Guitar Competition Regulations
1. Competition Purpose
This competition is dedicated to creating an international platform for promoting and exchanging classical guitar art forms and showcasing top global performers and emerging talents. Through the guitar, we transcend cultural and geographical boundaries. With the competition, we follow professional standards, promote the innovation and inheritance of guitar art, turning every melody into a language that speaks with the world, igniting sparks of inspiration that intertwine.
2. Schedule
Time: August 15–17, 2025
Location: Zhengda Cultural Exchange Center, Luoyang, China
3. Competition Categories
—— Open Division ——
Preliminary Round
·Duration: Within 12 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Required piece: One selected from Villa-Lobos’ 12 Études
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style (must not repeat the required piece)
Final Round
·Duration: Within 22 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style (must not repeat preliminary round pieces)
Requirements:
·No age or nationality restrictions.
·Classical guitar majors (current or graduated) from domestic and international music institutions (including affiliated primary and secondary schools) are only allowed to participate in the open division.
—— Adult Division ——
Preliminary Round
·Duration: Within 6 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style
Final Round
·Duration: Within 12 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style (must not repeat preliminary round pieces)
Requirements:
·Age 18+, born on or before August 10, 2007.
—— Senior Division ——
Preliminary Round
·Duration: Within 6 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style
Final Round
·Duration: Within 12 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style (must not repeat preliminary round pieces)
Requirements:
·Ages 15–17, born between August 11, 2007, and August 10, 2010 (inclusive).
—— Junior Division ——
Preliminary Round
·Duration: Within 5 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style
Final Round
·Duration: Within 10 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style (must not repeat preliminary round pieces)
Requirements:
·Ages 12–14, born between August 11, 2010, and August 10, 2013 (inclusive).
—— Youth Division A ——
Preliminary Round
·Duration: Within 5 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style
Final Round
·Duration: Within 8 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style (must not repeat preliminary round pieces)
Requirements:
·Ages 10–11, born between August 11, 2013, and August 10, 2015 (inclusive).
—— Youth Division B ——
Preliminary Round
·Duration: Within 5 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style
Final Round
·Duration: Within 8 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style (must not repeat preliminary round pieces)
Requirements:
·Ages 8–9, born between August 11, 2015, and August 10, 2017 (inclusive).
—— Youth Division C ——
Preliminary Round
·Duration: Within 5 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style
Final Round
·Duration: Within 8 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style (must not repeat preliminary round pieces)
Requirements:
·Ages 6–7, born between August 11, 2017, and August 10, 2019 (inclusive).
—— Ensemble Division A ——
Preliminary Round
·Duration: Within 5 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style
Final Round
·Duration: Within 12 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style (must not repeat preliminary round pieces)
Requirements:
·Limit to 2-4 people
·Ages 12 and above, born on and before August 10, 2013
·No limits on nationality
—— Ensemble Division B ——
Preliminary Round
·Duration: Within 5 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style
Final Round
·Duration: Within 12 minutes (excluding tuning time)
·Optional piece(s): One or more pieces, any style (must not repeat preliminary round pieces)
Requirements:
·Limit to 2-4 people
·Ages 11 and below, born on and after August 11, 2013
·No limits on nationality
(Note: Adjustments to divisions may occur based on registration numbers.)
4. Awards
A. Classical Guitar Open Division
·Grand Prize:
① Trophy ② Certificate ③ ¥5,000 RMB
④ Alma Mastro guitar (valued at ¥55,000) by Korean luthier Kim Hee Hong
⑤ Asia-Europe concert tour
·Runner-up: Trophy + Certificate + ¥3,000
·Third Place: Trophy + Certificate + ¥1,000
·4th–6th Place: Certificates
·Finalists: Certificates
·Special Jury Awards: Best Expressiveness, Best Tone, Best Technique, Popular Vote
B. Other Divisions
·1st Prize: Certificate + Brand Guitar
·2nd Prize: Certificate + Strings + Custom Gift Pack
·3rd Prize: Certificate + Custom Gift Pack
·Honorable Mention: Certificate
·All instructors of winning guitarists receive the “Outstanding Teacher Award.”
5. Rules & Guidelines
1.Two rounds (preliminary + final) for all divisions.
2.Repertoire must not repeat between rounds.
3.Judges may stop overtime performances without a score penalty.
4.Classical guitar majors (current/graduated) may only join Open/Ensemble divisions. Violations result in disqualification.
5.Past Open Division champions are not allowed to participate again.
6.Memorization required (except ensemble divisions). Repertoire changes post-registration deadline lead to disqualification.
7.Performance order is assigned by lottery.
8.Dress formally, bring tuned instruments, arrive 30 mins early. No-shows are disqualified.
9.Maintain order, provide truthful personal info, and respect judges’ decisions or you can be disqualified.
10. Safety & Liability:
·Prioritize personal safety during travel.
·Participants must purchase insurance; minors require guardian supervision. All competitors needs to sign a “safety responsibility guide”
·Report emergencies to organizers immediately.
11. Rights: Organizers retain usage rights of participants’ images, videos, and names for event-related purposes.
12. Disputes: Must be submitted via the team leaders. The Committee holds final authority in rule interpretation.