Guitar enthusiasts, mark your calendars! The beautiful Texas State University – San Marcos School of Music is proud to host the 2025 Hill Country Classical Guitar Ensemble Festival and Competition. This national event serves as a vibrant gathering for middle school, high school, college, and independent studio guitar ensembles, uniting like-minded musicians in a celebration of the guitar and the pursuit of performance excellence. Prepare to immerse yourself in a weekend dedicated to masterful guitar playing, judged by industry experts Tony Morris (Classical Guitar Alive), Michael Keplinger (composer and Texas Lutheran University instructor), and Arnold Yzaguirre (ACG guitar instructor and Artist for Music Healing). This festival truly embodies the spirit of guitar country, bringing together talent and passion in one inspiring location.
2025 Hill Country Guitar Festival
The festival kicks off on Friday, March 28th, at 6:30 pm in the TXST School of Music Recital Hall with a captivating performance by the Ibison Guitar Duo. Prepare to be mesmerized by their exceptional artistry as they present a program specifically composed and arranged for two guitars. This opening concert promises to set the stage for a weekend of high-caliber musical experiences.
Saturday, March 29th, is dedicated to the heart of the festival: the ensemble competition. Held throughout the day at the TXST School of Music Recital Hall, the competition will showcase the talent and dedication of guitar ensembles across various levels. Alongside the competition, attendees can explore a vendor fair, offering a range of guitar-related products and services. For those seeking to hone their skills, masterclasses will be conducted by the acclaimed Chad Ibison and Janet Grohovac. Adding to the educational offerings, festival director Mark Cruz will lead a musician’s forum, delving into the practical application of music theory on the guitar fretboard and highlighting the advantages of becoming a versatile guitarist. This comprehensive program ensures a day filled with learning, networking, and celebrating all things guitar in the heart of guitar country.
The festival culminates on Saturday evening with a closing concert and awards ceremony, beginning at 6:30 pm in the TXST School of Music Recital Hall. Prepare to be blown away by the acoustic guitar virtuosity of Michael Kelsey, whose performances are famously described as “nuclear acoustic.” Kelsey’s unique and dynamic playing style, characterized by spontaneity, audience interaction, and original arrangements, guarantees an unforgettable experience. The evening will also celebrate the achievements of the competition participants with the awards ceremony, bringing a fitting close to this celebration of guitar music.
Ibison Guitar Duo
Competition check-in begins bright and early on Saturday, March 29th, from 8:00 AM to 10:30 am. Late arrivals are welcome, provided they arrive before their assigned warm-up and performance times, which will be announced later. Competition performances are scheduled to commence around 11:00 am and continue until approximately 4:00 PM.
Please note that institutional entries are limited to twenty-two, and each institution can enter a maximum of three ensembles. Early registration is encouraged to secure a spot in this popular event.
Competition Rules and Guidelines
The competition emphasizes performance quality and musicality. While there are no mandatory pieces, ensembles are encouraged to present contrasting works to showcase their versatility. Judges will evaluate performances based on several criteria, including tuning, ensemble unity, tone quality, balance, interpretation, dynamics, musicality, and overall presentation.
Specific program duration requirements are as follows:
- Middle school ensembles: 6-9 minutes (maximum, including chair configuration changes).
- High school ensembles: 7-10 minutes (maximum, including chair configuration changes).
- College ensembles: 12-15 minutes (maximum, including chair configuration changes).
Performances will be strictly timed, commencing from the first note of the first piece. Ensembles exceeding their allotted time will be stopped, though there are no explicit penalties for exceeding the time limits. However, participants are encouraged to adhere to the specified timeframes.
To maintain the focus on student performance, a deduction of ten points will be applied if a director performs with their students. Directing or conducting by directors is permitted without penalty.
The competition is exclusively for classical guitars. While upper or lower-ranged nylon-string instruments like requinto or acoustic bass (contrabass) are allowed, electric or steel-string instruments are prohibited. The inclusion of other instruments like percussion is permissible, but the emphasis remains on nylon-stringed instruments.
Registration Information
Secure your place at the 2025 Hill Country Guitar Festival by registering through the online portal: https://secure.touchnet.com/C24322_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=464&SINGLESTORE=true
Early registration, received by March 17th, is priced at $40.00 per participant. Late registrations will be accepted until March 21st, with a fee of $50.00 per participant. Please register promptly as no registrations will be accepted after March 21st to allow sufficient time for competition scheduling and program printing.
Participants are encouraged to arrive in San Marcos on Friday, March 28th, by 5:30 pm to fully enjoy the opening concert at 6:30 pm. Free parking is available after 5:00 pm in the Pleasant Street garage, conveniently located across from the music building.
Michael Kelsey
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the vibrant guitar country community at the 2025 Hill Country Guitar Festival – a true celebration of classical guitar music and education!
