The University of Rhode Island Guitar & Mandolin Festival is an annual international gathering held each October at the University of Rhode Island that brings together world-class performers, educators, students, and enthusiasts from around the globe. The festival serves as both a performance platform and an educational hub, featuring concerts, masterclasses, lectures, workshops, a guitar expo, and a composer-in-residence. Programs are designed for musicians of all ages and levels, including the Rising Stars Young Guitarists Program for players ages 6–17. The mandolin program includes both a course for passionate mandolin enthusiasts and amateurs, as well as the Elite Mandolin Soloists Program for exceptional young artists pursuing professional careers. The festival also hosts an Online International Mandolin Competition and a Hybrid International Guitar Competition, with an online preliminary round followed by live semifinal and final rounds on campus for twelve selected semifinalists. Competition prizes include cash awards, performance tour opportunities, and support from leading industry partners, including educational platform subscriptions and strings. Serving the community in a vibrant and meaningful way, the festival celebrates the artistry of classical guitar and mandolin while fostering mentorship, collaboration, and musical discovery. The festival is directed by Artistic Director Adam Levin and Mandolin Director Jacob Reuven.
To learn more, please visit www.URIGMFest.org