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Long Island Guitar Festival 2025: A Global Celebration of Guitar Excellence
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Long Island Guitar Festival 2025: A Global Celebration of Guitar Excellence
Setauket, NY – February 1, 2025 – The 33rd annual Long Island Guitar Festival, an eclectic and international gathering of world-class guitarists, will take place from April 30 – May 4, 2025, at the Setauket Presbyterian Church in Setauket, NY.
Presented in partnership with Setauket Presbyterian Church and the Oberon Foundation, the festival continues its long-standing tradition of excellence in guitar performance and pedagogy, bringing together artists, students, and enthusiasts from across the globe.
“The ‘Long Island’ in the festival title clearly refers to its location and origins, rather than to its scope.” — The New York Times
A Unique Opportunity to Experience World-Class Talent
Founded in 1993 by Harris Becker, the Long Island Guitar Festival offers attendees an immersive experience featuring concerts, master classes, workshops, and high school ensemble showcases. The festival also hosts the prestigious National High School Classical Guitar Competition, where the first-place winner will receive a handcrafted classical guitar donated by Long Island luthier Brian Itzkin.
This year’s festival will feature an outstanding lineup of performers, including:
• Raphaella Smits – “Smits plays with more heart than anybody should be allowed to have.” – Tom Chandler, Classical Guitar Corner
• Hao Yang – “Technical Wizard.” – Cleveland Classical
• Jérémy Jouve – “Jouve is thrilling… handles the architecture better than any I’ve heard.” – American Record Guide
• Kithara Duo – “This is state-of-the-art duo playing. If you haven’t discovered them, you should.” – American Record Guide
• Mela Guitar Quartet – “Collective technical brilliance and preternatural ensemble making for a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience.” – Gramophone
• Harris Becker & Friends
• Nathan Park, winner of the 2024 Long Island Guitar Festival High School Classical Guitar Competition
Showcasing Ensembles & Premieres
In addition to solo performances, the festival will showcase renowned guitar ensembles, including:
• NJMEA High School Honors Guitar Orchestra
• New Jersey Guitar Orchestra (featuring a world premiere by Olga Amelkina-Vera)
• New York City Classical Guitar Orchestra
• James Madison High School Guitar Ensemble
• Susan E. Wagner High School Guitar Ensemble
National High School Classical Guitar Competition
The 10th annual National High School Classical Guitar Competition is open to high school students from across the United States who are not under professional management. The competition is limited to the first 30 applicants who submit all required materials by April 1, 2025.
Full competition rules, performer details, and the festival schedule are available at www.ligfest.net.
Join Us for an Unforgettable Musical Experience
The Long Island Guitar Festival remains dedicated to fostering a vibrant artistic community while continuing its legacy of exceptional musical education and performance. Whether you are a musician, student, or music lover, this festival is an opportunity to experience some of the finest guitarists in the world up close.
For more information, please visit www.ligfest.net or contact
### Press Contact:
Harris Becker
