“Andrés Segovia” International Classical Guitar Contest

On the occasion of his residence in this stunning location on the coast of Granada, on 6 June 1983 Andrés Segovia was appointed an "Honorary Citizen of the town of La Herradura and Almuñécar". The avenue that was formerly called the "Paseo de la Herradura" was renamed the "Paseo Andrés Segovia" and the “Andrés Segovia” International Classical Guitar Contest was created.

 

The first edition was held in January 1985 in the Church of San José and the renowned musicologist Antonio Martín Moreno was Chairman of the Jury. Since 2006 the contest has been held in the Auditorium at the Civic Centre of La Herradura round about 22 November, Saint Cecilia's Day, the patron saint of music. Between 1987 and 2015 the contest was accompanied by a competition for the composition of works for guitar. To coincide with the centenary of the birth of Andrés Segovia, since 1993 Her Majesty Queen Sofía has been the Honorary President of the Contest. Starting with the 31st edition (2015) the President of the Jury has been the musician and cultural manager Diego Martínez. Since 2021 the musicologist Francisco J. Giménez has been the Chairman of the Jury.

The Jury for the “Andrés Segovia” International Classical Guitar Contest includes internationally renowned professionals, such as Leo Brouwer, Antón García Abril, Jesús Villa Rojo, Claudio Prieto, Joaquín Clerch, Franz Halász and David Martínez, the last three being award-winning international guitarists in the first editions of the Contest.