Welcome to The Ottawa/Gatineau Guitar Competition.
Date and time: Sunday, November 15, 2026. Exact times tba.
Location: Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau. 430 Alexandre Taché Boulevard, Gatineau.
This a modest event sitting near the end of the autumnal semester. It seeks to be a gathering of the Ottawa/Gatineau classical guitar family in which practitioners of the instrument can measure themselves, get in a performance, and get some feedback. All this in a non-competitive, safe, and encouraging environment that is somehow still fostering excellence and personal bests. Think of it like a streamlined masterclass.
While there is a cost to perform in the competition, anyone can be in the audience for free. Participating guitarists will receive comments from the adjudicator and a standing of gold, silver, or bronze – and a nice certificate that says so!
Adjudicator:
For the inaugural session, the adjudicator will be internationally renowned guitarist Jérôme Ducharme. Jérôme is one of Canada’s finest guitarists. Among his many accomplishments, the most prestigious is probably his 2005 victory at the Guitar Foundation of America’s International Concert Artist Competition, which is the world’s most celebrated and highly regarded classical guitar competition. Jérôme is a seasoned teacher (he is guitar professor at the Conservatoire de Montréal) and performer (currently a member of both Trio Tangere and the Canadian Guitar Quartet), who brings many years of experience and expertise to his adjudication.
Registration
Click here to register.
Registration opens October 15th 2026 at 8:00 am and closes November 1st 2026 at 11:59 pm. No registrations will be accepted after this deadline.
General Rules and Eligibility
- The Ottawa/Gatineau Guitar Competition is open to all students residing in the Ottawa/Gatineau general area.
- The performances will happen in a public setting, before the adjudicator and an audience (made up, usually, of other guitarists in the same class, their families and other guitar enthusiasts)
- In case of Covid-19 or alike pandemics, the Ottawa/Gatineau Guitar Competition reserves the right to switch to virtual format.
- Requests for further clarification of these rules may be made in writing to the Competition Email.
Repertoire Guidelines
- Once a piece has been performed in the festival, it may not be performed by the same guitarist in a subsequent year.
- The level of graded classes should correspond to the levels of the Royal Conservatory of Music Toronto, Conservatory Canada or any other officially recognized Canadian syllabus, including but not limited to Suzuki Guitar curriculum.
- IMPORTANT: No repertoire changes or substitutions will be allowed after the registration has been submitted to the festival, even if the registration period is still open.
- IMPORTANT: Participants should follow the time limits, indicated under Classes. Total performance times include applause and pauses, and will be strictly enforced. The adjudicators reserve the right to stop a performance if the guitarist exceeds the allotted class time and may not evaluate the exceeded performance time. Any participant who fails to comply with this rule won’t be eligible for standings (gold/silver/bronze/merit), nor awards.
- IMPORTANT: Participants are not allowed to perform pieces/movements that are not listed in their registration form. The festival and/or adjudicators reserve the right to stop the performance. Adjudicators may not evaluate any substituted piece(s).
- Memorization is encouraged.
- Simplified versions of any piece at any grade are not allowed – original version only.
Copies of Scores for Adjudicators
- We ask that each participant brings to the festival check-in desk a copy of their music for the adjudicator. In all classes it must be an original score. A score will be considered original when a copyrighted book is presented, or a downloaded and printed piece is presented with the purchase receipt. Music that is in the public domain, and therefore available to be downloaded for free, must have the IMSLP listing attached (visit imslp.org to print a screen shot). Scores and copies should be presented to the front desk at check-in. PDFs from a paid Scribd or Musescore account are ineligible.
- Please note that in absence of an original copy the student will not be considered for awards.
Evaluation and Results
- As a community festival run by volunteers, we encourage teachers of participating students to be involved in the running of the competition during the day-of. Volunteer opportunities available include the check-in desk (info desk, music collection, etc.).
- Adjudicators will not evaluate their own students or family members.
- Decisions of the jury are final. No appeals or reviews will be accepted.
- The Ottawa/Gatineau Guitar Competition awards Gold/Silver/Bronze/Merit standings to our participants. We don’t hand out 1st/2nd/3rd places. Each certificate represents a level of quality, and so several students can receive a Gold, and the same with other standings.
- Participants will be issued comment sheets and certificates at the end of the class.
- Marks are not given to participants in order to discourage an unnecessarily competitive atmosphere. They are kept only by the OGGC administration in order to give out awards.
Scholarships, Awards and Medals
- Outstanding performers will be considered for awards. Participants must receive a minimum standing of gold to qualify. These are determined by marks given by the adjudicator, and kept by the festival administration. The number of awards delivered will be based on available funds.
Photos/Videos
- The Ottawa/Gatineau Guitar Competition will ask permission at the time of registration to use any photos/videos of participants for the festival website, its media and for publicity purposes.
- Participating families are allowed to take photos/videos of their own children, and are not allowed to take photos/videos of other participants nor adjudicators without their permission.
Cancellations and Refunds
41. The Ottawa/Gatineau Guitar Competition will not provide refunds, all registrations are final.