Gitarløftet

Vision: Gitarløft (Lift up the Guitar!) will contribute to increasing interest in classical guitar in Norway. It aims to help young people who want to play the guitar and present the instrument to as many people as possible.

Events 2022/23:

June 2022
The Norwegian Guitar festival at Toneheim

A classical guitar festival for lovers of the guitar at all levels with national and international teachers held for the tenth time. Participating artists/teachers included a.o. Zoran Dukic, Paolo Pegoraro, Anabel Montesinos and Sondre Høymer.

22nd/23rd October 2022
Midgard competition in Horten

National competition for young musicians on all instruments, from 2022 including guitar (this year 12-19 years old)

In addition, younger children played together in a large guitar orchestra, and were able to hear those who took part in the competition.

March 2023
Oslo Guitar Days including The Guitar Teacher Conference in Oslo

The Norwegian Academy of Music has during many years organized annual guitar teacher conferences for guitar teachers in Scandinavia. The aim has been to further educate and inspire guitar teachers of all ages and levels.

In 2023 the this will be expanded to Oslo Guitar Days, where in addition to the conference, young talents will have the opportunity to receive masterclasses, play concerts, as well as participate in an international guitar competition with important prizes.

June 2023
Norwegian Guitar Festival in collaboration with Valdres summer Symphony

With focus on solo playing and chamber music with international artists such as Pablo Marquez, Petra Polackova and Paul Galbraith as well as various local teachers.

Pilot project:
”Nano concerts” 2022/23
A recruitment project whereby recently graduated guitarists will play mini-concerts of 10-15 minutes for children in their local environment. As the classical guitar is completely absent in the national media, it is very important that children and young people get to experience it up close, played by skilled performers who are not too far away from them in age.

• Short concerts at schools and other public institutions
• Followed up with information on where interested children can learn to play classical guitar
• Performed by young guitarists that children and young people can easily relate to

The main sponsor of the “Gitarløft” is Sparebankstiftelsen