28. Aalborg Guitar Festival & Competitions 2025
8-16 November 2025
The largest guitarfestival in Denmark. You can hear Classical, Modern, Jazz & Blues – Flamenco, Folkmusic, music for everyone – young and old. Meet new guitar friends at a concert , workshop, competition or at an exhibition
CONCERTS
Aalborg Culture School's Guitarday 2025
08.11.2025 – 14:00
Place: Nordkraft, 9000 Aalborg
Free Entrance
Opening Concert:
Lada Fedorova, Violin &
Frederik Munk Larsen, guitar
09.11.2025 – 19.30
Place: Sankt Markus Kirke, Teglværks Alle 17, 9000 Aalborg
Presale: kr. 150,- + fee
At the entrance: kr. 200,-
In Collaboration with: Sankt Markus Kirke
Jazz Night:
Miroslav Mirosavljev, Serbia & Jens Christian Kwella, Denmark
10.11.2025 – 19.30
Entrence presale : kr. 150,- + fee
For members of Center for Dansk Jazz History kr. 50 + fee
In collaboration with Center for Danish Jazz History and Guitar Rama
Flamenco Night:
Carlos Piñana Quartet, Spain
11.11.2025 – 16:00
Place: Folkekirkens Hus, Gammeltorv 4, 9000 Aalborg
In collaboration with: Folkekirken Hus, Fokus and Fokus Culture Club.
Presale: kr. 160,- + fee
Member price: 60,-
11.11.2025 – 19:30
Place: Folkekirkens Hus, Gammeltorv 4, 9000 Aalborg
In collaboration with: Folkekirken Hus, Fokus and Fokus Culture Club..
Presale: kr. 160,- + fee
Member price: 60,-
Classical Night:
Pascual Guitar Duo, Spain & Judicaël Perroy, France
12.11.2025 – 19.30
Place: Klosterkirken ved Aalborg Kloster, via, Klosterjordet, C. W. Obels Pl. 5, 9000 Aalborg
In collaboration with: Aalborg Klosterkirke.
Presale: kr. 150,- + fee
At the entrance: kr. 200,-.
Aalborg International Guitar Competition
Category I - Round 1
13.11.2025 – 9.00-16.00
Place: Foredragssalen, Aalborg Medborgerhus, Rendsburggade 11, 9000 Aalborg
Free entrance for audience
Guy Hirschberger, Israel & Luciano Pompilio, Italy
13.11.2025 – 19.30
Place: Sankt Markus Kirke, Teglværks Alle 17, 9000 Aalborg
In Collaboration with: Sankt Markus Kirke
Free Entrance
Aalborg International Guitar Competition
Category I - Semifinal
14.11.2025 – 09.00-16.00
Place: Foredragssalen, Aalborg Medborgerhus, Rendsburggade 11, 9000 Aalborg
Free entrance for audienc4
Amadeus Guitar Duo, Germany/Canada &
Miquel Trapaga, Spain
14.11.2025 – 19.30
Place: Klosterkirken ved Aalborg Kloster, via, Klosterjordet, C. W. Obels Pl. 5, 9000 Aalborg
Presale: kr. 150,- + fee
At the entrance: kr. 200,-.
Only 25 tickets for sale! – English look below.
Studerende og unge under 16 år har gratis adgang grundet
sponsorereing fra Budolfi Kirke.
Udartseva & Scuderi Duo, Italy
15.11.2025 – 11.00
Place: Klaverstemmeren, Danmarksgade 28, 9000 Aalborg
In collaboration with: Klaverstemmeren
Free entrance.
Aalborg International Guitar Competition
Category II - Finale
15.11.2025 – 15.00
Place: Skipper Clement Skolen, Gammel Kærvej 40, 9000 Aalborg
Free entrance for audience
Guitar Expo Concert
15.11.2025 – 16.30 – 17.30
Place: Skipper Clement Skolen, Gammel Kærvej 40, 9000 Aalborg
Come and find your new guitar at the Exhibition that takes place on November the 15th and 16th 2025 at Skipper Clement Skolen. (entrance is Free).
Free entrance
7. Aalborg International Guitar Competition
Category I - Grand Final
15.11.2025 – 20.00
Place: Foredragssalen, Aalborg Medborgerhus, Rendsburggade 11, 9000 Aalborg
Free entrance
Participants Concert & Award Ceremony
16.11.2025 – 14.30
Place: Skipper Clement School, Gammel Kærvej 30, 9000 Aalborg
Free Entrance
COMPETITIONS
Aalborg International Composer Competition for Classical Guitar 2025
Deadline registration October 26th, 2025
Aalborg Guitar Festival and Competitions invites entries for the Composers Competition for the six-stringed classical guitar. The competition has been arranged in collaboration with Bergmann Edition and with the support of the Augustine Foundation and Knud Højsgaard Foundation.
One of the aims of the competition is to promote new work and enlarge the classical guitar repertoire. The intention is that the composer will meet the guitarist, and the guitarist will meet the audience.
For rules and regulations see here
Bergmann Edition Composer Competition for Classical Guitar 2025
DANCE
Deadline registration October 26th, 2025
The Bergmann Edition Competition is a parallel competition to the OPEN Aalborg Composer Competition.
Where the open competition is mining for contemporary concert pieces that showcase the newest trends in the academic classical tradition, the Bergmann Edition Competition will look out for music aimed at a broader public. The music could be suitable for a potential concert repertoire, but it could also appeal to skilled amateurs and teachers.
The competition is themed, and this year’s theme is “DANCE.”
The tradition of writing classical music inspired by dances is old and rich. And we want new music written with the heart, so it needs a pulse.
We want music that will make the baby dance before she can walk, music that makes old people in their wheelchairs tap their feet and nod their heads, young lovers hugging to the last dance at the party, or music that lets us imagine the spring dance of cranes. It could be music that follows the tradition, like Allemande, Ballet, Gigue, Habanera, Mazurka, Minuet, Sarabande, Tarantella, Tango, etc. or something completely new.
The formal rules are the same as for the OPEN competition.
For rules and regulations see he26
Aalborg International Guitar Competition
Deadline registration October 26th 2025.
Category I for Classical Guitar Solo:Conditions of participation in Category I: The Aalborg Guitar Competition is open to classical guitarists of all countries. University or Conservatory students or professional players. Maximum age of 35 by the start of the competition. Every participant taking active part declares to accept: The regulations and the general rules of this competition. The decisions of the jury.
Participation fee: kr. 1.800 (250 €) including free entrance to all concerts, free accommodation (this can be with a host family arranged by us) from 12.11.2025- 16.11.2025 and free meals consisting of breakfast, lunch and dinner on November 14th, as well as breakfast and lunch on November 16th 2025.
All Meals on November 15th as well as on the 16th will be served at the Skipper Clement School where the festival has its base of operations. Participants who do not reach the final are offered a one-hour masterclass on the 15th or the 16th.
For rules and general regulation see here
Aalborg International Guitar Competition
Deadline registration October 26th 2025.
Category II for Classical Guitar Solo:
Competition of Category II will take place at Skipper Clement Skolen in Aalborg on November 14th 2025 between 15.00 – 16.00.
Participation Fee: Competition only: kr. 250,- (33€), which also covers free admission to the Grand Finale on November 15th 2025.
Competition and Talentclass Weekend (see program under workshops): kr. 750 (100 €).
Conditions Category II:
The Competition is open to classical guitarists of all countries.
Only amateurs between 13 and 17 years of age may take part.
The competition is only completed with at least 5 registered participants
There is one round only.
Every participant taking active part declares to accept the regulations and general rules of this competition the decision of the jury.
For rules and general regulation see here2
WORKSHOPS
Masterclasses
Petra Polakova, Dale Kavanagh, Thomas Kirchhoff, Miquel Trapaga, Luciano Pompillio, Eduardo Pasqual Diez, Judical Perroy and more
Seminarprice price: kr. 1400,-/€190,-
Master Class can accommodate 15 participants and is aimed at skilled guitarists, students at a acadamy or conservatory and MGK students.
All receive at least 2 lessons of 50 min. A “Master Class” ticket gives access to all festival concerts, exhibitions and workshops as well as accommodation at Skipper Clement School, Gammel Kærvej 30, 9000 Aalborg (Friday to Sunday) and food on November 15th – 16th 2025.. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Talent Class with Frederik Munk Larsen
Seminarprice: kr 500,-/€70,-
Seminar Price for Category II participants: kr 750,-/€100,-
The “Talent Class” is a course for young people from the ages of 13-18, who have played guitar for a few years and want to continue or wish to join the talent class at MGK or to study at an institute of higher education. The course includes ensemble playing, technique exercises, solo lessons etc.
A “Talent Class” ticket gives access to all festival concerts, exhibitions and workshops as well as accommodation at Skipper Clement School, Gammel Kærvej 30, 9000 Aalborg (Friday to Sunday) and food on November 15th – 16th 2025.
Please bring your own sleeping bagand sleeping pad.
Classic Guitar 10+ with Karol Mruk
Seminarprice: kr 500,-/€70,-‘
Classical Guitar 10+ is a course for children who are 9-13 years old and who have played the guitar for 1-2 years and have some knowledge of the guitar fingerboard and technique.
A “Classic for young 10 +” ticket gives access to all festival concerts, exhibitions and workshops as well as accommodation at Skipper Clement School, Gammel Kærvej 30, 9000 Aalborg (Friday to Sunday) and food on November 15th – 16th 2025.
Please bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
Classic Guitar for 18 +
with Guy Hirschberger, Israel, Eduardo Pascual Diez, Spain, Simon Kirstein Oddershede & Anette Wandel, Denmark
Seminarprice: kr. 1.400,-/ € 190,-
Classical Guitar Seminar for 18 + accepts 12 participants and is offered for beginners, intermediate and advanced guitar players over 18 years of age. The seminar contains solo lessons, technic lessons and guitar ensemble work.
A “Classical Guitar 18+” ticket gives access to all festival concerts exhibitions and workshops as well as accommodation at Skipper Clement School, Gammel Kærvej 30, 9000 Aalborg (Friday to Sunday) and food on November 15th – 16th 2025.
Please bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
GUITAR EXPO
15-16 November at Skipper Clement School, 9000 Aalborg
Johannes Lundahl is based in Svendborg, and builds concert classical and flamenco guitars. The guitars construction is based on the traditional spanish style, with the addition of modern techniques and principles. My aim is to create instruments with balance between the traditional sound and modern needs, and continuosly pushing new ideas and design elements.
Introduction
Michael Batell classical guitars are concert instruments designed for the demands of professional performing and recording guitarists, students at conservatory level, and serious amateurs and collectors. They are constructed according to a considered integration of traditional aesthetics and design with modern and often innovative methods and techniques. My guitars have always been constructed in the traditional Spanish method, with tonality and aesthetics influenced by the greatest guitar makers of Spain – Manuel Ramirez, Santos Hernandez, Antonio de Torres, and many more.
Gallery/workshop visits are welcome, please call or email for appointment.
IIntroduction:
Ballowitz Guitars is based in Copenhagen.
Henrik Sandberg Ballowitz is a young Danish guitar builder specializing in the Spanish guitars.
In my workshop in Copenhagen, I build classical guitars in the Granada tradition, having learned from masters such as Stephen Hill and José Vigil. My focus is always on tone, balance and playability – an approach that was recognized in 2025 with 3rd prize at the prestigious Antonio Marín Montero Guitar Making Competition in Granada. I build each guitar with respect for the materials and with the desire to create an instrument that can inspire.
Classical Guitars Copenhagen is situated a few minutes drive from Copenhagen airport.
Clients from abroad will be picked up at the airport by car.
We only book one client pr. day, which means that you will be alone in the studio. You will thereby be able to test many guitars during your stay and take your time to decide which guitar you feel most comfortable with.
Carsten is a concert guitarist himself and if you wish, he will be glad to play the different guitars for you.
Your day at Classical Guitars Copenhagen could be as follows:
- You arrive in the morning.
- You test guitars alone or with the help from Carsten
- You are offered a light lunch if wanted.
- You test more guitars if needed.
- In the afternoon we drive you back to the airport in time for your flight home, hopefully together with the new guitar of your dreams!
DANISH GUITAR SYMPOSIUM 2025
About the symposium
Danish Guitar Symposium aims to provide competence development primarily for Danish Music and Culture Schools guitar teachers or similar, network development, development of teaching materials and sparring, etc.
Teachers at Accademies, Music and Culture Schools, but also Evening Schools, continuing Education and High School teachers are invited to participate – there is an opportunity for international participation. The Symposium has both a Classical and Rhythmical line.
Thesymposium spans over 2 days with presentations, knowledge sharing and sparring.
Topics:
- The Good Beginning.
- Retaining and developing students.
- Ensemble and group teaching.
- Playing an instrument is not just practice.
The content is developed in collaboration with Danish music teachers during the spring of 2025 and the head teacher of the RAMA and after sparring with the planner of the annual Norwegian Guitar Teacher’s Day.
Experiences:
2 concerts and visits to the International Guitar Competition Semi-Final as well as visits to an exhibition of master instruments (Aalborg Guitar Expo) and accessories.
Invitation will be sent out mid-June 2025
The conference will be held with a minimum of 30 participants.