Denver Guitar Festival & Competition

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

Guitar Logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the fourth 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

REGISTRATION & TICKETS

 

Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition

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

    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.

    10:00 a.m. Adam Moore Guitars
    Room 209

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

    4:00 p.m. Matthew Denman lecture
    Williams Salon

    7:30 p.m. Guest Recital Recital: Connie Sheu 
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    $15 Ticket
    Purchase ticket

    Download free parking voucher


    Saturday, September 9

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

    10:00 a.m. Adam Moore Guitars
    Room 209


    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: Martha Masters 
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    $15 Ticket
    Purchase ticket

    Download free parking voucher


    Sunday, September 10

    10:00 a.m.  Jonathan Leathwood lecture: "Perceiving and Shaping Harmony: A Practical Talk for Guitarists"
    Williams Recital Salon
    Open to the public

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

    10:00 a.m. Adam Moore Guitars
    Room 209

    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. Martha Masters Masterclass
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    Open to the public

    3.30 p.m. - 5.30 p.m. Connie Sheu Masterclass
    Williams Recital Salon

    Open to the public

    7:30 p.m. Final Round - Josefina P. Tuason International Competition
    Hamilton Recital Hall
    $15 Ticket
    Purchase ticket

    Download free parking voucher

    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.

    REGISTER

    Purchase ticket to attend final round

    Download free parking voucher for final round 


     

  • 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

    REGISTER
     

  • Youth Competition

    YOUTH COMPETITION

    The Youth Competition is open to all classical guitarists 18 years and under as of September 8, 2023.

    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.

    All decisions by the judges are final.

    Judges for the Youth Competition 
    Laura Husbands
    Jonathan Leathwood

    REGISTER
     

  • Guest Artists

    Connie Sheu
    Friday, September 8 at 7:30 pm

    $15 - PURCHASE

    Download free parking voucher

    Dr. Connie Sheu

    Dr. Connie Sheu is a dynamic guitarist, devoted pedagogue, and ardent advocate of classical guitar. In demand as both a soloist and chamber musician, her playing has been hailed by the New York Sun as “excellent, ruminative... scholarly." According to Classical Guitar Magazine, “Her debut recording displays, without a doubt, her talents as a concert artist.”

    Past performances have brought her to Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, 92nd StY, Merkin Hall, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall; venues in Moldova, Italy, Hungary; and across the United States. She is a frequent performer on various concert series and music festivals, and has appeared at the Women in Guitar Festival, New York Guitar Festival, and Guitar Foundation of America International Convention.  

    Dr. Sheu studied U.S. History and Music at Columbia University, and earned a Master of Music from the Juilliard School. She completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Southern California under William Kanengiser and Pepe Romero. She also studied under scholarship at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana with Oscar Ghiglia in Siena, Italy. 

    Dr. Sheu performs with LA Philharmonic flutist Elise Henry as Duo Arroyo.  She lives in Los Angeles and teaches at Pomona College and the Colburn School.

     

    Martha Masters
    Saturday, September 9 at 7:30 pm

    $15 - PURCHASE

    Download free parking voucher

    Martha Masters

    Martha Masters first achieved international recognition in 2000 when she won first prize in the Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition. That same year she also won the Andres Segovia International Competition in Linares, Spain, and was named a finalist in the Alexandre Tansman International Competition of Musical Personalities in Lodz, Poland.

    Since then, Ms. Masters has been active as a solo recitalist, chamber musician and concerto soloist around the world. Recent seasons included appearances at festivals and on concert series through the United States, Europe, Russia, China and Australia. 

    Masters received both the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Peabody Conservatory, where she studied with Manuel Barrueco, and completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Southern California as a student of Scott Tennant.

    Ms. Masters is on faculty at Arizona State University, and is President of the Guitar Foundation of America. She has released seven recordings (Naxos, GSP and independent releases), and has published three books with Mel Bay Publications and Alfred Music.  For more information, visit www.marthamasters.com.

     

    Matthew Denman Lecture
    Friday, September 8, 4:00 p.m.

    Matthew Denman

    Asturias: The Power of Story & The Guitar Hero's Journey

    Abstract
    How can we use Narrative to connect to the vivid and emotional history of the guitar? Many of our guitar heroes have lived adventurous and meaningful lives. The plot points of their stories often parallel aspects of The Hero's Journey. Some have played for their lives, been jailed for playing guitar, and have narrowly escaped death. The musical treasures left by these luminaries become soundtracks to powerful stories worthy of the stage, big screen, and further exploration. Stories that help us reflect on our personal lives and consider what part we play in this epic legacy. You can bring your guitar to this interactive presentation.


    Matthew Denman is a Grammy Nominated Music Educator, a Pepe Romero String Artist, the Assistant Professor of Guitar at Oklahoma City University, and the director of Guitar at Classen School of Advanced Studies. He directs the Celedonio Romero Guitar Institute and has been the Director of Education for the Guitar Foundation of America.

    His programs have received top prizes at competitions, including three awards from the Guitar Foundation of America, top-tier competitions, including the Eastman Concerto Competition, the GFA ensemble competition, the Haire Classical Guitar Competition, etc. He is one of three recipients of the GFA/Augustine Award for Excellence in Guitar Education. His work has been praised in books such as Building an Award-Winning Guitar Program by Bill Swick. Alumni of Matthew's programs have gone on to have successful programs in music and other disciplines. 

    Matthew has often been a featured performer and conductor for music festivals and a guest clinician for several institutions, including Beijing Central Conservatory, Chamber Art Madrid, and Artist in Residence for the New Mexico Guitar Society.

    Matthew is a guitarist and composer who has toured Asia, Europe, and the US. He has often been a featured performer and conductor for music festivals. Les Productions d'OZ publishes Matthew's music. 

    More information is available at matthew-denman.com.

  • Applications & Competition Registration

    Festival Passes (Admission to all ticketed events):

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

     

  • Places to Stay Near DU

    Information & reservations for hotels near the University of Denver.