Houston Classical Guitar Festival & Competition 2023
Rules for Competition
ALL DIVISIONS
V I R T U A L
All Videos Due for All Divisions June 5th, 2023
by Midnight Central Time
There are 3 levels of competition:
•Artist Division
•High School Division
•Middle School Division
Consider competing this year
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ALL DIVISIONS
•Go to www.hcgfest.org to REGISTER for the Competition and the Festival.
•Record a live, unedited performance video in a single take/non-stop, with only one camera angle. For repertoire guidelines, see individual divisions below.
•Upload the video to YouTube with the following specifications:
Videos due by Midnight - Central time:
June 5th, 2023 — ALL DIVISIONS
•In the description of the video, write:
1) Your name.
2) The date of your recording.
3) The pieces that you will perform.
4) State that it is for the 2023 Houston Classical Guitar Competition,
•Set the privacy setting of the video to Unlisted:
It must be Unlisted and not Private.
See instructions on YouTube.
•Competitors from China may upload to Bilibili instead of YouTube.
•Submit link via email to hcgfestc@gmail.com.
•Test the YouTube link to make sure it works before sending.
•Results will be announced during the week of the festival June 12-17 via Facebook and Email
•NOTE: International competitors are subject to a U.S. 30% tax on their winnings. It will be withheld from any winnings.
•See below for more information about each Division of the Competition.
ARTIST DIVISION
This is our highest-level competition for solo guitarists as they develop their careers.
THERE IS ONLY ONE ROUND OF COMPETITION
Videos due Monday, June 5th, 2023 by Midnight - Central time.
Fee: $100
•If you wish to compete in the Artist Division and attend the Full Festival with private lessons, the Competition Fee of $100 is waived. TOTAL is $450.
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!
•Artist Division competitors may not additionally compete in other categories.
Repertoire:
•No required works, free choice program
•Guitarists can compete with their own compositions.
ONLY ONE ROUND:
•YouTube submission only (or Bilibili if in China).
•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.
•Videos should start with competitor saying their name and that this video is for the 2023 Houston Classical Guitar Festival & Competition
•Time starts after the first note.
•The video must be an unedited video in a single take with only one camera angle.
•All videos must be submitted by JUNE 5th, 2023 by Midnight – Central time.
•Submit link via email to hcgfestc@gmail.com.
•Winners will be announced following the week of the festival, June 12-17
Prizes:
1st Place: $1,500
2nd Place: $1,000
3rd Place: $500
•NOTE: International competitors are subject to a U.S. 30% tax on their winnings. It will be withheld from any winnings.
HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
This competition is VIRTUAL
Videos due Monday, June 5th by midnight
Fee: $35 Fee is waived if attending Full Festival with Private Lessons!
Who can compete:
•Students currently enrolled in High School (or the home-school equivalent).
•Students who have recently graduated in the Spring of 2023.
Repertoire:
•Program: free choice.
•No required works.
•At least 2 pieces in contrasting styles.
One Round Only/Final Round:
•Please dress appropriately for this competition as you would for any performance.
•Please introduce yourself before you begin.
•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.
•Submit link via email to hcgfestc@gmail.com.
Prizes:
1st Place: $200
2nd Place: $150
3rd Place: $100
MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION
This Competition is Virtual
Videos due Monday, June 5th by midnight
Fee: $25 Fee is waived if attending Full Festival with Private Lessons!
Who can compete:
•Students currently enrolled in Middle School (or home school equivalent).
•Recent graduates from Spring 2023 that are about to enter high school.
•If you wish to attend the Full Festival with Lessons, the competition fee is waived! TOTAL:$450
Repertoire:
•Program: free choice.
•No required works.
One Round Only:
•Submit link via email to hcgfestc@gmail.com.
•Please introduce yourself before you begin.
— Free Program
— 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 2024 Houston Classical Guitar Festival.
2nd Place: Certificate & 75% of Tuition for 2024 Houston Classical Guitar Festival.
3rd Place: Certificate & 50% of Tuition for 2024 Houston Classical Guitar Festival.