The Conservatory

Adult International Competition Prizes:

1st Place - $1000 (Plus a 30 minute concert spot at GuitarFest 2022)

2nd Place - $500

3rd Place - $250

Addtional Prize: 

Best performance for a Canadian Composition - $250 

Round 1: One or more pieces not to exceed 7 minutes.

1. Record a live, unedited video (as a single take) dated between June-August of 2021 using mobile device or computer.  Please ensure that your entire guitar, both hands, head, and torso can be seen. Video must be submitted by Saturday, July 31st at 12pm.
2. At the start of your performance please announce your name, date of the recording, and the name(s) of the compositions that you will be performing.
3. Upload your video to YouTube.  Title the video using your full name, followed by GuitarFest West, and the competition category. Example: Brett Gunther GuitarFest West Adult Category. In the description write your name, date of the recording, and the compositions you will be performing.
4. When setting the privacy settings of the video please select Unlisted. Send YouTube link to bgunther@mtroyal.ca
5. Semi finalists for Round 2 will be announced live on Zoom, as well as posted on Facebook, the MRU Conservatory and Classical Guitar Society Websites, and email on Tuesday, August 3rd at 10 am. Competitors moving on from the Semi Final round will receive a "sevret word" that will be required for round 2 videos. 

Round 2: Two or more pieces not to exceed 15 minutes

1. This video can use pieces played in the first round but must be re-recorded for this round in a single unedited take and submitted by Wednesday, August 4th at 12pm.
2. Video must be done in a single unedited take with the competitor stating their name, date, and pieces as well as the "secret word" issued on August 3rd. Video must be dated between Tuesday, August 3rd and Wednesday, August 4th.
3. Send YouTube link to bgunther@mtroyal.ca
4. Finalists will be announced on Thursday, August 5th at 6pm live on Zoom, as well as posted on Facebook, the MRU Conservatory and Classical Guitar Society websites, as well as email. Competitors moving on to the Final Round will receive a "secret word" that will be required for the Round 3 videos.

Round 3: Two or more pieces not to exceed 25 minutes

1. This video can use pieces played in the first and second round but must be re-recorded for this round in a single unedited video and submitted by Friday, August 6th at 6pm.
2. Video must be done in a single unedited take with the competitor stating their name, date, and pieces as well as the "secret word" issued on August 6th. Video must be dated between Thursday, August 5th and Friday, August 7th.
3. Send YouTube link to bgunther@mtroyal.ca

1st Place, 2nd Place, and 3rd place winners will be announced live on Zoom, as well as posted on the websites and social media platforms listed above on Saturday, August 7th at 4pm.

*Please note that if minimum registrations numbers are not reached, competitors will receive a full refund and the competition will not proceed.

The virtual GuitarFest West Youth Workshop taking place August 2-7, 2021 offers masterclasses, workshops, concerts, and an online recital for participants! 

Each participant will receive one lesson in a masterclass format, as well as access to four workshops throughout the week. The masterclasses will be open to everyone, whether they are playing or not, and will be a great opportunity to learn from our expert faculty and other students. These engaging and interactive workshops will cover different aspects of technique, musicianship, and guitar history. 

On the final day of the festival, participants will take part in a Zoom recital to share what they have learned over the week with their friends, family, and each other! 

Regisration includes attendance at our two virtual festival concerts featuring Marc Teicholz and Tim Beattie. 

Our festival faculty, Illiana Matos, Jeffrey McFadden, Emma Rush, and Ralph Maier, are among Canada's top guitarists and instructors. Working with them will be an invaluable experience for any young player! 

These workshops are open to young guitarists ages 10-18, others who fall outside of these age categories but who would find the experience valuable may be allowed to participate with special permission from the festival director, Brett Gunther: bgunther@mtroyal.ca 

1st Place:

Tim Beattie (Barrie, ON)

2nd Place:

Dragos Ilie (Iasi, Romania)

3rd Place: 

Ana Maria Iordache (Bucharest, Romania)

4th Place: 

Adam Cicchillitti (Ottawa, ON)