27th International Gathering of Flautists “Tahir Kulenović”

Music school “Živorad Grbić” from 19th to 22nd March 2026

The organizer

Association of Music and Ballet Pedagogues of Serbia

Implementing institution

Music school “Živorad Grbić” – Valjevo (Serbia)

Patrons

City of Valjevo

and

The family of Professor Tahir Kulenović

Organizational team

1. Miomir Simonović – Art director of the festival

2. Vojislav Avramović – Association of Music and Ballet Pedagogues of Serbia President

3. Suzana Radovanović Perić –  MS „Živorad Grbić” Headteacher

4. Slaviša Jezdimirović –MS „Živorad Grbić” Assistant headteacher

5. Tijana Čitaković –MS „Živorad Grbić” Assistant headteacher

6. Milica Stepanović Baba-Milkić –MS „Živorad Grbić” Teacher

7. Mina Čkojić –MS „Živorad Grbić” Teacher

8. Radica Đedović –MS „Živorad Grbić” Teacher

Members of the jury

* MA-Music Academy, SMS- Secondary Music School, PMS- Primary Music School

You can participate if:

• Soloists:

  • you are a flautist attending primary or secondary music school or music academy;

  • the category is determined according to the grade of music school that the participant attends

• Chamber ensembles:

  • from 2 to 8 performers

  • minimum one flute in the ensemble

  • duo flute-piano is not allowed;

  • piano accompanist is allowed

  • the category is determined according to the level of education of the oldest member in the ensemble

This competition is in the Calendar of competitions for primary schools in Serbia in the school year 2025/2026.

Categories

Soloists

Pupils and students choose freely selected compositions:

• Primary music school category:

  • First grade: two freely selected compositions up to 6 minutes;

  • Second grade: two freely selected compositions up to 8 minutes;

  • Third grade: two freely selected compositions up to 10 minutes;

  • Fourth grade:

    • possibility A): two movements of a sonata or first movement of a concert and freely selected composition up to 15 minutes,

    • possibility B): two freely selected compositions up to 15 minutes.

  • Fifth grade:

    • possibility A): two movements of a sonata or first movement of a concert and freely selected composition up to 15 minutes,

    • possibility B): two freely selected compositions up to 15 minutes.

  • Sixth grade:

    • possibility A): two movements of a sonata or first movement of a concert and freely selected composition up to 15 minutes,

    • possibility B): two freely selected compositions up to 15 minutes.  

Notes:

participants from countries in which primary music school lasts 8 years (Bulgaria...) choose competition categories for primary music schools from this chart:

participants from countries in which primary music school lasts 9 years (Montenegro) choose competition categories for primary music schools from this chart:

• Secondary music school category:

  • First and Second grade:

    • possibility A): two movements of a sonata or first movement of a concert and freely selected composition up to 17 minutes,

    • possibility B): two freely selected compositions up to 17 minutes.

  • Third and Fourth grade:

    • possibility A): first movement of a concert and freely selected composition up to 20 minutes,

    • possibility B): two freely selected compositions up to 20 minutes.  

• Music academy category (BA and MA):

  • First and Second year: one multi-movement form and one freely selected piece up to 30 minutes;

  • Third and Fourth year: one multi-movement form and one freely selected piece up to 35 minutes;

  • Master of Arts: one multi-movement form and one freely selected piece up to 40 minutes.

Notes:

• It is not allowed to perform a greater number of  compositions than it is determined in the regulations of the festival

• Deviation of time limit of each composition/ piece/ form will not be tolerated

Chamber ensembles

Chamber ensembles choose freely selected compositions:

• First category

  • primary school pupils: up to 8 minutes

• Second category

  • secondary school pupils: up to 15 minutes

• Third category

  • students of music academies: up to 25 minutes.

Note:

• Deviation of time limit of each composition/ piece/ form will not be tolerated

Awarding

According to the Rule book, the jury awards:

First Prize from 95.00 to 100.00 points

Second Prize from 85.00 to 94.99 points

Third Prize from 75.00 to 84.99 points

Honorable Mention from 65.00 to 74.99 points.

If two participants have the same number of points, advantage will be given to the younger one.

For every grade/year for soloists and for every category for ensembles the jury awards Special First Prizes.

The jury can announce the absolute winner of the Gathering: Laureate among all primary schools, Laureate among all secondary schools and Laureate among all academies.

Teachers/professors whose pupils/students are participating at the Gathering, can be present when jury deliberates and can participate in the discussion after the awards are given.

Tahir Kulenović's Family Award:

Jury will announce Laureate of the Entire Gathering, choosing among the most successful participants, to whom the family of Tahir Kulenović will give a money prize.

Other awards:

The following prizes will also be awarded at the Gathering:

• The Award for the Best Pedagogue (apart from the award, the best pedagogue will be given the honour to be the member of the jury of the next Gathering)

• The Award for the Best Accompanist

Additional events

Closing Ceremony and Gala Concert (concert of laureates)

Sunday 22nd March 2026 (after the competition is finished)

Master class

Professor Dejan Gavrić, the full professor of the High School of Music, University Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany and visiting professor at Faculty of Philology and Arts in Kragujevac, will hold a master class from March 19 to 21, 2026.

Master class is organized for secondary music school students and music academy students.

Only participants of the Gathering can attend Master class. 

Master class application should be also filled in online application. The number of participants is limited to 30.

Additional information:

Mina Čkojić (e-mail: Ova adresa el. pošte zaštićena je od spam napada, treba omogućiti JavaSkript da biste je videli )

The list of registered participants so far can be viewed at THIS LINK.

Accompanist engagement

Participants can engage a professional accompanist. It must be noted in the application form. In that case, the music sheets partituras have to be sent to the accompanist by email. The deadline is February 23, 2026. 

For additional information regarding the terms of engagement and rehearsals for the performance, please contact the accompanist directly: 

Filip Milisavljević (Academy of Arts, Novi Sad)

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Video footage of the performance

During online registration participants can request a video footage of their performance. After the performance video footages will be sent via online service wetransfer.com.

The fee for recording the performance is 2000 dinars.

The fee is to be paid to the same dinar bank account used for the Donation. In the field “Purpose of payment”, after “Donation for the Flautists’ Gathering”, please add “+ performance recording”.

Applying

Participants registration is carried out via the online application form at the following links:

Application form for SOLOISTS

Application form for CHAMBER ENSEMBLES

Registration deadline: 

23 February 2026.

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted!

The competition application will be accepted only after the donation has been paid.

List of accepted participant applications is available at THIS LINK.

Donation for the Flautists’ Gathering

The donation for soloists is as follows (per participant):

- 4500 dinars for Primary Music Schools,

- 5000 dinars for Secondary Music Schools and Music Academies.

For soloists from “Živorad Grbić” Music School – Valjevo, the donation is 50% of the amount for participants from other parts of Serbia.

Donation for ensembles (per ensemble):

- 5000 dinars for Category I,

- 6000 dinars for Categories II and III.

For all participants, the donation should be paid to the dinar bank account of the “Živorad Grbić” Music School – Valjevo.

The payment form should be filled out as follows: 

A scanned (or photographed) copy of the payment slip (or other proof of payment) must be sent to the following email address: Ova adresa el. pošte zaštićena je od spam napada, treba omogućiti JavaSkript da biste je videli

The competition application will be accepted only after the donation has been paid.

All payments must be completed by February 22, 2026.

For participants from abroad: additional information about payment can be requested via e-mail Ova adresa el. pošte zaštićena je od spam napada, treba omogućiti JavaSkript da biste je videli

If several members of one family apply (brothers or sisters): first child-full amount, second child- 50%, third child- free.

There will be no refunds in case of cancellations.

Participants, their teachers and piano accompanists cover the cost of their own travel and accommodation during the Gathering.

Implementer contact details

Music school „Živorad Grbić” – Valjevo

Address: Street Karadjordjeva 122, 14000 Valjevo, Republic of Serbia

phone: secretary: +381 14 222 267,

phone: headmaster: +381 14 291 535

web: www.muzika.edu.rs

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Organizer’s contact details

Association of Music and Ballet Pedagogues of Serbia

Address: Džona Kenedija 7, 11080 Zemun, Republic of Serbia

phone (fax): +381 11 719 3582

web: www.umbps.com

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