M. E. BRUNÉ INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION: VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON
We are excited to host another in-person guitar competition for ages 18-35.
12 semi finalists will be chosen from video submissions to attend the 2026 URI guitar festival and compete for over $9,000 in concert fees, travel stipends, and accommodations to Costa Rica, Oklahoma City, Madeira and Italy.
Young Adult Division (ages 18-35) Registration
High School Division (ages 13-17) Registration
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.
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Preliminary round judges: Scott Borg, Yu Wu, Miroslav Lončar, Nataša Klasinc Lončar
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.
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Semifinal round judges: João Luiz, Çelil Refik Kaya, Antoine Boyer, Matthew Rohde
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.
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Final round judges: Jorge Caballero, Eleonora Strino, João Luiz, Çelil Refik Kaya
*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 2026 should use their age as of July 15, 2026
Prizes:
I. The Young Artist winner (1) will have the opportunity to perform at the 2027 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 $500 and accommodations, a concert in Providence, Rhode Island with a $500 concert fee, a concert in Madeira with a $1,000 concert fee and travel stipend, and a concert in Italy with a $1000 concert fee, 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 2027 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 2027 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 2027 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 2027 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 2027 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:
Preliminary round judges: Scott Borg, Yu Wu, Miroslav Lončar, Nataša Klasinc Lončar
Semifinal round judges: João Luiz, Çelil Refik Kaya, Antoine Boyer, Matthew Rohde
Final round judges: Jorge Caballero, Eleonora Strino, João Luiz, Çelil Refik Kaya
President of Jury: João Luiz (Yale School of Music)
Registration Fee: $75
Submission Deadline for Young Artists Division (ages 18-35): July 15, 2026, 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 24 from 9:30 am-1pm, Competition Finals will be in the same location on Sunday, October 25 from 12:30-1:30 pm. Winner will be announced at the Festival Finale concert (5:30 pm)
Submission Deadline for High School Division (ages 13-17): October 1, 2026, 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.
Young Adult Division (ages 18-35) Registration
High School Division (ages 13-17) Registration
GUITAR PROGRAM
Faculty: Eliot Fisk, Jorge Caballero, Antoine Boyer, João Luiz, Çelil Refik Kaya, Adam Levin, Scott Borg, Matthew Rohde, Sotiris Athanasiou
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 and Mandolin 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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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
Faculty: Jacob Reuven, Ekaterina Skliar, Dor Amran, Vincent Beer-Demander, Fabio Gallucci, Ian Coury
Course Description:
International concert artist and mandolin soloist Jacob Reuven will lead this five-day course dedicated to classical mandolin performance. The course focuses on developing technical skill, musical depth, and artistic expression, with an emphasis on exploring violin repertoire on the mandolin through lessons, ensembles, and workshops.
Jacob Reuven’s approach has shaped a global paradigm for mandolin playing. Drawing on his deep engagement with violin repertoire—including performing and recording major violin works on mandolin—Reuven has built an international reputation and established an artistic legacy that brings forth a young generation of musicians to continue his artistic approach.
Furthermore, Reuven performs on a revolutionary double-deck mandolin built by luthier Arik Kerman, an instrument that has inspired a new generation of luthiers worldwide.
Reuven's Israeli school of mandolin playing is internationally recognized for cultivating successful soloists who win major competitions, sign with leading recording labels, and perform with prominent orchestras. This success reflects both Reuven’s methodical artistic approach and the capabilities of his instrument, which was designed 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 dedicated entirely to excellence in mandolin performance. Musical knowledge, artistic depth, and the discipline of instrumental practice are forces of beauty that we will cultivate during this course at URI.”
— Jacob Reuven
In this course, we are fortunate to have two outstanding full-time instructors, Ekaterina Skliar and Dor Amran. Both are established international soloists who will join Reuven in presenting lectures, lessons, and performances.
Guest faculty and featured artists include Vincent Beer-Demander (France), Fabio Gallucci (Italy), and Ian Coury (Brazil).
Throughout the course, private lessons will focus on exploring violin repertoire on the mandolin. In addition, lectures and workshops will cover topics such as Bach, hand health, Brazilian music, and more.
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COURSE REGISTRATION
The Mandolin Excellence course is divided into three groups, and participants may register for each group separately. All participants will have access to attend the festival concerts from October 18–25.
Group A: The Mandolin Soloist (October 18-25)
This group is designed for young students aiming to pursue a career as classical mandolin performers. Participants receive private lessons and take part in an intensive chamber program, working on both orchestral and chamber repertoire. The ensemble presents a full concert and is featured in multiple appearances throughout the festival.
Students accepted into The Mandolin Soloist group will receive the ensemble sheet music in August.
*Deadline: September 20, 2026. Registration requires submission of a sound or video recording of up to five minutes. Please submit materials to Ekaterina Skliar at skliar.music@gmail.com
Group B: Mandolin Lovers
(October 23-25, all concerts October 18-25 included)
This group is designed for mandolin enthusiasts of all ages. Participants are assigned to ensembles based on their level, forming small chamber groups such as duos, trios, and quartets. Each ensemble receives coaching from the instructors and has access to all workshops and lectures.
During the program, participants take part in coaching sessions focused on chamber music and rehearsal techniques, culminating in a final concert performance. They may also attend and audit lectures, as well as rehearsals of the Solo Mandolin Performance ensemble.
This group offers an excellent opportunity to explore classical mandolin playing in a supportive setting. The small chamber format allows for individualized attention and guidance without the pressure of solo performance.
Mandolin Lovers are also invited to join the Mega Guitar and Mandolin Orchestra, rehearsing during the festival and performing at the ensembles showcase on the final day. Directed by Dr. Scott Borg, the orchestra brings together over 50 musicians of all ages and levels.
Participants will receive sheet music in advance to prepare for the course.
*Deadline: September 20, 2026. Registration requires submission of a sound or video recording of up to five minutes. Please submit materials to Ekaterina Skliar at skliar.music@gmail.com
Group C: Auditors
Auditors may attend all lessons, workshops, lectures, and concerts throughout the week.
THE REUVEN INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL
MANDOLIN COMPETITION
Eligibility Rules:
The competition is open to mandolinists ages 18–30
Participants need to submit a live performance video of three pieces:
Repertoire:
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Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 (“Spring”) – 1st movement
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Johann Sebastian Bach: Two contrasting movements or a fugue or Chaconne from the Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin
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One original work for mandolin
Prizes:
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$3,000 prize concert fee
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A performance tour in Europe and the US
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A new mandolin in the Kerman style
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A short video clip featuring the winner
Submission Deadline: October 1, 2026 (midnight East Coast Time)
Registration Fee: $100
Results: Announced at the closing concert on Sunday, October 25, 2026
Jury Members: Omer Wellber, Daniel Ciobanu, Juan Carlos Muñoz, Vincent Beer-Demander, Fabio Gallucci
Video Recording Requirements:
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Video must be recorded in one unedited take. Audio must be from the same take, but can be from an external microphone(s).
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No cuts between pieces are permitted. Videos may not be edited or spliced.
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Please ensure both hands are visible and use a quality microphone if possible.
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Announce your name and repertoire at the beginning of the video.
After registering at the link below, please submit your videos to Miriam Mintz at miriam.mintz0@gmail.com
For questions, contact Miriam Mintz at miriam.mintz0@gmail.com
*A minimum of 8 participants is required to run the competition.
**The jury reserves the right not to award a first prize.
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, Victor Main, and Raffi Donoian. Available in-person only.
Faculty: Maya Loncar, Victor Main, Ceili Connors, Raffi Donoian
Course Description:
Guitarists ages 6-16 may sign up to receive fun and inclusive guitar technique and musicianship training and tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday's Concerts. Course includes:
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Ensemble rehearsals and performance at the Festival Ensembles Concert
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Optional Lessons with faculty who can meet a student where they're at
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Luthier Q & A with classical guitar maker Gef Fisher, geared especially towards younger players
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Workshops on technique, rhythm, and more!
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Festival Artist Workshop Meet and learn from one of the festival's guest artists
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Guitar Showcase Featured festival artists demonstrate guitars from luthiers
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Ticket to Weekend Concerts Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening concerts, plus the Guitar Showcase.