The Third International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music

(Click here for the press release on 16-Dec-2016)

A conductor is the soul of an orchestra. He commands theattention of performers onstage and the audience with hisdistinct charisma and style. His role resembles that of an armycommander, except that he leads with his baton, communicatingwith the members of the orchestra through artistic rapportand technical brilliance to present insightful interpretations ofeach piece of music. A conductor must also have a broad vision,intellectual accomplishments, and resourceful creativity to be animpetus to the orchestra for continual growth and development.The development of any musical genre requires a growingrepertoire of works; and the performance of each work restsupon intelligent interpretation.

The first and second International Conducting Competitionfor Chinese Music was initiated and organized by the HongKong Chinese Orchestra in 2011 and co-organized with Xi'anConservatory of Music in 2014. It enjoyed the keen support ofexperts, music conservatories and institutes in China and otherparts of the world, with success and to wide acclaim. A totalof 97 entries from all over the world was received. The thirdInternational Conducting Competition for Chinese Music will beco-organized by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and NationalChinese Orchestra Taiwan. Such a competition is considered notonly a rewarding initiative to groom young talents in conducting,but also a milestone in the development of Chinese orchestralmusic.

The details are as follows:

Eligibility:

- The Participant must be born on or after 1 January 1972, and

- The Participant must have experience in conducting an orchestra, or be currently studying Conducting as a major in a conservatory of music

How to apply:

Please send the following information by post to ‘Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Limited, 7/F, Sheung Wan Municipal, 345 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong’ before 31 October 2016,and mark on the envelope “The Third International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music”. The requisite documents are:

- Entry form

- Copy of identity card (or copy of passport)

- Copy of proof of academic qualification

- Curriculum vitae (please type on A4 paper)

- 3 photographs taken within the past 3 months (passport size, 2 inches)

- One to two video clippings of conducting activities in DVD format.(The recording(s) must be taken from conducting sessions of the Participant within the past 4 years, either with ensembles or orchestras, together with a clear copy of the score(s) of the work(s), as well as a PDF version)

- Video materials submitted will be used for judging purposes only and shall not be returned

- Cost of transportation and accommodation shall be borne by the selected participants.

The Competition

First Round

It will be held between 12-17 December 2016 at the Xiqu Centre of Taiwan in Taipei. The panel of judges will assess the participants on the basis of the video recordings submitted before 31 October, 2016, and announce the list of participants selected before January 2017.

Second Round (Not open to public)

It will be held between 5-9 July 2017 at the Xiqu Centre of Taiwan in Taipei. The participants will conduct National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan in playing two works selected for the Second Round Competition:

A. Compulsory Piece: Formosa Capricci (Excerpts) Wang I-Yu (Work selected for competing for the Best Interpretation of a Work on Taiwan prize)

B. Competitors in this round will draw lots to determine which work he/she will conduct among the following two:

Moonlight over the Spring River Ancient Melody Arr. by Qin Pengzhang and Luo Zhongrong or

As the Moon Rises (Excerpts) Ancient Melody Arr. by Peng Xiuwen

Semi-final Competition (Not open to public)

It will be held between 10-15 July 2017 at the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Rehearsal Room. The semi-final comprises two parts: sight-reading at rehearsal (to test the ability to correct mistakes and read scores quickly) and conducting a rehearsal with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.

A. Sight-reading and correcting mistakes: participants will be informed of the work chosen after entering the simi-finals

B. Works for conducting:

Symphonic Poem Flowing Water Peng Xiuwen 

Jing‧Qi‧Shen Chan Ming-chi (Work selected for competing for the Best Interpretation of a Work on Hong Kong prize)

Final Competition Concert

It will be held on 16 July 2017 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Finalists will compete for the laurel by conducting the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in performing the following works:

A. Symphonic Poem Mu Guiying Leads Her Army to War Composed collectively by the China Central Orchestra (now China National Symphony Orchestra) Arr. by Kuan Nai-chung

B. Impressions of Yungang Grottoes Cheng Dazhao

(Click here for the information of the final competition concert)

Other terms and conditions:

- The organizer will provide scores required in the competition.

- The results of the assessment shall be kept confidential. The judges shall have the right to interrupt contestants during a rehearsal and ask questions pertaining to the music.

- The decisions of the judges shall be final, and such will be announced before the start of each stage of the competition.

- In case of breach of any rules of the competition, the organizer shall have the right to disqualify the contestant concerned immediately.

- The judges reserve the right for not awarding any prizes.

- Contestants shall give unconditional consent to the organizer who shall have the full right to telecast, record (by video or audio) and take photographs of the competition.

- The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the details of the competition. For updated information, please visit the website of the Orchestra or make enquiries on (852) 3185 1600.

Awards

- Musicians' Choice (Voted by members' of the Hong KongChinese Orchestra and National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan)

For updates on the Competition, please visit the HKCO website www.hkco.org or nco.ncfta.gov.tw

The Executive Committee

Co-Chair :

Mr Wu Rung-Shun (Principal of National Center for Traditional Arts)

Prof Yan Huichang (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra & Music Director of National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan)

Committee Members :

Advisors of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and representatives from the National Center for Traditional Arts

Panel of Judges

Head of the Panel of Judges

Preliminary Round: Prof Xia Feiyun (Renowned Conductor and Professor of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music)
Second, Semi-final & Final Round: Prof Chen Tscheng-Hsiung (Renowned Taiwanese Conductor)

Preliminary Round

Second Round

Semi-final Round & Final Round

Observers