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2026 Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition

The prize winners have been announced!

The Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition wishes to congratulate all of the competitors for their hard work and their fine performances! The jurors were impressed and had some difficult choices to make! For those of you who have not yet received your juror notes or prizes, those will be shipped to you. Please get in touch with any questions!!

Youth Division WinnersAdult Division Winners
1st prize – Ruqi Jiang
2nd prize – Damian Gadiyak
3rd prize – Lucca Farkas 
1st, Peter Segal Prize – Xingxing Yao
2nd prize – Nattakarn Kijarattanakarn
3rd prize – Adrian Monter

Thanks as well to our jury members!!

Ross Mann, Competition Director; Dan Boring, Allen Krantz, Ben Lougheed, Leonard Ranallo, Emiliano Pardo-Tristan, Alberta Khoury.

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 or foreign students with valid US student visas at the time of application and competition award.

2. The Youth Division is a competition open to students age 18 and under residing in the United States foreign students with valid US student visas at the time of application and competition award.

Adult DivisionYouth Division
EligibilityA 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*
• 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.
RepertoireFree-choice: At least two contrasting
selections (up to 15 minutes).
Free-choice: At least two contrasting
selections (up to 10 minutes).

(*) For US citizens and resident alien awardees, all prizes and awards in the amount of $600 or greater must be reported by PCGS to the IRS on Form 1099-MISC. It is the responsibility of all prize/award recipients, regardless of the amount of the prize/award, to report the taxable prize/award to the IRS on their personal income tax returns. All US citizens and resident alien awardees are required to complete IRS form W9 and provide it to PCGS as a condition to receiving the cash award.

For nonresident alien awards, PCGS is required to withhold 30% tax on the full amount of the prize/award unless the individual is exempt from taxation under a tax treaty. This information is reported by PCGS to the IRS on Form 1042-S. All non resident alien awardees are required complete either IRS Form W8BEN or IRS documentation as evidence of tax exemption to PCGS prior to receiving any cash prize.
Awardees must provide evidence of their immigration status and tax status.

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 at 12:00pm, Saturday, April 18, 2026, beginning at 1:00PM at 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]

Questions can be directed to competition[at]phillyguitar.com


*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.  


2025 Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition Awards Announced!!


PRIOR WINNERS

ADULT DIVISION ~ Peter Segal Prize

2025 – Xingxing Jiu

2024 – David Manzanaers-Salguero

2023 – Gwenyth Aggeler

2022 – Adult division cancelled

2021- Alan Liu

2019- Congyi Zhang

2018- Philip Goldenberg

2017- Benjamin Pasternak

2016- Bokyung Byun

2015- Alec Holcomb

2014- Michael Gratovich

2013- Celil Refik Kaya

2012- Nikolay S Gavlishin

2011- Pierre Ferreyra-Mansille

2010- Nikolay S Gavlishin

2010- Jarek Ervin

2009- Jeremy Llyons

2008- Edward Mann

YOUTH DIVISION

2025 – Ruqi Jiang

2024 – Penelope Shvarts

2023 – Tae Kim

2022 – 1. Jiasheng Shi

2021- Andrei Orasanu

2019- Mia Gagliardi

2018- Everett Shen

2017- Oscar Somersalo

2016- Grant Lu

2015- Thomas Pfefer

2014- Thomas Pfefer

2013- Peter Zarillo

2012- Chrisitan Sweger

2011- John Bogan

2010- Chrisitan Sweger

2010- Alex Pollock

2009- Matt Weschler

2008- Kevin Meister

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Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society
Address: 2038 Sansom street – Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: +1 (215) 567 2972
Email: info@phillyguitar.com 

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