GUITAR COMPETITION | YOUTH CATEGORY 2025

The 5th Youth Guitar Competition will be held at the Tampere Conservatoire from June 5–6, 2025. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to attend guitar lessons and festival concerts. The event is organized by the Tampere Guitar Festival Support Association in collaboration with the Finnish Guitar Teachers’ Association.

The Youth Category of The International Classical Guitar Competition of Finland was established in 2018, initially featuring only the No Age Limit Category. The first Youth Category was introduced in 2019. The primary goal of the Youth Category is to support and encourage classical guitar players.

Participation

The competition is open to young guitarists up to the age of 20, divided into three different age groups. Classical guitar players from all music schools, private lessons, and professional studies in Finland and abroad are welcome to participate.

Applications are open until May 1, 2025 on this website. Participants are accepted in the order of applying, taking into account the values and operational principles of the Tampere Guitar Festival. Late applications may be accepted if there are available spots. The performance program must be submitted by May 11, 2025, using this form

Venue: Tampere Conservatoire, Finland (F.E. Sillanpäänkatu 9)

See Cafe Zipatta opening hours and other lobby activities from here

Thu 5 June – Groups 1 & 3

12:00 INFO & PHOTOGRAPHY (Groups 1 & 3 must be in the hall by 11:55)
12:30 Competition begins
14-16:30 Guitar club open for everyone (Music Playshool Classroom)
17:00 Group and individual feedback for all competitors, gathering in the conservatory lobby café
19:00 Concert begins in Pyynikkisali (free admission for each competitor and one guardian)
During the intermission, everyone gathers on the stage of Pyynikkisali
Approx. 20:00 (beginning of the 2nd half): announcement of results

Fri 6 June – Group 2

12:00 INFO & PHOTOGRAPHY (Group 2 must be in the hall by 11:55)
12:30 Competition begins
15-16 Guitar club open for everyone (Music Playshool Classroom)
17:00 Group and individual feedback for all competitors, gathering in the conservatory lobby café
19:00 Concert begins in Pyynikkisali (free admission for each competitor and one guardian)
During the intermission, everyone gathers on the stage of Pyynikkisali
Approx. 20:00 (beginning of the 2nd half): announcement of results

Each age group will have one competition round, held over the course of one day. After the competition, each participant will receive personal feedback from one of the jury members. The participant and one guardian will have free entry to the evening concert at 19, where the results of the competition will be announced at the start of the second half. Competitors have also the possibility to participate guitar lessons.

Detailed competition schedules will be published after the application closes, and individual time slots will be provided no later than early June. Remote participation is not possible.

Program for each age group

Group 1: 12 years and younger (born in or after 2013)

The duration of the performance is 5-8 minutes. The program is free choice and may include the competitor's own compositions and improvisation. The program may be played either by heart or from sheet music.

Group 2: 13-16 years (born between 2009 and 2012)

The duration of the performance is 9-12 minutes. The program is free choice and may include the competitor's own compositions and improvisation. The program may be played either by heart or from sheet music.

Group 3: 17-20 years (born between 2005 and 2008, max 20 years on the competition day)

The duration of the performance is 12-15 minutes. The program is free choice and may include the competitor's own compositions and improvisation. The program may be played either by heart or from sheet music.

Additional information:

Sheet music for the program does not have to be provided.

The Jury reserves the right to interrupt a performance if it exceeds the given time limit. This kind of interruption does not affect evaluation.

Fees

The instructions for paying the participation fee will be sent after applying for the competition. If the competition is canceled by the organiser, the fee will be fully refunded. The fee is non-refundable if the participant cancels their application.

PRICES

Group 1: 80 €
Group 2: 95 €
Group 3: 110 €

The application fee includes tickets to the concert on the competition day at the Tampere Conservatoire for the competitor and one guardian.

Prizes

Each group of the Youth Category will receive a cash prize, which will be divided according to the decision of the jury. Additionally the following prizes are awarded in each age category:

The Stage Lion Award for the most memorable stage performance
The Tunesmith Award for the most memorable improvisation or own composition

Group 1

300 € Cash Prize
Riento Guitars gift card, value 100 € *
The Stage Lion award: Ostinato gift card, value 70 € **
Finnish Guitar Teachers’ Association Concert Scholarship ***
Guitarists’ theme day at the Sibelius Academy
TGF product prizes

Group 2

400 € Cash Prize
Riento Guitars gift card, value 200 € *
The Stage Lion award: Ostinato gift card, value 70 € **
Finnish Guitar Teachers’ Association Concert Scholarship ***
Guitarists’ theme day at the Sibelius Academy
TGF product prizes

Group 3

500 € Cash Prize
Riento Guitars gift card, value 300 € *
The Stage Lion award: Ostinato gift card, value 70 € **
Finnish Guitar Teachers’ Association Concert Scholarship ***
Guitarists’ theme day at the Sibelius Academy
TGF product prizes

* = A personal gift card for Riento Guitars at guitar store Totem Shop
** = A gift card to Ostinato Sheet Music Shop
*** = A concert at the annual event of The Finnish Guitar Teachers' Association. A fee and travel expenses in Finland are paid. The award is given to a guitarist studying in Finland.

Other terms

The organiser may record all the performances and broadcast them live and after the competition. All rights belong to the organiser and recordings may be used in any form or manner in the future without any compensation. All competitions may be streamed live at TGF's YouTube and Facebook channels. In order to ensure an even competition ground the audience is not permitted to take pictures or record the competition.

The organiser is not responsible for the competitors’ instruments or other personal belongings. By applying to the competition, the participant accepts all terms of the competition. In unclear situations, the organiser has a right to clarify the rules. In case of discrepancies, the Finnish version of the rules shall prevail.