Competition Rules

Greenville Guitar Festival 2026

To participate in the inaugural competition of the GGF, read the rules below or click the link for a PDF version of the rules. To register for the festival, click register below.

PDF of Rules
Register

Youth Competition

  • The Youth Division is open to rising 6th through 12th graders and spring/summer 2026 recent graduates who have not yet started a full-time college program as of July 2026. Students in 5th grade and below are encouraged to participate in the Juried Performance.

  • Playing times for each round are as follows:

    • Preliminary:  5 minutes

    • Final:  7 minutes

  • The preliminary round will be held on Friday, August 7 and will be closed to the public.  The four competitors chosen by the judges to advance to the finals will be announced at the Friday evening concert.  The finals will be held on Saturday, August 8 and will be open to the public. Results will be announced at the Saturday evening concert.

  • Competitors are required to play the set piece in both the semifinals and the finals.  Remaining time should be spent on a free choice selection demonstrating a variety of abilities; there is no judging penalty for including the same musical selections in both rounds.  This year’s set piece for the Youth Division is “Daisy” by Madame Sidney Pratten.  Optional fingerings are provided.

    Link to “Daisy” by Madame Sidney Pratten

  • If a competitor goes over the time limit in either round, the judges will stop them.  This will not penalize a competitor’s score.  Competitors must play fingerstyle on a classical guitar with nylon strings and without electronic amplification. Competitors should announce their name and pieces to the judges before playing.  Copies of sheet music for free choice pieces must be sent to radiusguitarcollective@gmail.com by Monday, August 3.  Memorization of pieces is not required and will not be a factor in judging.  All decisions made by the judges are final.

    Competition registration closes on Monday, August 3 or earlier if all times are filled.

  • Prizes are as follows:  

    • First place - $300 plus an Altamira L6 guitar (value $2,300) 

    • Second place - $200

    • Third place - $100

    • Fourth place - $50

    • Altamira prize boxes for all finalists (value $60)

    *RGC offers no warranty or responsibility for non-cash prizes. 

  • Prizewinners for the Youth and Collegiate Divisions must complete appropriate IRS forms to receive their prize monies.  Eligibility to receive prizes is conditional upon authorization for employment in the US.  Prizes may be subject to withholding according to state and federal law.  All competitors must have a valid email address.   

    For competitors under 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete the forms and be eligible as described above to receive the prize on behalf of the minor. 

Collegiate Competition

  • The Collegiate Division is open to classical guitarists enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or certificate program at a U.S. institution of higher education.

  • Playing times for each round are as follows:

    • Preliminary:  7 minutes 

    • Final:  12 minutes

  • The preliminary round will be held on Friday, August 7 and will be closed to the public.  The four competitors chosen by the judges to advance to the finals will be announced at the Friday evening concert.  The finals will be held on Saturday, August 8 and will be open to the public. Results will be announced at the Saturday evening concert. 

  • Competitors are required to play the set piece in both the semifinals and the finals. Remaining time should be spent on a free choice selection demonstrating a variety of abilities; there is no judging penalty for including the same musical selections in both rounds.  This year’s set piece will be selected excerpts from “Carnaval de Venise” by Madame Sidney Pratten.  For the semifinals, competitors only need to play the Introduction.  Competitors selected to move to the finals will need to play the Introduction, Theme, and Variation 7. 

    Link to “Carnaval de Venise” by Madame Sidney Pratten

  • If a competitor goes over the time limit in either round, the judges will stop them.  This will not penalize a competitor’s score.  Competitors must play fingerstyle on a classical guitar with nylon strings and without electronic amplification. Competitors should announce their name and pieces to the judges before playing.  Copies of sheet music for free choice pieces must be sent to radiusguitarcollective@gmail.com by Monday, August 3.  Memorization of pieces is not required and will not be a factor in judging.  All decisions made by the judges are final.

    Competition registration closes on Monday, August 3 or earlier if all times are filled.

  • Prizes are as follows:

    • First place - $1,000 plus an Altamira Torres guitar (value $899)

    • Second place - $700

    • Third place - $500

    • Fourth place - $300

    • Altamira prize boxes for all finalists (value $60)

    *RGC offers no warranty or responsibility for non-cash prizes. 

  • Prizewinners for the Youth and Collegiate Divisions must complete appropriate IRS forms to receive their prize monies.  Eligibility to receive prizes is conditional upon authorization for employment in the US.  Prizes may be subject to withholding according to state and federal law.  All competitors must have a valid email address.   

    For competitors under 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete the forms and be eligible as described above to receive the prize on behalf of the minor. 

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