Denver Guitar Festival & Competition

Friday, Saturday & Sunday – September 8 –10, 2023

Guitar Logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the third 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 $8000 in prize money.

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

Laura Husbands, Artistic Director
 

Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition

First prize $2500
Second prize $1500
Third prize $750
Fourth prize $500

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

    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

    Festival schedule


    Friday, September 8

    9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Registration & Check-In
    Joy Burns Plaza

    10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Preliminary Round - Josefina P Tuason International Competition
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    Closed to public.

    2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m, Preliminary Round (continued)
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    Closed to public.

    7:30 p.m. Guest Recital
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    $15 Ticket
    Ticket purchase link to come


    Saturday, September 9

    10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Jonathan Leathwood Masterclass
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    Open to the public

    1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Semifinal Round - Josefina P Tuason International Competition
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    Open to the public.

    3:00 p.m.  Undergraduate Competition Check-In
    Joy Burns Plaza

    4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Undergraduate Competition Preliminary Round
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    Open to the public

    7:30 p.m. Guest artist recital
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    $15 Ticket
    Ticket purchase link to come


    Sunday, September 10

    10:00 a.m. Lecture – Jonathan Leathwood
    Williams Recital Salon
    Open to the public

    10:00 a.m. Youth Competition Check-in
    Joy Burns Plaza

    11:00 a.m. Youth Competition
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    Open to the public

    1:00 p.m. Undergraduate Competition Final Round
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    Open to the public

    2:00 p.m. Undergraduate and Youth Competitions Awards Ceremony
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    Open to the public

    3.30 p.m. - 5.30 p.m. Guest Artist Masterclass
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    Open to the public

    3.30 p.m. - 5.30 p.m. Guest Artist Masterclass
    Williams Recital Salon
    Open to the public

    7:30 p.m. Final Round - Josefina P. Tuason International Competition
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    $15 Ticket
    Ticket purchase link to come

    9:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    Open to the public

     

  • Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition

    Competition Rules

    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.

    First prize $2500
    Second prize $1500
    Third prize $750
    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.
     

  • Youth Competition

    YOUTH COMPETITION

    The Youth Competition is open to all classical guitarists 18 years and under as of September 8, 2023.
    The Youth Competition will be held in two rounds. Free choice program for all rounds.

    One round 7 minutes.

    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.

    All decisions by the judges are final.

    Judges for the Youth Competition 
    Laura Husbands
    Jonathan Leathwood
     

  • Undergraduate Competition

    UNDERGRADUATE COMPETITION

    The Undergraduate Competition is open to all classical guitarists ages 18-22 as of September 8, 2023.
    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 for the Youth Competition 
    Laura Husbands
    Jonathan Leathwood
     

  • Guest Artists

    Coming Soon!

  • Applications & Competition Registration

    Registration, passes & tickets coming soon!

    Festival Passes (Admission to all ticketed events):

    • International Competition registration and pass (early bird)
      $120
    • International Competition registration and pass
      $130
    • Youth Competition registration and pass (early bird)
      $80
    • Youth Competition registration and pass
      $90

    Once competitors have paid their registration fee they will be emailed an application form. This may take up to one business day.

    • Non-Competitor Festival Pass
      $35
    • Concert & Competition Individual Ticket
      $15
  • Places to Stay Near DU

    Information & reservations for hotels near the University of Denver.