GUITAR PROGRAM
Faculty: Meng Su, Steve Cowan, Adam Cicchillitti, Mathias Duplessy, Adam Levin, Scott Borg, Matthew Rohde
Course Description:
Guitarists ages 17 and older may sign up to receive/observe open lessons and access to all festival events, including:
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10 Concerts with over 30 Artists total
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Ensemble rehearsals and performance with the Mega Guitar Orchestra under director Dr. Scott Borg
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Lessons with Festival artists, mostly private with a few open for observation
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Lectures and Seminars on guitar building, conducting, chamber music performance, performance careers, social media, music therapy, and more!
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Workshops on technique and chamber music; open lessons; Masterclass with Finale Concert Headlining Artist
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Family-Style Lunches Friday-Sunday between daytime events
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Luthier Expo: Master guitar builders from across the country exhibit their instruments
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Guitar Showcase Featured young artists demonstrate guitars from luthiers
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Tonewood Project panel discussion with luthiers Kenny Hill, Garrett Lee, and M. E. Brune
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Competition Final Performance: Gifted young guitarists around the world compete for a grand prize of $8,000 in concert fees and travel/accommodation to: Madeira, Oklahoma City, Costa Rica, Italy, and the 2026 URI Guitar and Mandolin Festival.
Auditors have access to all of the above except participation as a player in the lessons and the Guitar Orchestra
MANDOLIN PROGRAM
Intensive course led by Jacob Reuven
Faculty: Jacob Reuven, Ekaterina Skliar, Dor Amran, Norberto Cruz, Catarina Lichtenberg and Mike Marshall
Course Description:
International concert artist and mandolin soloist Jacob Reuven will lead a 5-day course centered around classical mandolin performance. Reuven's artistic approach has created a worldwide artistic paradigm for mandolin playing. Based on his deep familiarity with violin repertoire, as well as actual performance and recording of masterpieces for violin on mandolin, Reuven has established a global reputation and created an artistic legacy that today brings forth a young generation of musicians to continue his artistic approach.
Furthermore, Reuven plays on a revolutionary double-deck mandolin built by luthier Arik Kerman, a model which has now inspired a new generation of luthiers around the world.
Reuven's Israeli school of mandolin playing is recognized around the world as creating successful Israeli soloists that not only win international competitions, but sign with international recording companies, and regularly perform with important orchestras around the world. This success is directly related to Reuven's methodical and artistic approach, as well as to his instrument, which was built specifically for performing violin repertoire.
"At the University of Rhode Island, as part of the international URI Guitar Festival, a festival that has become a musical family for me, I am founding a course that is entirely dedicated to excellence in mandolin performance. Musical knowledge, artistic depth, the discipline of being an instrumentalist - these are forces of beauty that we will cultivate during this course at URI.” — Jacob Reuven
In the course, we are fortunate to have two excellent mandolin instructors, Ekaterina Skliar and Dor Amran. They join Reuven and will give fascinating lectures, as well as various performances.
Throughout the course, private lessons will be offered to explore violin repertoire on the mandolin. In addition to the lessons, lectures will be offered on overcoming performance anxiety, music therapy, improving chamber music skills, and more.
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COURSE REGISTRATION
In the Course of Mandolin Excellence, we have three groups, and registration is available for each group separately.
Group A: The Mandolin Soloist (October 19-26)
The first group is for young students who aim for a career as classical mandolin performers. This group receives private lessons, and its members participate in a chamber ensemble that rehearses challenging orchestral repertoire every afternoon.
Those who are accepted into the Solo Mandolin Performance group will receive the sheet music for the ensemble during the month of August.
*Deadline: September 20, 2025. Registration requires submission of a sound or video recording of up to five minutes of playing. Please submit your videos to Ekaterina Skliar at skliar.music@gmail.com.
Group B: Mandolin Lovers
(October 24-26)
The second group is geared toward mandolin enthusiasts of all ages. Those accepted into this group will receive duet sheet music to prepare for the course. During the course, they will benefit from coaching sessions focused on chamber music, rehearsal techniques, and culminate in a final concert performance. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to attend and audit lectures and Mandolin Soloist Performance Class ensemble rehearsals.
*Deadline: September 20, 2025. Registration requires submission of a sound or video recording of up to five minutes of playing. Please submit your videos to Ekaterina Skliar at skliar.music@gmail.com.
Group C: Auditors
Auditors may attend all lessons, workshops, lectures, and concerts throughout the week.
RISING STARS YOUNG GUITARISTS' PROGRAM
Guitarists ages 6-16 may sign up to receive fun and inclusive guitar technique and musicianship training. The program will focus on ensemble playing as well as special topics workshops and will culminate in an end-of-course student recital. Intermediate and advanced players are eligible for one open lesson with Rising Stars faculty and one open lesson with a guest artist. Faculty include Céili Connors, Maya Lončar, Victor Main, and Raffi Donoian. Available in-person only.
Sign Up Here
M. E. BRUNÉ INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION: VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON
We are excited to announce the inaugural in-person Young Artist guitar competition for ages 18-35. 12 semi finalists will be chosen from video submissions to attend the 2025 URI guitar festival and compete for over $9,000 in concert fees, travel stipends, and accommodations to Costa Rica, Oklahoma City, Madeira and Italy.
Register here: Young Artist Division (In-Person)
Register here: High School Division (Virtual)
I. Young Artist Division (ages 18-35): IN PERSON
Rules:
Preliminary Round (Virtual):
Classical Guitarists ages 18–35 are asked to submit a video recording of under 10 minutes featuring two contrasting works.
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Submissions must show both hands clearly.
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High-quality microphones are encouraged.
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Please announce your name and the pieces before performing.
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No cuts or edits are allowed between pieces.
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Competitors must either display a sign reading M.E. Brune Guitar Competition or announce the name of the competition verbally in the video.
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A Google Form will be sent upon registration for video link uploads.
Semifinal Round (Live, In-Person):
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A 15-minute free-choice program.
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Only one piece from the preliminary round may be repeated in the semifinal program.
Final Round (Live, In-Person):
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A 15-minute free-choice program.
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Only one piece from the semifinal round may be repeated in the final program.
*There must be a minimum of 8 participants to run the competition.
** The Jury reserves the right NOT to award a first prize if they feel none of the competitors warrant the first-place designation.
II. High School Division (ages 13-17): VIRTUAL
Rules:
Classical Guitarists ages 13-17 are asked to submit a live performance video of under 10 minutes with two contrasting works. A Google form will be sent upon registration for video link uploads. Please have both hands visible and we encourage the use of a quality microphone. Please announce your name and the pieces you will perform. No cuts between pieces are permitted, and please do not edit your performance. Competitors must either show a sign saying M.E. Brune Guitar Competition or announce competition verbally.
* There must be a minimum of 8 participants to run the competition.
** The Jury reserves the right NOT to award a first prize if they feel none of the competitors warrant the first place designation.
*** Participants turning 18 years old in 2025 should use their age as of July 15, 2025
Prizes:
I. The Young Artist winner (1) will have the opportunity to perform at the 2026 University of Rhode Island Guitar Festival with a concert fee of $5000 and a $750 travel stipend, a concert in Costa Rica with a $1000 concert fee plus travel stipend of $600 and accommodations, a concert at Oklahoma City University with a $1000 concert fee and a travel stipend of $350, a concert in Madeira with a $1,000 concert fee and $500 travel stipend, and a concert in Italy with a $750 travel stipend and accommodation at the Hotel Terme Rosapepe . The winner will also be awarded a life-long subscription to Tonebase, as well as a Strings by Mail gift certificate and Augustine Strings package. The Young Artist winner also receives the Oscar Ghiglia Legacy Prize: a 20 minute, professionally produced video.
2nd Prize Winner will receive a $1500 cash prize, a full scholarship at the 2026 edition of the URI Guitar & Mandolin Festival, and an Augustine Strings package. The winner will also be awarded a one-year subscription to Tonebase and a Strings by Mail gift certificate.
3rd Prize Winner will receive a $1000 cash prize, full scholarship at the 2026 edition of the URI Guitar & Mandolin Festival, and an Augustine Strings package. The winner will also be awarded a one-year subscription to Tonebase and a Strings by Mail gift certificate.
II. The High School Division winner (1) will receive a $750 cash prize and a full scholarship to study at the 2026 edition of the URI Guitar Festival, as well as a Strings by Mail gift certificate, Augustine Strings package, and a lifetime subscription to Tonebase.
2nd Prize Winner will receive a $500 cash prize and a full scholarship to study at the 2026 edition of the URI Guitar Festival, as well as a Strings by Mail gift certificate, Augustine Strings package, and a one-year subscription to Tonebase.
3rd Prize Winner will receive a $350 cash prize and a full scholarship to study at the 2026 edition of the URI Guitar Festival, as well as a Strings by Mail gift certificate, Augustine Strings package, and a one-year subscription to Tonebase.
SPECIAL ALTAMIRA GUITAR PRIZES: The jury will award the High School Division guitarist in greatest need of a new instrument with a N500 Classical Guitar, valued at $1199.
Jury Panel:
4 URI Guitar Festival Guest Artists, EXCLUDING the Artistic Director.
President of Jury: Dr. Scott Borg (Montgomery College)
Jury Members: Adam Cicchillitti, Steve Cowan, Celil Rafik Kaya, Scott Borg, Matthew Rohde
Registration Fee: $75
Submission Deadline for Young Artists Division (ages 18-35): July 15, 2025, 12:00 Midnight East Coast Time (you have ALL DAY on July 15 to submit your video).
12 Semi-finalists will be announced on August 15
Competition Semifinals will be in-person at the URI Fine Arts Center Concert Hall on Saturday, October 25 from 9:30 am-1pm, Competition Finals will be in the same location on Sunday, October 26 from 3-4 pm. Winner will be announced at the Festival Finale concert (5:00 pm)
Submission Deadline for High School Division (ages 13-17): October 1, 2025, 12:00 Midnight East Coast Time (you have ALL DAY on October 1 to submit your video).
Results: Results from all competitions will be announced the last day of the festival at the closing concert.
Winners must have a valid bank account for prize disbursement to take place.
Register here: High School Division (ages 13-17, Virtual)
Register here: Young Artist Division (ages 18-35, In-Person)
THE REUVEN INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL
MANDOLIN COMPETITION
Rules:
Mandolinists ages 18-30 are asked to submit a live performance video of three pieces:
1. J.S. Bach – Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin (BWV 1001–1006):
Please select one of the following movements:
• Fuga from Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001
• Giga from Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004
• Preludio from Partita No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006
2. An original work for mandolin of your choice
3. W.A. Mozart – Sonata in G Major for Piano and Violin, K. 301, I movement
A Google form will be sent upon registration for video link uploads. Please have both hands visible and we encourage the use of a quality microphone. Please announce your name and the pieces you will perform. No cuts between pieces are permitted, and please do not edit your performance. Contact Ekaterina Skliar at skliar.music@gmail.com with questions.
* There must be a minimum of 8 participants to run the competition.
** The Jury reserves the right NOT to award a first prize if they feel none of the competitors warrant the first place designation.
1st Prize: $3,000 concert fee to perform at the 2026 edition of the URI Guitar and Mandolin Festival as part of a US/Europe concert tour, as well as a mandolin by acclaimed builder Mintu Biswas, a professionally produced video, and a scholarship to the 2026 URI Guitar & Mandolin Festival
2nd Prize: Scholarship to the 2026 URI Guitar & Mandolin Festival
3rd Prize: Scholarship to the 2026 URI Guitar & Mandolin Festival
Submission Deadline: Sunday, October 1, 2025 by midnight East Coast Time Zone.
Registration Fee: $100
Results: Results will be announced the last day of the festival at the closing concert on Sunday, October 26, 2025
Jury Members: Omer Meir Wellber, Daniel Ciobanu, Juan Carlos Muñoz, Anton Sorokow