Florida Guitar Foundation

Open Mic at the Coral Gables Museum
2021-04-02 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL, 33134, United States
Live Open Mic during Twilight Fridays at the Coral Gables Museum
April 2, 6 – 8 PM

We are thrilled to announce that we have partnered with the Coral Gables Museum to host our Open Mics! Yes, the Florida Guitar Foundation’s in-person Open Mics are back! The Coral Gables Museum will open its doors to the public for free from 6-8 pm each first Friday of the month, and our open mics will take place during these Twilight Fridays. ⁠Come on out and enjoy live music, the museum’s exhibitions, and a cash bar for your Friday night plans!
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 sessions! These events are free, open to the public and all are welcome. Whether you are an enthusiast, a beginner, or just love music, plan to join us!
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!
Not ready to join us in-person? Don’t worry, we will continue the virtual component of our open mics and you can join us via zoom. If you would like to join the zoom call, please register below and we’ll send you a Zoom link.
Our Open Mics are presented in partnership with the Coral Gables Museum.

Register

Open Mic at the Coral Gables Museum
2021-03-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables, FL, 33134, United States
Live Open Mic during Twilight Fridays at the Coral Gables Museum
March 5th, 6 – 8 PM
It’s been a year since our last in-person event, and guess what? We are thrilled to announce that we have partnered with the Coral Gables Museum to host our Open Mics! Yes, the Florida Guitar Foundation’s in-person Open Mic is back! Beginning on March 5th, the Coral Gables Museum will open its doors to the public for free from 6-8 pm each first Friday of the month, and our open mics will take place during these Twilight Fridays. ⁠Come on out and enjoy live music, the museum’s exhibitions, and a cash bar for your Friday night plans!
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.
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!
Not ready to join us in-person? Don’t worry, we will continue the virtual component of our open mics and you can join us via zoom. If you would like to join the zoom call, please fill out the form below and ask for the link, we will send you the invite on the day of the event.
Our Open Mic is presented in partnership with the Coral Gables Museum.

Sign-up for Open-Mic Night

Name

Email Address

Message: Who are you? What would you like to play?

Which Open-Mic Date(s)?

3 + 3 =

Submit

Virtual Open Mic
2020-09-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Virtual Zoom Room
Virtual Open Mic
Friday, July 17, 2020
7 – 9 PM
Our open mics are back!
Our Open Mics are back! We are now meeting virtually on zoom and we have been extremely fortunate to host performers and audiences from all over the world. Join us for another evening of great music and company. Need help? We will help you set up your equipment for optimal sound!
The event is free and open to everyone, but it requires registration. If you would like to attend, please send us a message, and if you are planning to play something, please include that information as well. All spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once we receive your request, we will send you a zoom invite.

Sign-up for Open-Mic Night

Name

Email Address

Message: Who are you? What would you like to play?

Which Open-Mic Date(s)?

11 + 7 =

Submit

Virtual Open Mic
2020-08-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Virtual Zoom Room
Virtual Open Mic
Friday, July 17, 2020
7 – 9 PM
Our open mics are back!
Our Open Mics are back! We are now meeting virtually on zoom and we have been extremely fortunate to host performers and audiences from all over the world. Join us for another evening of great music and company. Need help? We will help you set up your equipment for optimal sound!
The event is free and open to everyone, but it requires registration. If you would like to attend, please send us a message, and if you are planning to play something, please include that information as well. All spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once we receive your request, we will send you a zoom invite.

Sign-up for Open-Mic Night

Name

Email Address

Message: Who are you? What would you like to play?

Which Open-Mic Date(s)?

6 + 3 =

Submit

Virtual Open Mic
2020-07-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Virtual Zoom Room
Virtual Open Mic
Friday, July 17, 2020
7 – 9 PM
Our open mics are back!
Our Open Mics are back! We are now meeting virtually on zoom and we have been extremely fortunate to host performers and audiences from all over the world. Join us for another evening of great music and company. Need help? We will help you set up your equipment for optimal sound!
The event is free and open to everyone, but it requires registration. If you would like to attend, please send us a message, and if you are planning to play something, please include that information as well. All spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once we receive your request, we will send you a zoom invite.

Sign-up for Open-Mic Night

Name

Email Address

Message: Who are you? What would you like to play?

Which Open-Mic Date(s)?

10 + 1 =

Submit

Virtual Open Mic
2020-06-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Virtual Zoom Room
Virtual Open Mic
Friday, June 19, 2020
7 – 9 PM
Our open mics are back!
Our open mic night is back and we cannot be more excited about it! We will now meet virtually via zoom and will have two different rooms for you, one for music performance, and another one for attendees to hang out and catch up. The event is free and open to the public, but it requires registration. If you would like to attend, please fill out the form below, and if you are planning to play something, please include that information as well. All spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We will e-mail you a zoom invite.

Sign-up for Open-Mic Night

Name

Email Address

Message: Who are you? What would you like to play?

Which Open-Mic Date(s)?

3 + 4 =

Submit

Open Mic Night
2020-06-05 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-05-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-04-10 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-03-20 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-02-07 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-01-10 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.
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!

Irina Kulikova
2020-03-15 19:30 - 21:30 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Unanimously acclaimed for the rare beauty of her tone and her enchanting presence on stage, Irina Kulikova has established herself as one of today’s leading guitarists. Soundboard Magazine wrote: “Some of the most sheerly beautiful playing I have ever heard.” And Luz Leskowitz, director of the Salzburger Schlosskonzerte in Austria, that accompanied her in concerts for royal and aristocratic families in Europe: “Wherever she performs, she plays herself into the hearts of her audience.”
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 Palau de la Musica in Valencia, the Musashino Hall in Tokyo and the Oriental Arts Center in Shanghai. In the USA, she performed for major festivals and societies including Austin, Cleveland, Chicago and Dallas.
The daughter of a Russian cello pedagogue, Irina Kulikova combines an effortless virtuosity with a profound sensitivity when she is phrasing the voices of great composers like Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Barrios and Piazzolla. ‘Few can tell us something so special as she does’ (Carlo Marchione). She gained critical acclaim for her fourth solo CD – ‘Reminiscences of Russia’ – introducing some highly romantic Russian compositions to an international audience, including the breathtaking ‘Swan Princess’, that Konstantin Vassiliev dedicated to her.
Irina Kulikova 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. She resides in The Hague (The Netherlands), Los Angeles (USA) and Salzburg (Austria). An ambassador of pure and heartfelt performing, she inspires guitar students in masterclasses all over the world with her personal motto: It’s about the touch.

Open Division Final Round – 2020 Competition
2020-03-15 17:00 - 18:30 | FL
• The Florida Guitar Foundation Classical Guitar Competition is open to all classical guitarists regardless of age and nationality.
• Eight competitors will be chosen to play in the Semi-final round.
• Three competitors will be chosen to perform in the Final Round.
• All judges’ decisions are final.
• Judges’ comments will not be made available to competitors.
• All music must be performed from memory.
• Previous 1st prize winners are not eligible to participate.
Repertoire
• Preliminary Round:
o 7 minutes of free repertoire
• Semi-Final Round:
o 10 minutes of free repertoire
• Final Round:
o 20 minutes of free repertoire
o Must include at least two (2) contrasting works
o Must include one composition of at least five (5) minutes length that has not been played in the previous rounds.

Youth Division Final Round – 2020 Competition
2020-03-15 16:00 - 17:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The Florida Guitar Foundation Youth Classical Guitar Competition is open to all classical guitarists regardless nationality that are currently enrolled in high school (or younger).
• Three competitors will be chosen to perform in the Final Round.
• All judges decisions are final.
• Judges comments will not made available to competitors.
• All music must be performed from memory.
• Previous 1st prize winners are not eligible to participate.
Repertoire
• Preliminary Round:
o 7 minutes of free repertoire
• Final Round:
o 15 minutes of free repertoire
o Must include at least two (2) contrasting works
Choice of music is entirely at the discretion of the competitor. A competitor may perform the same or different music from round to round without penalty.
It is expected that every competitor’s choice of music fits within the time allowed for each round. If a competitor exceeds the given time allotted, that competitor will be asked to stop but at no penalty to his/her evaluation.

Tengyue Zhang - Master Class
2020-03-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

Rafael Padron - Master Class
2020-03-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

Open Division Semi Final – 2020 Competition
2020-03-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The Florida Guitar Foundation Classical Guitar Competition is open to all classical guitarists regardless of age and nationality.
• Eight competitors will be chosen to play in the Semi-final round.
• Three competitors will be chosen to perform in the Final Round.
• All judges decisions are final.
• Judges comments will not made available to competitors.
• All music must be performed from memory.
• Previous 1st prize winners are not eligible to participate.
Repertoire
• Preliminary Round:
o 7 minutes of free repertoire
• Semi-Final Round:
o 10 minutes of free repertoire
• Final Round:
o 20 minutes of free repertoire
o Must include at least two (2) contrasting works
o Must include one composition of at least five (5) minutes length that has not been played in the previous rounds.
Choice of music is entirely at the discretion of the competitor. A competitor may perform the same or different music from round to round without penalty.
It is expected that every competitor’s choice of music fits within the time allowed for each round. If a competitor exceeds the given time allotted, that competitor will be asked to stop but at no penalty to his/her evaluation.

Tengyue Zhang - Technique Workshop
2020-03-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

Music Memorization for the Classical Guitarist - Lecture
2020-03-14 17:00 - 18:00 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

Rafael Padron - Master Class
2020-03-14 14:00 - 17:00 | Volpe Classroom 203, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Dr, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

Tengyue Zhang - Master Class
2020-03-14 14:00 - 17:00 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

Irina Kulikova - Master Class
2020-03-14 14:00 - 17:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

Open Division 1st Round - 2020 Competition
2020-03-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
• The Florida Guitar Foundation Classical Guitar Competition is open to all classical guitarists regardless of age and nationality.
• Eight competitors will be chosen to play in the Semi-final round.
• Three competitors will be chosen to perform in the Final Round.
• All judges decisions are final.
• Judges comments will not made available to competitors.
• All music must be performed from memory.
• Previous 1st prize winners are not eligible to participate.
Repertoire
• Preliminary Round:
o 7 minutes of free repertoire
• Semi-Final Round:
o 10 minutes of free repertoire
• Final Round:
o 20 minutes of free repertoire
o Must include at least two (2) contrasting works
o Must include one composition of at least five (5) minutes length that has not been played in the previous rounds.
Choice of music is entirely at the discretion of the competitor. A competitor may perform the same or different music from round to round without penalty.
It is expected that every competitor’s choice of music fits within the time allowed for each round. If a competitor exceeds the given time allotted, that competitor will be asked to stop but at no penalty to his/her evaluation.

Youth Division 1st Round – 2020 Competition
2020-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
• The Florida Guitar Foundation Youth Classical Guitar Competition is open to all classical guitarists regardless nationality that are currently enrolled in high school (or younger).
• Three competitors will be chosen to perform in the Final Round.
• All judges decisions are final.
• Judges comments will not made available to competitors.
• All music must be performed from memory.
• Previous 1st prize winners are not eligible to participate.
Repertoire
• Preliminary Round:
o 7 minutes of free repertoire
• Final Round:
o 15 minutes of free repertoire
o Must include at least two (2) contrasting works
Choice of music is entirely at the discretion of the competitor. A competitor may perform the same or different music from round to round without penalty.
It is expected that every competitor’s choice of music fits within the time allowed for each round. If a competitor exceeds the given time allotted, that competitor will be asked to stop but at no penalty to his/her evaluation.

Rafael Padron
2020-03-13 20:00 - 22:00 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Cuban born guitarist, Rafael Padron, began studying the guitar at the age of eleven. He attended the National School of Art in Havana, Cuba, where he completed his studies with the distinguished Argentinean teacher and performer, Victor Pellegrini. In 1986, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Advanced Institute of Art in Havana, where he graduated with a degree in music in 1991, receiving the “Student of High Achievement” award. He has studied in Master Classes with such artists as composer Leo Brouwer, guitarists Maria Luisa Anido, Alvaro Pierri, Costa Cotsiolis, and David Russell.
Mr. Padron has won top prizes in many national and international competitions, among them the Best Interpretation of Latin American Music in Havana; The Diploma of Honor at the International Classical Guitar Competition in Chile; a top prize at the National Guitar Competition in Havana and winner of the Montpelier Cultural Arts Center Recital Series Competitions in United States of America.
He has been featured in festivals like the International Festival of the Guitar in Havana, Cuba; The International Festival of Music of the Hatilloin Caracas, Venezuela, where he premiered Leo Brouwer’s Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra No. 3, “Elegíaco”; The International Guitar Festival in Costa Rica were he premiered Leo Brouwer’s Suite “From Yesterday to Penny Lane”; The International Festival of the Guitar in Panama; The International Music Festival in Costa Rica; The Festival Iberoamericano de Guitarra, Tenerife, Spain; Rust International Guitar Festival and Competition, Rust, Austria; and Brno International Guitar Festival, Czech Republic.
Rafael Padron has performed both solo and with orchestras in various cities in Cuba, Chile, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Japan, Spain, and in the United States of America. He has performed as a soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of Matanzas, Cuba; The Grand Marshall of Ayacucho Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela; The Chamber Orchestra of Caracas, Venezuela; The Camerata Latino Americana of Costa Rica; The Independence Symphony Orchestra in Costa Rica; and with The Panamerican Symphony Orchestra of Washington D.C. Mr. Padron has taught classical guitar at the Jose Antonio and Carmen Calcaño Foundation of Caracas, Venezuela; at the National University of Heredia, Costa Rica; the Costa Rica University of San Jose, Costa Rica; The Paco de Malaga Guitar Gallery in Washington D.C.; The Olenka Music School, Columbia, Maryland, and The Levine School in Washington D.C.
Mr. Padron graduated from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, where he has completed his Graduate Performance Diploma on a full scholarship, under the tutelage of world-renowned guitarist Manuel Barrueco. Mr. Padron accomplished his Masters Degree Diploma at the University of Miami in December 2005.
Currently, he is the Chair of the Guitar Program at the University of Miami Frost School of Music
“Tuesday’s first concert was an all-Brouwer affair by Rafael Padron. Displaying beautiful tone, immaculate technique, and superb musicianship, Padron made it clear that guitar students at the University of Miami are in good hands.”
– Al Kunze. Soundboard the Journal of GFA. Vol. 45 No. 3 October 2019. Page 5

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!

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

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.

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.
