The Young Musicians of the Gulf competition, organised by St Christopher's School, Bahrain and in its 16th year, attracted 111 musicians from 10 schools in Kuwait, Doha, Bahrain and the UAE.
In the lead up to the Grand Final, all the musicians had the opportunity to attend Master Classes led by each of the distinguished adjudicators – this year we were thrilled to be joined by conductor and examiner Richard Dickins, composer Christopher Adey, and flautist and teacher Atarah Ben-Tovim.
The judges noted that they were particularly impressed with the level of musical talent which was apparent throughout the competition, and the dedication of all the performers. A special mention was also given to the show of support and mutual respect that was clearly evident between all of the contestants throughout the competition.
1. St Christopher's School, Bahrain
2. The British School, Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi
3. Dubai English Speaking College
4. Sharjah English Speaking School, UAE
5. Dubai College
6. British School of Kuwait
7. Brighton College, Abu Dhabi
8. Doha British School, Qatar
9. The English College, Dubai
10. Jumeirah English Speaking School
Three music experts were flown in to judge the competition, this year we were thrilled to be joined by conductor and examiner Richard Dickins, composer Christopher Adey, and flautist and teacher Atarah Ben-Tovin.
In the lead up to the Grand Final, all the musicians had the opportunity to attend Master Classes led by each of the distinguished adjudicators.
The judges noted that they were particularly impressed with the level of musical talent which was apparent throughout the competition, and the dedication of all the performers. A special mention was also given to the show of support and mutual respect that was clearly evident between all of the contestants throughout the competition.
The BSME Young Musicians of the Gulf (YMOG) 2015 competition came to a spectacular close on Thursday evening at the Sofitel, with the judges crowning the winner in front of a VIP audience. The British ambassador to Bahrain, Iain Lindsay, presented the winner with his trophy.
Xiaolin Zhang from the Horizon School of Dubai, wowed both the judges and the audience with his impressive piano rendition of Chopin’s Funeral March Sonata No. 2, in B Minor Op.35, and the Grande Valse Brillante Op.18, also Chopin. This is Xiaolin’s second consecutive year at winning the title of ‘Young Musician of the Gulf’, an achievement made even greater given his young age of only 9.5 years. Despite being the youngest of the finalists in the competition, which accepts entrants between the ages of 8 to 18, who are judged equally without any consideration of age, Zhang triumphed over singers, a cellist and tabla player in the final after performing two pieces by Chopin, including the downbeat Piano Sonata No 2, commonly known as The Funeral March. That mature repertoire is something the young musician is eager to expand and he dreams one day of being a professional pianist.
Hai Wei Li, from the British School of Kuwait, was the Runner Up with his beautiful renditions of Beethoven’s Allegro from Sonata Op. 10 No.2 and Chopin’s Fantasie-Impromtu in C # minor Op. 66, as well as Gershwin’s Prelude No.1 on the Piano.
Winning Soloist: Xiaolin Zhang (Horizon School, Dubai)
Runner-Up Soloist: Hai Wei Li (The British School of Kuwait)
Ensemble Winner: Pearl Fishers Duet (Dubai College)
Young Composer Award: Niki Moosavi (British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi)
Owerkowicz Bequest Award (Awarded to the Most Promising Bahrain Based Musician): Michel Toutoungy (St Christopher’s School, Bahrain)
Knights Bequest (Awarded to the Most Promising Musician 15 years or younger): Sriram Venkatesh (St Christopher’s School, Bahrain)
Piano Award: Matthew Smeda (Jumeirah English Speaking School, Dubai)
Woodwind Award: William Caley (St Christopher’s School, Bahrain)
Brass Award: Enya Rice (British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi)
Vocal Award: Zahid Siddiqui (Dubai College)
Bowed String Award: Joon Woo Jeong (Dubai College)
