GUITAR PROGRAM
Guitarists ages 17 and older may sign up to receive world-class masterclass instruction by guest artists and attend special topics workshops and lectures. Active participants will receive two masterclasses and have access to all festival concerts, activities, and meals. Auditors have access to all festival concerts, activities, and meals. Available in-person and online.
Sign Up Here
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MANDOLIN PROGRAM
Intensive course led by Jacob Reuven
Faculty: Hamilton de Holanda, Ekaterina Skliar, Dor Amran, Marilynn Mair
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Course Description:
International concert artist and mandolin soloist Jacob Reuven will lead a 5-day course centered around classical mandolin performance. Reuven's artistic approach has created a worldwide artistic paradigm for mandolin playing. Based on his deep familiarity with violin repertoire, as well as actual performance and recording of masterpieces for violin on mandolin, Reuven has established a global reputation and created an artistic legacy that today brings forth a young generation of musicians to continue his artistic approach.
Furthermore, Reuven plays on a revolutionary double-deck mandolin built by luthier Arik Kerman, a model which has now inspired a new generation of luthiers around the world.
Reuven's Israeli school of mandolin playing is recognized around the world as creating successful Israeli soloists that not only win international competitions, but sign with international recording companies, and regularly perform with important orchestras around the world. This success is directly related to Reuven's methodical and artistic approach, as well as to his instrument, which was built specifically for performing violin repertoire.
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"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 that is entirely dedicated to excellence in mandolin performance. Musical knowledge, artistic depth, the discipline of being an instrumentalist - these are forces of beauty that we will cultivate during this course at URI.” — Jacob Reuven
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In the course, we are fortunate to have two excellent mandolin instructors, Ekaterina Skliar and Dor Amran. They join Reuven and will give fascinating lectures, as well as various performances. Internationally recognized Bandolim player, Hamilton de Holanda will give a lecture on his virtuosic Caprices as well as a lecture on Brazilian music. Another guest of honor is the American mandolinist, Marilynn Mair.
Throughout the course, private lessons will be offered to explore violin repertoire on the mandolin. In addition to the lessons, lectures will be offered on the following topics:
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COURSE REGISTRATION
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In the Course of Mandolin Excellence, we have three groups, and registration is available for each group separately.
Group A: The Mandolin Soloist (October 16-20)
The first group is for young students who aim for a career as classical mandolin performers. This group receives private lessons, and its members participate in a chamber ensemble that rehearses challenging orchestral repertoire every afternoon.
Those who are accepted into the Solo Mandolin Performance group will receive the sheet music for the ensemble during the month of August.
*Deadline: September 20, 2024. Registration requires submission of a sound or video recording of up to five minutes of playing. Please submit your videos to Ekaterina Skliar at skliar.music@gmail.com.
Group B: Mandolin Lovers
 (October 18-20)
The second group is geared toward mandolin enthusiasts of all ages. Those accepted into this group will receive duet sheet music to prepare for the course. During the course, they will benefit from coaching sessions focused on chamber music, rehearsal techniques, and culminate in a final concert performance. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to attend and audit lectures and Mandolin Soloist Performance Class ensemble rehearsals.
*Deadline: September 20, 2024. Registration requires submission of a sound or video recording of up to five minutes of playing. Please submit your videos to Ekaterina Skliar at skliar.music@gmail.com.
Group C: Auditors
Auditors may attend all lessons, workshops, lectures, and concerts throughout the week.
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RISING STARS VITUAL MANDOLIN COMPETITION
Rules:
Mandolinists ages 20-30 are asked to submit a live performance video of up to 15 minutes with two works, including one work by J.S Bach/Eugene Ysaye/Nicolo Paganini and one free choice work. The recording can be submitted by Email as a link to a YouTube video. 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.
*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.
Prize: $3,000 fee to perform at the 2025 edition of the URI Guitar and Mandolin Festival
Submission Deadline: Sunday, October 6, 2024 by midnight East Coast Time Zone.
Registration Fee: $60
Results: Results will be announced the last day of the festival at the closing concert on Sunday, October 20, 2024
Jury Members: Omer Wellber, Dor Amran, Ekaterina Skliar
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RISING STARS YOUNG GUITARIST'S 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 masterclass with Rising Stars faculty as well as one masterclass with a guest artist. Faculty include Jim Davidson, Ceili Connors, Victor Main, and Raffi Donoian. Guest Artists, Kevin Loh and Trevor Babb. Available in-person only.
Sign Up Here
M. E. BRUNE, LUTHIER RISING STARS VIRTUAL GUITAR COMPETITION
I. Young Artist Division (ages 18-35)
Rules:
Classical Guitarists ages 18-35 and older are asked to submit a live performance video of under 10 minutes with two contrasting works. Your youtube recording can be submitted here. 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 Rising Stars 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.
II. High School Division (ages 13-18)
Rules:
​Classical Guitarists ages 13-18 are asked to submit a live performance video of under 10 minutes with two contrasting works. Your youtube recording can be submitted here. 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 Rising Stars 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 18 years old may choose to participate in either category, but NOT both. Please write the director to specify the chosen category.
Prizes:
I. The Young Artist winner (1) will have the opportunity to perform at the 2025 University of Rhode Island Guitar Festival with a concert fee of $3000, a concert in Costa Rica with a $1000 concert fee plus travel stipend of $600 and accommodations, and a concert at Oklahoma City University with a $1000 concert fee and a travel stipend of $350. 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.
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2nd Prize Winner will receive a full scholarship at the 2025 edition of the URI Guitar Festival, and a $750 cash prize and an Augustine Strings package. The winner will also be awarded a one-year subscription to Tonebase and a Strings by Mail gift certificate.
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3rd Prize Winner will receive a full scholarship at the 2025 edition of the URI Guitar Festival, and a $500 cash prize and an Augustine Strings package. The winner will also be awarded a one-year subscription to Tonebase and a Strings by Mail gift certificate.
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II. The High School Division winner (1) will receive a $600 cash prize, and a full scholarship to study at the 2025 edition of the URI Guitar Festival, as well as a Strings by Mail gift certificate, and an Augustine Strings package. The winner will also be awarded a life-long subscription to Tonebase.
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2nd Prize Winner will receive a $350 cash prize, and a full scholarship to study at the 2025 edition of the URI Guitar 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.
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3rd Prize Winner will receive a $200 cash prize, and a full scholarship to study at the 2025 edition of the URI Guitar 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..
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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.
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Jury Panel:
4 URI Guitar Festival Guest Artists, EXCLUDING the Artistic Director.
President of Jury: Dr. Scott Borg (Montgomery College)
Jury Members:
Young Artist Division: Scot Borg, Matteo Mela, Lorenzo Micheli, Wu You, Ekaterina Skliar
High School: Kevin Loh, Adrian Montero, Juan Pablo Salas
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Registration Fee: $60
Submission Deadline: October 6, 2024, 12:00 Midnight East Coast Time (you have ALL DAY on October 6 to submit your video)
Results: Results will be announced the last day of the festival at the closing concert.
Results: Winners must have a valid bank account. Prize disbursement can only take place.
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