WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Guitar

Next edition
Winter Edition 2026
Applications until
December 10
Entry fee
€37
Format
online, video
Apply now General rules

RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN «GUITAR» NOMINATION 2026

Guitar competition online: who can enter and how it works

The guitar nomination is the guitar competition online of the WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition. Classical guitarists of all ages enter as soloists, duos, student–teacher pairs or ensembles in which guitars are at least half of the players, and there is a separate section for electric guitar soloists. Guitarists from any country take part: you record a video, and the jury assesses it.

Applications are open all year for the Spring, Summer and Winter editions. Guitar follows the group II deadlines shown in the schedule below; the calendar lists all nominations.

 

Schedule

The competition is completely online and is held annually. Applications are accepted 365 days a year. The competitor selects one of three editions and sends an application.

SPRING EDITION

Acceptance of applications until April 01. Announcement of results on April 15. 

SUMMER EDITION

Applications are accepted until June 10. Announcement of results on June 25. 

WINTER EDITION

Application deadline is December 10. Announcement of the results on December 25. 

 

Program

The competition program includes two (preferably diverse) compositions of the participant’s choice. Program is to be performed by heart and completely (soloist). Duos and ensembles are not obligated to perform compositions by heart. It is allowed to perform parts (sonata, suite, concert, variations…) as two pieces. 

 

Participants

Right to participate is given to all competitors from all the countries in the world. 

Soloists:

JUNIOR

  • Category I: born in 2020 – maximum 5 minutes
  • Category II: born in 2019 – maximum 5 minutes
  • Category III: born in 2018 – maximum 6 minutes

 

MIDDLE JUNIOR

  • Category IV: born in 2017 – maximum 6 minutes
  • Category V: born in 2016 – maximum 7 minutes
  • Category VI: born in 2015 – maximum 7 minutes
  • Category VII: born in 2014 – maximum 8 minutes
  • Category VIII: born in 2013 – maximum 8 minutes

 

JUNIOR  ARTIST

  • Category IX: born in 2012 – maximum 10 minutes
  • Category X: born in 2011 – maximum 12 minutes
  • Category XI: born in 2009 and younger – up to 12 minutes

 

SENIOR ACADEMIC

  • Category XII: born in 2007 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
  • Category XIII: born in 2005 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
  • Category XIV: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
  • Category XV: born in 2001 and younger – maximum 13 minutes

 

SENIOR ARTIST

  • Category XVI: born in 1999 and younger – maximum 15 minutes
  • Category XVII: born in 1998 and older – maximum 15 minutes

  

DUO (two similar or two different instruments)

Duo can perform with only one accompanist. Age category is defined by average age of all participants, without illustrator  or accompanist.

  •  Category XVIII: born in 2018 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
  •  Category XIX: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
  •  Category XX: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
  •  Category XXI: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  •  Category XXII: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  •  Category XXIII: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
  •  Category XXIV: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
  •  Category XXV: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
  •  Category XXVI: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
  •  Category XXVII: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes

 

Student – teacher

In the section “Student – teacher” the age group is determined by the age of the student.

  •  Category XXVIII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
  •  Category XXIX: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  •  Category XXX: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  •  Category XXXI: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  •  Category XXXII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
  •  Category XXXIII: born in 2005 and older – maximum 12 minutes

 

ENSEMBLE (of 3-12 members)

The ensemble must contain at least 50% of homogeneous instruments of this nomination. Ensemble can perform with only one accompanist and/or one illustrator. Age category is defined by average age of all participants, without illustrator (accompanist).

  •  Category XXXIV: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
  •  Category XXXV: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
  •  Category XXXVI: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  •  Category XXXVII: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
  •  Category XXXVIII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
  •  Category XXXIX: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
  •  Category XL: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
  •  Category XLI: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes

 

ELECTRO-GUITAR (Soloists)

The competition program includes two pieces in different styles and characters of the participant’s choice. Program is to be performed by heart and completely.

JUNIOR

  •  Category XLII: born in 2009 and younger maximum 12 minutes

SENIOR

  •  Category XLIII: born in 2008 and older – maximum 12 minutes
    * In the nomination “Electric guitar solo” it is allowed to use the phonogram “minus”. The use of the “plus” phonogram is not allowed.

 

Repertoire for guitar: what to choose

A guitar program is two pieces chosen by the player, preferably in different styles. Soloists play from memory and without cuts; duos and ensembles may use music. For guitar the page allows parts of a sonata, suite, concerto or set of variations to count as the two pieces. Electric guitarists also play two pieces in different styles and characters, by heart; a backing track without the solo part (“minus”) is allowed, a track with the solo part (“plus”) is not.

Check the length against your category: from 5 minutes for the youngest classical players to 15 minutes in SENIOR ARTIST, and up to 12 minutes in the electric guitar section.

Examples to consider (not requirements):

  • JUNIOR: a Carulli or Carcassi study and a short Sor piece.
  • MIDDLE JUNIOR: Tárrega’s Lágrima and Adelita, or Sor’s Study in B minor.
  • JUNIOR ARTIST: Tárrega’s Recuerdos de la Alhambra, a Villa-Lobos prelude or a Lauro Venezuelan waltz.
  • SENIOR ACADEMIC and SENIOR ARTIST: movements of a Bach lute suite, Barrios’s La Catedral, Albéniz’s Asturias or Giuliani’s Grand Overture.
  • Electric guitar: for example, a blues and a rock or fusion instrumental with a “minus” backing track.

Recording the video: tips for guitarists

One continuous take, no cuts or edits, with the guitarist clearly visible from start to end. Place the camera in front of you at the height of the guitar so that your face, the fretting hand along the whole neck and the plucking hand all stay in the frame, and film horizontally. Do not cut off the headstock: the jury follows position shifts on the neck. A phone microphone aimed between the soundhole and the neck joint gives a balanced sound and fewer nail noises. Electric guitarists should balance the amplifier with the backing track so the guitar line is not covered, and start the track within the same take. See the video guide and the identification rules on the rules page.

Application, fee and certificates

Guitarists apply via the online application with the video and documents; the step-by-step instructions help with the upload. Soloists pay 37 euros, and a duo or ensemble pays one fee of 37 euros (payment details). The award depends on the jury’s average score: in the JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR sections a Gold award is given for 90–100 points and a Diploma from 65 points; JUNIOR ARTIST and the SENIOR sections use other point scales, described in the rules. All guitarists receive certificates, and teachers get letters of appreciation. Video and identification requirements, documents, fees and scoring are described in full in the rules.

Frequently asked questions

What should a guitar program include?

Two pieces of your choice, preferably contrasting, played from memory and in full by soloists, within the time limit of your category.

Can I play a sonata movement as one piece?

Yes. Parts of a sonata, suite, concerto or set of variations may be presented as the two pieces of the program.

Is a classical guitar required?

The main categories do not name a guitar type, while electric guitar soloists have a separate section with backing-track rules. If you plan an acoustic steel-string or fingerstyle program, ask the organizer through the contact page before applying.

How should the camera be placed for guitar?

In front of you at the height of the instrument, in horizontal format, so that the face, both hands and the whole neck are visible throughout the take.

How do I get a certificate for my teacher?

After the edition, a letter of appreciation for the teacher can be downloaded from the teachers’ page; a detailed certificate for a portfolio is available on request via the portfolio certificate page.

See also: harp nomination, results of past editions, participants.

Guitar: results and participants

Results by year

Participants by year

Participants 2026