Led by professor Tom Patterson, the guitar department at the University of Arizona in Tucson is known for being of the top guitar programs in the nation. It is host to many successful students who have placed in some of the top competitions in the U.S including the Guitar Foundation of America competition and abroad, like the Tarrega and Alhambra Competitions.
The UofA Guitar Department is proud to host internationally acclaimed artists Sergio and Odair Assad and David Russell as artists in residence who are able to provide concerts and master classes to our talented guitar majors.
The guitar department also hosts 5 in-house competitions: The Beeston Memorial Competition, the David Russell Bach Prize, and the Sholin Memorial Competition for the entire department, including graduate and doctoral students; and the Wolfe Memorial and Schaffer Memorial Competition for undergrads only.