Good news for guitarists from around the world! Due to an unexpected technical break affecting the website in August, the organizers of the 20th International Jan Edmund Jurkowski Guitar Competition have decided to extend the application deadline. If you have not had enough time to prepare your application so far, now is the perfect moment to join the participants of the competition, organized as part of the 20th Silesian Guitar Autumn Festival in Tychy.
The competition will take place on 20–24 October 2026, and all solo guitarists, regardless of age, education, or country of residence, are eligible to participate.
€14,000 in main cash prizes — and much more
This year’s competition offers an exceptionally attractive prize pool. The top participants can compete for:
- 1st Prize – €8,000
- 2nd Prize – €4,000
- 3rd Prize – €2,000
- €500 for each of the remaining finalists.
The total value of the financial prizes specified in the regulations is therefore €14,000, not including additional prizes and distinctions.
But this is not simply a competition for cash prizes. For young and established artists alike, participation is above all an opportunity to meet and compete with guitarists from different countries, present their skills before an international jury, and gain valuable stage experience at one of Poland’s major guitar events.
A Final with the AUKSO Orchestra
One of the most unique elements of the competition is its Final. The finalists will perform a selected guitar concerto with the AUKSO Chamber Orchestra of the City of Tychy.
For many guitarists, this experience can become an important milestone in their artistic careers. Preparing and performing a solo concerto in dialogue with a professional orchestra provides not only tremendous satisfaction, but also invaluable stage experience.
The history of the competition shows how important participation in Tychy can be for an artist’s career. Previous editions have awarded winners not only cash prizes, but also instruments, material prizes, invitations to give recitals, and opportunities to perform at guitar festivals in Poland and abroad.
A competition open to every guitarist
The 20th International Jan Edmund Jurkowski Guitar Competition is open to solo guitarists regardless of age, education, or country of residence. This means that students of music schools and conservatoires, as well as guitarists developing their artistic careers outside the formal education system, are all welcome to apply.
The first stage of the competition is based on a recording submitted by the participant. The subsequent stages provide an opportunity to present a broader repertoire, while the finalists face the unique challenge of performing a concerto with an orchestra.
Don’t put off your application
The technical break affecting the website in August was a situation beyond the organizers’ control. In order to provide everyone interested in taking part with a full and comfortable opportunity to prepare and submit their applications, the registration deadline has been extended.
This is an additional opportunity for those who had planned to participate but did not manage to register earlier.
If the guitar is your passion and the competition stage is the next step on your artistic journey, apply for the 20th International Jan Edmund Jurkowski Guitar Competition.
For the twentieth time, Tychy will become a meeting place for guitarists, teachers, jury members, and audiences fascinated by guitar music. Perhaps this is where the next important chapter of your career will begin.
Apply today! The deadline is September 8!
Competition details and application form:
guitar.tychy.pl/konkurs/
Contact: contact@guitar.tychy.pl
20th International Jan Edmund Jurkowski Guitar Competition
20–24 October 2026 | Tychy | 20th Silesian Guitar Autumn Festival
Don’t miss your chance. The stage is waiting.