URI Guitar & Mandolin Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Expanded Programming and Live Competition
Guitar Festival
Now in its 10th year, the University of Rhode Island Guitar & Mandolin Festival continues to grow as a one of the most important festivals on the East Coast. This year’s festival will take place October 19–26, 2025, offering a full week of concerts, masterclasses, technique workshops, private lessons, lectures, and ensemble coaching.
A highlight of the festival is the Rising Stars Young Guitarists’ Program, which provides younger players with invaluable opportunities to perform, learn, and grow alongside internationally renowned artists. Whether you're a student, emerging performer, or avid listener, the URI Festival offers a welcoming space for musical development, artistic exchange, and inspiration.
New Guitar Competition
In celebration of its milestone anniversary, the festival is also introducing a new in-person guitar competition for young artists (ages 18–35), with semifinal and final rounds held live during the final weekend, October 25–26. Participants compete for a range of significant prizes including a 5-concert tour, performance stipends, tonebase subscriptions, scholarships to future editions of the festival, and a professionally produced video feature.
NOTE: VIDEO SUBMISSIONS FOR THE PRELIMINARY ROUND ARE DUE JULY 15, 2025
The high school division of the competition (ages 13–17) remains fully virtual, with video submissions due October 1. Winners in both divisions will be announced during the Festival Gala Final on October 26.
For more details about this year’s events, artist roster, and how to participate, visit the URI Guitar & Mandolin Festival website.
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