Adult Performance Competition

Eligibility

• Contestants must be at the outset of their careers and may not have professional representation.
• Previous first prize winners of the Boston GuitarFest competition are not eligible.
• There is no age limit (over 18 years of age).

Prizes

1st prize: $5000 and concert at 2012 Boston GuitarFest. Arrangements may be made for additional concerts and radio engagements if possible.
2nd prize: $2500
3rd prize: $1000
4th prize $500
Interpretation prize for music by an Italian composer and/or with an Italian theme: $250

Required Piece

One work by an Italian composer and/or with an Italian theme (This includes, but is not limited to works by Mauro Giuliani, Paganini, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, and excerpts from George Rochberg’s “Caprice Variations”)

Competition Rounds

• Preliminary round: not to exceed 10 minutes. Contestant must include required piece (see list of suggestions)
• Semifinal round: not to exceed 15 minutes. Free choice, but not including required piece (A different piece by an Italian composer and/or with an Italian theme may be performed).
• Final round: not to exceed 25 minutes. Contestant must include required piece (see list of suggestions). This work may be the same or different as in the preliminary round*.
• Individual movements from major works are acceptable.
• No concertos or chamber music will be permitted.

*The required piece that is performed in the first round to fill the required piece requirement may be repeated in the final round, but may not be repeated in the semifinal round. While other works may be repeated from round to round, the judges welcome a variety of repertoire.

Requirements that apply to both Adult and Youth Competitions

• All pieces must be performed on a nylon-string, classical guitar.
• All works must be performed from memory.
• If possible, contestants should bring one copy of each score to present to the jury upon request.
• The judges’ decisions are final. The judges reserve the right to hear all or part of the prepared works and may stop competitors at any point. Time on stage before and between pieces is generally not counted towards the total time limit except when deemed as excessive by the judges. Performances going over the time limit may be stopped at no penalty to the contestant.
• All applications will be acknowledged upon receipt.
• Boston GuitarFest has the right to limit the number of participants based on a first come, first serve basis.
• Performance times will be determined by a random drawing. Special requests cannot be accommodated.
• Failure to appear at the appointed time will result in disqualification.