Welcome to the Queens University of Charlotte Guitar Symposium


January 31st-February 2nd, 2025 

2025 Symposium Lineup

Friday, January 31, 2025:
7:00pm-Queens Faculty Concerts:
Sal Contrino, Akerman-Teixeira Duo, , Troy Conn


Saturday, February 1, 2025:
9:00am-10:00am Check in, Main Lobby

9:30am-12:30pm* - Youth and Collegiate Preliminary Competition Rounds 
*The schedule is subject to change. Competitors will receive playing times on Thursday, January 30th.

11:45-12:30 Presentation:
Luthier Showcase

1:20-3:20-Masterclasses:
-Faculty: Sal Contrino, Bob Teixeira,
 Mary Akerman 


3:30pm Concert: 
Patrick Lui
 

4:15pm Concert:
1st Prize Collegiate Winner, 2024:

Sara d'Ippolito Reichert

7:00pm-Concerts: 
 Dr. Elliot Frank, Li & Zohn Duo

Sunday, February 2, 2025:

8:00am-9:20am Youth Ensemble Rehearsal

9:30am-11:30am-Masterclasses:
-Faculty: René Izqueirdo, Elliot Frank, Erdong Li,
 Andrew Zohn, Sara d'Ippolito Reichert, Patrick Lui


11:45am-12:30pm Performance: Youth Ensemble

2:00pm-2:45pm-Middle/High School Finals

3:00pm-4:00pm-Collegiate Finals 

4:15pm-5:00pm- Lecture: Troy Conn
"Jazz for Classical Guitarists"

5:15pm-Award Ceremony 

man in black jacket playing guitar

Concert Schedule

Kathryn Greenhoot Recital Hall, 
Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement

2319 Wellesley Ave.
Charlotte, NC 2820
7

Tickets available at the door: 
$20.00/General Admission, $5.00 with valid student ID,
Free/Queens students

31

January

2024

7:30 pm
Queens Faculty Concert

——

Sal Contrino Akerman-Teixeira Duo
Troy Conn 

      

1

February

2025

3:30 pm
Concert 
Guest Faculty Concert
——
Patrick Lui
 

4:15 pm
Concert 2024 Collegiate 1st Prize Competition Winner

——
  Sara d'Ippolito Reichert

         

1

February

2025

7:00 pm
Guest Faculty Concert 
——
Dr. Elliot Frank 
Li&Zohn Duo
René Izquierdo


   

There are two competition divisions

Registration closes on Wednesday, January 29 at 5:00pm or earlier if all times are filled.

There is a flat festival fee of $80.00 that includes all activities (concert admission, masterclasses, lectures, and the competition).

Additional individual concert tickets are available at the door $20.00/General Admission, $5.00 with valid student ID, Free for Queens students

Middle/High School

Open to classical guitarists of all ages who have not completed a High School Degree or equivalent such as GED as of the first day of competition. Competitors will be evaluated on their technique, musicianship, and overall presentation. There will be two rounds of the competition, each of which will be free choice. A competitor may perform the same or different music from round to round without penalty. Four performers will be selected to participate in the final round.

The time allotments for each round are as follows:

1st Round: 5 Minutes

Final Round: 7 Minutes

It is expected that every competitor’s choice of music fits within the time allowed. If a competitor exceeds the given time allotted, that competitor will be asked to stop but at no penalty to his/her evaluation. Competitors will be evaluated on their technique, musicianship, and overall presentation.

First Prize 300.00
Second Prize 200.00
Third Prize 100.00
Fourth Prize 75.00

Altamira complimentary prizes for all placement levels. D’Addario strings for all placement levels. Strings by Mail gift cards for all placement levels.


 

Collegiate

Open to all classical guitarists not represented by professional management. There is no age limit. All music must be played on a classical guitar with nylon strings; no electronic amplification is permitted. Competitors will be evaluated on their technique, musicianship, and overall presentation. There will be two rounds of the competition, each of which will be free choice. A competitor may perform the same or different music from round to round without penalty. Four performers will be selected to participate in the final round.

The time allotments for each round are as follows:


Preliminary Round: 10 Minutes

Final Round: 15 Minutes

It is expected that every competitor’s choice of music fits within the time allowed. If a competitor exceeds the given time allotted, that competitor will be asked to stop but at no penalty to his/her evaluation.  Competitors will be evaluated on their technique, musicianship, and overall presentation.

First Prize 1000.00
Second Prize 500.00
Third Prize 250.00
Fourth Prize 100.00

Altamira complimentary prizes for all placement levels. D'Addario strings for all placement levels. Strings by Mail gift cards for all placement levels.

 

Collegiate Division
Special Prize:

A “George Thomas Panormo” guitar will be awarded for the best interpretation of romantic guitar work. For the purpose of this competition, “Romantic Guitar Work” is defined as: a work written for pre-Torres instruments that precedes the Spanish nationalist style during the 1800’s. Composers may include, but are not limited to Giuliani, Sor, Regondi, Coste, Carulli, Aguado, Legnani, Carcassi, Paganini, Lhoyer, etc.

Read more

Hotel Discounts

Rates per night for the weekend January 31- February 2nd, 2025 will be published soon.

Please make the reservation at the Courtyard at South Park on or before January 13th to secure the rate and identify yourself as attending the Queens University Guitar Symposium (if reserving after that date, still ask it might be available)

6023 Park S Dr, Charlotte, NC 28210
Phone: (704) 552-7333

We want to say a huge thank you to our sponsors below!

George Thomas
"George Thomas Panormo" Guitar Award Examples: See details under "Special Prize" in the competition section above.

Lead Sponsor:
Waddy Thomson Guitars