Category 1A – up to 9 years of age

The category will take place on 28 November 2026. Venue: Panayot Pipkov National School of Arts – Pleven. The starting time and exact order of appearance will be published after registration closes.

The participant must not have reached the age of 10 by 28 November 2026. Each participant may enter the classical guitar solo competition in only one age category for which they meet the eligibility requirements. Entry in two or more solo age categories is not permitted. The same participant may also take part as a member of a chamber group, guitar ensemble, or orchestra, provided they meet the relevant requirements.

Two or more pieces of the participant’s choice, with a total duration of up to 6 minutes. The entire programme must be performed from memory.

The application and payment of the regular fee must be completed via the online form by 26 October 2026. After this deadline and up to and including 15 November 2026, late registration and payment are possible at a fee that is 30% higher — €39. Confirm your email, create your profile and add the participant or ensemble. Then complete and submit the relevant application. An account alone is not a submitted application; submission does not mean approval or payment. Personal data and age declarations are confirmed online in the relevant steps instead of being uploaded as separate files. The following must be uploaded to the participant’s profile by 15 November 2026: photograph; repertoire list; proof of fee payment. Registration is final upon receipt of all documents and payment. Fees are non-refundable unless the organizers cancel the category.

Criteria: repertoire selection; dynamic nuance; technical command and level of difficulty; sound quality; stage presence. Each jury member evaluates independently according to the announced criteria. Where there are at least five valid scores, the highest and lowest are excluded; where there are fewer, all valid scores are averaged. A jury member does not evaluate their own current or former student. Decisions are final. Results are officially announced via the zCore festival platform. The result is rounded to two decimal places. For categories with point-based prizes: 90.00–100.00 points – First Prize; 80.00–89.99 points – Second Prize; 70.00–79.99 points – Third Prize; 60.00–69.99 points – Special Prize. The Grand Prize may be awarded to the participant/ensemble with the highest score, provided that the minimum score is 95.00 points; the jury may decide not to award it.

• Grand Prize in the category: statuette, medal, diploma, prizes in kind; professional audio and video recording of the performance at the gala concert;
• First Prize: medal; diploma; prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors;
• Second Prize: medal; diploma; prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors;
• Third Prize: medal; diploma; prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors;
• Special Prize: diploma; prizes in kind provided by the festival sponsors.

*Note: The participant awarded the highest number of points (regardless of category) will receive the Grand Prize of the international competition: a “Cremona” classical guitar.