The five-day festival will feature guest artist concerts, master classes on technique and artistic development, lectures, a youth guitar orchestra and an international competition with a first prize of $1,000.
Stephen Mattingly, UofL guitar instructor and festival director, said that the festival is open to all enthusiasts and playing levels.
“The festival attracts guitar enthusiasts of varied stylistic preferences who meet with top-rate artists from around the world,” Mattingly said. “Many are returning from last year, including artists from the United States, Bosnia, Korea, Mexico and Poland.”
Concerts will be in the Margaret Comstock Concert Hall, School of Music, on UofL’s Belknap Campus unless noted otherwise. The opening concert features a program for flute and guitar. Later shows will include traditional solo guitar music as well as a special program of jazz and Broadway tunes. Highlights include:
- Stephen Mattingly and Kathy Karr, 8 p.m., May 26, Bird Recital Hall
- Stephen Robinson, 8 p.m., May 27
- Denis Azabagic, 8 p.m., May 28
- Competition finalists, 4 p.m., (free) and Youth Guitar Ensemble and Orchestra Showcase, 8 p.m., May 29
- Participants’ concert, 1 p.m., May 31 (free)
Tickets for each concert are $20 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. A package price for all concerts is $50. The general registration fee for participants is $150 or $75 for a youth weekend fee. Tickets and registration can be purchased at the door or online.