Competition Rules

1. Those who want to participate in the VII International Guitar Competition of Madrid must enroll in the Festival as an “active student” (Mode A or B, David Russell) or as Oyente+Concurso (Attendance as guest student + Competition).

* Those competitors enrolled as guest student+Competition can enroll later as “active student” (if there are places). In that case, the price for participating in the competition will be deducted from the registration fee.

** More info about Masterclass, Registration and Fees can be found on the “Masterclass” section.

2. There will be two categories:

– Youth: from 12 to 20 years old

– Professional: from 21 years old (no limit age)

No limit in the number of inscriptions.

3. Rounds and Repertoire

Youth Category

– Preliminar Online Round (until April 25, 23:59h): 5 to 8 minutes (of music) of a programme of your choice. The video must be sent before April 25 at 23:59h. You will find instructions and features on point 5 of these rules. 15 participants will advance to the Semifinal round.

– Semifinal Round (June 16, in person, 10:00h): 8 to 10 minutes (of music) of a programme of your choice. 5 participants will advance to the Final round.

– Final Round (June 18, in person, 10:00h): 12 to 15 minutes (of music) of a programme of your choice and of different styiles or periods. Pieces performed during previous rounds cannot be repeated.

Professional Category

– Preliminar Online Round (until April 25, 23:59h): 8 to 10 minutes (of music) of a programme of your choice. The video must be sent before April 25 at 23:59h. You will find more instructions and features on point 5 of these rules. 15 participants will advance to the Semifinal round.

– Semifinal Round video (June 17, in person, 10:00h): 12 to 15 minutes (of music) of a programme of your choice, including different styles or periods. 5 participants will advance to the Final round.

– Final round (June 19, in person, 10:30h): 20 to 25 minutes (of music) of a programme of your choice, including different styles or periods and at least one piece from a Spanish composer from XX or XXI centuries. Total duration must not exceed 25 minutes (of music). Pieces performed during previous rounds cannot be repeated.

4. The draw to decide the order of performance during the Semifinal round in both categories will be held 30 minutes before the round starts. Competitors must attend to the draw. The order of performance for the Final Round will be announced when the jury announces the verdict.

– Semifinal Youth: June 16, 10:00h– Semifinal Professional: June 17, 10:00h

5. Documents and videosIn order to participate in the International Guitar Competition of Madrid, participants must fill out the registration bulletin and send it to the e-mail formacion@festivalguitarramadrid.com, including a copy of ID card or Passport (scanned version) and the payment receipt of the registration fee before the deadline.

Once competitors have registered, they must send a link to the Preliminar Round video no later than April 25. The performer must specify the video is for the VII International Guitar Competition of Madrid and must say his/her name, category and repertoire before playing, – Links to YouTube, Vimeo or similar. The link may be public or private (competitor’s choice)– The recording must show the performer clearly.– Interruption of the recording is not allowed, as well as editing and playback.– The video must be recorded for this competition. Old recordings will not be allowed.

Deadline: until April 25, 2025

* Protection of Personal Data: The data collected will be processed in accordance with applicable legislation, and in particular Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

6. The verdict for the Semifinal round in each category will be announced after the end of performances once the jury has deliberated.

The verdict of the Preliminar Online round will be published on April 30, 2025.

7. The awards ceremony for both categories will be held on June 9, after the end of the Professional Final Round and once the jury has deliberated. The results of the Final Round for both categories will be announced in this moment.

8. Candidates who have won the first prize at the International Guitar Competition of Madrid in previous years cannot compete in the same category again.

9. Jury in both categories will be made up of prestigious professionals and important figures in Guitar and Music.

10. The decisions of the jury are final and subject to no right of appeal.

11. The jury may declare undecided prizes.

12. Prizes can increase. It will be noticed before the registration deadline.

13. By registering to participate in the competition, participants accept the terms and conditions.

14. Participation in the competition implies the transfer to International Guitar Festival of Madrid the rights of reproduction and distribution, of photographic and recording material, under the legislation on Intellectual Property, through the media considered, all non-profit. Semifinal and Final rounds may be live-streamed.

15. Organization is not responsible for anything that does not appear in these rules.

First Prize

• A guitar made by luthier Manuel Adalid – Conservatory Model – valued at 2.500 €
• A guitar case by Sulayr – Sulayr model
• Free course at International Guitar Festival of Madrid in 2026 (1 class)
• Free course at International Guitar Festival José Tomás Villa de Petrer (2 classes in medium grade)
• Strings and accesories package valued at 115 € provided by RC Strings
• 5 strings sets by Knobloch Strings
• Cuerdasguitarra.com’s package valued at 200 €
• Guitarras de Luthier’s package valued at 50 €
• Accrediting diploma

Second Prize

• Free course at International Guitar Festival of Madrid in 2026 (1 class)
• Strings and accesories package valued at 100 € provided by RC Strings
• 4 strings sets by Knobloch Strings
• Cuerdasguitarra.com’s package valued at 100 €
• Accrediting diploma

First Prize (+10.000 euros)

• Cash prize of 1.500 €*
• Concert at International Guitar Festival of Madrid in 2026
• Concert at Certamen “Andrés Segovia” de la Herradura
• Concert at Guitar Festival Ciudad de Mula
• A concert guitar by Sulayr – Concert model
• Guitar Case by Leona Cases
• Video Recording Sessions at Siccas Guitars
• Free course at International Guitar Festival of Madrid in 2026 (1 class)
• Free course at International Guitar Festival José Tomás Villa de Petrer (2 classes in superior grade)
• Guitar Case by Leona Cases
• 6 Knobloch set strings
• Strings and accesories package valued at 215 € provided by RC Strings
• Guitarras de Luthier’s package valued at 150 €
• Accrediting diploma

*Each concert will be paid

Second Prize

• Cash prize of 700 euros*
• Free course at International Guitar Festival of Madrid in 2026 (1 class)
• 6 Knobloch set strings
• Strings and accesories package valued at 125 € provided by RC Strings
• Accrediting diploma

Third Prize

• Cash prize of 300 euros*
• Discounts on the course of International Guitar Festival of Madrid in 2026.
• 6 Knobloch set strings
• Strings and accesories package valued at 110 € provided by RC Strings
• Accrediting diploma

*All cash prizes subject to withholding tax conforming to the current legislation.

Special Prize for the best performance of Spanish music (Professional Cat.)

The finalist who best performs a piece by a Spanish composer from XX or XXI centuries will receive 6 Knobloch set strings.

Special Prize for the best female finalist

The best female in the Final round of the Professional Category, chosen by the jury, will receive 6 Knobloch set strings.

Audience Special Prize RC Strings (Professional Category)

The audience who attend the final round of the Professional Category will have the opportunity of choosing their favourite finalist. The one who gets more votes will receive a special set by RC Strings.

All other finalists of each category will receive string packages provided by cuerdasdeguitarra.com and an Accrediting diploma.