From October 23–25, 2026, Schweinfurt will become a hub for international guitar artistry: 22 guitarists from 14 countries will compete in three rounds. The finals and winners’ concert will take place on October 25 at the Georg Schäfer Museum.
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION MUSIKFORUM SCHWEINFURT e.V.
2026
International Guitar Elite in Schweinfurt: Musikforum Hosts Competition for Solo Guitar
This fall, Schweinfurt will once again become a hub for international guitar artistry: From October 23 to 25, 2026, 22 world-class guitarists from 14 countries will gather to showcase their talents at the International Music Competition of the Musikforum Schweinfurt.
Following last year’s chamber music competition, the focus this time is on solo guitar. Over three rounds of competition, the participants will present a challenging and varied solo program, showcasing the full sonic and stylistic diversity of the instrument.
The international lineup underscores the competition’s high standing: 22 participants from 14 nations will bring a wide variety of musical traditions, interpretive approaches, and personal visions of sound to Schweinfurt. Once again, the city will serve as a stage for young international guitar talents and established emerging musicians.
An international jury of experts evaluates the performances and decides on the awarding of prizes. Over the course of several rounds, the participants must demonstrate their musical skill, technical mastery, and individual artistic expressiveness. In each round, they must meet demanding repertoire requirements. For example, a composition by the renowned Weimar composer Peter Helmut Lang was created specifically as the required piece for the first round. While the first two rounds take place at the Kolping Hotel, the final round at the Georg Schäfer Museum will ultimately feature the best performances
For more information, tickets and last-minute changes, visit the event page.
