World Youth and Teenage Guitar Competition -Season 1
World Youth and Teenage Guitar Competition - Season 1 consists of three core modules: Basic Guitar Performance Skills, which covers intonation tuning and rhythm stability, proficiency in the use of guitar techniques (such as fingerpicking, strumming, vibrato, bending), as well as cognition of guitar styles (such as the smooth melody presentation in folk guitar, the dynamic riff expression in rock guitar, the delicate arpeggio performance in classical guitar); Guitar Culture and Creation Principles, including the historical origins of guitar performance forms (such as classical guitar sonatas, folk guitar ballads, rock guitar solos), guitar playing characteristics in different cultures (such as the warm and lyrical style of Spanish flamenco guitar, the lively and rhythmic style of Latin American folk guitar, the melodic and elegant style of European classical guitar), and the impact of contemporary trends on the evolution of guitar playing styles; Practical Application of Guitar, including the thematic interpretation of guitar works, improvisational adaptation, and conveying concepts through guitar playing in real-life scenarios (such as conveying the concept of cultural inheritance or showcasing the integration characteristics of local music and guitar culture through guitar playing). The competition sets up a variety of guitar competition categories and customizes difficulty levels according to age and experience. The Children's Group focuses on basic skills, while the Youth Group emphasizes creative expression (such as developing a unique guitar playing style), work interpretation, and the ability to solve problems through guitar playing (such as selecting appropriate guitar techniques and adaptation methods to convey specific emotions or the connotation of guitar work themes).
Registration Fee: Free
Competition Categories:
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Kindergarten Group
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Lower Primary Group
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Higher Primary Group
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Junior Secondary Group
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Senior Secondary Group
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Publice Group
Important dates:
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Application Deadline: January 16, 2026
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Result Announcement Date: January 23, 2026
Award Categories
Individual Awards:
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Special Gold Award (Top 12% of participants in the group)
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Gold Award (Top 12%-25% of participants in the group)
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Silver Award (Top 26%-45% of participants in the group)
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Bronze Award (Top 46%-60% of participants in the group)
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Excellence Award (Top 61%-100% of participants in the group)
Group Awards:
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Outstanding Group Award
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Outstanding Mentor Award
Award winners can request customized awards featuring the participant's name in Chinese or English.
Award Options:
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Electronic Certificate: HKD 200
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Electronic Certificate + Physical Certificate: HKD 290
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Electronic Certificate + Physical Certificate + Medal: HKD 325
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Electronic Certificate + Physical Certificate + Medal + Trophy: HKD 365
The deadline for award applications is two weeks after the announcement of the results.
All awards will be mailed within eight weeks after the application deadline.
Awards and certificates will be sent via SF Express, cash on delivery.
Once the awards are signed for, no replacements will be issued in case of damage or loss.
The organizers are not responsible for failed deliveries due to incorrect information or communication difficulties.
Competition Guidelines:
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Competition Categories
Participants can self-select their competition tier based on age and skill level (e.g., Children’s Group: 6–12 years; Youth Group: 13–18 years).
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Registration & Timing
Registration Deadline: Complete registration and submit your work (via digital upload) before [specific deadline, e.g., "11:59 PM UTC on October 31, 2025"].
Confirmation: A registration confirmation email will be sent to your provided address.
Submission Window: You can enter the competition platform and upload your guitar performance works at any time before the deadline.
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Submission Format & Requirements
Platform: Upload high-definition digital files through the official competition platform (link provided after registration).
Entry Requirements:
Submit original guitar performance works (including classical guitar sonatas, folk guitar ballads, rock guitar solos, original guitar compositions, etc.). Only basic editing operations such as volume adjustment and clip trimming are allowed; excessive post-production processing (e.g., adding artificial sound effects beyond performance needs, splicing guitar tracks from different takes, modifying original playing dynamics) or audio enhancement is prohibited, and AI-generated guitar performance content is not permitted to ensure the originality and authenticity of the work.
For video works, the resolution shall not be lower than 1080P, and the duration shall be between 3–8 minutes (excluding intro and outro); for audio recordings, unedited original audio files (in formats such as WAV and FLAC) and high-definition performance videos (in MP4/MOV format) must be provided to ensure clear presentation of guitar performance details (e.g., intonation accuracy, rhythm stability, technique execution). All files shall be submitted in standard formats (e.g., MP4, MOV, WAV) to avoid issues with playing the works due to format problems.
Works must comply with the presentation standards corresponding to their guitar category (e.g., classical guitar works shall fully display delicate finger control and musical phrasing, avoiding rough string noise; folk guitar works shall maintain the original style's emotional tone and strumming characteristics; rock guitar works shall convey the genre's dynamic energy clearly; original guitar compositions shall provide sheet music and performance notes). For collaborative guitar performances or theme-based series (e.g., multi-movement guitar suites), a performance explanation document (including theme analysis and arrangement ideas) shall be attached to assist judges in understanding the creative logic.
Guitar performances shall be created using professional tools that meet the requirements of the category (e.g., high-quality classical/folk/rock guitars for performance; professional audio interfaces and recording software for studio recordings; stable cameras and tripods for performance videos, ensuring clear capture of finger movements). When submitting, ensure files are undamaged and can be opened and played normally; live performance videos must be recorded in one take or with minimal necessary cuts, avoiding blurred images or distorted audio, and fully present the player's finger techniques and guitar sound details; studio recordings must ensure the clarity of the original guitar track to facilitate judges in reviewing the performance quality.
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Jury Evaluation & Integrity Rules
The jury consists of international guitarists, music education experts, professional music producers, and university music department tutors specializing in string instruments.
Evaluation Criteria:
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Technical Ability (50%): Precision of guitar techniques (e.g., accuracy of intonation and rhythm, stability of fingerpicking/strumming, clarity of vibrato and bending), proficiency in guitar skill use (e.g., control of dynamics, mastery of tone variation, flexibility of playing speed), and mastery of genre-specific techniques (e.g., delicate arpeggio execution in classical guitar, rhythmic strumming in folk guitar, smooth solo improvisation in rock guitar).
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Artistic Expression (30%): Ability to interpret the guitar work theme (e.g., presentation effect of emotions such as tranquility, passion, or nostalgia), uniqueness of creative conception (e.g., innovation in arrangement adaptation, novelty of tone expression), effectiveness of emotional transmission (e.g., conveying feelings through dynamics and phrasing, evoking audience resonance through sound), and the compatibility between guitar playing style and the work theme.
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Performance Effect (20%): Appeal of the work (e.g., sound charm, stage expression), adaptability of form to content (e.g., matching degree of guitar type to the work genre), completeness of the performance (e.g., fluency of the whole process, consistency of emotional expression), and integrity of the work structure (e.g., logical connection of suite works, coherent expression of single works).
Integrity Policy:
Plagiarism of existing guitar works (including direct imitation of others' performance interpretations, unauthorized use of copyrighted guitar arrangements, or copying of original guitar melodies) is prohibited. Theft of others' creative ideas, unique guitar techniques, or original composition content is not allowed, nor is having others play on one's behalf or using AI to generate the main guitar performance content. If a work is verified to involve plagiarism, cheating, or fraud, the participant's qualification will be immediately revoked, and the relevant situation will be publicly announced.
Submissions found plagiarized or fraudulent will be disqualified.
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Competition Rules
Submission Limit: One entry per participant.
Entry Specifications:
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Children’s Group: Works shall be consistent with the participants' age-related cognition and guitar ability, focusing on basic guitar performances (e.g., simple classical guitar etudes, short folk guitar songs, easy guitar covers), including learning and adapting classic guitar pieces (e.g., simple renditions of well-known children's guitar melodies, basic covers of folk guitar tunes), basic guitar exercises (e.g., intonation practice, simple rhythm control, finger coordination), and simple original guitar works (including theme conception and basic creation, no complex techniques required). The work must have clear melody and rhythm to convey a positive theme.
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Youth Group: Works shall have a certain degree of complexity and creative depth (e.g., complete classical guitar sonatas, multi-section folk guitar arrangements, rock guitar original solos), including in-depth interpretation of classic guitar works (e.g., replicating the artistic conception of classical guitar masterpieces, adapting traditional folk music with guitar techniques), thematic creation (e.g., "Cultural Fusion", "Nature Inspired" series), integration of diverse forms (e.g., guitar works combining acoustic and electric sounds, creative performances integrating local music elements and guitar culture), and conceptual works (e.g., exploring social issues such as "environmental protection" and "cultural inheritance" through original guitar compositions).
Only standard tools corresponding to the guitar category may be used (e.g., classical/folk/rock guitars, guitar picks, professional recording equipment, sheet music writing software). Excessive use of pre-made backing tracks (such as unauthorized commercial guitar accompaniments, fixed rhythm templates) or third-party assistance (such as others playing on behalf of the participant, using AI guitar performance generation software) is prohibited to avoid affecting the originality of the work.
Entry Requirements for the World Youth and Teenage Guitar Competition - Season 1 (Online Submission & Jury Evaluation)
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Basic Painting Skills
Focus on technical foundations and performance structure:
Technical Skills: Intonation accuracy, rhythm stability, finger coordination, and guitar theme-specific techniques (such as the delicate arpeggio execution in classical guitar, the rhythmic strumming in folk guitar, the smooth vibrato and bending in rock guitar, and the dynamic control in jazz guitar improvisation).
Theme Cognition: Familiarity with guitar competition categories (classical guitar, folk guitar, rock guitar, jazz guitar, original guitar composition) and classic works/styles (such as the elegant melody of Bach’s Cello Suites adapted for classical guitar, the warm storytelling of Bob Dylan’s folk guitar works, the dynamic energy of Jimi Hendrix’s rock guitar solos, and the flexible improvisation of Wes Montgomery’s jazz guitar pieces).
Writing Literacy: Understanding of professional guitar knowledge (such as the principle of tone matching for different guitar genres, the logic of chord progression and melody arrangement), creative forms (such as solo guitar performance, guitar ensemble, guitar with instrumental accompaniment), and style recognition (such as matching playing techniques to genres: precise finger control in classical guitar, relaxed strumming in folk guitar, and bold effect application in rock guitar).
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Artistic Expression & Cultural Context
Explore theme interpretation and historical depth:
Category Analysis: The origins and stylistic characteristics of guitar performance forms (such as the classical heritage of European classical guitar, the folk customs of Latin American folk guitar, the rebellious spirit of American rock guitar, and the improvisational nature of jazz guitar).
Work Interpretation: Convey guitar work emotions and themes through playing expression (such as using soft fingerpicking to show tranquility, using powerful strumming to convey passion), while connecting to the cultural/historical background of guitar works (such as recreating the courtly atmosphere of classical guitar works, integrating local folk music scales into folk guitar playing, and reflecting contemporary youth attitude in rock guitar performances).
Modern Adaptation: The integration of traditional and modern elements (such as adapting classical guitar masterpieces with electronic effects, combining folk guitar melodies with pop music structures, and interpreting traditional folk music with rock guitar techniques).
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Practical Creation Application
Emphasize original presentation and creative ability:
Submission Format:
High-definition audio and video files of original guitar performance works (AI-generated guitar content is prohibited; only basic edits such as volume adjustment and clip trimming are allowed, while excessive post-production like artificial sound enhancement or track splicing is forbidden). The files must fully present performance details, including intonation stability, technique clarity, and emotional expression. For collaborative guitar works or theme-based series (such as multi-movement guitar suites), a performance explanation or theme analysis document should be attached to assist in understanding the creative logic.
Materials: Professional tools and materials that conform to the guitar category should be used (such as high-quality classical/folk/rock guitars for performance; professional audio interfaces and recording software for studio recordings; stable cameras and tripods for performance videos). A brief description of the materials must be included when submitting (e.g., "Classical Guitar Piece Recuerdos de la Alhambra: Performed with a Spanish cedar-top classical guitar, recorded in a quiet acoustic room"; "Folk Guitar Song Hometown Road: Played with a steel-string folk guitar, recorded with a portable audio recorder"; "Original Rock Guitar Solo Youth Fire: Created with an electric guitar and distortion pedal, paired with a 1080P performance video").
Work Selection:
Children’s Group (8–12 yrs): Small-scale works (such as simple classical guitar etudes, short folk guitar songs, easy guitar covers), including copying and adapting classic guitar melodies (such as playing simplified versions of children’s guitar pieces, adapting easy folk guitar tunes), basic guitar exercises (such as intonation practice, simple rhythm control, finger coordination), and simple original guitar works (including theme conception and basic creation, no complex techniques required).
Adolescent Group (13–18 yrs): Complex works (such as complete classical guitar sonatas, multi-section folk guitar arrangements, original rock guitar solos), including in-depth interpretation of classic guitar works (such as replicating the artistic conception of classical guitar masterpieces, adapting traditional folk music with guitar techniques), thematic guitar creation (e.g., "Cultural Fusion", "Nature Inspired" series), integration of diverse guitar forms (such as guitar works combining acoustic and electric sounds, creative performances integrating local music elements and guitar culture), and conceptual guitar works (e.g., exploring social issues such as "environmental protection" and "cultural inheritance" through original guitar compositions).
Improvisation Tasks: Adolescent Group is required to complete a 20-minute quick guitar performance or creative adaptation task based on the designated theme (e.g., "Autumn Scenery", "City Night") or designated style (e.g., "Flamenco Style", "Blues Style").
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Judging Criteria & Format
Evaluation Areas:
Technical Ability (50%):Precision of guitar techniques, control over tools/materials, and execution of theme-specific techniques (such as accuracy of intonation and rhythm, stability of fingerpicking/strumming, adaptation to guitar style).
Artistic Expression (30%): Depth of guitar work theme interpretation, uniqueness of creative conception, effectiveness of emotional transmission (such as the effectiveness of the work in showing musical atmosphere, the adaptability of the creative concept to the guitar type).
Visual Effect (20%): Integrity of performance structure, expressiveness of guitar details, audience appeal (such as tone charm, stage presence, emotional resonance).
Submission Rules:
One entry per participant; no copied or plagiarized works (including direct imitation of others' guitar interpretations, unauthorized use of copyrighted guitar arrangements).
Blind judging: Judges receive anonymized submissions with no participant identifiers.
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Difficulty & Age Groups
Children’s Group: Focuses on basic skills (such as use of basic guitar tools, mastery of simple playing techniques) and interesting expression (such as conveying joy through guitar playing, creating childlike musical scenes).
Adolescent Group: Higher requirements include theme complexity (e.g., exploring cultural integration and social issues through guitar works), cross-technical attempts (e.g., combining traditional classical guitar techniques and modern rock guitar effects), and conceptual depth (e.g., conveying abstract concepts such as "friendship and sharing", "cultural inheritance" through guitar language).
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Submission & Results
Deadline: Upload digital submissions via the portal by [e.g., "July 31, 2026"].
Results: Announcement: Participants will be notified via email/social media within two weeks, and the results will be ranked based on the judges' scores. Awards include certificates and opportunities for online performance of guitar works.
Exhibition: Outstanding works will be displayed in the online guitar gallery on the competition's official platform, showcasing the diverse cultures and artistic expressions of youth and children's guitar playing worldwide.
This framework balances technical proficiency and creative storytelling, highlighting the diversity of youth and children's guitar playing globally while promoting the inheritance and innovation of guitar techniques across different genres.