Lending an ear: Australian guitarist Slava Grigoryan will be among the jurors at the Ha Noi Open Classical Guitar Competition. — Photo abc.net.au

HA NOI (VNS)- The first Ha Noi Open Classical Guitar Competition will begin on Monday with 32 contestants set to participate.

The competition is open to the public and aims to give contestants a chance to showcase their performing skills as well as their knowledge of classical music.

There will be three age categories for contestants under 13 years of age; from 13 to 16 and from 17 to 30 year olds.

Six contestants from the categories will be chosen to enter the final rounds on October 26 and 27.

In the final rounds, contestants under the age of 13 will play a piece by Fernando Carulli, while the 13-16 group will be required to play a piece by Fernando Sor.

A piece by Agustin Barrios will be performed by the oldest age group. Additionally, the contestants will perform two pieces chosen by themselves in the final round.

"The first classical guitar competition is held by the Viet Nam Academy of Music (VNAM) to review training of guitar players in Viet Nam to help upgrade teaching methods," said artist Luu Quang Minh from the VNAM.

"It also aims to discover new Vietnamese talent in this area," he said.

Minh heads a seven-member jury board including Australian guitarist Slava Grigoryan and Italian musician Ermanno Bottiglieri.

Grigoryan has won major prizes at international classical guitar competitions and has played with leading orchestras and legendary jazz guitarists.

"He will ensure the quality and high standards of the competition," said Australian's representative at the press conference in Ha Noi.

During his time in Ha Noi, Grigoryan will also play with visually impaired students from the Nguyen Dinh Chieu School, proving that music knows no boundaries.

A concert will be performed by members of the judging panel at the VNAM's hall to provide a chance for guitar students and contestants to learn from the experts. — VNS