Classical Guitar Competition:
Rules and Regulations

Click here to download Competition Application.

APPLICATION AND ENTRY FEE POSTMARK DEADLINE: MAY 1, 2009

CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION:
— NO COMPETITION AGE LIMIT
— NO REQUIRED PIECES
— COMPLIMENTARY HOME HOSTING FOR ALL COMPETITORS

RULES AND REGULATIONS N.B. All Competitors MUST BE PRESENT AT THE DRAWING FOR COMPETITION ORDER WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE THURSDAY, MAY 17 AT 9:30 AM at Missouri Western, in the lobby of the Leah Spratt “MC” Building . Be sure to book your travel arrangements accordingly. Any competitor not present at the drawing will be disqualified and will forfeit their entry fee.
All competitors must be registered for the festival in the Performer category.

AGE LIMIT: None.

REQUIRED PIECES: None. Competitors, however, MUST play the same program for BOTH rounds of the competition. Pieces to be performed should last between 12-15 minutes total and must represent 2 or more historical periods based on the birth date of the composer. Historical periods will be determined as follows: Early/Renaissance: up to 1600. Baroque: 1600-1750. Classic: 1750-1825. Romantic: 1825-1910 (including Spanish National School, i.e. Tárrega, Granados, etc.). Contemporary/Avant Guarde: 1910-present.


ROUNDS:  All rounds will feature the same five judges and will be closed except for the final round which will be open to the public.

JUDGING:  Judging will be based on a 10 point system for: 1) technique, 2) historical performance practice, 3) interpretation, 4) programming and 5) stage presence.
A sample of the Jury Sheet may be viewed by clicking HERE.

FINAL ROUND:  The final three competitors will perform in an open public concert Sunday, 3:00 p.m. to be followed by the award ceremony. Judges for this final round will be all judges. In addition we have a strong belief that most competitions are too specific to “guitar circles.” For that reason, the audience members (over 18 years of age) at the final round will each have a ballot and their cumulative votes will count as one additional vote to be tallied with those of the judges. This unusual approach provides a more realistic situation that takes into account the tastes of the general public - a concept that is extremely rare in competition playing, yet highly realistic when performers begin to work with management, concert presenters, the public, etc.

PRIZES and DISCLAIMER
1) Most prizes will be awarded immediately following the final round of the competition except for the invitation to perform in the 2010 festival (for a $1,000 fee). This prize is contingent upon the production of the festival in 2010. In the event that the festival is not produced in 2010 this prize fee for that proposed concert will not be awarded.
2) Various other prizes must be claimed directly from the endorsing firms and it is the sole responsibility of the prize winner to claim those prizes.
3) First Prize winners under management must clear acceptance of the concert award/s with their management or agent.
4) In the event of non-production of additional 1st Prize concerts, for whatever reason, neither those proposed concert presenters, nor the St. Joseph International Guitar Festival, nor Missouri Western State University will be liable. It is the sole responsibility of the winner to make arrangements with prize concert producers to arrange those concerts.
5) The prize for digital recording studio time at Ransomed Studios, Kansas City, US must be used WITHIN ONE YEAR of the award ceremony and scheduling of the studio time is contingent upon the studio schedule. Details must be arranged between the prize winner and Studio Director, Thomas Ransom (913)268-4564.
6) The prize winners are solely responsible for claiming all prizes. Any prize/s not claimed within one year of the date of award ceremony will be forfeited.

PROJECTED PRIZES INCLUDE:
(N.B. Prizes may vary depending on corporate support.)

1st PRIZE: (TOTAL VALUE: $4,201.00)
• $1500. Prize - as well as:
• $1000. Invitation for a paid solo concert and masterclass in next year’s St. Joseph International Guitar Festival.
• $369. retail. One ATM Side-Address Condenser Microphone donated by Audio Technica (US).
• $427. Electronic Files of Various Public Domain Compositions donated by Fondazione Araniti Editions (Italy).
• $400. Four hours digital studio time for recording, production or mastering Donated by
Ransomed Productions (US).
• $250. Gift Certificate for Guitar Strings donated by LaBella String Company (US),
• $175. Gift Certificate for any Mel Bay Publications donated by Mel Bay Publications (US).
• $80. Sample package of hand-made Wegen Guitar Picks (Holland).

2nd PRIZE: (TOTAL VALUE: $1,607.00)
• $800.Prize - as well as:
• $427. Electronic Files of Various Public Domain Compositions donated by Fondazione Araniti Editions (Italy).
• $150. Gift Certificate from LaBella Strings (US).
• $150. retail. One ATH-M40 Headphones donated by Audio Technica (US).
• $80. Sample package of hand-made Wegen Guitar Picks (Holland).

3rd PRIZE: (TOTAL VALUE: $1,226.00)
• $500. Prize - as well as:
• $427. Electronic Files of Various Public Domain Compositions donated by Fondazione Araniti Editions (Italy),
• $119. retail. One ATH-M30 Headphones donated by Audio Technica (US),
• $100. Gift Certificate from LaBella Strings (US),
• $80. Sample package of hand-made Wegen Guitar Picks (Holland),

CLICK HERE FOR PDF APPLICATION

Application and entry fee deadline: May 1, 2009.
The limited space for performer and auditor housing requires us to hold places on a first-come basis. All participants should arrive at the latest by 6:00 P.M., Wednesday, May 13 and plan to leave the housing by 6:00 P.M. Sunday, May 17 unless other arrangements are made with the home host

Competition - Concerts/Masterclasses - Jam Sessions