This year, the GFA is proud to introduce an affordable 3-day mini-festival designed just for middle school and high school students of classical guitar (mature, advanced younger students can participate as well)! The Youth Festival takes place during the 2010 GFA convention, in the same facility, and student participants and their directors will have full access to the convention during the 3 days of the festival!

This one-of-a-kind opportunity will offer students an affordable way of participating in Classical Guitar's largest convention. The festival offers valuable ensemble and performance experience as well as opportunities for adjudicated performances and coaching with guest directors. Students will even have the opportunity to perform with their colleagues on the stage of Dell Hall at the beautiful Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Austin, TX, immediately prior to the feature convention concert on Thursday evening, June 24, 2010.

In addition to participation in the Youth Festival, students will have complete access to the rest of the GFA Convention between Tuesday and Thursday of the convention week including performances by Pepe Romero, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and Adam Holzman with the Miró Quartet.

All this for only $50*!

Register for the festival online.

Registration for the 3-day Youth festival must be completed by March 1st, 2010. By January 15th, directors will receive ensemble selections as pdf files in scores and parts. Directors should assign parts appropriately and thoroughly prepare students for participation upon arrival at the festival. The Youth Festival runs from Tuesday, June 22nd through Thursday, June 24th,. Students wishing to participate in the weekend portions of the convention will be required to purchase a weekend registration pass or day passes.

Schedule of Events

Tuesday

10:00am-12:30pm: Orchestra/Sectionals

12:30pm-2:00pm: Lunch break

2:00pm-5:00pm: Orchestra/Sectionals

5:00pm: Dinner break

8:00pm: Concert: Pepe Romero

Wednesday

9:00am-10:30am: Orchestra/Sectionals

11:00am-12:30pm: Concert: Tom Echols, Isaac Bustos, Steve Kostelnik

12:30pm-1:30pm: Lunch break

1:30pm-3:30pm: Orchestra/Sectionals

4:00pm-5:00pm: Concert: Jorge Caballero

5:00pm: Dinner Break

8:00pm: Concert: LAGQ

Thursday

11:00am-12:30pm: Concert: Florian LaRousse, Berta Rojas

12:30pm-1:30pm: Lunch break

1:30-3:30pm: Orchestra

4:00-5:00pm: Concert: Atanas Ourkouzounov

5:00pm: Dinner Break

7:30pm: Youth Guitar Festival Performance, Dell Hall

8:00pm: Concert: Adam Holzman with the Miró Quartet

Students registering for the 3-day Youth festival at the $50 rate must be registered by a teacher as part of a class or studio. Please inquire for individual registrations at the $50 rate. Teachers are required to assemble a comprehensive list of participating students, directors and chaperones, and complete registration for the entire group, including payment, at one time. Participating classes and studios may bring up to one adult (director or chaperone) for every 4 students enrolled at the $50 rate.

Additional adult participants should purchase day, week, or weekend registration separately. Students who wish to continue participation in the convention over the weekend should register separately for a weekend registration pass as individuals.

The Guitar Foundation of America and the Austin Classical Guitar Society assume no responsibility whatsoever for any participants at the convention. Directors assume all responsibility for student participants including local transportation, meals, safety, and adequate chaperones.