Philadelphia Classical Guitar Festival
April 18-19, 2026
9 am – 5:30 pm
- Concerts
- Festival Day Schedule
- Masterclass
- Workshops
- Students Recitals & Vendors Fair
Festival Opening Concert
Saturday April 18, 2026 – 7:30 PM
Ana Vidović
Festival Closing Concert
Sunday April 19, 2026 – 3:30 PM
Gohar Vardanyan
Celebrate the classical guitar with a full day of music, learning, and community at the
39th Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society Festival
Sunday April 19, 9 am – 5:30 pm
ONE FESTIVAL PASS FOR ALL EVENTS
Festival Day brings together rising young players, dedicated students, and world-class artists for an immersive experience that moves seamlessly from competition and recitals to workshops, masterclasses, and concerts.
- PCGS Classical Guitar Competition (Junior and Adult divisions)
- Students Recitals
- Workshops:
- Introduction to Flamenco Guitar – Pat D’Aprile
- Efficient Technique on the classical guitar with Gohar Vardanyan
- Don’t Blame the Music Theory Guy! with Dr. Miroslav Loncar
- Ana Vidović masterclass
- Competition Awards
- PCGS Ensemble Performance
- Gohar Vardanyan closing Concert
FESTIVAL PASS
Ana Vidović masterclass
We invite you to an exclusive masterclass with the legendary Ana Vidovic, a performer whose “liquid musicality” and flawless technique have defined the gold standard for the modern classical guitar. More than just a lesson, this session offers a rare window into the meticulous artistry and thoughtful interpretation of a global virtuoso. Whether you are an aspiring professional seeking to refine your stagecraft or a dedicated enthusiast looking to deepen your understanding of the instrument, this is a unique opportunity to learn from a master who has graced the world’s most prestigious stages.
HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS WITH YOUR DAILY FESTIVAL PASS
Introduction to Flamenco
Pat D’Aprile
(9 am – 10 am)
Add new music and style to your repertoire in this hands-on flamenco guitar workshop that will introduce attendees to falsetas Solea and Tangos as well as accompanying Palmas (rhythmic clapping). All participants are welcome to observe or perform. Bring your guitar and participate in a group performance at the end of the session!
Pat D’Aprile
Guitarist Pat D’Aprile has studied in Madrid at the conservatory Amor De Dios, Cordoba at the International Festival of Guitar and Dance, Jerez at the Antonio El Pipa and Maria del Mar Moreno summer workshops and in San Lucar de Barrameda with Gerardo Nunez / Carmen Cortes’ Arte Danza Institute.
Efficient Technique on the classical guitar
Gohar Vardanyan
(10:15 am – 11:30 am)
“In this workshop, we will focus on the efficiency and comfort of playing classical guitar. Emphasis will be placed on good posture, proper body alignment, and correct left- and right-hand positioning. We will also discuss effective movement to support healthy and efficient technique development. We will concentrate on the basic building blocks of classical guitar technique, such as arpeggios, scales, rest stroke, free stroke, finger independence, and discuss how each technique advances as the level of the player develops.”
Don’t Blame the Music Theory Guy!
Dr. Miroslav Loncar
(2pm-3pm)
“This hands-on seminar introduces music theory in a fun, practical way that helps students better understand the guitar and how music is built. Through hands-on activities, students will explore patterns like scales and chords to make learning and memorizing music easier and more intuitive. Participants will write their own chord progressions and arpeggios, then experiment with improvising over them alongside other students in a supportive group setting.”
Free and Open to the Public
STUDENTS RECITALS
Celebrate our diverse community of players at the Student Showcase Recitals this Sunday from 12:00 PM to 1:45 PM. These sessions provide a welcoming stage for guitarists of all ages—from young beginners to dedicated adult students—to share their progress with a supportive audience of peers. This event is free and open to the public, and we invite all music lovers to join us in supporting these performers.
To participate, please contact your teacher to be added to the roster. With dozens of performers expected, all registrations must be finalized by the March 22 deadline. Whether you are performing or attending to cheer on your colleagues, we look forward to an inspiring afternoon that highlights the hard work and artistry of our entire student community.
VENDORS’ FAIR
Whether you’re a dedicated performer or a curious listener, the Vendor Fair serves as the convention’s vibrant hub for discovery and connection. This year’s exhibition brings together a curated selection of world-class luthiers, leading music publishers, and celebrated authors who are shaping the discourse of the classical guitar world. It is a rare chance to trial a wide range of concert-level instruments, browse new editions of essential scores, and meet the writers behind the latest pedagogical and historical texts. By stepping into the exhibit hall, you are engaging directly with the craft and scholarship that sustain our community. We invite you to explore the booths, test-play the displays, and find the tools or inspiration for your next project.
Photography & Recording Notice
By attending this event, you acknowledge and agree that the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society (PCGS) may photograph, film, or otherwise record the event, in whole or in part, and that you may appear in such recordings, including as an audience member.
Such recordings may be used by PCGS for marketing, promotional, educational, archival, and communications purposes, in any media now known or later developed. PCGS shall be the sole owner of all such recordings, and attendance at the event constitutes consent to their use without compensation.
Personal photography, audio recording, or video recording by attendees is not permitted, except by PCGS staff or others expressly authorized by PCGS.
For events involving minors, a parent or legal guardian who permits a minor to attend or participate in the event acknowledges and agrees that the minor may be photographed or recorded under the same terms.