BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPOSITION COMPETITION
« ILSE & NICOLAS ALFONSO » 2025
This annual competition, unique to Brussels, was created in 2021 by the Brussels International Guitar Festival.
Its purpose is to extend the classical guitar repertoire.
It pays tribute to Maestros Ilse ALFONSO (1929-2017) and Nicolas ALFONSO (1913-2001) who opened the first guitar classes in the Belgian Music Academies as well as the guitar class at the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles - École Supérieure des Arts in 1965.
Nicolas Alfonso was also a composer and a member of the SABAM.
Numerous works by Rodrigo, Absil, Baervoets, etc., were composed and dedicated to Ilse and Nicolas Alfonso.
With the support of the National Lottery
Terms of admission
The 2025 International Guitar Composition Competition is open to all composers, irrespective of nationality and of any age.
Following deliberation by the Jury, ONE WORK will be awarded which best enhance the expressive and poetical values, virtuosity and techniques of the classical guitar.
The proposed work must be composed for the classical guitar (6 strings or above).
The work must be a complete piece and may include several movements.
The work must not have been published, or played, or promoted in any way whatsoever (YouTube, composer’s website, social media, publishing house, concerts or recitals, public videos, etc.).
The work must not be in receipt of any award from any other competition worldwide.
The same composer may submit several works. In this case, a full application form and the appropriate registration fee must be submitted for each work.
To enter the Competition, the composer is required to email the duly completed application form, the .pdf file of the work and the audio .pdf file (mp3 or midi format) as well as proof of the registration fee payment.
Non-refundable registration fee : 75 EUR for each work.
The full Competition regulations and the application form can be obtained as of now via the electronic form below or by email : info(at)bigfest.be.
Organisation and programme
Wednesday, 19 November 2025 at midnight (Belgian time)
Deadline for requests for the full Competition regulations and application form via the electronic form below or by email info(at)bigfest.be.
Friday, 21 November 2025 at midnight (Belgian time)
Deadline by which the completed application form, the .pdf file of the work, the audio .pdf (mp3 or midi format) as well as the proof of the registration fee payment must have been received by the Competition organisers.
Sunday, 30 November 2025
Announcement of winners and awards ceremony.
SELECTION BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Reading and listening by the Jury of the work submitted in accordance with the detailed instructions in the full set of competition regulations, which must be requested via the electronic form below or by email info(at)bigfest.be.
Duration of work : from 7 to 8 minutes (not less than 7 minutes and not more than 8 minutes).
The work may contain annotations necessary to its performance (fingerings, nuances, specific techniques, etc.).
The work must be submitted in a .pdf file (in A4 format) by mail or via WeTransfer to info(at)bigfest.be.
The composer’s name must not appear on any page of the submitted work.
The composer must attach an audio file of the work (mp3 or midi format) without mentioning his /her name.
Following the deliberation, the Jury will award only one work.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNER AND AWARDS CEREMONY - free admission
Sunday, 30 November 2025 - time to be confirmed
Venue: Hay Doun Cultural Centre - 83 Rue du Gaz - 1020 Brussels - Belgium (Festival venue)
AWARDS
The First Prize of the 2025 Brussels International Guitar Composition Competition « Ilse & Nicolas Alfonso” will receive :
- 1.500 EUR (one thousand and five hundred euros),
- a diploma,
- execution of the work during the Brussels International Guitar Festival & Competitions 2026,
- promotion of a recording of the work on the Festival’s channels (Youtube, Facebook, etc.),
- promotion of the work among the Festival’s partners (medias: radio, newspapers, etc.),
- publication of the work via an editor (to be confirmed – information to follow).
Jury
The Jury will mainly comprise personalities from the Belgian and International artistic world.
The Jury’s decisions are final.
The Jury reserves the right not to present certain prizes if it deems the level to be insufficient.