The Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition is part of the Annual Philadelphia Classical Guitar Festival.
There are two separate divisions:
1. The Adult Division is a national competition open to advanced classical guitarists of any age residing in the United States.
2. The Junior Division is a competition open to students age 18 and under residing in the United States.
| 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 student membership. |
There are three rounds:
> The Preliminary round – The jury will review unmarked/anonymous 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, 2023 and invited to participate in the semifinal round in Philadelphia on April 22, 2023.
Applications and recordings are due no later than
February 15, 2023 [11:59 pm EST]
> The Semifinal round – will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2023.
> The Final round will take place on Sunday, April 23, 2023 during the 2023 Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society Festival. Prize winners will be announced before the closing concert of the 2023 Festival.
ONLINE APPLICATION COMING SOON!
Download a Flyer to Print and Share!
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, 2023. 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 submission only. Please send video links to: competition@phillyguitar.com
- 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.
Questions can be directed to competition@phillyguitar.com
PETER SEGAL
*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.