The Segovia Online Guitar Competition, organized by the Segovia Guitar Academy, was created with the aim of supporting and promoting young classical guitar talents from around the world.
The competition offers participants the opportunity to present their talent to an international jury and to the audience of the Segovia Guitar Week Festival, creating a bridge between the online dimension and the live concert experience.
Regulations
1. Eligibility
The competition is open to guitarists of all nationalities born on or after January 1, 1996.
2. Participation Requirements
Each candidate must submit a single‑take video of their performance, uploaded to their personal YouTube channel as a public video.
The video must clearly show the full body of the performer during the performance.
The official competition logo, downloadable from the Segovia Guitar Academy website, must be clearly visible in the video (for example on a panel, music stand, or poster in the background).
The video link must be included in the application form.
Technical requirements:
The video must be recorded with sufficient audio quality to allow proper evaluation of the performance.
The use of an external microphone or a device with good sound capture is recommended in order to reproduce the instrument’s dynamics and tone quality.
The video must be recorded with a minimum resolution of 720p.
3. Repertoire
The performance must include a free‑choice program lasting no less than 30 minutes and no more than 40 minutes, plus one study from the Douze Études by Heitor Villa‑Lobos, chosen among the following: Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12.
All repertoire must be performed from memory.
4. Application Procedure
Candidates must apply by completing the form available on the Segovia Guitar Academy website by October 18, 2026.
Participation in the competition is free of charge.
Applications must be sent to info@segoviaguitaracademy.com including the following documents:
– valid identification document
– two high‑resolution photos
– artistic curriculum vitae
– program to be performed
Personal data will be processed in accordance with Italian Legislative Decree n.196/2003, as amended by Legislative Decree n.101/2018 in compliance with EU Regulation 679/2016 (GDPR), and Royal Decree n. 633/1941.
5. Prize
The winner will perform a paid concert (guaranteed fee of 700 Euros net + hospitality) during the 2027 edition of the Segovia Guitar Week.
The winner will be announced on November 21, 2026, during the opening of one of the festival concerts. The name will also be published on the association’s website.
6. Jury
The jury, composed of the festival’s artistic committee, will evaluate candidates according to:
– artistic proposal
– interpretation and musicality
– technical execution
– overall quality of the performance
The jury’s decision will be final.
7. Acceptance of the Regulations
Submitting the application implies full and unconditional acceptance of all the rules stated in these regulations. In case of dispute, the Italian version of the regulations shall be considered the only legally valid text.
Winner of the First Edition
Tohi Harada
Japanese guitarist Tohi Harada is the winner of the first edition of the Segovia Online Guitar Competition.
He began playing the guitar at the age of three and won numerous youth competitions in Japan. He is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London on scholarship under the guidance of Professor Michael Lewin.
In 2019 he won First Prize at the East End International Guitar Competition, which led to the release of his debut album “To‑i” in 2020, awarded the Recording Prize.
In recent years he has received several international awards, including Second Prize and the Audience Prize at the Aalborg International Guitar Competition (2022), and first prizes at major competitions between 2023 and 2024 such as the Albania International Guitar Competition, Veria International Guitar Competition, Ida Presti International Guitar Competition, Guitar Art International Competition, and the Brussels International Guitar Competition.