Moving Young Artists (MYA), a Qatar-based non-profit foundation, will host the Qatar National Music Competition (QNMC), in October.
Held under the patronage of Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, MYA seeks to create a competitive platform that would encourage the finest in music creativity and performance in Qatar.
Sponsored by Vodafone Qatar and in collaboration with Katara and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, the competition will be a significant artistic event on the national and international stage and will showcase the best of Qatar’s musical talent.
The event will be held from October 15-19 at the Katara Drama Theatre, with a gala concert and felicitation of the winners on October 19, at the Katara Opera House. The competition is open to all younger than 18 years and registration details can be accessed on www.qnmc.org.
The categories are sub-divided according to the participants’ age: 11 and under, 14 and under, and 18 and under and instrument of choice; solo piano, solo winds, solo strings, solo vocal, percussion/harp/guitar and composition.
Featuring both Arabic and Western music categories, QNMC will throw open the stage for both performing musicians and young composers. There will also be a Special Needs category for differently-abled children.
Joris Laenen, co-founder, MYA, said, “Our vision for QNMC is to play its part in propelling Qatar onto the international music festival stage. Since Qatar doesn’t yet have a long history of music education, QNMC would like to also offer adult Qatari musicians this opportunity to present their talent.”
In each category, three winners will be awarded medals. Every participant will receive a certificate of merit for their performance. The Grand Prize, for the best performance in the entire competition, will be provided by Vodafone. A special award for best performance by a Qatari artist will be provided by the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
Three winners of the concerto category will be granted an opportunity to perform in a concert with QPO, as a soloist. Some of the chosen few will also be invited to record in the state-of-the-art Katara Studios.
Several embassies including Switzerland, Singapore, Spain, Germany, France, Russia, the UK, Republic of Korea, India, The Netherlands, Sweden, Indonesia and Kazakhstan have pledged their support by handing out a long line of signature awards.
Featuring both Arabic and Western music categories, QNMC will throw open the stage for both performing musicians and young composers.
