"The "Long Island" in the festival title clearly refers to its location and origins, rather than to its scope." - New York Times, March 2014
Welcome to the Long Island Guitar Festival Web site.
Ecletic and International, the 27th Long Island Guitar Festival will take place April 9–14, 2019 on the LIU Post campus of Long Island Universiy. We will proudly present the US debut of guitarist Laura Snowden (United Kingdom), David Leisner (United States) and Eduardo Fernández (Uruguay), Claude Laflamme (Canada), Jérôme Ducharme (Canada), Robert Trent (United States) and Harris Becker (United States).
Master Classes with Laura Snowden, and Eduardo Fernandez / David Leisner are planned.
In addition, Claude Laflamme will offer a Workshop on Harp-Guitar.
"David Leisner, a superb guitarist (and also an eloquent composer) who is chairman of the guitar department of the Manhattan School of Music, delivered a crisply articulated, sweetly singing account of the guitar line and made its difficult stretches seem almost easy." – Portland Press Herald
High School Guitar Ensembles scheduled to return to the Festival for Ensemble Showcases include Bishop McGuinness High School Honors Guitar Ensemble (Kernersville, NC), Susan E. Wagner Advanced Guitar Ensemble (Staten Island, NY), Brentwood High School Guitar Ensemble (Brentwood, NY), Harlem School of the Arts Guitar Ensemble (New York, NY).
Learn how you can make a tax-deductible contribution to the Long Island Guitar Festival or how your company or organization can become a Festival sponsor or advertise in the Festival program book distributed at all Festival events. For more information about making a contribution or sponsoring or advertising, e-mail us or call 516-299-3181.
Here's the anticipated Festival 2019 schedule to date.
Please continue to visit these pages for more information about Festival 2019 as it becomes available.
The Festival will once again present its National High School Classical Guitar Competition, open to high school students of all 50 states. Find out more on the Guitar Competition page.
The LIGF Guitar Orchestra for high school students and others will return to the Festival in 2019, conducted by Alan Hirsh. Visit the Guitar Orchestra page to find out how you can participate.
In 2019 the Long Island Guitar Festival will continue its tradition of presenting excellence in guitar performance and pedagogy. If you are interested in participating in a Festival Master Class as a performer, please see the Master Classes for Guitarists and Performers page.
Through its history the Long Island Guitar Festival has featured ensembles representing high schools from the tri-state area and other states including Virginia, North Carolina and Florida. Learn more on the Ensemble Showcases page.
The 26th annual Long Island Guitar Festival took place April 10 to 15, 2018 on the LIU Post campus of Long Island University in Brookville, NY USA.
Performers included Berta Rojas, Rene Izquierdo, Cavatina Duo (with Rene Izquierdo replacing Denis Azabagic due to a physical injury), The Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo, Alexandra Yannis Guitar Duo, Simon Powis, James Erickson, Michael Roberts, Laura Lessard, The Artesian Guitar Quartet, Harris Becker, Roberts, Laura Lessard, The Artesian Guitar Quartet, Harris Becker, and Ria Modak, first prize winner of the 2017 National High School Classical Guitar Competition.
High School Guitar Ensembles appearing at Festival 2018 included Bishop McGuinness High School Honors Guitar Ensemble (Kernersville, NC), Susan E. Wagner Advanced Guitar Ensemble (Staten Island, NY), Brentwood High School Guitar Ensemble (Brentwood, NY), Harlem School of the Arts Guitar Ensemble (New York, NY).
Long Island Guitar Festival 2018 was funded in part by grants from The Augustine Foundation, The D'Addario Foundation for the Performing Arts, Murphy's Music & Violin Shop, Savarez, The John P. McGrath Fund of LIU and the LIU Post Department of Music.
"Long Island Guitar Festival...a very impressive concert lineup"
- Classical Guitar Magazine about Festival 2016
LONG ISLAND GUITAR FESTIVAL
Department of Music
LIU Post
720 Northern Blvd.
Brookville, NY 11548
Harris Becker, Director
James Erickson, Assistant Director
John Meschi, Advisor & Website Manager
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Last update: December 15, 2018
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BMHS Honors
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Susan E. Wagner 
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