email
Class Groups for 2026
Junior Vocal Adult Vocal ( Solos and Duets) Junior Choral Adult Choral Woodwind Composition Brass Strings Acoustic and Electric Guitar Classical Guitar and Plucked Strings Percussion Piano Mixed Ensembles JazzClassical Guitar and Plucked Strings
The Guitars and Plucked Strings sections will be taking place at Durlston School ie the same day as the Piano and Adult Vocal solo - 14th March
We are excited to announce a "Scratch Ensemble" class. This is available to all and will be timetabled in the middle of the session. This is a chance to sieze the opportunity of having so many Guitarists in the same place at the same time to come together just for fun to participate in a large ensemble piece.
N.B. Participants should play a nylon strung guitar and provide their own footstools. The use of a capo is permitted in the elementary classes and in other classes only where it is appropriate to the period of the piece, or to reinstate the original pitch.
| Class | Description | Time Limit | Class Fee | Accomp. Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P21 | Performance Platform. Junior Guitar and Plucked String Solo or Duet. No adjudication. Own choice. | 5 mins | £4.00 | N/A |
| P22 | Performance Platform. Adult Guitar and Plucked String Solo or Duet. No adjudication. Own choice. | 8 mins | £4.00 | N/A |
| P25 | Performance Platform. Guitar and Plucked String Ensemble. No adjudication. Own choice. | 8 mins | £16.00 | N/A |
| G01 | Scratch Ensemble. | 45 mins | N/A | N/A |
| 40A | Solo, Beginner. Own choice. | 3 mins | £4.50 | N/A |
| 40B | Solo, Grade 1. Own choice. | 3 mins | £4.50 | N/A |
| 41A | Solo, Grade 2. Own choice. | 3 mins | £4.50 | N/A |
| 41B | Solo, Grade 3. Own choice. | 3 mins | £4.50 | N/A |
| 42A | Solo, Grade 4. Own choice. | 5 mins | £6.00 | N/A |
| 42B | Solo, Grade 5. Own choice. | 6 mins | £6.00 | N/A |
| 43A | Solo, Grade 6. Own choice. | 7 mins | £6.00 | N/A |
| 43B | Solo, Grade 7. Own choice. | 8 mins | £6.00 | N/A |
| 43C | Solo, Grade 8. Own choice. | 8 mins | £6.00 | N/A |
| 44 | Duet, Elementary. Own choice. | 4 mins | £6.50 | N/A |
| 45 | Duet, Intermediate. Own choice. | 5 mins | £8.50 | N/A |
| 46 | Duet, Advanced. Own choice. | 6 mins | £8.50 | N/A |
| 46A | Small Ensemble, Elementary. Up to 8 players. Own choice. | 8 mins | £10.00 | N/A |
| 46B | Small Ensemble, Intermediate. Up to 8 players. Own choice. | 8 mins | £18.00 | N/A |
| 46C | Small Ensemble, Advanced. Up to 8 players. Own choice. | 8 mins | £18.00 | N/A |
| 46D | Large Classical Guitar Ensemble, Elementary. Own choice. More than 8 performers. To be timetabled with appropriate Mixed Ensembles class 22nd March. | 8 mins | £18.00 | N/A |
| 46E | Large Classical Guitar Ensemble, Intermediate. Own choice. More than 8 performers. To be timetabled with appropriate Mixed Ensembles class 22nd March. | 8 mins | £18.00 | N/A |
| 46F | Large Classical Guitar Ensemble, Advanced. Own choice. More than 8 performers. To be timetabled with appropriate Mixed Ensembles class 22nd March. | 8 mins | £18.00 | N/A |
| 47 | Solo, any plucked stringed instrument up to Grade 3. Own choice. | 3 mins | £4.50 | £3.50 |
| 48 | Solo, any plucked stringed instrument above Grade 3. Own choice. | 6 mins | £6.00 | £3.50 |
| 49 | Adult Open Class. Performance without adjudication. | 8 mins | £8.50 | £5.50 |
| 49A | Recital. Own choice(s). | 15 mins | £13.00 | N/A |
Adjudicator - Amanda Cook
Dubbed “The guitar queen with a silken touch” by The Independent, Amanda has appeared as a soloist in the USA, South America and throughout Europe. In the UK venues include the South Bank, Wigmore Hall, St George’s Bristol, King’s Place & The Sage Gateshead. Her highly acclaimed performances are always noted for their sensitive musicality, fluid technique, and ability to draw the audience in to her world.
Amanda has been broadcast on television and radio, both abroad and in the UK, including BBC Radio 3’s “In Tune” & “Late Junction”, BBC Radio 4’s “Woman’s Hour,” and Classic FM. Along with solo work Amanda has always had a passion for chamber music and has worked in various duos and ensembles through her career including the Appassionata Guitar Trio, G Plus Ensemble and more recently with the renowned soprano Bibi Heal and the critically acclaimed Vida Guitar Quartet, who regularly tour the USA, Europe and China.
Teaching has always been important to Amanda and she often gives classes at Festivals and adjudicates music competitions. Amanda was course director at the International Guitar Festival for five years and has also sat on the jury for several International Competitions including the GFA 2015 in Oklahoma and the 2019 Euro Strings Competition. Amanda is a patron of the Federation of Guitar Societies.
