A Grand Final

The 17th Young Musicians of the Gulf Competition, which was initiated by St Christopher’s School in 1998 as a celebration of young musical talent, opened on Monday 25 January. Nearly one hundred young musicians, representing schools from around the Gulf, participated in the Competition this year. The Competition, which is indebted to its three largest sponsors: Euromotors, Sofitel and Citibank, was adjudicated by three highly accomplished and prominent visiting musicians from the UK. They were lead adjudicator, Penny Stirling, Christopher Griksaitis and John Thwaites. The Solo Instrumental preliminary heats took place on Monday 25 January and the audience were delighted by renditions by almost fifty performers. Following deliberation, twenty nine of the participants progressed to the next stage of the Competition. The Solo Vocal preliminary heats took place on Tuesday 26 January and again the audience were privileged to listen to fifteen excellent recitals. Following further solo performances during the course of the day, the adjudicators had the very difficult task of deciding who should progress to the Semi-Final and sixteen were selected to go through. The Ensemble Rounds were held at the Sofitel on Wednesday 27 January with two from each category (Duet and Trio Ensemble; Vocal Ensemble; Large Ensemble) going through the Semi-Final later the same day.

The BSME Young Musicians of the Gulf (YMOG) 2016 competition came to a spectacular close at the Sofitel, with the adjudicators crowning the winner in front of a VIP audience. The competition could not have been such a success without our sponsors and supporters, and is indebted to its three largest sponsors: Euromotors, Sofitel and Citibank. After spectacular performances from all the Solo Finalists, Anna Graham (age 12) from The British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi wowed both the judges and the audience with her impressive performance, and was crowned Young Musician of the Gulf 2016. The Life Time Trophy was presented by HE Simon Martin CMG, British Ambassador. The Young Musicians of the Gulf 2016 Runner Up was Isabel Snaas (age 17), Dubai College. The award was presented by Ambassador William V. Roebuck, Embassy of the United States of America.

The results were as follows:
Winning Soloist: Anna Graham, The British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi
Runner-Up Soloist: Isabel Snaas, Dubai College
Ensemble Winner: McLachlan Ensemble, Sharjah English School
Duet and Trio Ensemble: Piano, Violin and Cello Trio, St Christopher’s School, Bahrain
Vocal Ensemble: McLachlan Ensemble, Sharjah English School
Large Ensemble: La Camerata, The British School, Kuwait
Young Composer Award: Zahid Siddiqui, Dubai College
Owerkowicz Bequest Award (Awarded to the Most Promising Bahrain Based Musician): Thea Toutoungy, St Christopher’s School, Bahrain
Knights Bequest (Awarded to the Most Promising Musician 15 years or younger): Ben Brandreth, St Christopher’s School, Bahrain
Piano Award: Hai Wei Li, The British School, Kuwait
Woodwind Award: Mian Shahmir Samee, Dubai College
Brass Award: Zoe Lascelles Lloyd, St Christopher’s School, Bahrain
Male Vocal Award: Zahid Siddiqui, Dubai College
Female Vocal Award: Isabel Snaas, Dubai College
Bowed String Award: Sara Morris, The British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi
Plucked String Award: Tom Jarvis, The British School, Kuwait

Prize Awarded by
Finalist Award (presented to all solo finalists) H.E. Simon Martin CMG British Ambassador
Duet & Trio Ensemble Award Mr Ed Goodwin OBE, Principal of St Christopher’s School & Chairman of BSME
Vocal Ensemble Award Ms Mayka Rodriguez, Director of Operations, Sofitel
Large Ensemble Award Ms Mayka Rodriguez, Director of Operations, Sofitel
Plucked String Award Ms Mayka Rodriguez, Director of Operations, Sofitel
Bowed String Award Mr Usman Ahmed, CEO, Citibank
Male Vocal Award Mr Usman Ahmed, CEO, Citibank
Female Vocal Award Ms Hera Mallick, Marketing, Euromotors
Brass Award Ms Hera Mallick, Marketing, Euromotors
Woodwind Award Mr Ed Goodwin OBE, Principal of St Christopher’s School & Chairman of BSME
Piano Award Mr Sael Al Waary, Chairman of the Board of Governors
Knights Bequest: most promising musician 15 years or younger Mr Sael Al Waary, Chairman of the Board of Governors
Owerkowicz Bequest:  Most promising Bahrain-based musician Mr Usman Ahmed CEO, Citibank
Young Composer of the Gulf 2016, Winner Ms Hera Mallick, Marketing, Euromotors
Overall Ensemble Winner H.E. Alberto Vecchi, Italian Ambassador
YMOG 2016, Runner-Up: Lifetime Trophy H.E. William V. Roebuck, US Ambassador
YMOG winner Stella Taylor Shield donated by Captain Rod Taylor Mrs Suzanna Westwell, (granddaughter of Rod & Stella Taylor)
YMOG winner: Lifetime Trophy H.E. Simon Martin CMG, British Ambassador