Welcome to Boston GuitarFest XIX!
Celebrating Nineteen Years of Guitar Excellence: Boston Guitar Fest 2024, the Premier Guitar Landmark of Boston
For nearly two decades, under the visionary guidance of Artistic Director and world-renowned maestro Eliot Fisk, the Boston Guitar Festival has stood as the pinnacle of excellence in the realm of classical guitar. Each year, this esteemed event brings together virtuosos from around the globe, converging in Boston to create a sanctuary for guitar aficionados worldwide. Join us as we commemorate nineteen years of sublime mastery, where every strum resonates with the depths of the soul and each performance etches an unforgettable melody upon the hearts of all who listen. Don't miss your opportunity to immerse yourself in the enchantment of classical guitar at the Boston Guitar Festival, where legends are born and music transcends boundaries
Programs
Boston GuitarFest XX
Academy
Ages 15 - 28
- 2 Private Lessons OR 1 masterclass
- Workshops
- Competition (optional)
- Closing Recital Solo Spot (optional)
- All Access Pass to Events and Concerts
Competition
Boston GuitarFest XX
The BGFest XX Academy Performance Competition is open to participants enrolled in the Boston GuitarFest XX Academy program.
Rules
- First round: Participants must submit a video made specifically for the BGFest XX Academy Performance Competition. Candidates should introduce themselves and the pieces they will play at the beginning of the recording. The verbal introduction must include the following sentence: "This is my recording for the 2025 Boston GuitarFest XX Academy, round 1, performance competition." A legible poster or sign saying "2025 Boston GuitarFest XX Competition" must also be visible behind you for the duration of the video.
- Repertoire: Two contrasting pieces from the sixteenth to the twenty-first centuries (total duration: 12 to 15 minutes)
- Video Requirements: The recording must consist of one uninterrupted, unedited take with clear audio and image quality from a fixed camera position, preferably straight in front of the performer. The performer’s face, hands, and the entire guitar should be clearly visible in the video. Please note! A poster saying "2025 Boston GuitarFest XX Competition" must be visible behind you for the duration of the video.
- Video submission deadline: May 1st, 2025.
- Finalists will be announced on: May 31st, 2025 (or before).
- Second/Final Round: The four finalists must select a new program (not to include works performed in the first round) of their choice, about 20 minutes in length. The final round will be held live on June 11th, 2025, at 7:30pm, in Cambridge, MA, at the Foundry. The Final Round will be the concluding event of the first day of the Festival and is open to the public.
- The decisions of the jury are final.
- The first prize winner will perform a solo recital (20-30 minute duration) as part of the Boston GuitarFest final concert on Sunday, June 30th, 2025, at the Multicultural Arts Center in Cambridge, MA.
Awards
First Prize
- Solo recital on June 15th, 2025
- Cash prize of $2500
- Other prizes TBA
Second Prize
- $1000 Cash Prize
- Other prizes TBA
Third Prize
- $500 Cash Prize
- Other prizes TBA
In Memoriam
Pictured from left: Elena Pappandreou, Oscar Ghiglia, and Eliot Fisk in Thesssloniki, January 2024.
Pictured from left: Eliot Fisk, Fred Draper, and Christopher Parkening in New York
Pictured from left: Bruce Holzman, Michael Chapdelaine
Prof. Enric Madriguera in masterclass with Maestro Andres Segovia
This year Boston Guitar Fest pays homage to a number of great colleagues who have left us since our previous Festival in 2023. Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones and we salute their many contributions to our “noble art”.
We mourn the passing of Maestro Oscar Ghiglia, whose great presence will never be forgotten. As poetic, virtuoso performer; inspiring, mystical teacher and treasured and indispensable friend, Oscar enriched the lives of all who came in contact with him. He was a giant presence and a true North Star of inspiration. His ever present light helped generations of aspiring artists and music lovers to navigate a sure course through the musical universe.
Boston GuitarFest XIX is dedicated to his memory.
Boston Guitar Fest also mourns the passing of Michael Chapdelaine, a fearless, maverick artist who began his guitar journey as a classical guitar virtuoso trained by Bruce Holzman, but soon discovered his own unique style in the finger style realm. Mike was a legend in his own time: a great personality and generous friend who through his many recordings, videos and live performances inspired a whole new fan base and expanded the guitar outwards in his utterly unforgettable fashion. In 2010 Boston Guitar Fest with its theme “America America” was honored to feature Mike live from the stage of Jordan Hall. We miss him terribly.
This year we mourn also the loss of Prof. Enric Madriguera, a direct pupil of Maestro Andres Segovia and for many years a fundamental force for good in the Dallas area and around the world. Ric’s performances and recordings and his wonderful mentoring of generations of students at the University of Texas Dallas are unforgettable. Ric was a frequent guest of Gfest as a judge in our composition competition. His perspective was always wise and grounded on an immense spectrum of musical and guitar wisdom. We honor his life and work which made such a huge difference in the lives of so many.
Finally, Boston Guitar Fest salutes Fred Draper, an institution in the guitar world in the New York City area. I often saw Fred especially following concerts in New York. He was always a great friend, a respected colleague and one of those indispensable people whose very presence always gave warmth, hope and enlightenment. We mourn his passing and honor his life of service to the art of music as expressed through the classical guitar.
Pictured from left: Elena Pappandreou, Oscar Ghiglia, and Eliot Fisk in Thesssloniki, January 2024.
Pictured from left: Eliot Fisk, Fred Draper, and Christopher Parkening in New York
Pictured from left: Bruce Holzman, Michael Chapdelaine
Prof. Enric Madriguera in masterclass with Maestro Andres Segovia
Our Boston GuitarFest XX Faculty
Festival Artists
- Eliot Fisk, Director
- Xufei Yang
- Grisha Goryachev
YGW Faculty
- TBD
Academy Faculty
- Adam Levin
- Jerome Mouffe
- Lautaro Mantilla
- Gohar Vardanyan
Adult Education
- Robert Bekkers
- Lautaro Mantilla
Administration
- David Malvinni (Executive Director)
- Maurice Liu (International Academy)
International Academy (Online)
- Zhenqi Min
- Antigoni Baxe
- Danilo Cabaluz
- Cecilio Perera
- Kostas Tosidis
Tech and Events
- Joey Malvinni
Student Housing
We've secured a special rate exclusively for our registered students at the luxurious Seaport Omni Hotel, just a mere 10-minute stroll from the enchanting Multicultural Art Center. Here's the scoop: to make this experience even more accessible and enjoyable, we're offering the opportunity to split room costs with another talented student! $100 per night. This is a fantastic chance to forge new friendships and share in the excitement of this exceptional event. If you're keen to team up with a fellow attendee and enjoy the benefits of our special rate, e-mail us to send you a sign-up sheet below to find your perfect roommate match. However, if you prefer to savor the privacy and comfort of your own space, feel free to make a reservation for only $199 and indulge in all the amenities our wonderful hotel has to offer. Whichever option you choose, get ready for an incredible time filled with music, camaraderie, and inspiration. Don't delay – secure your spot and accommodation arrangements today and get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of Boston GuitarFest 2025!