Teachers
The advanced masterclasses will be held by Maestro Giampaolo Bandini and Maestro Carlo Marchione.
Regulations 2026
Masterclass & Competition Regulations
Official regulations of the Valle d'Itria Guitar Festival 2026. Please read all sections carefully before registering.
Masterclass
Schedule and venue
Lessons will take place on 4, 5, 6 September 2026 in the historic centre of Martina Franca (Taranto, Italy) at the Salone delle Adunanze of the Associazione artigiana del mutuo soccorso, Piazza Plebiscito 17. Free repertoire.
General rules
Each lesson lasts 50 minutes. The final lesson schedule will be communicated to participants one week before the course.
1st International Competition «Valle d'Itria Guitar Festival»
Venues and dates
The competition has a single category: Solo section with no age limit. It is organised in two rounds:
Eliminatory round
Free programme of up to 15 minutes. Salone delle Adunanze, Piazza Plebiscito 17, Martina Franca (Taranto, Italy), Thursday 3 September from 9:00 AM. Open to the public.
Final round
The 3 selected finalists will perform a 20-minute free programme. Pieces performed in the eliminatory round may not be repeated. The final will be held as a concert at Villa Mitolo in Locorotondo on 4 September at 8:00 PM. The organisation will arrange transport for the 3 finalists from Martina Franca to Locorotondo. The performance may be recorded in full and used by the organisation for promotional purposes.
Competition schedule
The detailed audition schedule will be published at least one week before activities begin.
Jury
The competition jury comprises: Carlo Marchione (final round), Giampaolo Bandini, Enrica Savigni, Marco Ramelli, Dario Vannini.
Prizes
Prizes for finalists are as follows:
- 1st Prize: €500 scholarship, prize concert at Murge Music Festival 2027, prize concert at Valle d'Itria Guitar Festival 2027, first prize diploma.
- 2nd Prize: 2 free masterclass lessons during the Valle d'Itria Guitar Festival 2026, second prize diploma.
- 3rd Prize: third prize diploma, strings and accessories.
The organisation reserves the right to add further prizes.
Registration
Registration closes on 30 July 2026. To register, complete the online form on the official website and attach the receipt for the €20 registration fee. When registering, you must select your chosen package from those listed in section 9. The attendance fee is payable on arrival at the organisational office.
Registration and attendance fees
Registration fee for all masterclass and competition participants: €20.
Attendance fees including masterclass and competition:
Full VGF Package — €280
- International competition entry
- 4 individual lessons (2 with Carlo Marchione + 2 with Giampaolo Bandini)
- Listener access to masterclasses and competition
- Complimentary ticket for the opening concert on 2 September at Teatro Cappelli in Martina Franca
- Transport from Martina Franca to Locorotondo and Cisternino for concerts
Smart Combo Package — €180
- International competition entry
- 2 individual lessons (1 with Carlo Marchione + 1 with Giampaolo Bandini)
- Listener access to masterclasses and competition
- Complimentary ticket for the opening concert on 2 September at Teatro Cappelli in Martina Franca
Masterclass — €240
- 4 individual lessons (2 with Giampaolo Bandini + 2 with Carlo Marchione)
- Listener access to masterclasses and competition
- Complimentary ticket for the opening concert on 2 September at Teatro Cappelli in Martina Franca
Competition — €80
- Competition entry only
- Listener access to competition
- Complimentary ticket for the opening concert on 2 September at Teatro Cappelli in Martina Franca
Listener — €50
- Listener access to all masterclasses and competition
Payment method
The registration fee must be paid by bank transfer:
- IBAN
- IT42X0306909606100000416304
- Beneficiary
- ArtCore APS
- Reference
- Quota associativa
General rules
- The registration fee is non-refundable unless the competition or masterclass is cancelled.
- For accommodation and partner deals in the historic centre of Martina Franca, please refer to our partner portal "Magica Valle d'Itria".
- By registering for the masterclass or international competition, you fully accept these regulations and grant permission for photographs and video recordings during activities.