Texas Guitar Competition and Festival: Schedule
2026 festival information is currently in-progress.
24th Annual Texas Guitar Competition and Festival
March 5 – 7, 2026
This unique Texas competition, designed to showcase outstanding classical guitar students, awards over $8,200 in cash prizes to the winners. Over the three-day event, students compete and attend master classes and concerts by internationally recognized guitarists.
We hold a Youth Competition for ages 11-18 as well as the main Adult Competition for college-level students.
View our past competitions for photos and lists of winners.
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Note: The University of Texas at Dallas will not take custodial responsibility of minors while participating in the Annual Texas Guitar Competition and Festival. Custodial responsibility will remain with teachers K-12, parents, legal guardians, and chaperones.
Schedule of Events
March 5 to March 7, 2026
Thursday, March 5:
Semi-finals of the Adult Competition (not open to the public)
1:00 p.m.
PHY building
Pre-concert: UNT Student Ensemble
7:00 p.m.
University Theatre
Concert: Kyle Khembunjong, 2025 Annual Texas Guitar Competition, first place winner
7:30 p.m.
University Theatre
Friday, March 6:
Master Class for competitors, with Kyle Khembunjong
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Master Class for competitors, with Gabriel Guillen
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Meet-and-greet for competitors, students, staff, and public
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Jonsson Performance Hall Lobby
Preconcert: Winner of the 2025 CIGA Junior Alhambra Youth Guitar Competition – Name to be Announced
7:00 p.m.
University Theatre
Adult Competition Finals
7:30 p.m.
University Theatre
Saturday, March 7:
Youth Competition (open to parents and teachers only)
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Various Locations
Vendor Fair
12:00 p.m.
ATC Lecture Hall Lobby
Lecture: Kyle Khembunjong
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
ATC LED Wall
Festival Youth Orchestra Rehearsals
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
ATC Lecture Hall
Pre-concert: the Festival Youth Orchestra
7:00 p.m.
ATC Lecture Hall
Concert: Gabriel Guillen
Followed by the Award Ceremony at the end of the concert to announce the Texas Competition winners.
7:30 p.m.
ATC Lecture Hall