The 15th Young Musicians of the Gulf Competition was held at St Christopher's School, Bahrain. As a 'celebration of young musical talent' from around the Gulf it has grown into a premier musical event for young people in the region. This year, 8 schools from around the Gulf and 115 musicians participated in the competition.
On the opening day of the Competition, all soloists, who ranged from 8 to 18, performed for the four distinguished adjudicators, Richard Dickins, Michael Hankinson, Chloe Hanslip and Wendy Holland, who flew in from the UK especially for the event. The adjudicators represented a broad spectrum of musical experience and skills and were extremely impressed by the high standard of the performances throughout all stages of the Competition. Performances ranged from instrumental pieces on Classical Guitar, Flute, Piano, Recorder, Saxaphone and Violin to West End Show and Baroque Singing.
At the Grand Final, which was held in the majestic setting of the Crowne Plaza on Thursday 30 January, the large audience was treated to recitals which received great critical acclaim.
The Competition reamains indebted to its major sponsors: Citibank, Crowne Plaza and Yamaha for their invaluable support. It is the young musicians who participated, their parents, accompanists and teachers who we need to recognise and thank for their contributions to YMOG 2014, we hope that you enjoyed the experience and we are all very much looking forward to YMOG 2015.
Tuesday 28 January - ROUND 1 St Christopher's Senior School, Isa Town
Wednesday 29 January - ROUND 2 & ENSEMBLE COMPETITION St Christopher's Senior School, Isa Town
SEMI FINAL St Christopher's Junior School Hall, Saar
Thursday 30 January - MUSICAL WORKSHOPS St Christopher's Senior School, Isa Town
GRAND FINAL Crowne Plaza Conference Centre
The British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi
The British School of Kuwait
Dubai English Speaking College
Dubai College
The English College, Dubai
Sharjah English School
St Christopher's School, Bahrain
Richard Dickins - Described by Julian Lloyd Webber writing in the
London Daily Telegraph as '...an excellent conductor'.
Michael Hankinson - British born composer, conductor and organist.
Chloe Hanslip - British born virtuostic violoinist.
Wendy Holland Soloist, Music Manager BBC, Music Teacher, Head Teacher, OFSTED Inspector & currently a Course Director for the University of Buckingham PGCE programme.
In total, seventeen Ensembles entered the Young Musicians of the Gulf Ensemble Competition. The adjudicators judged the following Ensembles to be the top three in the competition.
Le Poème Des Fleurs - Jules Massenet - Sharjah English School
Piano Quintet an A Major OP.81, Movement I - Dvorak - The British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi
Vocal Quartet - Irish Blessing - Chilcott - Dubai College
The winning Ensemble was the British School Al Khubairat
Young Musicians of Gulf 2014, Winner - Xiaolin Zhang (English College, Dubai)
Young Musicians of Gulf 2014, Runner Up - Alaw Henderson (British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi)
Young Musicians of Gulf 2014, Ensemble Winner - Dvorak Quintet (British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi)
Young Composer of the Gulf 2014, Winner - Nicholas Kohn (British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi)
Young Composer of the Gulf 2014, Owerkowicz Bequest - William Caley (St Christopher's, Bahrain) Awarded to the Most Promising Bahrain Based Musician
Young Composer of the Gulf 2014, Knights Bequest - Mariam Sharaky (English College, Dubai) Awarded to the Most Promising Musician 15 years or younger
Young Composer of the Gulf 2014, Piano Award - Hai Wei Li (British School of Kuwait)
Young Composer of the Gulf 2014, Woodwind Award - Bethany Wright (Dubai College)
Young Composer of the Gulf 2014, Brass Award - Hana Nasif (St Christopher's School, Bahrain)
Young Composer of the Gulf 2014, Vocal Award - Matias Goodwin (Dubai English Speaking College)
Young Composer of the Gulf 2014, Bowed String Award - Joon Woo Jeong (Dubai College)
Young Composer of the Gulf 2014, Plucked String Award - Sandip Roy (Dubai College)
