Anton (South Wales)
Is it s compulsory to have a grade 8 in your selected instrument as I have opted to play Mozarts' Phantaise in D minor (which i have been told is only around grade 6) && i believe I have it to a reasonable standard to copmete with

YM Team response:
Hi Anton, To enter the competition you must either have a Grade 8 certificate or an accreditation from your teacher saying that you are of that standard. After that you can choose any repertoire you like but bear in mind the judges will be looking for pieces which are of a high technical standard.

Parents, Cheshire
Could you describe the age limite for the next round of YMOY using birth day instead of age? Does 18 or under before 1 Jan. 2008 mean that the competitors should be born on or after 1 January 1990?

YM Team response:
No it does not mean this, a competitor is eligible to take part if they are 18 or under on 1 January 2008, this means that they could have been born on 2 January 1989.

David, Surrey
Enjoyed watching YMOTY, but like a lot of the comments I have read - since the semi-finals havenow been hived off to BBC4 from BBC2 we should at least get an opportunity to see a substantial part of these semifinal performances rather than having a large amount of 'life history' in a raher 'popularist' type of way. By the way, and this is just my personal opinion I think the winner of YM 2006 should not have been Mark Simpson, but either the percussionist Tony or the pianist Cordelia: they were great!! Question for YM team: in the Leeds International Piano Competition they announce all 6 places, but in YM they don't even announce a 2nd or 3rd place, why is that - when everyone's worked so hard? Sincerely, David

YM Team response:
Thanks for your comments David. We don't feel it's necessary or helpful to announce results in order, we are mindful that these are still young performers and that we are in the business of encouraging such young talent rather discouraging it by announcing a sort of "league table". Each of the runners up receives the same amount of money and the same sort of trophy which we feel is fair and appropriate for a young musician competition.

sally
can you enter the competition on more than 1 instrument? cos i play cello and clarinet at grade 8

YM Team response:
Yes Sally, you can enter on different categories of instruments. It's worth remembering though that it is a lot of work getting through each round of the competition and learning a lot of new repertoire so you need to be prepared for this.

Emma, Edinburgh
Can you be attending university and enter the competition. In 2008 and 2009 I will be within the age limit but alread studying at university. Would i still be eligible to enter?

YM Team response:
As long as you are within the age limit i.e. 18 or under on 1 January 2008 then you will be eligible to enter the competition Emma.

Regina, Lincolnshire
Thank you for the reply. By extending it by only 5 minutes you wouldn't include all repertoire but the time limit of a concerto would be more realistic and would open up more oppertunities. The one thing which is irritating is that in the past longer concerto's have been played and that is when the Young Musician competition was at its best. People are becoming more and more dissapointed with the competition with the sparse amount of televised programmes...so we would love to know that we can get as much as we can in the little we do see. I realise you need to draw the line at time limit somewhere but 25 minutes is right at the bottom of the scale! Of course audiences and performers can still enjoy playing a concerto that is in the time limit but I'm gutted that I won't be any CHANCE seeing any Elgar Cello concerto, Rachmaninov piano, mendellsohn or sibelius violin concertos. I would appreciate a choice of concerto more if I knew the performer had a larger choice. The viewers are licence payers and as supporters of this music competition we would hate to see any more 'cuts' made to the programme. Any other music competition would laugh at the fact that a concerto time limit is placed at 25 minutes. Please consider making the slot larger in future...I am not ever going to forget how many repeats and a whole week of broadcasts of a flower show were shown on BBC 2.

YM Team response:
We will certainly pass on your comments to the scheduling department Regina, and thank you for your passionate support of our programmes, we do appreciate it is people like you who care deeply about our young performers.

Regina, Linolnshire
Can I ask why it is that the BBC is so adamant that it will not consider changing elements of the competition which upset the viewers and stop the performers having as much freedom as they would in other 'serious' competitions. Of course I speak of the concerto time limit mainly. As this is the only major music competition televised in the UK of course entrants will put up with the ridiculous rules of the competition even if in the end they 'don't mind' and find a piece for them. The time limit would only need extending by another 5 minutes to allow competitors the greater FREEDOM to decide upon a piece which they want to play and believe will showcase their talent the most. It is extreamly dissapointed to know that the BBC doesn't wish to change this rule not only to please the vast vast majority of competitors and audience but also to make it a respectable and serious music competitions. This is a MUSIC competition and it is ironic that you cut out so much freedom out of what music competitors could actually play! I also don't believe that the ability to play a well-known work such as the Elgar cello concerto would have any advantage over a little-known clarinet concerto for example. The competition is judged by musicians who would certainly not be simply attracted to the better known work! It is very upsetting to know the BBC does not wish to cater for the good of the competitors and audience especially when SO many people have made this point! Every year I find myself more and more dissapointed with the competition and I know I am not the only one. I have such fond memories of watching it when I was younger and recall the semi-final rounds, etc. Now I just feel it is all very half-hearted. This competition gives the most talented musicians a fantastic chance to play a concerto on television with a fantastic orchestra and in a great setting...but there is a catch...the length you give for a CONCERTO is so ridiculous you may have to sacrifice your chance to play your faveourite concerto. please can the BBC please take the competition more seriously in the future and listen to the competitors and audience who keep this competition going. A response to this would be kindly apreciated.

YM Team response:
Thank you for your comments regarding the time limits in the Final of BBC Young Musician of the Year. We can understand your frustration in feeling deprived of some of your and possibly competitors' favourite repertoire but unfortunately there are time constraints in regard to the "slot" given to us by the television channel. Many months in advance (well before we know which concertos will be chosen by the Finalists) this slot must be booked and confirmed in order that other programmes can also be scheduled around our concert. It is therefore necessary to agree on a standardised time and this is the reason for the time constraint on performers. Your idea of extending the limit by 5 minutes wouldn't solve the problem, there are many standard repertoire pieces which fall outside even this limit so where would one draw the line? We do feel that 25 minutes gives enough scope and choice to competitors who know of this limit before they even enter the competition and therefore have plenty of time to research repertoire and find a piece they will enjoy performing. Each concerto played in recent Finals has been worthy of its place and enjoyed by performer and audience alike.

Anon. Kent
Honestly, would a talented recorder player stand an equal chance amonst orchestral players?

YM Team response:
Yes of course recorder players stand an equal chance, indeed we have had some very talented players in recent competitions. Samantha Kerby reached the Woodwind Final in 2000 and Laura Bury and Robert Toguchi both reached the Woodwind Semi-final in 2004.

Jenny ,Bolton
Can you tell me what contemporary viola pieces were played in the 2006 competition? Thank you, in anticipation.

YM Team response:
Some examples of contemporary viola pieces in this year's competition were: Rebecca Clarke - Sonata for Viola and Piano
Minsky - Three American Pieces
Atar Arad - Caprice No.3 Bela
Rubtsov - Two Pieces for Viola
Sally Beamish - Pennillion for Solo Viola
Elena Firsova - Lyrisches Stucke Op.7

Emma, London
What about the europeen final??? Jennifer was there right?? Who got the prices??

YM Team response:
Yes Jennifer got through to the Eurovision Final and played to 30,000 people in the square in front of the town hall in Vienna. The winner of the Eurovision Competition was Andreas Brantelid, a cellist from Sweden. Second prize went to Tine Ting Helseth, a trumpet player from Norway and third prize was given to Dmitry Mayboroda a young pianist from Russia.

Karin Vallis Hemel Hempstead
Just browsing the site - I thought Jeremy Meehan Woodwind 1986 was a finalist? Would that not mean he was the '86 woodwind class winner?

YM Team response:
No, Jeremy reached the Woodwind Final but the winner of the Woodwind section was Fiona Howes.

Rosie, Wiltshire
I would be really interested in entering the next YMOTY competition, and was wondering if you could give me advice on pieces for the flute, or list a few that have been played in recent auditions, so I could get a more specific idea of the standard required other than just having passed Grade 8. thank you very much.

YM Team response:
Rosie we can only list a few pieces as you might imagine the list of flute repertoire played in the competition is very long! Hope this helps:
J.S. Bach Sonata No.6 Mvt 1
Gaubert Fantasie
Mike Mower Sonata Latino
Mozart Rondo in D Major
Enesco Cantabile and Presto
Martinu Scherzo for Flute and Piano
Ian Clarke Zoom Tube
Martin Ballade
Dutilleux Sonatine
Poulenc Sonata

Don Dparks
When are we going to see one of the concertos for harmonica and orchestra played at the proms.There is a wonderful short one by Michael Spivakovsky 1919-1993.

YM Team response:
I'm afraid you have sent your query to the wrong site, please do send it on to the Proms website at: www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Deb, Bristol
Is the Wigmore series going to be broadcast either on radio or tv at all?

YM Team response:
No there are no plans to broadcast these recitals. Obviously we would love many people to come and hear them live but as you live in Bristol you may like to know that our young finalists will hopefully be repeating the series at St. George's next year.

Jcp, Surrey
What was the title of the piece of music played by classical guitarist finalist David Massey in the most recent YM competition?

YM Team response:
The piece David played in the Final was Fantasia para un gentil hombre by Rodrigo

Helen, Liverpool
Congratulations Mark!!! i've just got one thing to say which i think you'l find funny! ... "i like medals, some are like blue"!!!LOL. have a great summer, see you in september! :D

amy, oxfordhire
i was wondering if you could tell me what age and grade you recomend for the competition. i am 14 and grade 7. would i be suitable for the competition?

YM Team response:
Amy you will find all the details of entry requirements on the site if you go to the Entry Details section and click on Terms and Conditions.

sarah, cambridge
what did cordelia williams play in the piano semi final? It was really nice..

YM Team response:
Cordelia played:
Schubert Sonata in A Major Movement 1
Hugh Brunt Absentia
Kreisler/Rakhmaninov Liebesfreud

Laura Davis, Midlands
Where can I get the piano music for the concerto which Cordelia Williams played (and may I say played very beautifully)

YM Team response:
You should be able to get this in any good music shop Laura or you could always order it on line. I think the version used was published by Schirmer.

michael galloway spennymoor, co durham
i think that david masseys performance was absolutely amasing. he is supremely talented

anon
hi, i was wondering when the applications and rules for the 2008 competition will be released. could you tel me please?

YM Team response:
The application forms and rules will be available from January 2007. The closing date for applications is April 1st 2007.

Lisa, Cheshire
Please may we have a response from the YM team to the point made by a number of contributors that too little of the semi-final recitals was shown. It was a great disappointment and a large number of people have commented with very few counter-opinions but there has been no response from the team!

YM Team response:
TV COVERAGE - Thank you to everyone that has posted their comments about the TV coverage on the message board. Television coverage of returning strands such as BBC Young Musician are always subject to evolution and change in reaction to developing audience tastes and viewing habits. The overall approach this year was to look behind the polished performances and to understand more of the process that the young musicians have to go through and to get to know more of the character and personalities of those involved. We wanted to achieve this by going back further into the competition and include the quarter finals - a round that has not been featured on TV in recent years. The way to achieve our aims was to take a more documentary and story telling approach to the competition which we also applied to the semi finals. This approach may not have appealed to everybody but there was a strong audience for the programmes across the week and we achieved our best audience figures for the competition on BBC 4 so far. After we have reviewed this series in detail, undoubtedly the programmes will take on a different hew when the competition comes around again in 2008. As with other competitions on TV we think hearing some of the jury deliberations is interesting and informative. The members of the jury are picked for their expertise and are all respected musicians in their field. The respective juries reach their own conclusions about who should win or go onto the next round - their decisions as based purely on what they have seen and heard in the concert hall and they have no access or regard to any of the TV production. Since 2002 TV coverage of the competition has been split across BBC 2 and BBC 4 - with the semi finals and Eurovision Young Musician on BBC 4 and the final of BBC Young Musician on BBC 2. It is worth noting that by the time of the next competition in 2008 analogue switch off will have begun and viewers in some areas will only have access to digital TV though an aerial, satellite or cable.

Amelia,Dorset
hiya im 12 years old and I have taken my grade 8 clarinet. Am I to young to audition? if i'm not I would love to audition, but I have just won a place to a music school and I don't know wat I should play for the auditions? Also does it matter if I'm doing other concerts around the time when I'm auditioning because I'm playin with an orchestra and I wondered if that mattered?

YM Team response:
You are very welcome to audition for BBC Young Musician of the Year 2008. The application forms for the 2008 competition will be available from February 2007. There is no lower age limit. In fact, violinist Jennifer Pike was the youngest ever winner of the competition in 2002 when she was 12. For the YMOTY auditions you will need to prepare approximately 13 minutes of music. We would recommend 2 or 3 different pieces that best show off your talents. Lastly, it doesn't matter if you are taking part in other concerts around the time of the auditions.

anon
where can I get hold of a copy of the oboe piece arranged for oboe and piano by played by Kabelevsky played by one of the semi-finalists?

YM Team response:
I guess you mean Danse Burlesque Op. 28 by Kabalevski arranged by Nishkarev? Unfortunately I am not aware who this piece is unpublished by. I would recommend that you ask your local sheet music supplier.

anon
Why couldn't I find the results of this competition on bbc./co./uk I've been looking for them for several days. Any chance of this being shown on the BBC World TV network?

YM Team response:
Mark Simpson is the winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition 2006. This result has been posted on homepage of the BBC Young Musicians website since the announcement was made. Unfortunately there are no further plans to broadcast the BBC Young Musician programmes.

Russell Watson - Canada
As all the world is/was interested in the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2006,(this is a fact) is it possible for the BBC to provide streaming video of all the finalists on the BBC internet site? BBC Canada does not provide this coverage.

YM Team response:
We are currently streaming Mark Simpson's winning performance and the Semi Final performances of all five Finalists. We will look into the possibility of streaming all 5 concerto performances.

rachel in wales
i think that david massey is amazing and that he has inspired me to take up the classical guitar. i loved listening to him play and also i loved gary ryans rondo rodeo. David made it look so easy to play. yet i have the music and i tried playing it on the piano and found it extremely difficult. Well done david. i think that you should have won you are amazing!

anon
Hi I play clarinet and I was just wondering whether the fact that a clarinettist won it this year would affect my chances next time?

YM Team response:
The fact that a clarinettist won this year would have no affect on your chances in the next competition. Each round of each competition is judged independently by a fresh set of impartial judges.

French trumpeter
I think that the English have something to learn about good French music, the Tomasi is far from not exciting - maybe your presenters on the evening need their heads screwed on! Well done to the trumpeter he should have one just for playing the piece!

Antonia, Cheshire
Are you able to tell me the flute concerto that Jonathon Rimmer played in the 1990 concerto final. Thank you.

YM Team response:
Jonathon played the Reinecke Flute Concerto in D major.

Alex, London
What contemporary pieces (written after 1995) have been played by French Horn players in recent years?

YM Team response:
The following pieces were played by French Horn players in the 2006 competition. Madsen Dream of the Rhinoceros – pub. Huset Julia Gomelskaya Bagatelle – pub GSM Lizzie Davis Elecor - pub Paxman Timothy Jackson Etude “Don’t Make it Bad” – published by Jackson Derek Bourgeois Fantasy Piece for Horn No. 2 – published by Brass and Wind Derek Bourgeois Fantasy Piece for Horn No. 3 – published by Brass and Wind Andrew Downes Sonata for Horn Op. 68 - published by Lynwood Music Kay Von Rondow ….als die stille starb – published by Innerspheres

Kaus
Musician – Strings Semi-Final 24.02.06 According to the printed Schedule of Events: “At the end of the evening, at approximately 9.00, the adjudicators will announce the name of one competitor who will proceed to the Final. The Strings Semi-Final adjudicators took more than an hour after the final performance to come to a decision. The audience was called back to their seats in the hall at 9.15. From the conversations I heard during the first interval and after the last performance, the audience were pretty clear that we had heard one truly outstanding player. So the long delay was a mystery. The only person to offer an explanation for the delay was the BBC Floor Manager, who apologised and told us the adjudicators were having a problem arriving at a decision. Just before 10.00 the Floor Manager announced that a decision had been made and the players and adjudicators were about to come on stage. The players did, to warm applause from the audience and were then kept waiting in silence for at least another 5 minutes before the adjudicators came on stage. The announcer said they had had a difficult time coming to a decision and then said, “ It’s Jason’s (Jason Lai) fault, he had some delicious caramel shortcake and we haven’t finished it yet.” or words to that effect. He then said that what they were looking for above all was “a musician who made things happen in the hall” and announced the name of the winner. There was an audible gasp from the audience – which I am sure will be carefully edited out of the broadcast. My complaints: 1. In the opinion of the audience the adjudicators made the wrong choice. 2. The delay in making the adjudication was embarrassing for the audience and must have been very hard on the young musicians. 3. The explanation of the delay should have been made by the Executive Producer and not left to the Floor Manager. 4. The announcement trivialised what had been an astonishing display of talent by all the musicians. 5. To announce that the adjudicators were looking “above all for a musician – who made things happen in the hall” implied that the others four competitors had failed this criterion, which was manifestly untrue and entirely the wrong message to give the competitors. 6. There was one young musician who stunned the audience with not only almost flawless technique but an astonishingly mature ability to communicate serious music to the audience. By comparison the others, including the Finalist chosen by the adjudicators, showed less ability on both counts, and by a considerable margin.

John Reay, Welwyn, Herts
Can you tell me where to get the music of the Brahms/ Heifetz piece Contemplation which Nicola Benedetti played at the end of the Young Musicians final last week? On the net I have found a Russian album which includes it but there does not seem to be a British agent for the publisher: Compozitor Publishing House, St Petersburg. I'd like to play the piece.

YM Team response:
This piece does seem tricky to track down, so I would recommend that you speak to a specialist at your local sheet music shop.

Max, Glasgow
I think YMOTY is the best thing on TV. I look forward to it every time. Unfortunately I didn't catch Sarah Oliver's performance in the semis, so my comment here is on slightly shaky ground, I admit. Nevertheless, give David Massey a break will you! If Sarah Oliver is as good as everyone says she is, then she will no doubt go on to great musical things, if she so desires. How many bowed string players do we see winning these comps? Hundreds. How many gutarists? Yeah, none. What a relief to see a guitarist recognised at last. The margin for error in classical guitar playing is microscopically small, and as a result live performances always have a few slips, even at the very top of the profession. Why should the guitar's profile continue to suffer simply because it's harder than all the other instruments? Controversial statement, I know. Yes, perhaps David did look a bit bored during the concerto. Maybe it is his way of remaining calm and overcoming nerves. It did give the wrong impression though, I have to say. Oh, and while I do know that visual appearance is not a factor in the adjudicators' decision-making process, it is not very nice to see the front of your guitar absolutely covered in fingerprints! The lights caught it very clearly! For a professional performance, your instrument should gleam...no offence David, just my opinion. And I thought your tone was beautiful.

Ed Addis, Cheltenham UK
How can I get hold of a copy on DVD of the BBC Young Musician Final programme - particularly of 2002 (Jennifer Pike) and this year's, which I unfortunately missed?

YM Team response:
Unfortunately the BBC are unable to distribute videos or DVD or the Young Musicians programmes. Sorry.

pat o hagan, derry
so glad to see a guitarist in this years final.Well done to everybody who worked so hard.

Kay, London
Would it be possible for you to publish a list of the pieces the pianists played in the recent 2006 semi-final? Thanks.

YM Team response:
Chopin Ballade No. 2 in F major Op. 38 Chopin Nocturne in D flat major Op. 27 No. 2 David Secchi Dodos Stuck in A Groove (on a theme by Jonathan Coffer) Debussy Feux d’Artifice (from Preludes, Book 2) Eric Sweeney Windhover Hugh Brunt Absentia Kausikan Rajeshkumar Mirage Kreisler/Rakhmaninov Liebesfreud Liszt Mephisto Waltz No. 1 Mozart Fantasie in D minor K397 Rakhmaninov Etude-tableau in D major Op.39 No. 9 Schubert Impromptu in Bb D935 No.3 Schubert Sonata in A major D664 mvt 1 Steve Goss Night Music

Barry Coutinho, PA, USA
I was a semifinalist in the 1982 piano section.Can you list the semifinalists over the years and how would I get a copy of the video of my performance. Thanks!

YM Team response:
We are currently only able to list all the finalists over the years on the website, and unfortunately we are not able to offer videos of past performances. Sorry

Janet, Manchester
I watched the semi-finals on BBC 4 (why BBC4 when so many people are unable to get it??)I agreed with all the decisions except the strings -I cannot understand why Sarah Oliver who I know won the Walter Todds prize was denied the opportunity to play in the final. She was clearly head and shoulders above the rest, everyone I've spoken to who saw the semi final couldn't understand why - even with the memory slip - she didn't get through. There must have been some kind of agenda with the adjudicators and I very much hope that she will be helped in the future as she is clearly a very talented young lady. The final was very good, but after such a lack-lustre performance by David Massey, don't the BBC feel a mistake was made?

YM Team response:
I can assure you that there was absolutely no agenda with the adjudicators decision at the String Semi Final. They simply chose the performer who they agreed performed the best on the day.

julia london
The BBC did a wonderful job showing the semifinals. I enjoyed them thoroughly.

Clive in Finchley
Oh my God - I can't believe you omitted Walton from the list of suggested Viola pieces!!

Ashley Shanahan
Hello Please send my congrats to the camera man and any one else involved with camera direction for the performance by Cordelia Williams. it was spot on. So often rather than showing plenty of the keyboard action, you can get more shots than you want of the pianist from the far end of the piano, or surrounding scenery.

Chloe in Belfast
i would just like to say a big WELL DONE to the winner. He must have been fantastic!

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Ian, Cheshire
The last pianist to win this competition was Freddie Kempf in 1992. Just what does a pianist have to do to win it? Cordelia was absolutely outstanding but still failed to win.

Andrew from London
as i'm too old for the 2008 compeition i was wondering if there is any alternartive for university aged musicians?

YM Team response:
There are lots of competitions for university aged musicians. I would recommend that you go to the library and look in British Music Year Book which lists all the competitions for the current year

norman gould
Here in Edinburgh my BBC radio only seemed to have heard of something called ? Eurovision.What a shame your colleagues weren't aware of the great alternative! Is it possible to obtain a copy of the piece Cordelia played written by her friend at O.U.? It sounded great and accessible to those of us who can only dream of ruining most of what gets played at competitions!I hope you can help. When schedules permit it would be fascinating to have a series of previous YMOTYs -semis rather than finals ?

YM Team response:
The Hugh Brunt piece Absentia that Cordelia played at the Semi Finals is not published, but you can visit his website for more information: http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/cgi-bin/user_page.pl?url=hughbrunt

Sally, Stockton
I missed the final on BBC2, are there any plans to repeat the programme?

YM Team response:
Unfortunately there are currently no plans to repeat the broadcast. However you can see the winning recital, by logging on to the BBC TWO website from Mon 22 May

Jon King, Surrey
I really enjoyed watching the final on TV, its a shame you don’t broadcast more classical music performances. My favourite bit was seeing the amazing cellist receive her award. However, the guitarist had an off day!!! His intonation was bad, he looked bored whilst performing, and didn’t seem to show much interest in communicating through the medium of music. I found it a disgrace that he made it to the final, when he showed so little interest so obviously. Anyway, the cellist was exceptional, such a beautiful sound, communication, and passion. She looked like a star of the future, definitely someone to be supported on her career to stardom.

lilac/London
Why was the programme so short? couldn`t hear the musicians play with the voice overs. Such talent, hard work and dedication should deserve a little more exposure and air time. After all American Idol get masses of time and none are schooled in their discipline.

Phil, Shropshire
After having followed both the heats and the final, once again an excellent year! Many congratulations to all finalists. In particular, I would have liked Cordelia Williams to have won but never mind! In the heats, I'm sure her biography said she would be reading Russian and French at Cambridge University but her biography page on this website states she's lloking at music college... which one is correct?

YM Team response:
The website biogs were written for the Quarter Finals, but Cordelia has recently received an offer from Cambridge University to read Russian and French.

tammy Walsal
learning to play musical nstruments is really cool you can make a good living doing it

Ursula Stubbings, cambridge
Much enjoyed YMOTY but to have just one sentence from each jury member! How did they arrive at their difficult decision? There must have been a great deal of discussion and disagreement before arriving at a final vote. We would like to hear much more from them next time. After all they are the experienced 'old' musicians.

Sam Wilson, Ipswich
Is ymoty going to be slowly phased out? Whereas last year we were given full coverage of the semifinals etc, this year we were only given 5 minute clips of each performer. The competetion is so enjoyable and usefull, next time can we see more of it?

anon
Although all of the finalists of the competion were exceptional, I thought the trumpeter Huw Morgan was truly outstanding. He had a polished performance which seemed almost effortless and he already seems like a professional musician.I wish him all the best in his future musical career.

valerie lock aylesbury
Having watched the Eurovision Young Musician semi finals where the relentless orchestra raced the unfortunate contestants through their concerti movements I would like to say how it contrasted with the YM final where the orchestra did everything possible to encourage and get the best out of the young peoples' playing. Not everything can have been perfect but it certainly set an example to the rigid tempi and lack of interplay with the soloists from the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

disgusted
what does a double bass player have to do to get some consideration for god's sake? that bass player in the strings semi-final was robbed blind of his chance!!!!

Susan Herts
But who won? My tape ran out just before the announcement and it isn't on this set up

YM Team response:
Mark Simpson the clarinetist won the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2006 competition. Please see the YMOTY website homepage for the link to watch his winning performance.br />

Diana Fullbrook
Because the final started so early it was not obvious that it was being broadcast at all, so a lot of people missed it. Also Saturday is not such a good day to broadcast it since people who enjoy "classical" music may themselves be performing. Please could you re-broadcast the final as soon as possible.

Louise Lancashire
P.S. Further to my previous submission (and perhaps slightly pre-emptive of a possible reply you might offer), I would like to add that I am aware the finalists' recitals were shown in complete on the Thursday evening, but my quibble really is that the other very worthy semi-finalists should have been given much more air time as they have been in previous years.

sophie
Will any of the rounds be broadcast again in the near future?

YM Team response:
There are currently no plans to re-broadcast any of the rounds.

Louise lancashire
I was a little disappointed with the coverage of the semis of the competition. Whilst it is of interest to hear about the background of the competitors, I feel that this should not be at the expense of hearing the performances. We only got to hear 30 seconds here, a minute there etc interspersed with the jury's comments and their background details. Hearing the jury's comments was indeed interesting and it is good that they are included, but I really would like to have heard more than a snapshot of the music. These talented musicians, who have put in months of hard work, certainly deserve a little more playing time on screen as in years gone by- without their efforts there would be no programme! With repeat after repeat after repeat of shows such as 'Little Angels' and 'Little Britain' on BBC3, I would have thought you'd have jumped at the chance to make a slightly longer programme to fill up your barren schedules. If this documentary-style way of presenting the programme was to reach a wider audience by only filling a small fraction of the time with music,it will serve to put off many stalwart viewers like me who watch to admire the musicianship. Let us hear it! Please, please reconsider the format for the 2008 competition.

shell, liverpool
mark deserved to win 2006.

Lucy
I would just like to say I think that it is fantstic that Mark won!! It just shows you can be young and play so amazingly.

Martin, Luxembourg
What counts as "grade 8 standard"? My 14 year old daughter, studies the bassoon in Europe; she has won competitions and is highly considered by professional players. Does she need to take an ABRSM exam?

YM Team response:
We ask competitors to be grade 8 standard as a minimum requirement, but this does not mean that they have to take an ABRSM exam. Performers can be vouched for in writing by their teacher stating that they have reached grade 8 standard.

Anon
It seems unfair to complain about such a wonderful competition with such great music, however.... I was rather disappointed by the new syle of coverage of the semi-finals: we got to hear very little of the performances (except that of the winners which was put on in full). Last year there was less 'reality tv show' esque material and we could focus on listening to the music. I was disappointed to see that this year we got to see very little of the performances, and sadly for some competitiors the bits that were shown were the parts that went slightly wrong. I get the impression that the BBC are trying to present to us a view of the backgrounds of the musicians, and then pick the winner that best fills the hearts of the nation with their story of an 'ordinary' background and managing in spite of this; rather than running a fair competition. All credit to the winner, he was a good clarinettist, I just feel he may have been helped slightly by the current climate of political correctness throughout the competition.

Simon London
Anyone else think that the Nielsen was the only serious concerto to be played?

Dy - Merseyside
I watch the YM final and was riveted. Brillaint playing from all but it's a competition and some has to win! My grouse is about the BBC and their handling of the rounds and the results. I look daily at the BBC news page and especially at the Entertainment section which, some months ago, was revamped. I have NEVER liked the new format as it seems to offer less in the way of coverage of what could perhaps be called the high arts. I email this on Sunday 21st May a day after the YM Final and there is not a whisper of it on the BBC Entertainment site. Shame on you BBC for not publicizing the brilliance of these wonderful musicians both now at the final and throughout the competition!

Clive in Finchley
Will we get a chance to hear the judges' deliberations? We heard only a tiny snatch for the finals in comparison to the semifinals. I am particularly curious to hear what the Russian judge had to say about Huw Morgan's immaculate performance.

YM Team response:
The judges spent a long time discussing and considering each of the five performances. Unfortunately given the amount of time available on air we were unable to broadcast any more of their decision making process, and as there are no more plans to re-broadcast the concert we won't be able to show any more of their thoughts and opinions.

alex amos -Ascot
I think that the lady pianist got shortchanged. I suggest that you use male judges throughout - I am not a chauvinist but men are more objective and fair!My exception is the Chairman - she was superb.

anon
Huw Morgan should have won. NOT Mark Simpson

Edward Holloway, Elgin, Moray
My wife and I very much enjoyed watching yesterday afternoon's final of YMOTY but were surprised and disappointed that, although the Eurovision Song Competition featured in this morning's news programmes, no mention was made of the far superior YMOTY winner.

Julia,Liverpool
Congratulations to Mark Simpson and the BBC. A superb performance and a deserved winner.Only the Beeb can present this sort of thing so well.

max daventry
well done to all,but i wish they like the piano and the gutarist played music which is nice to listen to.oh and dont put it on at the same time as eurovision i missed the judges descion

John , Bury
The pianist was robbed in the final. Thats all I have to say.

stewart mackenzie
More disappointed than surprised to see that the bbc news site was carrying 2 articles about the eurovision song contest tonight but no mention of YMOTY.

Greg Place; Notts
Where is the info about the winner. Nothing on the www or ceefax. Lots about Eurovision; hardly wherer the musicians of the future are coming from. I'm disapointed; think how the Young Musicians feel!

Gillian McPake, Glasgow
Well Done to Mark on winning today, he played very well!I was also amazed by Mark Simpson's (2006 winner) own clarinet piece, 'Love[escape], and was wondering if there was any way of purchasing the music or if I could get in touch with him in some way. Thanks

YM Team response:
Mark's composition Lov(escape) is currently unpublished, but if you would like to get in touch with him please send your correspondence care of the BBC Young Musician of the Year Office EG30 at Television Centre in London.

Hannah Stuttard, Glasgow
I would just like to say that Mark Simpson was amazing on the clarinet and deserved to win! The piece he composed himself was very good and i was wondering if it has been publised or if it is possible to obtain a copy of it? As a clarinetist i would love to play his piece! He is a very talented musician and i am glad he won.

London
I was extremely disappointed that the Semi-finals were only broadcast on BBC 4. Like many other fellow musicians, I was looking forward to watching the semi finals prior to the finals tonight but could not do so as I don't have BBC 4. Also, the YMOTY should be publicised more effectively and allow the general public to become more aware of the young British musical talent.

G. Hird Blandford Forum
Superb Finalists Congratulations. All deserve to be winners.

Angie Oxford
The very exciting final was this evening and yet on BBC News 24 you give a slot to the tedious Eurovision song contest and do not even headline this excellent competition - why? It's your extremely good competition , why not take the opportuntity to make it known to a wider audience instead of pandering to mediocre popularity.

"Rimmer", Liverpool
I go to school with Mark and id just like to say form me and the fans who are on line on MSN at the moment a big well done!

anon
cordelia was robbed, she was in a league of her own!

Monica, Leeds
Well done Toby!!

ernest dalton
Congratulations to the judges!! Have followed all week and hoped so much Marks original, gripping musical talent got recognised. Overwhelmed that he won! Of course the judges would see,feel and hear as I did but it did come as a shock with the quality of the other performances. He is VERY SPECIAL. The equivalent of a Wayne Rooney only better looking tell him. His playing of the Neilson had me spellbound. Mark is A true 21st century British musician, I would subscribe to any fund that was set up to help him compose further. I am certain he will translate to the international stage. Treasure him!! A fan, from posh Cambridge.

anon
We have just watched the final and were shocked by the judges decision. As musicians ourselves, we were both completely captivated by Toby's dynamic performance and thought he was the clear winner- judging by the rapturous applause from the audience, I think they would agree.

Zulekha Salloo
Performance by Toby Kearney on percussion for 2006 Young Musician was fabulous and quite exceptional.

Cathy Chinn Southampton
I missed the name and composer of the wild west piece played on the classical guitar in the semi-final. Could you possibly put it on the website?

YM Team response:
Gary Ryan Scenes from the Wild West published by London.

JOHN LEFLEY, CAMDEN, LONDON
Marvellous that you are covering this in such depth! BUT you are missing an oppotunity to promote not only young musicians but unfamiliar music. I am listening to Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto at this moment - but I suspect I am not alone in your audience in knowing virtually nothing of Nielsen, and absolutely nothing about this work! A brief intro to the music itself would be great!

Chrissie Beddows
New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey Cordelia to win. She is so lyrical and always gives a sparkling performance. She is brilliant and will have a wonderful career. If she doesn't win there is no justice. I must add I am not a relative or friend.

Andy London
what was the name of the piece for trumpet and percussion played by Toby the winner of the percussion category in the semi final 2006. I missed the beginning of the piece on TV. it would be really useful if the pieces the contestants played were listed in full on the BBC website, surely its not just about the players but the music also. This type of fantastic music is rarely heard on TV. Give it credit

YM Team response:
Sorry not to get back to you sooner Andy, we missed your email in the long list of messages. The piece for trumpet and percussion you refer to is by Jan Bradley and it is called "Chieba"

Heather Grant Brussels
Can only agree with a previous comment about the scandal of Young Musician being on BBC4 and at a time when many young people are in bed (or should be). I watched this competition from the start and much more air time/prime time was given in the good old days before the dawn of the general BBC 'dumb down everything' policy. As a music teacher and a woodwind specialist I want to encourage my student to watch the competition. One good thing about the competition is that it has not yet been infected by the cult of celebrity. I guess that is the next direction.

Liz Cook, Carlisle
I think the winner will be David Massey. His playing was so assured. I completely forgot how young he is and just absorbed the music.

Alicia Little frome
I have enjoyed watching this years competition, but have been disappointed at how little music was shown. Many of the competitors said how inspirational Young Musician was when they were younger and I remember watching all the rounds avidly and following the progress of some outstanding musicians. The programme is a shadow of its former self, and not intended for children. It is on too late and too little music!!

Derek, Oxford
The contestants in this year's competition are as good as ever. However, the BBC's performance has been poor. There seems to be much less air-time given to the musicians' performances than previously. With the BBC having more channels, especially BBC4, at its disposal, it is very odd the discover that less time is given by the BBC to the music. A very poor effort this year.

Ann, Merseyside
What a delight to watch those young musicians, how talented and how proud their parents must be. Isn't it nice to see something other than football come from Liverpool, Well Done Mark!!!!

Adam, London
I would like to say how poorly I thought the television shows on BBC4 this week were produced. They spent far too much time showing what went on behind the scenes instead of focusing on the music, as you would expect they would (given the name of the show and all). The home audience wasn't really given an opportunity to judge the players for themselves, given that the programme showed about 3 minutes of each competitor, which was interspersed with dialogue from the judges (whats the point if we have no basis to agree/disagree). I think in future it might be a worthwile investment to just show each competitor's programme in full so we can see why they have been selected to play in the final.

john, Bristol
Im surprised that no one has mentioned David Massey, classical guitarist.Saw him in the semis and he really knocked my socks off! Wonderful!! I really hope he wins. I wish all the contestensts the best of course but for me, from what I've heard,he's head and shoulders above the rest. A real star in the making

VW Trethewey
Many people are unable to get BBC 4 for a variety of reasons. By putting YMTY (other than the final)on to BBC 4 you are discriminating against those of us who only have access to BB1 and BBC 2. There are SO MANY children and adults who would love to watch the programme from the early rounds (just as we used to be able to do) and it is very unfair not to make it available to EVERYONE! As pointed out by a previous correspondent you wouldn't dare restrict the channels if a pop competition was on, and we all know there'll be wall to wall coverage of the World Cup. Please put ALL YMTY back on to BBC 2 for 2008!

Joel Michaels, Kent
Watching and listening to the Young Musicians woodwind semi finals the other night my wife and I were very disheartened by the way the Judges were slating the young performers in a way I would expect from Pop Idol not BBC Young Musician of the Year. One particular remark when a judge compared the performer's playing with his own students was in my view absolutely inappropriate. Whilst perhaps the woodwind seemed generally not to be at quite the same level as in previous years I believe the musicians deserved more positive comment than they got, at least on air. I urge the BBC to reconsider the process by which they choose their judges for future years. I should add that my criticism of the judges is directed at the woodwind semi finals. I thought the judges in the other disciplines were fair and, perhaps more importantly, they were polite and sensitive. I am a cellist and my wife is a flautist. We know how much work is involved to reach the standard these youngsters have achieved and how easily their confidence can be shattered.

David -- Yorkshire
All the finalists are superb, but I would like to mention the person you have all forgotten -- the BBC official piano accompanist Liz. Liz is unbelievable superb -- learning a piano part in no time, putting up with one very arrogant musician (not a finalist), and giving unbelievably positive support to all. Liz -- you'r a treasure, a star, a saint. Why has every one forgotten you?

Ted, Yorkshire
how come you didn't show the full 15 minutes of the competitors semi final recital? As a musician i would have found it a lot more interesting and valuable to hear all of everyones recitals, rather than just loads of information on the individuals. I really hope you're going to play the whole of all of their concerto's on saturday...

William Coleman, Birmingham
I watched the Strings round tonight, and was appalled to find just how little music was featured. Basically, there is no sense of performance at all - this is sound bite TV of the worst kind. You have reduced this part of the selection to a summary, and there is no sense in my opinion of the viewer/listener being given an oportunity to form an opinion of the performer based on the performance. I would have thought that with the increase in coverage offered by digital TV, this would have allowed greater coverage of the earlier stages of the competition. But no - why is this? Surely the BBC should be brave enough to go against the tide, and allow the performances of these young players to speak for themselves, rather than having a majority of the programme based on commentary and 'behind the scenes' nonsense. Please let's have more music and less 'personality' - The music does this bit BTW!!!

mr harold webster
May we please have a young musician of the year programme in which you eschew the endless soap opera portraits of the performers and the offensive panel judges 'voices over' ruining the already incredibly short musical excerpts broadcast. dumbing down it most certainly is!

helen, manchester
I agree with 'Cornwall'. I don't have BBC4 because we can't get it in my area. Be fair, and please put the semifinals onto BBC1 or BB2. We all have those!

quentinquirk@Manx.net
very disappointed in the format this year. Too much talk, not enough playing!

Karen, Andover
I am disapointed in the Semifinal broadcasts. There is too much time given to following the performances backstage - sometimes intrusively when they are trying to compose tmemselves - and not enough time on the musiitself. Also we had the adjudicators comments made over the msuic, so we were unable to enjoy listening and come to an unbiased view ourselves. The amount of time has been cut down - we used to have an evening for each section. A bit more time would also enable us to hear more of the complete performances, not just the finalists whom we get to hear again anyway.

Carole from Croydon
why is the build up to this marvelous competition mainly on BBC4. I and many others dont have this channel yet and I had looked forward to this competition especially as I know one of the semi finalists. Why cant the BBC put something as wonderful as this that shows what talented young people can acheive as opposed to giving teenagers a bad name by normally showing the boring and uneducated low life teenagers that do nothing for society. why not do something uplifting for a change?

Sally, Manchester
Having watched some of the BBC4 semi-finals this week, I'm disappointed that there is not enough of the performances and far too much of the judges' opinions. The programmes aren't long enough to do each of the performances justice as it is: why is so much emphasis placed on the judges' deliberations? Who decided it was a good idea to have these played over the performances? Both seem to distract from the primary role of YMOTY to provide a platform for talented young musicians. It's 'Young Musician of the Year', not 'Most Opinionated Judge of the Year'!

Parent of quarterfinalist.
It was fascinating to see the quarterfinal in perspective and we all really enjoyed it while re living the huge anxiety of the two day wait to play.I couldn't help feeling though that for all those people who support the quarterfinalists it was a shame that there wasn't even a glimpse of some of those taking part.Even if those who didn't go through to the semifinal were shown in a 2 second "still" it would only have taken just over a minute to illustrate everyone,(the semifinalists having their own coverage) and there would have been at least some acknowledgement of their presence.The programme showed something of the pressure the performers face which is impossible to convey and a small insight into the preparation involved.Those of us watching at the time were acutely aware of the significance of reaching this stage and so it seems sad not to even be mentioned in the credits at the end of the programme.We also think Liz Burley is fabulous and would be great to see something of her tremendous skills as an extra spin off!

David, Nottingham
Oh I forgot to ask. Whatever happened to the televised masterclasses with those students and competitiors who werent lucky enough to reach the final? I remember some fantastic coaching sessions from a number of years back. Lets see it reintroduced PLEASE!

David, Nottingham
Can you tell me why it is that you dont publish the contestants repertoire choices here and also why do we not get complete televised performances. We want to hear more of the talent - Please!

Edwina Williams, Oxfordshire
Yesterday I watched the percussion and piano semi-final. I was dismayed that in a one hour programme less than 20 minutes was given to the actual music. Only one to two minutes of each performers music was shown, hardly enough for us to make up our own minds about who should win let alone enjoying a substantial piece of music. I have been an avid follower of YMOY since its beginning and was very diasappointed. Although some of the documantary side of the programme is interesting surely the music deserves more time!

Nic Robinson, Chippenham
Why can't we listen or see the semi-finals properly? TheBBC4 documentaries are good, but the clips of the actual performances are ridiculously short - no chance to get an idea of the playing. Can't this be done properly - perhaps on Radio 3? My other comment is that obliging the competitors to play one contemporary piece (last few years) is a silly gimmick. Come on – the recital is 15 minutes long. If someone at the BBC wants to thump the tub of contemporary music, don’t do it here. Let the kids express themselves in their own way with a more balanced programme.

Stessy in Pinner
Yet again the BBC is dumbing down. BBC 2 used to find slots to broadcast both the quarter and semi-finals of this wonderful competition. Now, with two additional channels, it can only find time for a condensed version of the five sectional finals - and four of those have to share a programme! You will tell me that the winning renditions of each final may be heard in full later in the week - but these are the same people who we will have an opportunity to hear in the final itself. The programme broadcast last night dwelt more on the competitors as personalities rather than allowing the viewer the opportunity to hear their playing and judge for themsleves who they deemed to be the best. No genuine performance was heard until 20 minutes into the programme! In addition, the panel's comments were heard after each "snippet" (and even then only 2 ourt of the three pieces offered) - which took away any possible suspense as their opinons were all too clearly telegraphed. It is shameful that given the effort and hard work of these young competitors the BBC can devote so little time to a competition which it sponsors and gives it such a "soft-focus" treatment which assumes that all those watching are incapable of forming their own opinions based on the music itself. Yours sadly Stessy

Harry - London
It's disappointing that YMOTY has been hived off to BBC4 since last year. Not all viewers have set top boxes. As a consequence of this I now miss watching the semi-finals!

Ray Heath, Gascony
We watched the piano and percussion semi-finals last night and could not believe how little time was allocated to hearing the actual performances of the competitors. I am not that interested in seeing adoring parents, make-up artists, people standing around and competitors adjusting their clothes. What we really want is just to listen to wonderful music. Not one single piece was heard all the way through. If the programme is dumbed down any further, I doubt whether we will even see a pianist sitting at the keyboard next year. Please, more playing, less background.

Bruce Milne, Essex
I haven't read through every comment on this page but it seems to me that you have ducked the issue of where the programmes are shown. I find it extremely disappointing that the BBC has decided to show the semi-finals on BBC4. Another example of the BBC dumbing down? I pay my license and expect to see a variety of programmes on BBC1 and BBC2. Haven't we got enough soaps, quizzes etc to satisfy most people? YMOTY is a popular programme and theh BBC should be ashamed of itself.

Graeme Jackson, Gloucester
We have watched the broadcast of the Young Musician of the Year competition for many years. It has been our most eagerly anticipated programme. We used to watch with mounting excitement as the various musicians competed in their groups until the final was arrived at. By then one felt one knew the people well and it has been very interesting to follow their careers afterwards. We have been very disappointed by the way the BBC has devoted less and less time each year to broadcasting the programme. We watched last night and felt it was a travesty of a programme. We were disgusted at the way in which so little time was given to the different soloists. It is a shame that after so much musicianship and skill is put into the competition by the musicians that the BBC makes it impossible for us to share what they are doing. We shall not watch again; it is an insult to the musicians!

...
The semi-finals are only showing tiny fragments of the competitors playing. This does not give the audience a chance to make a personal opinion on who they thought stood out. I expect i'm not the only one who is very disappointed with the coverage. What happened to the days when we saw whole performances from ALL of the competitors in the semis?

Lisa, Cheshire
I thought the semi-finals were moved to BBC4 a few years ago so they could be shown in full - but this time we got about 2 minutes of each recital. Next time, please can the BBC show more music and less documentary!! (I know the winning recitals are on in full). Congratulations to the winner. I am not a music expert by any means but on what I did see, they were easily the best!

Andrew Liepins, Notttingham
Too much chat and not enough music in the first of the televised semi-finals(Piano AND Percussion). We heard only a few minutes extract from each of the performers, unlike two years ago when the whole of the category finalists recitals were broadcast. How can viewers form any meaningful judgement from these soundbites? We need to hear all the semi-finalists perform their programmes to judge one against the other. It was managed better in previous years including a short interview with the performers and jurors comments.

Victoria Attwater, Sevenoaks
Why can't you show the whole of the semi-finalist recitals, as you used to do? This competition used to be on BBC2, and now we have to make do with severely edited highlights tucked away on BBC4. Is the BBC embarrassed about the music? Does it think people don't have the concentration to listen to a whole piece of classical music any more? Why can't you let the performances speak rather than build the programme round a pseudo-documentary about the competition? Couldn't you at least make the entire recitals available on the internet?

katherine, gloucestershire
its a wonderful experience, highly recommended. enjoy it for what it is, it made me raise my standards completely, and has improved me as a musician and a person. keep going. it's great.

Cornwall
It is sad and shameful that the BBC is depriving millions of licence payers the pleasure of watching the semi finals of Young Musician by not putting them on to BBC 2 but onto BBC 4.It wouldn't happen if it was a pop competition! Please think of all the children and adults who want to watch the semi finals.

James Kittle, Essex
Is it possible to play your own compositions in the competition?

YM Team response:
Yes, it is ok to play your own compositions in the competition.

Fenella, London
Can you repeat works from stage 1 in stage 2?

YM Team response:
No you are not allowed to repeat works between stages 1 & 2.
However, in stages 3 OR 4 you may repeat one piece of music that you played in stages 1 OR 2

Heider Nasralla, Manchester UK
Why has the age restriction been changed from 19 or under to 18? I'm a bit disappointed I can't take part next year!

YM Team response:
When the competition was launched the age limit was originally 18, however during the late 1980's and early 1990's the age limit was raised to 19 to help raise the standard of performances. In recent years though, the standard of performance amongst the younger competitors has been so high, the 2004 winner Nicola Benedetti was 16, and the 2002 winner Jennifer Pike was only 12, that it was decided to lower the age limit back to 18. In addition, 19 year old musicians may be studying at music conservatoires and will be eligible to enter adult competitions. Lowering the age limit to 18 makes BBC Young Musician a youth competition.

Future winner of the piano section, London.
Hello dear BBC people, please could you maybe reconsider the time limit for the concerto round? Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a decent piano concerto that fits in 25 minutes? Well, if you don't, let me tell you, it is very tricky indeed. Thank you for any response you might be willing to give.

YM Team response:
I’m afraid we won’t be reconsidering the time limit for the Concerto Final. With very little research we have come up with 15 different concertos by composers including Mozart, Rachmaninov, Glazunov, Mendelssohn, Saint-Saens, Prokofiev and Liszt which all fit within the 25 minute limit. Pianists have a wide range to choose from, unlike many other instruments.

jason wood, shropshire
I'm not grade 8 standard, but i can play grade 8 pieces. will there ever be a competition for under grade 8?

YM Team response:
Dear Jason,
If you are playing Grade 8 pieces but have not yet done your exam, you can get your teacher to confirm that you are playing pieces of this standard and still enter the competition if you would like to. There are many competitions and festivals around the country which include musicians who aren't necessarily Grade 8 standard and if you look in for example the British Music Yearbook it will give you a good list of other competitions you might be able to compete in.

katy bent
I think there should be an proper age limmet as the pianist who got into the final last year was too young. It should be older people because then everyone gets a chance.

YM Team response:
Hi Katy, there is no lower age limit so that everyone who is under 18 (i.e. not an adult) can apply which we think is very fair.

Hannah, Ireland
Is there any type of music which the judges prefer? Any advice on pieces for the viola?

YM Team response:
There is no particular type or style of music the judges prefer Hannah. The main advice when choosing a programme is
1. keep within the time limit
2. provide some variety of style in the pieces
3. choose works with which you are totally comfortable and which you feel show the best parts of your playing – not any potential weaknesses.

Here are some examples of viola pieces played in the competition in recent years:

Brahms - Sonata Op.120 in F
Hindemith - Sonata Op. 25 No.1
J.S. Bach - Cello Suite No.6 in G (tr. Viola)
Bloch - Meditation & Processional
Schumann - Marchenbilder Op.113
Flackton - Sonata No.1 in C
Patterson - Tides of Mananan Op.64
Liszt - Romance Oubliee
Frank Bridge - Allegro appassionato
Brahms - Sonate in Eb Op.120 No.2
Britten - Lachrymae Op. 48
Glazunov - Elegy
Hofmeister Concerto in Bb, Mvt 1
Milhaud - “Wisconsonian” from 4 Visages
Alan Hovanhess - Chahagir
Bruch - Romance Op. 85
Schubert - Arpeggione Sonata
Brahms - Sonata in F Min
Kreisler - Praeludium & Allegro
J.S Bach - Viola Da Gamba Sonata No.1 in G
Hummel - Fantasie
Spratt - Deep Through the Middle
Schumann - Adagio & Allegro from Op.70
Putz - Blues for Benny
Rhian Samuel - Blythswood - Gannets diving
Enesco - Konzertstuck