Renowned Maltese guitarist Marc Galea was chosen among this year’s finalists for the internationally-acclaimed RGT (Registry of Guitar Tutors) Guitar Tutor of the Year Award 2008.

Mr Galea, who is the Euro Institute of Music (Hamrun) director, is a qualified RGT guitar tutor, with 12 years teaching experience. He achieved an LLCM TD in contemporary guitar playing and teaching.

The awards ceremony took place on 21 September at the Thames Valley University and the award was presented to Mr Galea by Neville Marten, editor of Guitar Techniques magazine. The award is sponsored by Future Publishing, which publishes Total Guitar and its sister magazines Guitarist and Guitar Techniques.

Being chosen from hundreds of RGT guitarists worldwide reflects his consistently high standard of teaching as demonstrated repeatedly by the results of his students in their RGT exams.

The award was won by Llanelli-based guitarist Dave Crawford, who had the highest number of students in the UK successfully pass RGT guitar exams during the past academic year.

Mr Galea was among the four runner-up finalists, together with Julian Brady, Vic Hyland, and Graham Corbould.

The RGT organises internationally recognised examinations in electric, acoustic, classical and bass guitar – from total beginner to Diploma level – in partnership with London College of Music Exams (one of the world’s most respected music examination boards, established since 1887) and certificated by Thames Valley University.

Among RGT’s patrons are Sir Paul McCartney, David Gilmour, Ron Wood, John Etheridge and Hank Marvin.