July 31-August 1, 2026
DoubleTree Hotel Dallas Near the Galleria
4099 Valley View Lane, Dallas Texas 75244
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COME WATCH THE COMPETITION! FREE – NO TICKET REQUIRED TO WATCH!
Texas State Banjo Championship – Fri. July 31 2026 – 2:00p to 5:00p
Texas State Guitar Championship – Sat. August 1 2026 – 9:30a to 12:30p
Texas State Mandolin Championship – Sat. August 1 2026 – 1:00p to 4:00p
Each contest is limited to 10 contestants.
Contestants do not have to be a resident of Texas to participate.
Contest registration fee is $20 in advance; $25 at the door (if space available).
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! SIGN UP TODAY!
How many contest spots are still available? Guitar – 6 | Mandolin – 8 | Banjo – 3
*This available spot counter is not automatic. The page is updated manually from time to time.
We will keep a waitlist – if your category is full, please e-mail us to be placed on the list.
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1st Place: $500, 2026 Texas State Champion Title, and Commemorative Plaque
2nd Place: $250 & Commemorative Plaque
3rd Place: $100 & Commemorative Plaque
Download the CONTEST RULES here.
Download a SAMPLE JUDGE’S SCORING SHEET here.
Contest terms subject to change at any time prior to commencement of contest.
Note: Any contestant who places in multiple contests and wins $600 or more (in total) must complete an IRS Form W9 before payment can be made. Contestants who win $600 or more receive IRS Form 1099 for their winnings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our Host Hotel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The DoubleTree Dallas Hotel near the Galleria invit
es us to a weekend of non-stop jamming! DESIGNATED JAMMING ROOMS will be available for 24-hour jamming – a list of at least three designated jam/meeting rooms will be provided at check-in. Jamming in hotel guest rooms will be permitted until bedtime (hours posted at check-in), but you can still jam in the 24-hour jam rooms.
DISCOUNTED ROOM RATES of $135/night for the Texas State Championships and the Farmers Branch Bluegrass Festival are available at this link (THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHTS) and includes breakfast buffet for two people per room. NOTE: Your hotel room does not include festival tickets, which can be purchased separately.
The Foundation has partnered with the DoubleTree to make this weekend possible, and we need your help to make it work. Rooms booked through our links are the only ones that count toward our quota.
You may also book by phone by calling (972) 385-9000 and asking for the BLUEGRASS rate.
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The Texas State Championships were made possible by the generous support of these incredible sponsors.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 STATE CHAMPIONS!
Guitar (1st): John-Samuel May, Waco, Texas
Guitar (2nd): Jed Clark, Nashville, Tennessee
Guitar (3rd): Scott Owen, Garland, Texas
Banjo (1st): Luke Lastelick, Dallas, Texas
Banjo (2nd): Read Horton, Savoy, Texas
Banjo (3rd): Kalip Cole, Deville, Louisiana
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 STATE CHAMPIONS!
Guitar (1st): Parker Jensen, Georgetown Texas
Guitar (2nd): Jean-Baptiste Cardineau, Austin Texas
Guitar (3rd): Jon Lundbom, Austin Texas
Banjo (1st): Daniel Voeller, Garden Ridge, Texas
Banjo (2nd): Izaak Mora, Round Rock Texas
Banjo (3rd): Jon Lundbom, Austin Texas
Mandolin (1st): Samuel Smith, Mesquite Texas
Mandolin (2nd): Jean-Baptiste Cardineau, Austin Texas
Mandolin (3rd): Emily Voeller, Garden Ridge Texas
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Contestants (and parents and guardians of contestants), please click to review the Photo and Video Release terms. Participation in any Championship contest constitutes consent to these terms.
