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Best of the West: The Inaugural Arizona State Acoustic Guitar Championship
Competition Rules & Information
The Best of the West: The Inaugural Arizona State Acoustic Guitar Championship will take place as part of the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion at WestWorld of Scottsdale.
Best of the West is designed to help outstanding artists expand their audience. Competitors will perform before a broad cross-section of community members at one of Arizona’s premier lifestyle events. Selected artists will be encouraged to share their journey through social media before, during, and after the championship, helping to build visibility for both the artists and the event.
Awards
Championship Awards
- First Prize: $2,500 and a performance at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix
- Second Prize: $300
- Third Prize: $200
Special Recognition Awards
Awards for Best Original Composition and the Outstanding Arrangement Award are open to any of the twelve selected competitors and may be awarded by the jury to recognize exceptional artistry and achievement.
The Audience Favorite Award will be determined by audience vote during the Championship Round and awarded from among the three finalists
These distinctions include a commemorative certificate.
All winners will receive generous string prizes from D’Addario.
Eligibility
The competition is open to acoustic guitarists of all backgrounds.
- No age or residency restrictions.
- No application fee.
- Competitors must be available to appear in person on Saturday, November 7, 2026, for all live competition rounds.
Live Competition Format
Twenty competitors will be selected through the online screening process to participate in the live championship on Saturday, November 7, 2026, 12-4pm.
Preliminary Round
20 Competitors
- Performance time: up to 4 minutes of stage time, performing a cover arrangement of music originally composed or made famous by another artist. Competitors are encouraged to bring their own creativity, musicianship, and artistic voice to these works.
Following the preliminary round performances, the jury will deliberate and select 6 semifinalists.
Semifinal Round
6 Finalists
- Performance time: up to 8 minutes on stage, including time between pieces. Semifinalists must include at least one cover arrangement within their performance; remaining repertoire may be covers or original material. Competitors are encouraged to bring their own creativity, musicianship, and artistic voice to these works.
- Competitors may repeat repertoire from previous rounds at their discretion.
Following the preliminary round performances, the jury will deliberate and select 6 semifinalists.
Championship Round
6 Finalists
- Performance time: up to 12 minutes on stage, including time between pieces. Finalists must include at least one cover arrangement within their performance; remaining repertoire may be covers or original material. Competitors are encouraged to bring their own creativity, musicianship, and artistic voice to these works.
- Competitors may repeat repertoire from previous rounds at their own discretion.
Following the championship round performances, the jury will deliberate and select the Best of the West Champion, and any additional prizes to be awarded.
Jury
The 2026 championship jury consists of:
- Ryan Ayers, fingerstyle guitarist and composer, faculty at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles
- Jorge Costa, recording engineer, faculty at the ASU Popular Music program
- Andrew Walesch, Artistic Director at the MIM Music Theater
Performance Requirements
The Best of the West celebrates the expressive possibilities of solo acoustic fingerstyle guitar, emphasizing musicianship, creativity, and authentic live performance. The competition is designed to showcase what one performer can achieve with one instrument while creating an engaging experience for both dedicated guitar enthusiasts and new audiences alike.
- Performances must be presented exclusively on fingerstyle acoustic solo guitar.
- Vocals are not permitted.
- Looping devices and backing tracks are not permitted. Performances must represent the artistry of a single performer in real time.
- Competitors must perform using a direct instrument output or onboard pickup system. Microphones will not be used for guitar amplification.
Performance Environment
The championship takes place within the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships, creating a one-of-a-kind performance atmosphere unlike a traditional concert hall.
The stage is located adjacent to the polo field in an outdoor festival setting. Competitors should expect ambient activity associated with a major public event and are encouraged to select repertoire that communicates effectively in an energetic environment while showcasing their artistry and musicianship.
Judging
Competitors will be evaluated on:
- Musicianship
- Technical proficiency
- Creativity and originality
- Quality of arrangements
- Artistic expression
- Stage presence
- Audience engagement
The decisions of the jury are final.
We look forward to welcoming exceptional acoustic guitarists from across the country for the Best of the West: The Inaugural Arizona State Acoustic Guitar Championship. Join us in launching what we hope will become one of the Southwest’s premier showcases for solo acoustic fingerstyle guitar.
How to Apply
Applications will be submitted through this website and include:
- Basic contact information.
- A YouTube link to a performance video:
- May be recorded at home or during a live performance.
- Must be a single, continuous, unedited performance of fingerstyle guitar, without special effects or singing.
- Must be at least 2 minutes and no longer than 10 minutes.
- Audio replacement, overdubs, and post-production editing are not permitted.
The submitted video will be used for pre-screening by the Artistic Committee.
Application Deadline: October 15, 2026
Competitor Notification: October 18, 2026
Twenty competitors will be invited to participate in the live championship.
As a condition of accepting an invitation to compete, selected competitors agree to help promote the event by sharing their Best of the West experience on their social media channels before and during the event. Our goal is to help competitors gain meaningful exposure while introducing new audiences to the artistry of acoustic fingerstyle guitar.
Questions?
Email us at guitar@thepoloparty.com
Apply Now
Competition Rules, Release of Liability, and Media Authorization
By submitting an application to the Best of the West Acoustic Guitar Championship, I acknowledge and agree to the following:
Competition Rules
- I have read and agree to abide by all published competition rules and eligibility requirements.
- I understand that the Artistic Committee reserves the right to interpret the rules and resolve any questions regarding eligibility or competition procedures.
- I understand that all decisions of the jury and Artistic Committee are final and not subject to appeal.
- I understand that failure to comply with the published rules or directions of event staff may result in disqualification.
Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability
I understand that participation in the Best of the West Acoustic Guitar Championship is voluntary. I assume all risks associated with travel to and participation in the competition and release and hold harmless the Best of the West Acoustic Guitar Championship, the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships, WestWorld of Scottsdale, their organizers, sponsors, volunteers, judges, employees, contractors, and affiliates from any and all claims, demands, damages, liabilities, losses, costs, or expenses arising from my participation in the competition, except to the extent caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct.
I understand that I am responsible for my own instrument, personal belongings, transportation, lodging, and insurance.
Media Authorization
I grant permission to the Best of the West Acoustic Guitar Championship, the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships, and their promotional partners to photograph, record, livestream, and otherwise capture my participation in the competition and to use my name, likeness, biography, performance images, audio, and video recordings for promotional, educational, archival, and marketing purposes in any media without additional compensation.
I understand that selected competitors are expected to support promotion of the championship through their own social media channels by sharing their participation and tagging the event and its official partners.
By submitting my application, I certify that all information provided is accurate and that I agree to the terms above.