The Semifinalists have been announced!

The Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition is part of the Annual Philadelphia Classical Guitar Festival.

2026 PHILADELPHIA CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION SEMIFINAL ROUND PROGRAM
ADULT DIVISION
3:00 PM Laurel Harned (Redlands, CA)	Cello Suite no. 3 Prelude by J.S. Bach Tarantella by J.K. Mertz Homenaje a Debussy by Manuel de Falla
3:15 Benjamin Gascon (Baltimore, MD)	Six variations sur un thème original, Op. 20 by Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829) Sonata no.1 para guitarra, by Carlos Guastavino (1912-2000) II. Andante III. Allegro spiritoso
3:30 Adrian Montero (Cayce, SC)	Partita For Solo Guitar (Toccata) by José Mora Jimenez Sonata k.213 by Domenico Scarlatti Elogió de la guitarra by Joaquín Rodrigo
3:45 Kyle Khembunjong (Milwaukee, WI)	Les tours de passe-passe, Ordre 22, No. 8 by François Couperin Sonate in A-Dur, Op. 17 by Werthmüller Lento Rondo Vivace Scherzo-Vals by Miguel Llobet Solés
4:00PM Nattakarn Kijrattanakarn (Gainesville, FL)	Keyboard Sonata K377 by Domenico Scarlatti In The Woods by Toru Takemitsu I. Wainscot Pond Sonata para Guitarra by Antonio Jose IV. Final
4:15 Django Klumpp (Penfield, NY)	Selections from Variations on a Catalan Folk Song by John Duarte Rite of the orishas by Leo Brouwer ii. Danzas de las diosas negras
4:30 Aaron Baldauf (Milwaukee WI)	Variations on a Theme by Scriabin by Alexandre Tansman Cataluña by Isaac Albeniz
4:45 Xingxing Yao (Philadelphia, PA)	Violin Sonata, BWV 1001, Fugue by J. S. Bach Introduction and Caprice, Op.23 by Giulio Regondi

YOUTH DIVISION
1:00 PM, Ruqi Jiang	Open up your ears by Bryan Johanson Rondeu de Concert Op.12 by Napoleon Coste
1:10, Ryan Ivanov	Junto Al Generalife by Joaquín Rodrigo Cavatina (Preludio) by Alexandre Tansman
1:20, Andy Lin	Lute Suite III, BWV 995 by J. S. Bach Prelude, Tres Vite Scherzo Vals by Miguel Llobet
1:30, Lukas Lin	Lute Suite II, BWV 997 by J.S. Bach Prelude Ráfaga, Op. 53 by Joaquín Turina
1:40, Theo Anderson	Mazurka Appassionata by Agustín Barrios Violin Sonata in Gm, BWV 1001 by J.S. Bach Fugue
1:50, Luu Li C. Pham	Homenaje a Tárrega / Garrotin by Joaquín Turina Valseana by Sergio Assad
2:00, Lucca Farkas	Campanas Del Alba by Eduardo Sainz de la Maza Sonata K. 209 by Domenico Scarlatti
2:10, Damian Gadiyak	Sonata BWV 1001 by J.S. Bach Adagio – Presto Caprices No. 2, 7, 15 by Luigi Legnani

There are two separate divisions:

	Adult Division	Youth Division
Eligibility	A national competition open to advanced classical guitarists residing in the USA.	A national competition for students age 18 and under.
Prizes (*)	• 1st Prize – $1500, Peter Segal* prize and invitation to perform at the next PCGS Festival • 2nd Prize – $750 • 3rd Prize – $500	• 1st Prize – $200 • 2nd Prize – $100 • 3rd Prize – $50
Application Fee	$75 – Includes admission to all Sunday Guitar Festival events and a one year PCGS membership.	$40 – Includes admission to all Sunday Guitar Festival events and a one year PCGS membership.
Repertoire	Free-choice: At least two contrasting selections (up to 15 minutes).	Free-choice: At least two contrasting selections (up to 10 minutes).

There are three rounds:

> The Preliminary round – The jury will review Unlisted YouTube submissions and select up to 12 advancing competitors from each division.  Entrants will be notified if they have advanced to the semifinal round no later than March 15, 2026 and invited to participate in the semifinal round in Philadelphia.

> The Semifinal round – will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, beginning at 1:00PM with the Youth Division, with the Adults Division following at 1:00pm.

First Presbyterian Church
201 S 21st St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103

> The Final round will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2026 during the 2026 Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society Festival in Philadelphia at:
Settlement Music School, 416 Queen St, Philadelphia PA 19147.

GUIDELINES FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS

• The Guitar Society reserves the right to cancel any competition division and return student entries and fees if insufficient entries are received. Entries must be received no later than 11:59pm (ET) on February 15, 2026. Entries received after 11:59pm ET will not be accepted.
• Editing or digital manipulation of recorded entries is not permitted and will be sufficient reason for disqualification.
• Recording submission: Unlisted YouTube video submissions should feature both audio and video tracks. Entrants may submit separate YouTube videos for each selection, type the repertoire selection and composer in the YouTube video notes, or announce the selection and composer in your video. Please submit YouTube link(s) for the Preliminary Round on the initial registration form.
• The same repertoire must be performed in the Preliminary, Semifinal, and Final Rounds.
• Editing of recorded entries is not permitted and will be sufficient reason for disqualification.
• Prior first prize winners may not participate in the same division.

Applications due no later than February 15,  2026 [11:59 pm EST]

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Questions can be directed to 

Thanks to our jury members! (Jurors may not sit for all three rounds)

Ross Mann, Competition Director Dan Boring Alberta Khoury Alan Krantz

Ben Lougheed Leonard Ranallo Emiliano Pardo-Tristan Ted Williams

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*Peter Segal was a prominent musician in Philadelphia and was a founding member and leader of  the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society in 1967.  Along with performing in solo and chamber music programs throughout the region,  he performed with a variety of ensembles including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Concerto Soloists, Opera Company of Philadelphia and Relache and also toured internationally. Peter Segal was also a well regarded teacher and scholar and founded classical guitar programs with several institutions including the Boyer College of Music at Temple University and the Philadelphia Musical Academy, Peter Segal was also a well regarded teacher and scholar and founded classical guitar programs with several institutions including the Boyer College of Music at Temple University and the Philadelphia Musical Academy.  

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2025 Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition Awards Announced!!

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PRIOR WINNERS