding mastery in a wide variety of musical periods and styles, he has also won competitions dedicated to Fernando Sor, Manuel Ponce, Manuel de Falla, and Francisco Tárrega among others.

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Dress Rehearsal: Guitar Orchestra
2019-06-21 17:30 - 18:00 | University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

Spotlight Recital & Guitar Orchestra Performance
2019-06-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The Spotlight Recital is a concert where non-competitor festival attendees will be given an opportunity to perform in open concert on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is a great opportunity for guitarists of all ages and skill levels to support one another in the sharing of their craft. Performers are also invited to participate in the GFA Community Orchestra, conducted by the fabulous Chuck Hulihan!
The Spotlight Recital and Orchestra Performance will take place on Friday at 6pm. Non-competitors that are 18 and above and are performing with the orchestra are welcome to submit an entry to be considered.

The 2019 GFA Community Guitar Orchestra will perform a special arrangement of the final cut from the EMMY-award winning score to the Netflix mini-series Godless by Carlos Rafael Rivera.
The GFA is once again pleased to offer the opportunity to rehearse and perform with the Community Guitar Orchestra. All registrants, regardless of performance level, are invited to participate. The Guitar Orchestra will be led by Chuck Hulihan. Parts will be distributed by mid May, 2019.
The rehearsal schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, June 19, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 20, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 5:15 – 6:00 p.m.
The performance will be held on Friday 21, at 6:00pm alongside the Spotlight Recital.
Signing up: To sign up for the Guitar Orchestra, just make the selection when you register for the Convention, and you will be provided links to music and any other information via email.

Manuel Barrueco
2019-06-21 20:00 - 22:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Grammy Nominated Manuel Barrueco is internationally recognized as one of the most important guitarists of our time. His unique artistry has been continually described as that of a superb instrumentalist and a superior and elegant musician, possessing a seductive sound and uncommon lyrical gifts.
His career has been dedicated to bringing the guitar to the main musical centers of the world. During three decades of concertizing, he has performed across the United States from the New World Symphony in Miami to the Seattle Symphony, and from the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to New York’s Lincoln Center.
Barrueco’s commitment to contemporary music and to the expansion of the guitar repertoire has led him to collaborations with many distinguished composers such as Steven Stucky, Michael Daugherty, Roberto Sierra, Arvo Pärt, Jonathan Leshnoff, Gabriela Lena Frank, Dmitri Yanov-Yanovsky, and Toru Takemitsu, whose last orchestral work Spectral Canticle was a double concerto written specifically for Manuel Barrueco and violinist Frank Peter Zimmerman.
Manuel Barrueco has appeared on a wide array of television programs including “CBS Sunday Morning”, A&E’s “Breakfast with the Arts”, and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” on PBS. He was featured in a Lexus car commercial, and his work in music inspired Michael Lawrence’s biographical documentary: “Manuel Barrueco: A Gift and a Life” which has been aired by PBS stations around the United States. Barrueco’s performances have been broadcast by television stations around the world such as NHK in Japan, Bayerische Rundfunk in Germany, and RTVE in Spain.
Manuel Barrueco began playing the guitar at the age of eight, and he attended the Esteban Salas Conservatory in his native Cuba. He immigrated with his family to the United States in 1967, as political refugees. Later, he completed his advanced studies at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where he now shares his love for music with a small number of exceptionally gifted young guitarists from all over the world.
In 2011, Manuel Barrueco received the United States Artist Fontanals Fellowship for Artistic Excellence.
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Lecture: Jonathan Godfrey
2019-06-22 09:00 - 09:50 | Foster 206, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Jonathan Godfrey discusses Metric Dissonance in the Guitar Music of Joaquín Rodrigo.

Guitarist, composer, and arranger Dr. Jonathan Godfrey has been thrilled to call the Tampa Bay area home since 2012. Since then he has been honored to perform with some of the finest musicians on the SunCoast, including numerous appearances with The Florida Orchestra, national touring shows at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, the Choral Artists of Sarasota, the Asolo Repertory Theatre, the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, the Florida Studio Theatre, and the Pops Orchestra of Sarasota. He has appeared in the concert series of such venues as GuitarSarasota, the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, the Sarasota Institute of Lifelong Learning, and many others.
Godfrey currently serves on the faculty of the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, where he teaches jazz, pop, and classical guitar students, as well as Music Appreciation and Music Theory.

Irina Kulikova Technique Workshop
2019-06-22 09:00 - 21:50 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Irina Kulikova tours far afield, with appearances at leading festivals in Europe, North America and Asia and in concert halls such as the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, the Academic Capella in St. Petersburg, Schloss Mirabell in Salzburg, the Palau de la Musica in Valencia, the Musashino Hall in Tokyo and the Oriental Arts Center in Shanghai.
She received over 30 awards for her artistry, including 1st prizes at the highly prestigious competitions of Michele Pittaluga in Italy, Guitarra Alhambra in Spain, Forum Gitarre Wien in Austria and Iserlohn in Germany.
With the rare beauty of her tone and and her enchanting presence on stage, Irina Kulikova catches the hearts of audiences across the globe. She belongs to that class of musicians that profoundly move people with the purity of their performance.
Some of the most sheerly beautiful playing I have ever heard
-Soundboard Magazine, Al Kunze

Junior Finals International Youth Competition
2019-06-22 09:30 - 12:30 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The Junior Finals for the GFA International Youth Competition.

International Youth Competition
PRIZES
Junior Division (Ages 14 & Under)
1st Prize: $1,000*
2nd Prize: $750*
3rd Prize: $500*
4th Prize: $250*
Other prizes awarded to all finalists will include:
Strings generously donated by D’Addario, Savarez, and Augustine
Gift Certificates from Guitar Solo Publications (GSP); Kling-On Products
All competitors receive gift certificates from Strings By Mail.
COMPETITION RULES AND ELIGIBILITY
Open to competitors, regardless of nationality, who are not older than 14 years of age (Junior Division) or 18 years of age (Senior Division) through the date of the competition finals, and who are not represented by professional management. Each division is limited to the first forty-five (45) applicants to have all required materials submitted to the GFA by the stipulated deadline. First Place-winners from any previous IYC are not eligible for the same age group.
All registrants under the age of 18 at the time of the convention must be accompanied by a paid adult registrant for the duration of their stay. Minors are not allowed on convention premises unless accompanied by an adult. The GFA does not take responsibility for any minor during their stay.
Competitors must participate in the division corresponding with their birthdate, with the exception that past winners of the Junior Division are eligible to compete in the Senior Division if desired; however past winners of Junior and Senior Divisions may not compete in the ICAC unless they have reached the minimum age requirement.
Competitors participating in the International Youth Competition (IYC) are eligible to participate in the International Ensemble Youth Competition (IEYC), but will need to register for that separately. Please note that International Youth Competition (IYC) participants cannot also be entered in the International Ensemble Competition (IEC). International Youth Competition (IYC) participants can only compete in the International Ensemble Youth Competition (IEYC).
If you will participate in more than one youth competition, you can register for one and then you must write an email to Ebaa Khamas, Operations Administrator, at info@guitarfoundation.org requesting directions to register for a second youth competition.
All decisions regarding eligibility are made by the IYC Artistic Director, Lynn McGrath.
DEADLINE: May 1, 2019. Entries with all fees and application materials, including submission of repertoire for the preliminary and final rounds as well as a an HD photo for the program, must be received by the GFA no later than the above deadline. No late entries will be considered.
REQUIRED PIECE – One solo from the Heitor Villa-Lobos Complete Works for Solo Guitar, Editions Max Eschig.
FREE CHOICE – One free choice piece of 4-7 minutes in length. This may include multiple movements from the same composition. For example, multiple movements from a Bach Suite or several etudes from Leo Brouwer’s Etudes Simples.
MANDATORY COMPETITOR’S MEETING: Thursday, 6/20/19. Time and location TBD.
Attendance at the Competitor’s Meeting meeting is required of all competitors. Procedures will be reviewed, and afterwards, there will be a brief tour of the Preliminary Round venue.
IMPORTANT CHANGE: The 2019 IYC has one change in the program submittal procedures. The programs for the preliminary and final rounds as well as an HD photo must be submitted via the provided program link by May 1st, 11:59PM EST (the same date and time as the registration deadline). Links will be sent upon successful completion of your registration. Please plan accordingly as those who do not submit a program by that deadline may be ineligible to compete.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Competitors who do not upload appropriate age verification with their registration are required to bring documentation to the competitor’s orientation meeting. Competitors who do not present appropriate materials will be allowed to perform for evaluation by the jury, but will not be eligible for advancing to the finals of the competition.
If you encounter a travel delay which prevents you from attending the meeting, you will need to provide proof upon arrival of earlier travel plans. Should you have another event in conflict with the competitors’ orientation meeting, which is not a sponsored GFA event, the competitor will only be permitted to perform for evaluation and will be ineligible to compete for competition prizes.
PRELIMINARY ROUND REQUIREMENTS FOR BOTH DIVISIONS
June 20th-21st: performance before a panel of three (3) judges for each division. This round will be closed to the public and no observers are allowed. If the number of competitors allows, this round will be held only on June 21st.
Each candidate must perform the following pieces and they may be performed in any order:
Required piece
Free Choice of 4-7 minutes length
All pieces must be performed from memory.
Each competitor is allotted a 12-minute performance slot in this round and a performance may be stopped by the judges if the player is not near completion of the music after 12 minutes of playing. Tuning or pausing between the selections is not included in the timing. All competitors must perform on a nylon string, classical guitar. Four (4) competitors from this round will advance to the Final Round. Announcement of the four (4) competitors to advance will be made at the conclusion of the Friday 4pm concert.
FINAL ROUND REQUIREMENTS FOR JUNIOR DIVISION
June 22nd: 9:30-11:30 am: Performance order for this round will be determined by a Lottery-numerical order draw. The four (4) candidates will perform before the same panel of three (3) judges and will be open to the public.
All finalists are required to perform a minimum of two (2) works of contrasting styles (by different composers) not to exceed a total of twelve (12) minutes. They may be performed in any order. No works by Villa-Lobos (whether or not they were played in the Preliminary Round) may be included in the Final Round, but other works from the Preliminary Round may be repeated.
All pieces must be performed from memory. Performers may be stopped at a total of 12 minutes playing time.
Tuning or pausing between the selections is not included in the timing. Announcement of the winners will be made at the end of the IYC Awards Ceremony, TBA (typically at the conclusion of the afternoon recital).
COMPETITION PROCEDURES
A list of preliminary round times will be e-mailed to each competitor a few weeks before the start of the convention. Order is determined by random number generating software. More detailed information about the IYC Competitor’s meeting will be provided by email communication after the registration deadline has been reached. Please check the email address you used when registering for all correspondence regarding the event.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Competitors should be near the judging venue, ready to perform, at least 30-45 minutes before their scheduled time. This is necessary in the event judging runs ahead of schedule. Competitors should bring only their guitar (without the case) and guitar elevation device or footstool into the judging venue. Footstools will not be provided. Be certain to tune the instrument before entering the judging venue. Performers are allowed to check tuning once inside the venue. Judges do not require copies of the score.
JUDGING
Judges will evaluate each competitor in several categories. Based upon this, they will vote their choice of the four (4) competitors from the Preliminary Round to advance to the Final Round. All votes are tallied and the four (4) competitors with the highest votes shall advance to the Final Round. Should a tie result, judges will discuss and re-vote on the tied competitors.
In the Final Round, judges will evaluate each competitor in several categories. The judges shall vote for each place, beginning with First then moving on to Second, Third, and Forth. No ties will be allowed. In the case of a tie during deliberation, judges will discuss and re-vote on the tied competitors to determine who will advance to the higher place.
All decisions by the judges are final.
Additional competition and convention registrations should be purchased separately. Chaperones attending with more than one competitor only need to purchase one pass for the appropriate competition period.
For competition questions, please contact: Lynn McGrath, Artistic Director of the International Youth Competition at iyc@guitarfoundation.org.
For registration questions, please contact: Ebaa Khamas, Operations Administrator, at info@guitarfoundation.org

Lecture: Michael Kudirka
2019-06-22 10:00 - 10:50 | Foster 239, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Dr. Michael Kudirka discusses Historical Tunings and Temperaments on Guitar: An Introduction to their Realization with Modern Microtonal Fretboards.

Dr. Michael Kudirka received his BM and DMA from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music where he studied with William Kanengiser, James Smith, and Brian Head, and his MFA from the California Institute of the Arts where he studied with Miroslav Tadic. He has taught at the Idyllwild Arts Academy, California Institute of the Arts, University of Southern California, Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He is currently a faculty member at Arkansas State University.

Lecture: Federico Sheppard
2019-06-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Foster 206, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Federico “Frederick” Sheppard discusses the discovery and publication of the original Agustin Barrios Method for Guitar, and other original materials.

Luthier Federico Sheppard wears many hats other than building great guitars, which include his unique “Camino” models and replicas of the main concert guitars of Agustín Barrios Mangoré. He hosts guitar workshops and presents concerts (over 500 to date) in the north of Spain along the Camino de Santiago, where he also writes and publishes articles for the Guild of American Luthiers and Soundboard magazine. This is a short-list of all he does; however, it has been with Herculean effort that his current project is nearly complete: called “El Libro de Oro – The Book of Gold”, this is a multi-volume and new edition of the works of Agustín Barrios Mangoré, commemorating the 75th anniversary of his passing. Acting as editor, contributing author and collector, Sheppard has included many hitherto unknown works, including the Barrios method, studies, duos, solos and arrangements of other composers. Published by Les Productions D’Oz, a very well-known publisher of sheet music for the guitar, with a release date set for June 2019.

IEC Winners' Concert
2019-06-22 11:00 - 13:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
2018 International Ensemble Competition Winners’ Concert.
The winners of the Guitar Foundation of America’s International Ensemble Competition are invited to perform at the next GFA Convention and Competition.

International Ensemble Competition
University of Miami | Miami, FL, USA
June 20-22, 2019
Eligibility
The GFA International Ensemble Competition is comprised of an Artist and Youth Division. The Artist Division attracts professional and collegiate-level ensembles while the Youth Division is designed for ensembles whose members are 18 years old or younger. The GFA International Ensemble Competition will take place during the GFA Convention in Miami, FL at the University of Miami. The convention will run from June 17-22, 2019 and the competition will take place on Thursday, June 20 (Youth Division) and Friday, June 21 (Artist Division).
1. International Ensemble Artist Competition – Open to all ages. For rules and more information, Click HERE
2. International Youth Ensemble Competition – All ensemble members must be ages 18 or under through the date of the competition finals. For rules and more information, Click HERE
Ensembles may only compete in one age division of the IEC per year.
*IYC and ICAC competitors are allowed to also compete in IEYC and IEAC, respectively.
If you will participate in more than one competition, first register for one of the two competitions through the appropriate online registration form. Next, contact Ebaa Khamas, Operations Administrator, at info@guitarfoundation.org or 877-570-1651 requesting directions to register for the second competition. An additional registration fee of $100 will be applied for participation in the second competition.
Prizes
International Ensemble Artist Competition (IEAC)
1st Prize: $3000* and Concert at 2020 GFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN**
2nd Prize: $1500*
3rd Prize $750*
International Youth Ensemble Competition (IEYC)
1st Prize: $1000*
2nd Prize: $700*
3rd Prize: $500*
String prizes from Augustine, D’Addario, and Savarez.
*All prizes subject to mandatory 30% federal tax withholding for foreign prize-winners; US prize-winners will be issued an IRS-1099 Form.
**The concert prize is awarded for the winner of the International Ensemble Artist Competition, only. Included with this prize is lodging for the following year’s convention and travel expenses up to $2,000. Jurors are not obligated to award a 1st place prize. Ensemble artists may also be asked to serve on competition juries or teach.
JURORS:
Concert Artist Competition: TBD
Youth Competition: TBD
Competitors Orientation Meeting:
The competitors meeting will be held at 10 am on Thursday, June 20th in location TBD. Attendance is mandatory for all ensemble members. Rehearsal spaces will be assigned for the day of the competition and can be accommodated during the week.

Senior Finals International Youth Competition
2019-06-22 13:30 - 15:30 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The Senior Finals for the Guitar Foundation of America International Youth Competition.

International Youth Competition
PRIZES
Senior Division (Ages 15–18)
1st Prize: $2,000*
2nd Prize: $1,000*
3rd Prize: $750*
4th Prize: $500*
Other prizes awarded to all finalists will include:
Strings generously donated by D’Addario, Savarez, and Augustine
Gift Certificates from Guitar Solo Publications (GSP); Kling-On Products
All competitors receive gift certificates from Strings By Mail.
COMPETITION RULES AND ELIGIBILITY
Open to competitors, regardless of nationality, who are not older than 14 years of age (Junior Division) or 18 years of age (Senior Division) through the date of the competition finals, and who are not represented by professional management. Each division is limited to the first forty-five (45) applicants to have all required materials submitted to the GFA by the stipulated deadline. First Place-winners from any previous IYC are not eligible for the same age group.
All registrants under the age of 18 at the time of the convention must be accompanied by a paid adult registrant for the duration of their stay. Minors are not allowed on convention premises unless accompanied by an adult. The GFA does not take responsibility for any minor during their stay.
Competitors must participate in the division corresponding with their birthdate, with the exception that past winners of the Junior Division are eligible to compete in the Senior Division if desired; however past winners of Junior and Senior Divisions may not compete in the ICAC unless they have reached the minimum age requirement.
Competitors participating in the International Youth Competition (IYC) are eligible to participate in the International Ensemble Youth Competition (IEYC), but will need to register for that separately. Please note that International Youth Competition (IYC) participants cannot also be entered in the International Ensemble Competition (IEC). International Youth Competition (IYC) participants can only compete in the International Ensemble Youth Competition (IEYC).
If you will participate in more than one youth competition, you can register for one and then you must write an email to Ebaa Khamas, Operations Administrator, at info@guitarfoundation.org requesting directions to register for a second youth competition.
All decisions regarding eligibility are made by the IYC Artistic Director, Lynn McGrath.
DEADLINE: May 1, 2019. Entries with all fees and application materials, including submission of repertoire for the preliminary and final rounds as well as a an HD photo for the program, must be received by the GFA no later than the above deadline. No late entries will be considered.
REQUIRED PIECE – One solo from the Heitor Villa-Lobos Complete Works for Solo Guitar, Editions Max Eschig.
FREE CHOICE – One free choice piece of 4-7 minutes in length. This may include multiple movements from the same composition. For example, multiple movements from a Bach Suite or several etudes from Leo Brouwer’s Etudes Simples.
MANDATORY COMPETITOR’S MEETING: Thursday, 6/20/19. Time and location TBD.
Attendance at the Competitor’s Meeting meeting is required of all competitors. Procedures will be reviewed, and afterwards, there will be a brief tour of the Preliminary Round venue.
IMPORTANT CHANGE: The 2019 IYC has one change in the program submittal procedures. The programs for the preliminary and final rounds as well as an HD photo must be submitted via the provided program link by May 1st, 11:59PM EST (the same date and time as the registration deadline). Links will be sent upon successful completion of your registration. Please plan accordingly as those who do not submit a program by that deadline may be ineligible to compete.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Competitors who do not upload appropriate age verification with their registration are required to bring documentation to the competitor’s orientation meeting. Competitors who do not present appropriate materials will be allowed to perform for evaluation by the jury, but will not be eligible for advancing to the finals of the competition.
If you encounter a travel delay which prevents you from attending the meeting, you will need to provide proof upon arrival of earlier travel plans. Should you have another event in conflict with the competitors’ orientation meeting, which is not a sponsored GFA event, the competitor will only be permitted to perform for evaluation and will be ineligible to compete for competition prizes.
PRELIMINARY ROUND REQUIREMENTS FOR BOTH DIVISIONS
June 20th-21st: performance before a panel of three (3) judges for each division. This round will be closed to the public and no observers are allowed. If the number of competitors allows, this round will be held only on June 21st.
Each candidate must perform the following pieces and they may be performed in any order:
Required piece
Free Choice of 4-7 minutes length
All pieces must be performed from memory.
Each competitor is allotted a 12-minute performance slot in this round and a performance may be stopped by the judges if the player is not near completion of the music after 12 minutes of playing. Tuning or pausing between the selections is not included in the timing. All competitors must perform on a nylon string, classical guitar. Four (4) competitors from this round will advance to the Final Round. Announcement of the four (4) competitors to advance will be made at the conclusion of the Friday 4pm concert.
FINAL ROUND REQUIREMENTS FOR SENIOR DIVISION
June 22nd: 1:30 – 3:30 pm: Performance order for this round will be determined by a Lottery-numerical order draw. The four (4) candidates will perform before a panel of three (3) judges. This round will be open to the public.
All finalists are required to perform a minimum of two (2) works of contrasting styles (by different composers) not to exceed a total of fifteen (15) minutes. They may be performed in any order. No works by Villa-Lobos may be included in the Final Round, but other works from the Preliminary Round may be repeated.
All pieces must be memorized. Performers may be stopped at a total of 15 minutes playing time. Tuning or pausing between the selections is not included in the timing. Announcement of the winners will be made at the end of the IYC Awards Ceremony, TBA (typically at the conclusion of the afternoon recital).
COMPETITION PROCEDURES
A list of preliminary round times will be e-mailed to each competitor a few weeks before the start of the convention. Order is determined by random number generating software. More detailed information about the IYC Competitor’s meeting will be provided by email communication after the registration deadline has been reached. Please check the email address you used when registering for all correspondence regarding the event.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Competitors should be near the judging venue, ready to perform, at least 30-45 minutes before their scheduled time. This is necessary in the event judging runs ahead of schedule. Competitors should bring only their guitar (without the case) and guitar elevation device or footstool into the judging venue. Footstools will not be provided. Be certain to tune the instrument before entering the judging venue. Performers are allowed to check tuning once inside the venue. Judges do not require copies of the score.
JUDGING
Judges will evaluate each competitor in several categories. Based upon this, they will vote their choice of the four (4) competitors from the Preliminary Round to advance to the Final Round. All votes are tallied and the four (4) competitors with the highest votes shall advance to the Final Round. Should a tie result, judges will discuss and re-vote on the tied competitors.
In the Final Round, judges will evaluate each competitor in several categories. The judges shall vote for each place, beginning with First then moving on to Second, Third, and Forth. No ties will be allowed. In the case of a tie during deliberation, judges will discuss and re-vote on the tied competitors to determine who will advance to the higher place.
All decisions by the judges are final.
Additional competition and convention registrations should be purchased separately. Chaperones attending with more than one competitor only need to purchase one pass for the appropriate competition period.
For competition questions, please contact: Lynn McGrath, Artistic Director of the International Youth Competition at iyc@guitarfoundation.org.
For registration questions, please contact: Ebaa Khamas, Operations Administrator, at info@guitarfoundation.org

Masterclass: Manuel Barrueco
2019-06-22 14:30 - 16:30 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Grammy Nominated Manuel Barrueco is internationally recognized as one of the most important guitarists of our time. His unique artistry has been continually described as that of a superb instrumentalist and a superior and elegant musician, possessing a seductive sound and uncommon lyrical gifts.
His career has been dedicated to bringing the guitar to the main musical centers of the world. During three decades of concertizing, he has performed across the United States from the New World Symphony in Miami to the Seattle Symphony, and from the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to New York’s Lincoln Center.
Manuel Barrueco began playing the guitar at the age of eight, and he attended the Esteban Salas Conservatory in his native Cuba. He immigrated with his family to the United States in 1967, as political refugees. Later, he completed his advanced studies at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where he now shares his love for music with a small number of exceptionally gifted young guitarists from all over the world.
In 2011, Manuel Barrueco received the United States Artist Fontanals Fellowship for Artistic Excellence.

ICAC Final
2019-06-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Final round in the GFA International Concert Artist Competition.

Get Tickets

PRIZES
Rose Augustine Grand Prize:

$10,000 Cash*
GFA Sponsored International Concert Tour, including approximately 50 concerts throughout the United States, Canada,and Mexico.
Naxos CD Recording
Mel Bay Publication
3 year supply (52 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories
Generous string package provided by Savarez
CD and booklet design and production as well as print/digital marketing and distribution by Contrastes Records

2nd Prize:

$7,000 Cash*
3 year supply (26 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories.
Generous string package provided by Savarez
Generous string package provided by Augustine

3rd Prize:

$5,000 Cash*
3 year supply (26 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories.
Generous string package provided by Savarez
Generous string package provided by Augustine

4th Prize:

$3,000 Cash*
3 year supply (26 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories.
Generous string package provided by Savarez
Generous string package provided by Augustine

*All prizes subject to mandatory 30% federal tax withholding for foreign prize-winners; US prize-winners will be issued an IRS-1099 Form.
*All donated prizes are subject to the delivery by the sponsor. GFA will do everything possible to ensure delivery of all prizes, but GFA will not be held responsible if donor does not deliver a prize as listed above.
All Semifinalists will receive a $500 Travel Stipend. Foreigners must provide receipts to avoid tax withholding.
Other prizes awarded to all Finalists will include gift certificates donated by GSP, Strings by Mail, and KLING-ON products.

JURY
Preliminary Round: TBA
Semifinal and Final Rounds: TBA

COMPETITION RULES
ELIGIBILITY
Open to competitors, who must be 18 years of age by June 1, 2020 (the year following the competition), regardless of nationality.
Required Piece: Fantasia, by Roberto Gerhard.

FINAL ROUND
Saturday, June 22, 6:30 pm, with live webcast: Performance order for this round will be determined by a lottery. Four (4) candidates will perform before a panel of the same seven (7) judges.
Finalists will perform a free choice program along with the Set Piece. The total performance time, including the Set Piece, must not exceed the length of the Set Piece plus the thirty (30) minute program. Players will be timed from the moment the first note is played (initial entry/tuning time will not be counted provided it is within reason), and the timer will run throughout the performance, including the time between pieces. The timer will be stopped at the end of the piece preceding the set piece, and started again immediately at the conclusion of the set piece. Players who exceed the thirty (30) minute time limit on their free choice program will be stopped.
Pieces from previous rounds may NOT be repeated in later rounds. All decisions by the judges are final.

JUDGING
The judging procedures are reviewed each year by the Competition Committee, and GFA reserves the right to change the procedures outlined below at the discretion of the committee, in advance of the competition. Any changes will be posted on this page.
The Guitar Foundation of America does not use a point system. All judges votes are weighted equally. Judges will evaluate each competitor at their own artistic discretion, and each juror will vote their choice of the twelve (12) competitors from the Preliminary Round to move on to the Semifinal Round. All votes will be tallied and the twelve (12) competitors with the highest votes shall advance to the Semifinal Round. Should a tie result, judges will re-vote on only the tied competitors.
In the Semifinal Round, judges will evaluate each competitor in several categories. Each judge will vote their choice for four (4) finalists, all votes will be tallied and the four (4) competitors with the highest votes shall advance to the Final Round. Should a tie result, judges will re-vote on only the tied competitors.
In the Final Round, judges will evaluate each competitor in several categories. The judges will first vote for first place; then for second; then for third. No ties will be allowed in the Final Round. In the case of a tie in the initial vote, judges will re-vote on the tied competitors to determine who will advance to the higher place.
The winner of the International Concert Artist Competition will perform the Set Piece during the Winner’s Tour.

For further information, please contact Martha Masters, Artistic Director at martha@marthamasters.com
-Martha Masters, Artistic Director, GFA International Concert Artist Competition.

Award Ceremony GFA International Competitions
2019-06-22 21:00 - 22:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
ICAC Competition Winner Announced and other awards.

Rene Izquierdo
2019-12-07 20:00 - 22:00 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Rene Izquierdo, a native from Cuba, graduated from the Guillermo Tomas, Amadeo Roldan Conservatory and Superior Institute of Art in Havana. In the United States, Mr. Izquierdo earned a Master of Music and an Artist Diploma degrees from the Yale University School of Music, where he studied with Benjamin Verdery. While at Yale he represented the university in an exchange program with the Conservatoire National de Musique et de Danse du Paris and worked with guitarists Olivie Chassain and Roland Dyens. Rene has appeared as a guest soloist and in chamber music concerts throughout the United States, Cuba and Europe. He has shared the stage with prestigious guitarists including Eliot Fisk, Benjamin Verdery and Jorge Morel, as well as renowned flutist Ransom Wilson, soprano Lucy Shelton, David Jolley and Paquito d’Rivera. Renowned composers such as Jorge Morel and Carlos R. Rivera have dedicated works to him.
Mr. Izquierdo is a recipient of numerous awards. He is a winner of JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Competition in 2004, Extremadura International Guitar Competition, Schadt String competition, Stotsenberg International Guitar Competition among others.
He is currently a professor of classical guitar at the Wisconsin State University in Milwaukee and an active solo performer and chamber musician. Rene has studied with Leo Brouwer, David Russell, Shin-Ichi Fukuda, Eli Kassner, Pepe Romero, Angel Romero, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, David Starobin, Eduardo Fernandez, Jorge Morel, Robert Beaser and Anthony Newman among others.
His natural and instinctive interpretations are second to none: his virtuoso technique allows him absolute command of the instrument giving him the independence of subtle phrasing, dazzling speed, beautiful tonal control… everything.
– Classical Guitar Magazine, May, 2010

Open Mic Night and FGF Ensemble Recital
2019-12-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Miami Conservatory of Music, 2911 Grand Ave, Ste 400A, Coconut Grove, FL, 33133, United States
The Florida Guitar Foundation is inviting all guitarists in the community to our next Open Mic.
Join us once again for our monthly classical guitar open mic session! This event is free and open to the public and all are welcome. Whether you are an enthusiast, a beginner, or just love music, we’d love to see you in the audience. This Open Mic Night will feature a performance by the Florida Guitar Foundation’s Guitar Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Corey Harvin.
If you play classical guitar or another similar fingerstyle, we invite you to bring your instrument and get on stage! We have had a lot of great impromptu performances in the past. Our audiences create a supportive, low-pressure environment in which to hone your performance skills or try out that new piece you’ve been working on.
If you know someone who would like to come, share this event! We hope to see you there!
We are always looking for volunteers who would like to perform. If you are interested, please contact us at info@floridaguitar.org.
We look forward to seeing you there!
