Viljandi Kitarrifestival

Every autumn, the Viljandi Guitar Festival and Jazz Estonia give out the Tiit Paulus Young Guitarist Award. The aim of the award is to highlight the accomplishments of talented young Estonian musicians and to encourage them to improve their guitar playing skills even more. Tiit Paulus is considered a legendary guitar player and one of the most influential jazz guitar and improvisation teachers in Estonia. 

 

‼️ Attention, guitar players up to 26 years old ‼️

Viljandi Guitar Festival and the Estonian Jazz Association are awarding a Tiit Paulus Young Guitarist Award for the 15th time.

The winner of the award will receive a performance at the 2023 Viljandi Guitar Festival, a Sinisalu Guitars guitar care award, two performances in the Estonian Jazz Association program and 1,000 euros in prize money from the Estonian Jazz Association in cooperation with the Cultural Endowment of Estonia. 

To apply, send to the chairman of the jury Ain Agana (info@viljandiguitar.ee) no later than 7.10.2022 at 23.59:

✨ CV of your creative activity;

✨ video of your guitar playing or performance;

✨ a free-form motivational letter in which you answer the questions “How will winning the prize benefit me?” and “Where do I see myself in five years?”.

The assessment takes into account both skill in handling instruments and creativity. Feel free to apply! 

13 talented Estonian musicians have already had the honour of receiving the Tiit Paulus Young Guitarist Award:

2008 – Virgo Sillamaa

2009 – Erki Pärnoja

2010 – Laur Joamets

2011 – Martin Matt

2012 – Jaan-Alari Jaanson

2013 – Erko Niit

2014 – Madis Meister

2015 – Paul Neitsov

2016 – Merje Kägu

2017 – Kalle Pilli

2018 – Jaanis Kill

2019 – Johannes Laas

2020 – Karl Madis Pennar

2021 – Jaagup Jürgel