The Youth Guitarathon
Our 2026 Event
On May 23, 2026, we welcomed over 20 young guitar players for our annual Youth Guitarathon!
MGS wants to thank all of our performers for their participation and sharing where they are in their musical journey with us. We would also like to thank Annett Richter for coordinating the event, as well as Brent Weaver and Jared Waln for their help judging the auditions.
The energy, passion, presence, show by everyone involved made this year’s event truly special!
About the Event
Students: Our goal is to nurture and encourage all young guitarists. Auditons are typically in April and take place in a friendly, supportive environment with qualified judges that will provide you with helpful feedback. Then, in May, you get to play on stage, along with your peers, at Sundin Music Hall! The hall is not only beautiful but has amazing acoustics. It’s a fantastic opportunity to show the world what you have to offer and gain valuable experience performing in front of a live audience.
Parents and Guitar Teachers: The Minnesota Guitar Society’s panel of judges chooses the concert performers at an audition prior to the event. The audition isn’t a competitive event, and neither is the Youth Guitarathon: no one is ever declared a “winner.” The auditioning panel consists of experienced judges, all professional guitarists from different backgrounds, using criteria like musicianship, skill level, stage presence, and diversity of style. Every young guitarist who auditions will receive a comment sheet from the judges.