We’re all for anyone who wants to expand the repertoire of classical guitar, to let’s give a hearty cheer to EuroStrings, the exciting new(ish) “European Guitar Festival Collaborative” which has just announced the 1st EuroStrings Composition Contest for Classical Guitar!
The competition is open to “European composers up to 40 years of age,” and for a processing fee of 30 euros, applicants can submit one original, previously unpublished and/or unawarded composition up to seven minutes long (either a single or multiple movements within that time restriction)—or more, but a separate fee must be paid for each submission. There are a bunch of specific rules about format, where and how to submit them, etc. but we’ll let you get the details and application form here.
However, we should definitely make a note of the great First Prize package, which includes 1,500 euros; the composition becoming a compulsory piece played at the finals of the 2nd EurosStrings Competition, taking place in London in 2019; a recording of the piece on HD video and posted on the EuroStrings channel; and publication of the composition by EuroStrings Editions. Additionally, the ultimate winner of the guitar competition “is obliged to perform the winning composition on the winner’s tour in the U.S. and Asia, as well as European tours at which he/she will perform as a EuroStrings Winner.” The bottom line: Money and LOTS of exposure!
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The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2019, with the winner (as selected by “five internationally known composers and guitarists”) announced a month later. So, get to it! —Blair Jackson
And since always love to include video, here are two winners from this year’s regional EuroStrings classical guitar competitions: (top) Dimitris Soukaras, winner of the Mottola International Guitar Festival in Italy, plays Mr. Dowland’s Midnight by John Dowland; and (bottom) Gabor Hart, winner of this year’s Szeged International Guitar Festival in Hungary, plays the “Scherzo” and “Finale” of Ginastera’s Sonata, Op. 47.