Competition
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Students
Application for students
Application deadline: 1st February 2026.
Evaluation Criteria
Participants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Technical skills
Sound quality
Phrasing, adherence to stylistic characteristics, and musicality
Accuracy of performance
Artistic impression (personal interpretation of the piece)
The judging panel consists of 5 members. The highest and lowest scores will be adjusted to within 3 points of the next highest or lowest score if the difference exceeds 3 points. The organizer reserves the right to adjust the number of judges in exceptional circumstances. A panel member cannot evaluate their own student or any participant with whom they are related. Participants are scored from 60 to 100 points:
60–69.99 – Certificate of Participation
70–79.99 – Third Prize
80–89.99 – Second Prize
90–100 – First Prize
Order of performances: alphabetical by surname, starting with the letter V for Varaždin.
Time Overruns: In the event of exceeding the allotted time, the judging panel has the right to terminate the performance. The decisions of the judging panel are final and not subject to appeal.
Entry fee - soloists: All solo competitors are required to pay an entry fee of 70 euros by 1 February 2026. There is no refund of the entry fee in the event of not attending the competition. Only in exceptional cases can the entry fee be paid on-site (by prior arrangement).
Entry fee - chamber ensembles: For chamber ensembles, the fee for a duo is 80 euros, for a trio 90 euros, a quartet 100, and for more members 120 euros.
Audio and video materials: Competitors agree that the organizer may use photographs, videos, and other materials, and that they have no right to seek financial compensation from this.
Disclaimer: The organizer disclaims any responsibility in the event of injury or accident to all participants (competitors, teachers, escorts, and guests) and for damage or theft of their property.
Acceptance of terms: Participants, upon registration, accept the competition terms and confirm the accuracy of the information in the application.
Free entry: With registration, competitors have free access to all concerts, lectures, and listening sessions of masterclasses and competitions throughout the Varaždin International Guitar Festival.
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided by our sponsors: Hotel Turist in Varaždin.
Reserve your accommodation by 5th January 2026 at the latest via email info@hotel-turist.hr, with the mandatory note that you are attending the “Varaždin International Guitar Festival 2026”. The number of places is limited!
Propositions
I. CATEGORY
born in 2015 and younger – up to 5 minutes of free program
II. CATEGORY
born in 2013 and younger – up to 7 minutes, and the program must include at least two compositions from different stylistic periods
III. CATEGORY
born in 2011 and younger – up to 9 minutes, and the program must include at least two compositions from different stylistic periods
IV. CATEGORY
born in 2009 and younger – up to 12 minutes, and the program must include at least two compositions from different stylistic periods
V. CATEGORY
born in 2007 and younger – up to 15 minutes, and the program must include at least two compositions from different stylistic periods
VI. CATEGORY
Chamber ensembles with guitar – category for primary music school students – up to 8 minutes of free program
VII. CATEGORY
Chamber ensembles with guitar – category for secondary music school students – up to 12 minutes of free program
Chamber ensembles must be exclusively guitar ensembles and may not include any other instruments.
Application – soloists
Application deadline: 1st February 2026.
Application – chamber compositions
Application deadline: 1st February 2026.
SPECIAL AWARD
Handcrafted guitar by builder Bojan Križanec for one competitor selected from the top three categories.
1. CATEGORY
1st place:
Collection of pieces by Neno Munitić - One Afternoon in Omiš, registration for the Little Strings of Dalmatia 2026, Vindija gift package
2nd place:
Collection of pieces by Neno Munitić - One Afternoon in Omiš, Vindija gift package
3rd place:
Collection of pieces by Neno Munitić - One Afternoon in Omiš, Vindija gift package
2. CATEGORY
1st place:
Collection of works by Petar Čulić - The Little Prince, registration for the Little Strings of Dalmatia 2026., Vindija gift package
2nd place:
Vindija gift package
3rd place:
Vindija gift package
3. CATEGORY
1st place:
Collection of compositions by Petar Čulić - The Little Prince, entry fee for the competition of Little Strings of Dalmatia, Vindija package
2nd place:
Vindija package
3rd place:
Vindija package
4. CATEGORY
1st place:
Registration for the Sarajevo International Guitar Festival 2026, Collection of compositions by Petar Čulić - The Little Prince, Vindija package
2nd place:
Vindija package
3rd place:
Vindija package
5. CATEGORY
1st place:
Registration for the Sarajevo International Guitar Festival 2026, Collection of works by Petar Čulić - The Little Prince, Vindija package
2nd place:
Vindija package
3rd place:
Vindija package