Rules and Regulations
Rules and regulations
All entrants will be enrolled as a full-time student at a BSME school and will process their entry through that school.
All entrants will be aged 18 years or under on 31 August 2025.
Registration : Click Here
Entry Procedure
Each school will be responsible for collecting and submitting all participant’s registrations documentation. Participating schools will be provided with an individual Google Drive Folder for:
- Participant Entry Form (Please check that names are correct)
- Participant Passport Copy
- Participant Professional School Head Shot in School Uniform. The uploaded photograph must be clearly identified with the name of the competitor and the school. Photo Specifics: 300 DPI, PNG or JPEG
- Participant Flight and Departure Times
- Participant Photo and Social Media Waiver Form
- Participant Music Scores for Round One, Semi Final and Final (pdf format only)
Solo Category
Minimum Requirements
Please note that the use of ABRSM/Trinity examination levels are merely a yardstick and point of reference.
Entrants do not need to have passed any examinations. However, it is recommended that entrants be at or around this level in order to compete on equal terms with their peers.
In the event of entrants offering different instruments from the below list, clarification should be sought from the Organisers.
– Vocal Grade 7
– Flute Grade 7
– Clarinet Grade 7
– Violin Grade 7
– Double Bass Grade 7
– Cornet/ Flugelhorn Grade 7
– Trombone Grade 7
– Piano Grade 7
– Oboe Grade 7
– Bassoon Grade 7
– Viola Grade 7
– Guitar Grade 7
– French Horn Grade 7
– Euphonium Grade 7
– Percussion Grade 7
– Recorder Grade 7
– Saxophone Grade 7
– Cello Grade 7
– Trumpet Grade 7
– Eb Horn Grade 7
– Tube Grade 7
In the event of entrants offering different instruments from the above list, clarification should be sought from the Organisers.
Initial Rounds and Awards
All entrants should choose repertoire which reflects the high level of performance expected during this competition. Entrants who wish to improvise may do so provided the stimulus is submitted for the benefit of the judges. General criteria of the type used to assess GCSE/GCE performances which feature improvisation will be applied. Categories which may include improvisation include ethnic instruments where improvisation is intrinsic in the nature of the instrument, and any other instrument. Backing tracks are not permitted.
Initial heats
- The Instrumental participants will compete against other instrumental competitors from across the musical spectrum.
- The Vocal participants will compete exclusively against other vocalists.
Participants from both the Instrumental and Vocal category will be selected to advance to the Second Round, Semi Final and Final within their respective categories at the Adjudicator’s discretion.
The following table outlines the approximate percentage of entrants from each category who will advance through each round.
*Please note that this is a guide and subject to alteration at the discretion of the adjudicators.
| Round 1 | Round 2 | Semi-Final | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instrumental | 100% | 70% of Round 1 | 30% – 40% of Round 2 | 5 Participants* |
| Vocal | 100% | 70% of Round 1 | 30% – 40% of Round 2 | 1 Participant* |
Dependent upon numbers of entries in the various categories, it is anticipated that the Semi-Final will comprise of: 10/11 Instrumental Soloists; 6/7 Vocal Soloists; 2 Small Ensembles; 2 Small Vocal Ensembles; 2 Vocal Ensembles; and 2 Large Ensembles.
SOLO INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY
Round 1
Round One pieces will be of the performer’s choice and should be one piece lasting no longer than 6 minutes.
The Organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than 6 minutes.
Round 2
Round 2 pieces will be taken from the YMOG Instrumental Test Piece 2026 that has been selected by the host school.
Semi Final
Entrants selected to advance to the Semi Final must choose a different piece to that performed in Round One and Round Two. This will be one piece of the performer’s choice and should last no longer than 7 minutes.
The organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than 7 minutes.
Final
Entrants selected to advance to the Grand Final may include any works previously performed in the Competition or choose new repertoire. Grand Final repertoire should consist of at least two contrasting works. Grand Final repertoire should last for a total of up to 12 minutes.
The Organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than 12 minutes.
Trophies will be awarded
The following trophies will be awarded:
- Young Musician of the Gulf 2026 Winner (Trophy and Shield)
- Young Musician of the Gulf 2026 Runner Up
- Knights Bequest (Most promising Musician under 15 years of age)
- Owerkowicz Bequest (Best Bahrain-based Musician)
- Young Musician of the Gulf Overall Ensemble winner 2026
- Piano Award
- Brass Award
- Woodwind Award
- Bowed String Award
- Plucked String Award
- Female Vocalist
- Male Vocalist
- Composition Award
- Large Instrumental Ensemble Award
- Small Instrumental Ensemble Award
- Large Vocal Ensemble Award
- Small Vocal Ensemble Award
Music Selection
The Organisers have decided that the repertoire that will be performed during Round Two of the BSME Young Musicians of the Gulf 2026 will be test-pieces. The selected piece for each instrument and vocal section can be found below.
Test Pieces for YMOG 2026
Instrument Test Piece
| Instrument | Test Piece |
|---|---|
| Alto Saxophone | Danse-Darius Milhaud |
| Bass Trombone | L’Elephant-Camille Saint-Saëns |
| Bassoon | Allegro moderato (1st movt from Sonata in G, op. 168)-Camille Saint-Saëns |
| Cello | Suite No.1 in G Major, BWV 1007 – Prelude-Johann Sebastian Bach |
| Clarinet | Contradanza-Paquito D’Rivera |
| Cornet/Flugehorn | Danza Alegre-Moritz Moszkowski |
| Descant Recorder | Allegro (1st movt from Concerto No. 5 in C)-John Baston |
| Eb Horn | Smoke Gets in Your Eyes-Jerome Kern |
| Euphonium | A Time for Peace from The Essence of Time-Peter Graham |
| Flute | Ostinato (2nd movt from Suite Antique)-John Rutter |
| French Horn | Nocturne Op 7-Franz Strauss |
| Guitar | Candombe en Mi -Maximo Diego Pujol |
| Oboe | Introduzione and Allegro (1st and 2nd movies from Concerto for Oboe)-Cimarosa, arr. Benjamin |
| Piano | Frühlingsrauschen-Christian Sinding |
| Tenor Saxophone | Giocoso (No. 9 from 18 concert etudes for solo saxophone)-James Rae |
| Treble Recorder | Allegro molto moderato (1st movt from Sonatina for Treble Recorder)-Peter Pope |
| Trombone | Danse Macabre-Camille Saint-Saëns |
| Trumpet | Taurus the Bull-Gary Wilkinson |
| Tuba | Le Cake Walk-Claude Debussy |
| Tuned Percussion | Baiao, from Suite Popular Brasileira-Ney Rosauro |
| Untuned Percussion | Study No.32 (from Portraits in Rhythm)-Anthony J Cirone |
| Viola | Elegy op.44-Elegy op.44- Alexander Glazunov |
| Violin | African Dance no.2 (from Four African Dances op.58)-Samuel Colridge-Taylor |
| Vocal | Frühlingsglaube-Franz Schubert (in German) |
| Double Bass | Largo (2nd movt from A Little Concerto) – Gordon Jacob |
Instrumental
Round One pieces will be of the performer’s choice and should be one piece lasting no longer than 6 minutes.
The Organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than 6 minutes.
Round Two pieces will be taken from the Instrumental Test Piece list YMOG 2026 above and have been selected by the lead adjudicator.
Entrants selected to advance to the Semi-Final must choose a different piece to that performed in Round One and Round Two. This will be one piece of the performer’s choice and should last no longer than 7 minutes. The Organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than 7 minutes.
Entrants selected to advance to the Grand Final may include any works previously performed in the Competition or choose new repertoire. Grand Final repertoire should consist of at least two contrasting works. Grand Final repertoire should last no longer than 12 minutes. The Organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than 12 minutes.
Vocal
The recommended entry level for all vocalists is Grade 7 and it is expected that pieces will reflect this minimum standard. The Organisers have decided that vocalists must perform repertoire from a variety of genres within the initial rounds of the competition. The three genres they will showcase are:
Round One: An Aria from an Opera/Oratorio or an Art Song in any language (Maximum 6 minutes)
Round Two: Pieces will be taken from the YMOG Instrumental Test Pieces 2026 that has been selected by the host school.
Semi Final: Musical Theatre – Operetta Repertoire accepted but not Opera (Maximum 7 minutes)
The Organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than 7 minutes.
Chosen pieces should specifically fit the requirements of the category. Performers who do not meet the programme requirements will not progress to the next round or be adjudicated for the round in which the discrepancy was made.
Entrants selected to advance to the Grand Final, may include any works previously performed in the previous rounds or choose new repertoire. Grand Final repertoire should consist of at least two contrasting works. Grand Final repertoire should last for a total of up to 12 minutes.
The Organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs longer than 12 minutes.
Ensemble Competition
The Ensemble category consists of 4 individual categories:
- Small Instrumental Ensembles – Up to 9 instrumentalist, plus a student/staff conductor and/or an accompanist (if required)
- Small Vocal Ensembles – Between 2 and 9 singers, plus a student conductor and/or an accompanist *Choral music with instrumental obbligato features will be permitted. However, please check with the organisers.
- Large Ensembles – 10 or more performers plus a student/staff conductor (if required)
- Large Vocal Ensembles – 10 or more singers plus a piano accompanist and conductor (student or adult). *Choral music with instrumental obbligato features will be permitted. However, please check with the organisers.
Repertoire must reflect the spirit and merit of the event. For this reason, all instruments being played in an Ensemble should be acoustic. However, if for example, a Jazz Ensemble requires amplified or electronic instruments, then a maximum of two will be accepted (please inform the organisers beforehand).
Ensemble performances which utilise improvisation are required to be supported with an explanation of the stimulus for that improvisation. The Small Ensemble category does not include Rock or Pop Bands.
Each ensemble performance should last no longer than 8 minutes. This should be one piece only.
The Organisers advise that any performance may be terminated if it runs any longer than 8 minutes.
If participating schools wish to enter more than one Vocal Ensemble they must ensure that no more than 3 students are the same in each Vocal Ensemble.
Any performance entries that require the use of 2 pianos will not be accepted.
The format of the Ensemble competition will be as follows:
| Initial Round | Semi-Final | Final | |
| Small Ensembles | All entrants | 2 Ensembles | 1 Ensemble |
| Large Ensemble | All entrants | 2 Ensembles | 1 Ensemble |
| Large Vocal Ensemble | All entrants | 2 Ensembles | 1 Ensemble |
| Small Vocal Ensembles | All entrants | 2 Ensembles | 1 Ensemble |
Those Ensembles selected to advance to the Final
will be the winners of their Ensemble category. In the Final they will compete to win the Overall Ensemble Award in the competition.
Composition Competition
Entrants are required to submit one piece of original music that they have composed in any style (minimum duration 2 minutes) and submit their work to the organisers by Thursday 8th January 2026.
The submission should include both an audio recording and PDF of either a notated score or a detailed lead sheet in the case of DAW, realised compositions.
Compositions will be judged on technical control of the elements, development of ideas within a clear structural framework, creative and imaginative use of musical ideas as well as a sense of style and fluency.
Entrants may also wish to include a detailed preface or brief, outlining their intentions, clarifying any directions within their score.
