Singapore Classical Guitar Community & Toa Payoh Guitar Club
Guitars will fill the National Library Building this June school holidays as the Guitar Festival at the Library 2026 brings two days of world-class performances, storytelling, hands-on learning, and a community celebration of one of the world's most beloved instruments.
Presented by the Singapore Classical Guitar Community (SCGC) in collaboration with Toa Payoh Guitar Club (TPGC) — Singapore's oldest and most established community guitar orchestra — and venue-supported by the National Library Board, the festival is designed to welcome everyone: curious families, aspiring musicians, serious performers, and seasoned enthusiasts alike. All events are free and open to the public.
Cultivating the classical guitar scene in Singapore.
Singapore's oldest community guitar orchestra, est. 1974.
Saturday, 13 June 2026 · 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Internationally acclaimed guitarist Dr. Stephen Mattingly leads a two-hour masterclass open for public observation with promising local classical guitarists. Members of the public are invited to observe as high-level technique, interpretation, and musicianship are explored in real time — a rare window into the world of serious guitar study.
Local poet Jennifer Leong breathes new life into beloved children's classics The Story of Ferdinand and The Velveteen Rabbit, accompanied by a live guitar trio. Suitable for children 3 years and above.
Guitar accompanists: Daniel Ng, Lim ZhiHao, Andrew Wee.
Dr. Stephen Mattingly returns for a solo recital, drawing on the classical guitar's extraordinary range in the open, resonant acoustics of the library foyer.
The Toa Payoh Guitar Club closes out the day with a 90-minute programme that is anything but a conventional concert. Anchored around the theme of love in all its forms, the showcase moves through the many ways the guitar has given voice to the human heart — from the tender blush of new romance to the bittersweet ache of youthful longing; from reverence for the natural world to the warmth and steadiness of family bonds. The programme spans genres and moods: lush guitar orchestral arrangements sit alongside stripped-back duets and nimble small ensemble numbers. Jazz standards rub shoulders with contemporary pieces and classical favourites. Across its many textures — solo voices, chamber groupings, and the full niibori guitar orchestra in full flight — the showcase reveals just how wide and warm the guitar's emotional palette can be.
with guest performers from Re:String Guitar Ensemble.
A globally acclaimed soloist and founding member of the Tantalus Quartet, Dr. Mattingly has performed from Weill Hall to major international festivals. Winner of the Theodore Presser Award, he has taught for over 17 years, currently chairs the Guitar Foundation of America, and holds degrees from FSU, Hochschule für Musik Detmold, and Accademia Musicale Chigiana.
A celebrated Singaporean poet and storyteller, Jennifer Leong brings literature to life through the spoken word, weaving music and narrative into an experience for audiences of all ages.
Singapore's Oldest Community Guitar Orchestra
Singapore's oldest community guitar ensemble, the Toa Payoh Guitar Club (TPGC), has united guitarists since 1974. With ensemble playing at its heart, it explores diverse genres through workshops, concerts and camaraderie, fostering shared passion and musical growth.
Founded in 1974 at the Toa Payoh Library, the club has grown into Singapore's longest-established community guitar ensemble. From its origins as a library music group to a flourishing independent organization, TPGC has played a pivotal role in promoting classical guitar in Singapore and has nurtured homegrown talents who have gained international acclaim. Featuring the Niibori guitar orchestra, which mirrors the depth of a full orchestra, Music Director and Principal Conductor Jeanie Lee leads TPGC in uniting members from all walks of life.
The club thrives on a rich tradition of performing music that spans genres, from classical to pop, with a strong emphasis on the collaborative spirit of ensemble work. They welcome guitarists who possess basic performance skills and a passion for ensemble performance. Members have the chance to grow musically, share techniques, and connect with fellow enthusiasts in a supportive and engaging environment.
Watch: TPGC performs Viva La Vida.
SCGC
The Singapore Classical Guitar Community brings together classical guitar enthusiasts, students, and professionals to celebrate and grow the classical guitar scene in Singapore through performances, education, and community events.
Sunday, 14 June 2026 · 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Level 5, National Library Building
A five-hour open programme celebrating Singapore's guitar community — solo recitalists, duets, small ensembles and group jams across every hour. Drop in for an hour or stay the whole afternoon.
Eleven exhibition booths run throughout Day 2 on Level 5 — luthiers, educators, ensembles and instrument makers showcasing the breadth of Singapore's guitar scene.
"Singapore has not seen a guitar festival of this scale for some time. As Singapore's oldest and most established community guitar orchestra, we are delighted to be part of bringing this back — and to share with audiences the magic of a full guitar orchestra, which remains one of music's best-kept secrets."
"This festival is built around a simple idea: that the guitar, in all its forms, deserves to be heard. Whether you are a professional, a student, or a parent looking to give your child their first experience of live music, there is something here for you."
Bras Basah MRT (CC2), 5-min walk · City Hall MRT (EW13/NS25), 8-min walk
Day 1: Sat 13 Jun, 11am–6pm
Day 2: Sun 14 Jun, 2–7pm
Free · No registration required