Competition’s Mission
The competition proudly reflects its commitment to:
Spread music culture all over the world under the banner of peace.
Advancing musical culture and education within the UAE and the Arab world
Promoting global appreciation for classical music.
Celebrating peaceful diversity and mutual understanding through the inspiring performances of young musicians from across the globe.
We are honored to share this meaningful journey with you as we celebrate the unifying power of music to connect cultures and promote peace around the world.
Dates
03.04.2026: Last date for registration
10.04.2026: Last date for submitting video recordings
20.04.2026: Award Ceremony & Winners’ Concert — Time: 7:00 PM (Dubai Time)
Venue: Online via the social media platforms of PPMC & EYSO
General Rules
The competition is open to solo performances on all instruments (symphonic, traditional, and voice).
Categories (All Instruments)
Category 1: Born in any month of 2020
Category 2: Born in any month of 2018
Category 3: Born in any month of 2016
Category 4: Born in any month of 2014
Category 5: Born in any month of 2012
Category 6: Born in any month of 2010
Category 7: Born in any month of 2008
Category 8: Born in any month of 2006
Competitors should select, with the help of their teachers, the required repertoire that matches their respective levels and abilities.
All performances should be accompanied by piano, including vocal performances, unless the repertoire is written for solo instruments or for instruments that traditionally have no accompaniment (such as Arabic or any other traditional folk instruments).
Competition’s Required Repertoire
(for Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass & Piano instruments)
Categories 1 to 4: Required to perform the following program:
1- Etude: Perform an Etude (categories 1 – 6), Caprice (Categories 7 & 8) that showcases your current level and ability.
2- Virtuoso Piece: Perform a virtuoso work that best demonstrates your current technical and musical ability.
3- Concerto: Perform either the 1st or 3rd movement of any concerto, OR perform an additional virtuoso piece in a style different from the first.
Category 5: In addition to the program requirement for categories 1–4, competitors must perform one fast movement from any sonata by a Baroque-period composer.
Category 6: In addition to the program requirement for categories 1–4, competitors must perform one fast movement from any sonata by a Classical-period composer.
Category 7: In addition to the program requirement for categories 1–4, competitors must perform one fast movement from any sonata by a Romantic-period composer.
Category 8: In addition to the program requirement for categories 1–4, competitors must perform one fast and one slow movement from any Sonata or Partita for Solo Violin, Suite for Solo Cello, or Prelude and Fugue for Piano by J. S. Bach.
Memory Requirements
– Categories 1 – 4: Repertoire must be performed from memory except Etudes.
– Categories 5 – 7: Repertoire must be performed from memory except Etudes & Sonata.
– Categories 8: All repertoire must be performed from memory.
– Use of sheet music will result in a deduction of 5 marks from the final score.
Competition’s Required Repertoire
(for all other types of instruments)
The required repertoire for all eight Categories is identical to that prescribed for Categories 1 – 4, with no additional works. The jury will determine the appropriate performance category for each competitor.
Video Submission Rules
Performances must be recorded in one continuous take without editing.
Both the competitor’s face and hands must always be clearly visible; the accompanist should also be visible behind.
Good lighting and clear audio quality are required.
At the beginning or end of the video, the performer must state: Full name, Category, and age group, Title, and composer of the piece.
Videos should be submitted in high resolution by WeTransfer to: eysokudsi@hotmail.com
Technical Requirements
Videos must be in MP4 format.
Videos must not include added effects, filters, sound enhancements, or editing.
The camera must remain stationary throughout the performance.
Submission Guidelines & Deadlines
All entries must be submitted by the official deadline.
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Participants will receive a confirmation email upon successful submission.
Awards & Recognition
Awards may include: First Prize, Second Prize, Third Prize, Honourable Mention.
Gold, Silver, and Bronze certificates may also be issued based on score thresholds.
Selected winners may be featured on the competition website or invited to a winners’ concert.
All participants will receive an electronic certificate.
Jury Members
Director of DNC & PPMC, Mr. Riad Kudsi (head of Jury)
Professors and instructors from the Prague Premier Music College (PPMC) and resident Professional Musicians.
Judging & Evaluation
A panel of qualified music professionals will evaluate all submissions.
Criteria include:
Technical accuracy
Musicality and expression
Intonation and rhythm
Artistic interpretation
Stage presence
Judges’ decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Fees of the Competition: 140 EUR.
To be transferred to the following account (send a copy of the bank transfer payments):
Name of the Bank: Emirates NBD
Name of Account: Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra FZ – LLC
of Account: 1012187856001
IBAN: AE73 0260 0010 1218 7856 001
Swift Code: EBILAEAD
Notice
Competitors (Violinists, Pianists) who would like to do the International Music Study Exam at any level online and get the Graded Certificate, can send us by video at any time our requested program (Stage 1 & 2 ) for the graded International Music Study Exam (IMSE)
To get an idea about our IMSE, check our website www.ppmc.cz
For interested young Violinists & Pianists, please send us an email to receive more details and the program of the exam
