I. General conditions

1.1. These Regulations define the aims and objectives, procedure and conditions of the II International Competition for Young Musicians «Symphony of Yamal» (hereafter referred to as the Competition).
1.2. The aims and objectives of the Competition are:
— identifying and supporting talented young people in the field of musical performance;
— developing and strengthening professional and cultural relations and exchanging experiences between musicians;
— create a creative environment conducive to the spiritual, moral and professional development of musicians.
1.3. The Founder and Organiser of the Competition is the Government of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug represented by the Department of Culture of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (hereafter referred to as the Founder).
1.4. Stages and timing of the Competition:
1.4.1. First qualifying round (remotely, video) – from 12 September 2025 to 30 October 2025.
1.4.2. Round II, Round III and Final (Closing Ceremony) from 10 February 2026 to 15 February 2026.
1.5. Location of the Competition: Russian Federation, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

II. Organizing Committee of the Competition

2.1. A Competition Organising Committee (hereafter referred to as the Organising Committee) shall be set up to carry out the work of hosting and supporting the Competition.
2.2. The composition of the Competition Organising Committee shall be approved by a decree of the Government of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
2.3. The Organising Committee is obliged to:
2.3.1. Make preparations for the successful hosting of the Competition.
2.3.2. Monitor compliance with the terms of these Regulations.
2.3.3. Approve the composition of the jury and the chairman of the jury for the competition.
2.3.4. Provide organisational and technical support for the payment of cash prizes to the laureates and diploma holders of the Competition.
2.4. The Organising Committee shall have the right:
2.4.1. Not to give any explanation to the participants about the reasons why their applications were not selected.
2.4.2. Change these Regulations, its annexes and other conditions of the Competition and related event. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, temporarily suspend the Competition.
2.5. The official address of the Competition Organising Committee:
629007, Russian Federation, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug
Salekhard, 29 Republic St.
E-mail: info@yamalsymphony.ru
Website: https://yamalsymphony.ru

III. Financial conditions

3.1. The expenses of the contestant and accompanist (travel, accommodation, meals, and transport during the Competition) shall be covered by the Competition Founder:
3.1.1. The Competition Founder, in accordance with the transport application submitted by the participant, shall independently purchase economy class airline tickets or train tickets to and from the venue for the contestant (and his/her accompanist) who has passed to the second, third rounds and the Final (Closing Ceremony).
3.1.2. The contestant (and his/her accompanist) undertakes to provide the Competition Founder with travel documents (original and/or electronic boarding passes for airline tickets) within 30 (thirty) days after the end of the Competition. If the travel documents are not provided, the Contestant undertakes to reimburse the Competition Founder for the travel expenses incurred for himself and the accompanist.
3.1.3. If necessary, additional tickets will be purchased for the musical instrument on which the participant will perform the competition programme (with the exception of keyboard instruments).
3.1.4. The contestant (and his/her accompanist) shall independently ensure timely arrival at the airport/train station of the city of departure.
3.1.5. Upon arrival in the city where the Competition is held, the Competition Founder shall provide the Contestant (and his/her accompanist) with a transfer from the airport/train station to the hotel, as well as from the hotel to the airport/train station on the return journey.
3.1.6. Changes to the departure date and/or route shall be made at the expense of the party initiating such changes.
3.1.7. Contestants (and their accompanists) invited to the second and third rounds and the Final (closing ceremony) will be provided with hotel accommodation (single occupancy in a hotel of at least three stars) for the period from 9 February 2026 to 16 February 2026.
3.1.8. For contestants who are under 18 years of age on the date of the Competition, the Competition Founder may additionally pay for the travel and accommodation of one accompanying person.
3.1.9. Contestants (and their accompanists) who have advanced to the second and third rounds and the Final (closing ceremony) of the Competition will be provided with meals from 9 February 2026 to 16 February 2026.
3.2. Contestants who have received an invitation to participate in the face-to-face rounds (rounds II, III and the Final) of the Competition and who reside in a country that has a visa regime with the Russian Federation must apply to the consulate of the Russian Federation for a visa. The Founder of the Competition undertakes to provide all necessary invitations, but is not responsible for obtaining visas and related costs.
3.3. Contestants who arrive to participate in the Competition and refuse to perform without a valid reason shall bear all expenses for their stay and travel and shall also reimburse the Competition Founder for the expenses incurred for themselves and their accompanist. The decision on the need for the participant to compensate the Competition Founder for expenses shall be made by the Organising Committee, taking into account the validity of the participant’s refusal to perform.

IV. Procedure for the Competition

4.1. The competition shall be held in the following categories:
— «Piano»;
— «Violin»;
— «Cello».
4.2. The Competition is open to musicians of all nationalities. The age of the participants of the Competition is from 16 to 30 years old inclusive on the date of the opening of the Competition — 10 February 2026.
4.3. Winners of first prizes in the previous International Competition for Young Musicians «Symphony of Yamal» are not eligible to participate in the Competition.
4.4. All in-person auditions for the Competition shall be held in public.
4.5. All works shall be performed by the participants of the Competition by heart.
4.6. The competition consists of the first qualifying round, the second and third rounds, and the Final:
4.6.1. The first qualifying round will be held remotely from 12 September 2025 to 30 October 2025 (based on video recordings).
4.6.2. All candidates whose applications meet the requirements of these Regulations shall participate in the first qualifying round (based on video recordings).
4.6.3. The results of the first qualifying round shall be announced by the Founder of the Competition and posted on the official website of the Competition by 12 December 2025.
4.6.4. Candidates who pass the first qualifying round will receive an official letter from the Competition Founder inviting them to participate in the live rounds at the Competition venue from 10 February 2026 to 15 February 2026.
4.6.5. Rounds II and III and the Final will be held in person. Rounds I and II will consist of solo performances (for the violin and cello categories, accompanied by an accompanist if necessary), while Round III and the Final will be accompanied by an orchestra.
4.6.6. All participants in the violin and cello categories participate in the Competition with their own accompanists. If a participant’s accompanist is unable to attend, the Competition Founder will provide a guest accompanist. Information about the participant’s accompanist or the need for an accompanist must be indicated in the application form.
4.6.7. No more than 5 participants in each category will be admitted to Rounds II and III. All contestants admitted to Round II will also perform in Round III. There will be no selection (elimination) of contestants between the second and third rounds.
4.6.8. The order of performances of participants in Rounds II and III is determined by drawing lots. The jury has the right to change the order of performances.
4.6.9. Only the winners of the first prizes in Rounds II and III (finalists) in each category are admitted to the Final.
4.7. All participants are provided with rehearsal rooms and the opportunity to conduct acoustic rehearsals in the halls.
4.8. The Founder shall provide participants with information materials about the Competition.
4.9. The Founder reserves the right to use audio and video recordings of participants’ auditions and photographs of participants for the purpose of covering the Competition in the media and on the Internet.

V. Procedure for the submission of applications to the Competition

5.1. Application for participation in the Competition must be submitted from 12 September 2025 to 30 October 2025 through the candidate’s personal account on the official website of the Competition https://yamalsymphony.ru (hereafter — the Website) in accordance with Annex No. 2 to these Regulations.
5.2. The application must be completed in Russian or English on the form provided on the Website and certified by the personal signature of the participant.
5.3. The following documents and materials shall be attached to the electronic application:
— a copy of the candidate’s identity document (passport);
— the bank details of the participant;
— biography (approximately 1,000 characters);
— colour photographs of the candidate in digital format with a resolution of at least 1024 x 768 pixels, including one close-up photo suitable for publication;
— the programme for all rounds complying with the Programme Requirements (Annex No. 1 to these Regulations), indicating the full names of the authors, the exact titles of the works, numbers, opuses, parts or movements numbers, and keys, as well as the timing of each work. Changes to the list of works to be performed at the Competition’s in-person rounds shall be permitted until 25 December 2025;
— a web link to a video file (hereafter referred to as video) of the qualifying programme.
5.4. Applications received after the date specified in clause 5.1 of these Regulations or that do not meet the requirements of these Regulations shall not be considered.
5.5. Video recording requirements:
5.5.1. The video recording must be uploaded to Yandex.Disk, and a link to the file must be provided in the form of an active web link that is openly accessible for viewing and downloading (without the need for authorisation).
5.5.2. Posting videos on third-party video hosting sites (including YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) is not permitted. Links to such resources will not be considered and will be deemed non-compliant with the terms and conditions of participation.
5.5.3. The video must be made no earlier than May 2025.
5.5.4. The video must have a resolution of at least 1280×720 pixels, and the frame rate must be at least 23.976 frames per second.
5.5.5. The video must be provided only as a web link (candidates for participation in the Competition are responsible for ensuring that the web links are functional).
5.5.6. The name of the video file must contain the candidate’s first and last name. The description of the video file must list all the works performed (indicating the composer, number, opus, key, and movements (if any) in the order of performance).
5.5.7.    The programme performed in the video must comply with the Programme Requirements (Annex No. 1 to these Regulations).
5.5.8. Only one video file containing all works that meet the Programme Requirements may be submitted.
5.5.9. Videos containing performances by other musicians and any other works or materials that do not correspond to the objectives of the Competition are not permitted.
5.5.10. The entire programme must be recorded with a static, stationary video camera (a device with a video camera function) strictly on one stage from one location (angle) without interruptions during the performance of a single work. It is permissible to turn off the camera between numbers. The video must show the performer in full height (view from the auditorium).
5.5.11. It is not permitted to split the video files of the qualifying round programme. The video, including its audio track, must not be edited, montaged or altered in any way from the beginning to the end of the programme, including audio editing of individual sounds, segments of the programme, or montaging of parts of works together. The only exception is editing for the purpose of trimming the video file(s) before the start of the programme (individual piece) and after the end of the programme (individual piece).

VI. Jury of the Competition

6.1. The Competition jury shall consist of eminent personalities of world music culture. The composition of the Competition jury shall be approved by the Competition Organising Committee.
6.2. The Jury decides on the selection of the participants of the Competition at all stages of the Competition, on the awarding of places, prizes, titles of diploma holders and laureates, and the Grand Prix of the Competition.
6.3. The Jury may decide to reduce a contestant’s programme or to terminate the performance, with the consent of all jurors.
6.4. The Jury may decide, if necessary, to amend the terms of these regulations.
6.5. Decisions made by the Jury shall be final and not subject to revision.

VII. Prizes and awards

7.1. Based on the results of Rounds II and III, two diploma winners of the Competition in each category shall be determined, and first, second and third prizes shall be awarded in each category.
7.2. Based on the results of the Final, the winner of the Grand Prix of the Competition will be determined from among the winners of the First Prizes.
7.3. The following cash prizes shall be established in the Competition:
— Grand Prix — 1,000,000 roubles;
— I Prize — 500,000 roubles;
— II Prize — 400,000 roubles;
— III Prize — 300,000 roubles;
— Diploma holder — 100,000 roubles.
7.4. The Jury shall have the right:
— to award not all the prizes;
— divide the prizes among the participants.
7.5. The Jury shall be entitled to award prizes to the best accompanists of the Competition (not more than one in each category).

VIII. Special conditions

8.1. The finalists of the Competition are required to attend the Closing Ceremony free of charge.
8.2. All rounds of the Competition may be broadcast live, published on the Internet and recorded for later broadcasting and publication on audio and video media.
8.3. All rights for the broadcasting, audio and video recordings of the Competition and the final concerts of the winners belong to the Founder (without payment of royalties to the participants), as well as the sale and distribution of the aforementioned materials.
8.4. Participants and their accompanists undertake to sign a document confirming that they have no claims against the Founder for the use of the above materials. The Founder shall have no financial obligations to the participants for the use of the materials received.
8.5. The Founder shall not provide participants, accompanists and other attendants with any kind of insurance.
8.6. Participants shall not have any other professional obligations while participating in the Competition.
8.7. The application form signed by a candidate for the Competition shall be evidence that the prospective participant fully accepts and undertakes to comply with the terms and conditions of these Regulations.