"The "Long Island" in the festival title clearly refers to its location and origins, rather than to its scope." - New York Times, March 2014
HarrisBecker
BertaRojas
Newman & OltmanGuitar Duo
SimonPowis
CavatinaDuo
ReneIzquierdo
Alexandra YannisGuitar Duo
LauraLessard
MichaelRoberts
JamesErickson
AlanHirsh
BMHS HonorsGuitar Ensemble
Brentwood H.S.Guitar Club
Susan E. Wagner Guitar Ensemble
KarlaMoe
ChristinaMontalto
EmilyKlonowski
VeronicaNguyen
- Classical Guitar Magazine about Festival 2016
26th Annual Long Island Guitar Festival
Welcome to the Long Island Guitar Festival Web site.
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.
National High School Classical Guitar Competition
The Festival again presented its National High School Classical Guitar Competition, which was open to high school students in all 50 states. The competition ended with a tie for first place between Eliza Balmuth and Everett Shen and second place being awarded to Alexander Seguin. Find out more on the Guitar Competition page.
Long Island Guitar Festival Guitar Orchestra
The LIGF Guitar Orchestra for high school students and others returned to the Festival in 2018, conducted by Alan Hirsh. Visit the Guitar Orchestra page to find out more.
Master Classes for Guitarists and Performers
In 2018 the Long Island Guitar Festival continued its tradition of presenting excellence in guitar performance and pedagogy with master classes given by Rene Izquierdo and the Newman & Oltman Duo.
Ensemble Showcases
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. 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).
The 27th Long Island Guitar Festival will take place April 9–14, 2019. It will feature the US debut of UK guitarist Laura Snowden, Jérôme Ducharme, Robert Trent, Claude Laflamme, and the Leisner / Fernández Duo.
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.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Long Island Guitar Festival or your company or organization is interested in becoming a Festival sponsor, or advertising in the Festival Program Book which is distributed at all Festival events, please e-mail us or call 516-299-3181.
Join the Festival Mailing List.
Festival Address:
Long Island Guitar Festival
Department of Music
LIU Post
720 Northern Blvd.
Brookville, NY 11548
Long Island Guitar Festival
Harris Becker, Director
James Erickson, Assistant Director
John Meschi, Advisor & Website Manager
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Last update: September 23, 2018
Since 1993 the Long Island Guitar Festival has proudly presented such distinguished guitarists and performers as (in alphabetical order):
High School Classical Guitarists: watch for details on how you can enter our 2019 National High School Classical Guitar Competition.
Guitarists and Performers: watch for details on how you can participate in a Festival 2019 Master Class.
High School Guitar Ensemble Directors: if you are interested in having your ensemble perform in a 2019 Long Island Guitar Festival Ensemble Showcase please read the Ensemble Showcases page.
Guitar Teachers and Guitarists: if you or your students would like to perform with the 2019 LIGF Guitar Orchestra please read the Guitar Orchestra page.
Music Events of Interest
Long Island Guitar Festival
Department of Music
LIU Post
720 Northern Blvd.
Brookville, NY 11548