Denver Guitar Festival & Competition

Friday, Saturday & Sunday – September 10-12, 2027

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the seventh annual Denver Guitar Festival & Competition at the Lamont School of Music, University of Denver. This three-day celebration of the classical guitar includes guest recitals, lectures, master classes as well as the Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition and Undergraduate & Youth Competitions, totaling over $9,500 in prize money.

We hope you can join us in what promises to be an exciting weekend of guitar events!

Laura Husbands, Artistic Director

Registration and ticketing coming in Summer 2027!

 

Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition

First prize $3,000
Second prize $2,000
Third prize $1,000
Fourth prize $500

* $300 cash audience prize

Undergraduate Competition

First prize $1000
Second prize $500
Third prize $300
Fourth prize $200

Youth Competition

First prize $500
Second prize $300
Third prize $150
Fourth prize $50

Contact

Questions? 
Please contact Laura Husbands, Artist Director at laura.husbands@du.edu

All events will take place in the Robert & Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts, on the University of Denver campus.
2344 East Iliff Avenue
Denver, CO 80210

For questions about the guitar program at DU Lamont, please contact Jonathan Leathwood, Chair of Guitar and Harp at Jonathan.Leathwood@du.edu

• Schedule

  Schedule will be announced in Summer 2027. 

  All events will take place in the Robert & Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts, on the University of Denver campus.
  2344 East Iliff Avenue
  Denver, CO 80210

   

• Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition

  The Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition is open to classical guitarist regardless of nationality and age.

  Preliminary Round: 7 minutes
  Semi final Round: 10 minutes
  Final round: 20 minutes

  Free-choice programs for all rounds. Competitors may repeat repertoire without penalty. It is expected that repertoire will fit the time limit of each round. Should competitors exceed the time limit, they will be asked to stop playing with no penalty. Up to 12 competitors will be chosen for the semi final round, and 4 for the final round. All competitors will be provided an individual practice room for 1 hour before their performance time. The Preliminary and Semi final round will be judged blindly.

  All decisions by the judges are final. Guitar professors teaching at the Lamont School of Music will NOT be taking part in any judging of the Solo Artist Competition.
   

  Judges 
  
  To be announced in Summer 2027! 

  
  Prizes
  
  First prize $3,000
  Second prize $2,000
  Third prize $1,000
  Fourth prize $500

  All prizes subject to mandatory 30 percent federal tax withholding for foreign prize-winners; US prize-winners will be issued an IRS-1099 Form. By submitting an application to this competition, participants agree to terms allowing the University of Denver to use audio, recording and photo during the competition.

  Previous first prize winners are not eligible to compete. 
   

• Undergraduate Competition

  The Undergraduate Competition is open to all classical guitarists ages 18-22 as of September 11, 2027.
  The Undergraduate Competition will be held in two rounds. Free choice program for all rounds.

  Preliminary round 7 minutes.
  Final round 10 minutes.

  Free-choice program for both rounds. Competitors may repeat repertoire without penalty. It is expected that repertoire will fit time limit of each round. Should competitors exceed the time limit, they will be asked to stop playing with no penalty.

  First Prize - $1000
  Second prize - $500
  Third prize - $300
  Fourth prize- $200

  All decisions by the judges are final.

  Judges 
  
  To be announced in Summer 2027! 

   

  Previous first prize winners are not eligible to compete. 
   

• Youth Competition

  The Youth Competition is open to all classical guitarists 18 years and under as of September 11, 2027.

  One round: 7 minutes time limit 

  Free-choice program. It is expected that repertoire will fit the time limit. Should competitors exceed the time limit, they will be asked to stop playing with no penalty.

  First Prize - $500
  Second prize - $300
  Third prize - $150
  Fourth prize- $50
  
  Additionally, all winners are guaranteed admission to the Lamont School of Music* and a minimum scholarship award: 
  
  First prize = $30,000
  Second prize = $25,000
  Third prize = $20,000
  Fourth prize = $15,000
  
  *Admission and scholarships are guaranteed provided all the standards for admission into the University of Denver have been met. If the winner is not a senior in high school, admission and scholarship will be awarded upon graduation. Prize winners may elect to submit more recent audition recordings at the time of admission for additional scholarship consideration. 

  All decisions by the judges are final.

  Judges
  To be announced in Summer 2027! 

   

  Previous first prize winners are not eligible to compete. 
   

• Guest Artists

  To be announced in Summer 2027! 

• Applications & Competition Registration

  To be announced in Summer 2027! 

• Places to Stay Near DU

  Information & reservations for hotels near the University of Denver.