The 2025 Annual AGS Bickford Competition
As of 10 pm September 1st, all of the 7 competition slots for DIV 1 are filled, and all 7 slots for DIV 2 are also filled. Thank you for your interest and participation in our annual competition!
The Bickford Competition is held annually by AGS in the Fall. Seven contestants in the Division 1 category (ages 8-13) and seven 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 non-amplified, nylon string, classical guitars. Once a contestant accomplishes a 1st place win in a division, we ask that they consider that to be a truly convincing accomplishment and graciously step aside to not compete again in the same division.
The 2025 Bickford Competition will take place at the AGS meeting Saturday, November 1st, 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 6th, 2025 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 by email 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 7 competitors only. Once the maximum number of 7 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 2 applicants per Division may be accepted as contestants (2 applicants in Division 1, and 2 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.
