Houston Classical Guitar Festival & Competition 2019
Rules for Competition
St Philip Presbyterian Church
June 10-June 15, 2019
There are 5 divisions:
•Artist Division
•Community College/Freshmen & Sophomores of 4-Year Colleges Division
•High School Division
•Middle School Division
•Small Ensemble Division
Artist Division
This is our highest level competition for aspiring solo guitarists on the verge of developing their careers.
Who can compete:
•There is no age limit.
•Competitors cannot be under management.
•First place winners of the “Classical Minds” competition from 2016 or earlier are welcome to compete at HCGF.
•No GFA 1st place prize winners, please.
Repertoire:
•No required works.
All rounds are free choice.
•Guitarists can compete with their own compositions.
Must play at least one work by a different composer in each round.
•Pieces can be repeated in each round.
First Round:
•YouTube submission only.
Videos due May 1, 2019 midnight
•Videos should contain 2 works in a contrasting style.
10 minutes max program. Videos will not be judged past the 10 min time.
•All videos must be submitted by May 1, 2019, by midnight.
•Submit via email to hcgfestc@gmail.com.
One email per competitor — include links to both videos in 1 email.
Semi-Final Round:
Friday, June 14, 2019 Beginning @ 10 am
•Top 8-10 will be chosen at the judges’ discretion to compete in person at HCGF.
Not open to the public.
15 minutes max program.
Must perform 2 or more works in a contrasting style.
•Competitors will be stopped at 15 minutes with no detriment to their score.
Final Round:
Saturday, June 15, 2019 @ 1:30 pm
•3-4 Finalists will be chosen at the judges’ discretion to perform in a final concert
Open to the public.
20 minutes max program.
Must perform 2 or more works in a contrasting style.
•Competitors will be stopped at 20 minutes with no detriment to their score.
Fee: $125
Prizes:
1st Place: $2,000 & a return week long engagement at HCGF 2020; strings & accessories
2nd Place: $1,000; strings & accessories
3rd Place: $600; strings & accessories
4th Place: $400; strings
Community College/Freshmen & Sophomores of 4-Year Colleges Division
Who can compete:
•Students currently enrolled in a Community College guitar program.
•Students who have recently graduated in the Spring of 2019.
•Students who are freshmen or sophomores in an undergraduate program.
•Students may not compete in both the Artist Division & the Community College Division.
Repertoire:
•All rounds are free choice.
•No required works.
One Round Only (Concert Style):
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 @ 4 pm
•All competitors compete in a concert with a 10-12 minutes max program.
•Competitors will be stopped at 12 minutes with no detriment to their score.
Top 3 winners will be awarded prizes.
Fee: $50
Students enrolled for the full week festival pay only $20.
Prizes:
1st Place: $500; accessories
2nd Place: $250; accessories
3rd Place: $150; accessories
High School Division
Who can compete:
•Students currently enrolled in High School (or the homeschooling equivalent).
•Students who have recently graduated in the Spring of 2019.
•High School Division competitors must enroll in the full week festival.
Repertoire:
•All rounds are free choice.
•No required works.
One Round Only (Concert Style):
Tuesday, June 11, 2019 @ 4 pm
•All competitors compete in a concert with a 10 minute program.
•At least 2 contrasting pieces.
•Competitors can play less than 10 mins
•Competitors will be stopped at 10 minutes with no detriment to their score.
Fee: $20
All competitors in this division must enroll in the full week festival.
Prizes:
1st Place: FREE Tuition award for Full 2020 Festival. Certificate, accessories
2nd Place: 75% Tuition award for Full 2020 Festival. Certificate, accessories
3rd Place: 50% Tuition award for Full 2020 Festival. Certificate, accessories
Middle School Division
Who can compete:
•Students currently enrolled in Middle School (or the homeschooling equivalent).
•Recent graduates from Spring 2019 who are about to enter high school.
•ALL Middle School Division competitors must enroll in the full week festival.
Repertoire:
•All rounds are free choice.
•No required works
One Round Only:
Tuesday, June 11, 2019 @ 4 pm
•7 minutes max program.
•At least 2 contrasting pieces.
•Competitors can play less than 7 minutes.
•Competitors will be stopped at 7 minutes with no detriment to their score.
Fee: $20
All competitors must enroll in the full week festival.
Prizes:
1st Place: FREE Tuition award for Full 2020 Festival. Certificate; accessories
2nd Place: 75% Tuition award for Full 2020 Festival. Certificate; accessories
3rd Place: 50% Tuition award for Full 2020 Festival. Certificate; accessories
Small Ensemble Division
Who Can Compete:
•Open to all ensembles that contain classical guitar.
This can be duos, trios, quartets, & any configuration with a max of 8 people.
•There is no age limit.
•No competitors under management.
First Round:
•YouTube submission.
Videos due May 1, 2019 midnight
•2 pieces in contrasting styles.
•10-12 minutes max.
•Submission: May 1, 2019, midnight deadline.
•Submit via email to hcgfestc@gmail.com.
One email per competitor — include links to both videos in 1 email.
Final Round:(Concert Style):
Thursday, June 13, 2019 @ 4 pm
•3-4 Finalists will be chosen to compete in a final concert.
•Max 20 minute program.
•Competitors can play less than 20 minutes.
•Competitors will be stopped at 20 minutes with no detriment to their score.
Fee: $50 per person
Prizes:
1st Place: $800
2nd Place: $500
3rd Place: $250