Rules & Conditions
1. The competition is open to all persons who are under 20 years of age on 19 April 2026, and are either resident in Malahide, Portmarnock or Kinsealy or attending school or music lessons in Malahide, Portmarnock or Kinsealy.
2. If sufficient entries are received in individual categories, competitions with lower age limits will be added in those categories.
3. The overall winner of the Young Musician of the Year title is not eligible to enter the same individual section of the competition again. This exclusion does not apply to the Group Section.
4. Competitors may enter one or more categories of the competition. Competitors may enter the same category more than once if they are performing on different instruments within that category e.g. violin and cello or flute and recorder.
5. Entry forms for the competition, clearly and fully filled out should be submitted/returned together with entry fee no later than the closing date indicated. In no circumstances will fees be returned.
6. Two contrasting pieces to be performed with a total duration of no more than 8 minutes. In cases where there is a large number of entries within a category, we reserve the right to hear one piece. The second piece may be performed on recall if the adjudicator wishes.
7. Competitors shall furnish copies of their test pieces to the Adjudicator on the day of the competition, if such copies are available.
8. An official accompanist is available to competitors if required and a specified contribution towards the cost of this is payable at the time of entry. A rehearsal with the accompanist prior to the date of the competition is mandatory for competitors availing of this service. Competitors may, with the prior approval of the Committee, provide alternative accompaniment/backing track at their own expense.
9. The decision of the Adjudicator shall, in all cases, be decisive as to merit. In all other cases the decision of the Committee will be final.
10. Competitors shall, where requested on reasonable notice, produce a valid Birth Certificate to the Committee before or on the date of their participation in competitions. Failure to do so will mean disqualification from the relevant category.
11. If, in the opinion of the Committee, insufficient entries are received in any given category, categories may be grouped to achieve an acceptable competitive level.