Houston Classical Guitar Festival & Competition 2026
Rules for Competition
*ALL ROUNDS ARE VIRTUAL
Do not come to Houston unless you are also attending the Festival
*ALL DIVISIONS ARE ONE ROUND ONLY
*ALL COMPETITORS MUST REGISTER BY JUNE 1, 2026
*COMPETITORS ATTENDING FESTIVAL and STAYING AT UH DORMS, MUST REGISTER no later than June 1, 2026
[NOTE: must be at least 13 years old to stay in a dorm]
*ALL VIDEOS DUE no later than JUNE 1, 2026 BY MIDNIGHT CENTRAL TIME
There are 5 levels of competition:
•Artist Division
•College Divisions I & II
•High School Division
•Middle School Division
Consider competing this year!
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ALL DIVISIONS
•REGISTER by June 1, 2026 for the Competition. Click Here to register.
•REGISTER by June 1, 2026 for the Competition and Festival. Click Here to register.
•REGISTER by June 1, 2026 for Competition, Festival, and Housing at University of Houston dorm (age 13+). Click Here to register.
•PAY FEES for each Division by June 1, 2026.
•If competing plus attending Festival & staying at UH dorm, pay ALL fees by June 1.
•VIDEOS due June 1, 2026 by Midnight, Central Time.
IMPORTANT: No video will be judged if competition fee is unpaid.
NOTE: International competitors are subject to a U.S. 30% tax withheld on any winnings.
Fee Adjustments: If competing and attending the Festival, competition fees are waived or adjusted. See details in your division below.
Scholarships: Availability is dependent upon donations received and applies only to the Festival portion of a fee. Competition fees are not included in scholarships. If applying for financial assistance for the Festival portion of total fees, inquire @ HCGFestC@gmail.com
•Record a live, unedited, performance video, without added effects, in a single take/non-stop, with only one camera angle. The video needs to show your full body.
•Videos should start with competitor saying their name and that this video is for the 2026 Houston Classical Guitar Festival & Competition.
For repertoire guidelines, see individual divisions below.
UPLOAD THE VIDEO TO YOUTUBE WITH THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATIONS
•In the description of the video, write:
1) Your name.
2) The date of your recording.
3) The pieces that you will perform.
4) Write that it is for the 2026 Houston Classical Guitar Competition.
•Set the privacy setting of the video to Unlisted:
It must be Unlisted or Public and not Private.
Click here to see instructions on YouTube.
•Competitors from China may upload to Bilibili instead of YouTube.
•Test the YouTube link to make sure it works before sending.
•Submit link via email to hcgfestc@gmail.com.
•Results will be announced during the week of the Festival, June 15-20 via Facebook and Email.
•See below for more information about each Division of the Competition.
ARTIST DIVISION
Fee: $100
This is our highest-level competition for solo guitarists as they develop their careers.
THERE IS ONLY ONE ROUND OF COMPETITION
•If you wish to compete in the Artist Division and attend the Full In-Person Festival with private lessons, the Competition Fee of $100 is waived. TOTAL is $450.
•If you wish to compete in the Artist Division and attend the Full In-Person Festival without private lessons, the Competition Fee of $100 is waived. TOTAL is $300.
•Housing is available in dorms at The University of Houston. Must register for HOUSING, festival and competition by May 4, 2026. See the HOUSING page.
Who can compete:
•There is no age limit.
•Competitors cannot be under management.
•First-Place GFA winners are not eligible.
•Previous First Place winners of the Houston Classical Guitar Competition ARE eligible to compete and defend their title!
•Students enrolled in a graduate program should compete at the Artist Division.
•Artist Division competitors may not compete in additional categories.
Repertoire:
•No required works, free choice program.
•Guitarists can compete with their own compositions.
•Videos should contain 2 or more works in contrasting styles.
•Video: 30 minutes max. Videos will not be judged past the 30-minute time. Videos can be less than 30 minutes.
•Time starts after the first note.
Prizes:
1st Place: $1,700
•Option 1 – Receive $1,700 cash prize.
•Option 2 – Receive $500 cash prize and a return engagement for $1,200.
2nd Place: $1000
3rd Place: $500
NOTE: International competitors are subject to a U.S. tax of 30% withheld on any winnings.
1st & 2nd place Artist Division winners can enter the 2026 Marku Virtual Guitar Competition without an entry fee.
COLLEGE DIVISIONS I & II
•A competition opportunity for all college students of any playing level.
•Scholarships might be available for those needing some financial assistance to both compete and attend the Festival. Availability is dependent on donations received.
•Housing is available in dorms at the University of Houston. See Housing page. Must be at least Age 18 and register for festival and competition by May 4, 2026.
REGISTER and Pay Fee by May 25 if Competition Only.
REGISTER and Pay Fee by May 25 if Competition and adding Festival.
REGISTER and Pay Fee by May 4 if adding Festival and staying in The University of Houston dorm. See the HOUSING page.
NOTE: Any video submitted without prior registration and payment will not be judged.
COLLEGE DIVISION I:
Fee: $50
This division is for the most advanced college level students no matter what year they are enrolled, including 2-year college students.
THERE IS ONLY ONE ROUND OF COMPETITION
•If you wish to compete in the College Division I level and attend the Full In-Person Festival with private lessons, the Competition Fee of $50 is waived. TOTAL is $450.
•If you wish to compete in the College Division I level and attend the Full In-Person Festival without private lessons, the Competition Fee of $50 is waived. TOTAL is $300.
Who can compete:
•There is no age limit.
•Previous First Place winners of the Houston Classical Guitar Competition ARE eligible to compete and defend their title!
•College Division I competitors may not compete in any other divisions.
•Students enrolled in a graduate program should compete at the Artist Division.
Repertoire:
•No required works, free choice program.
•Guitarists can compete with their own compositions.
•Videos should contain 2 or more works in contrasting styles.
•Video: 20 minutes max. Videos will not be judged past the 20-minute time. Videos can be less than 20 minutes.
•Time starts after the first note.
Prizes:
1st Place: $1000
2nd Place: $750
3rd Place: $500
NOTE: International competitors are subject to a U.S. tax of 30% withheld on any winnings.
1st & 2nd place College Division I winners can enter the 2026 Marku Virtual Guitar Competition without an entry fee.
COLLEGE DIVISION II:
Fee: $40
This division is for intermediate college level students no matter what year they are enrolled, including community college students.
THERE IS ONLY ONE ROUND OF COMPETITION
•If you wish to compete in the College Division II level and attend the Full In-Person Festival with private lessons, the Competition Fee of $40 is waived. TOTAL is $450.
•If you wish to compete in the College Division II level and attend the Full In-Person Festival without private lessons, the Competition Fee of $40 is waive. TOTAL is $300.
Who can compete:
•There is no age limit.
•Previous First Place winners of the Houston Classical Guitar Competition ARE eligible to compete and defend their title!
•College Division II competitors may not compete in any other divisions.
Repertoire:
•No required works, free choice program.
•Guitarists can compete with their own compositions.
•Videos should contain 2 or more works in contrasting styles.
•Video: 15 minutes max. Videos will not be judged past the 15-minute time. Videos can be less than 15 minutes.
•Time starts after the first note.
Prizes:
1st Place: $750
2nd Place: $500
3rd Place: $250
NOTE: International competitors are subject to a U.S. tax of 30% withheld on any winnings.
1st & 2nd place College Division II winners can enter the 2026 Marku Virtual Guitar Competition without an entry fee.
HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
Fee: $35
THERE IS ONLY ONE ROUND OF COMPETITION
•If you wish to compete in the High School Division and attend the Full In-Person Festival with private lessons, the Competition Fee of $35 is waived. TOTAL is $450.
•If you wish to compete in the High School Division and attend the Full In-Person Festival without private lessons, the Competition Fee of $35 is waived. TOTAL is $300.
•Housing is available in dorms at University of Houston. See Housing page. Register for festival and competition by May 4, 2026.
Who can compete:
•Students currently enrolled in High School (or the home-school equivalent).
•Students who have recently graduated in the Spring of 2026.
Repertoire:
•Program: free choice.
•No required works.
•At least 2 pieces in contrasting styles.
•Please dress appropriately for this competition as you would for any performance.
•Please follow the General Guideline Instructions above.
•Video: 10 minutes max. You will not be judged on performance over 10 minutes. You may play under 10 minutes.
•Time starts after the first note.
Prizes:
1st Place: $200
2nd Place: $150
3rd Place: $100
NOTE: International competitors are subject to a U.S. tax of 30% withheld on any winnings.
1st & 2nd place High School Division winners can enter the 2026 Marku Virtual Guitar Competition without an entry fee.
MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION
Fee: $30
THERE IS ONLY ONE ROUND OF COMPETITION
•If you wish to compete in the Middle School Division and attend the Full In-Person Festival with private lessons, the Competition Fee of $30 is waived. TOTAL is $450.
•If you wish to compete in the Middle School Division and attend the Full In-Person Festival without private lessons, the Competition Fee of $30 is waived. TOTAL is $300.
Who can compete:
•Students currently enrolled in Middle School (or home school equivalent).
•Recent graduates from Spring 2026 that are about to enter high school.
•If you wish to attend the Full Festival with Lessons, the competition fee is waived!
Repertoire:
•Program: free choice.
•No required works.
•Please follow the General Guidelines for all videos above.
•Video: 7 minutes max. You will not be judged on material you play over 7 minutes. You may also play less than 7 minutes.
Time starts after the first note.
Prizes:
1st Place: Certificate & Full Tuition for 2026 Houston Classical Guitar Festival.
2nd Place: Certificate & 75% of Tuition for 2026 Houston Classical Guitar Festival.
3rd Place: Certificate & 50% of Tuition for 2026 Houston Classical Guitar Festival.
NOTE: International competitors are subject to a U.S. tax of 30% withheld on any winnings.
1st & 2nd place Middle School Division winners can enter the 2026 Marku Virtual Guitar Competition without an entry fee.