The Annual AGS Bickford Competition
The Bickford Competition is held annually by AGS in the Fall. Eight contestants in the Division 1 category (ages 8-13) and eight in the Division 2 category (ages 14-17) enroll on a first come, first served basis to perform at an AGS meeting where they are judged by a panel of three accredited, college-level professors. Winners receive cash prizes and AGS membership for one year. All pieces are to be performed on nylon string classical guitars.
Division 1 is for contestants who are 8 to 13 years of age on 11/2/2024. Only 8 applicants will be accepted.* The first place award for Division 1 is $200 and the second place award is $125.
Division 2 is for contestants who are 14 to 17 years of age om 11/2/2024. Only 8 applicants will be accepted.* The first place award for Division 2 is $250 and the second place award is $150.
Division 1 is required to play a minimum of two pieces with an option to add a third piece. Division 2 is required to play one piece with an option to add a second piece. For both Divisions, the total durations of pieces performed should be between 6 and 10 minutes.
The 2024 Bickford Competition will take place at the AGS meeting Saturday, November 2nd, from 7:30 to 10:00 PM. Note: parent or guardian MUST accompany the contestant to the competition. First and second place winners from each division will receive award checks and certificates of merit at the AGS December 7th, 2024 meeting.
Enrollment applications are accepted beginning September 1st. Please complete and submit the following information to AGS by October 15th. Contestants can change their performance pieces up until October 29th by resubmitting the Scholarship Application form. If you have any questions, need to cancel, or make an exception, please contact Michael Camp at (818) 793-8176 or email him at (michael_ags@yahoo.com.)
Note, in addition to basic enrollment information, you will need to provide the name, phone number and email of your guitar teacher.
*Each Division is limited on a first come, first served basis to 8 competitors only. Once the maximum number of 8 applicants in either Division has been reached, the enrollment application process for that Division will be closed. For each participating guitar teacher's studio, a maximum of 4 applicants per Division may be accepted as contestants (4 applicants in Division 1, and 4 applicants in Division 2). The AGS reserves the right to close the application process at any time. The AGS reserves the right to change or modify the rules of the competition at any time, without notice.
The AGS Bickford Award Application
(Applications accepted beginning September 1st, 2024.)