- New award known as “Music Mentor Award” to acknowledge and encourage dedicated instructors who have guided at least five students to the Finals of the competition.
- Registration for the biennial Singapore Chinese Music Competition 2024 will commence on 23 April 2024, 10am.
- Competition consists of Solo categories from eight musical instrument, and Ensemble categories.
Singapore, 23 April 2024 (Tuesday) – Registration for the biennial Singapore Chinese Music Competition (SCMC) 2024 will commence on 23 April 2024. Two separate sections for the Ensemble category will remain – “Ensemble A” is for 18 years & below, while “Ensemble B” does not have any age-limit.
SCMC seeks to provide an excellent platform to develop the performing skills of young musicians, raise musical standards, discover new talents, and to connect our people by supporting their lifelong interest in pursuit of Chinese music in Singapore.
SCO Executive Director Terence Ho said: “Singapore Chinese Music Competition has always been the cradle to groom local musicians, music talents and performers. On top of this, many former SCMC winners and participants are also accomplished composers, conductors, music educators and writers, many of whom are serving in the Chinese orchestral ecosystem and are active advocates of Chinese orchestral music. This is very encouraging to us.”
Selected prize winners will stand get a chance to take centre stage and perform with the SCO. Mr Terence Ho said: “This biennial competition will provide good experience and performance opportunities to learners of Chinese instruments, that will be crucial, not only to hone and shape their performing skills, but furthermore develop stronger mental fortitude and resilience.”
The Competition consists of Solo and Ensemble. Under the Solo category, there are three age categories for the Dizi / Erhu / Guzheng / Pipa / Sheng/ Suona / Yangqin / Zhongruan, which are as follow:
- Junior: 12 years and below (born in or after 2012)
- Intermediate: 18 years and below (born in or after 2006)
- Senior: 35 years and below (born in or after 1989)
There is no age limit for the Solo Grand category, and participants can pick any type of Chinese musical instruments from the Strings, Plucked-strings and Wind sections. (Please refer to website for list of Solo instruments).
Ensemble A is open to those participants aged 18 years & below and Ensemble B has no age-limit. Each ensemble shall consist of a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 20 members, with any combination of Chinese musical instruments from the same instrument family or type.
The Singapore Chinese Music Competition is supported by Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, National Arts Council, Tote Board, Temasek Foundation, and in partnership with People’s Association, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Singapore Chinese Music Federation and SPH Media Ltd, Chinese Media Group, Lianhe Zaobao.
New Award - “Music Mentor Award”
In acknowledgement of dedicated instructors who have guided at least five students to the Finals of the competition, SCMC has set a new award known as “Music Mentor Award”. Recipients of the “Music Mentor Award” will be presented a trophy and certificate, as a recognition of their commitment in nurturing talents.
Commissioned concerto works as set piece for solo senior category
From the previous edition in 2022, SCO will commission a local composer to produce a new concerto work for one of the eight instruments of the solo category for each edition. This is done with two objectives in mind – firstly, to introduce local composers or works with a clear local theme to encourage and promote works with a strong Singaporean character. Secondly, to increase the repertoire for concerto of Chinese instruments.
In 2022, local composer Phang Kok Jun composed The Courage for Peace, a zhongruan concerto for the zhongruan senior category, inspired by the local war heroine Mdm Elizabeth Choy. This year, Kok Jun has been commissioned to work on an erhu concerto titled Trials and Tribulations.
Registration opens from 23 April 2024, 10am, and closes on 15 July 2024, 5pm. For more information, please visit SCMC’s website (https://scmc.sco.com.sg/).
Please refer to Annex A for accompany annexes on competition details and prizes.
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About Singapore Chinese Music Competition
The Singapore Chinese Music Competition (SCMC) 2022, previously known as National Chinese Music Competition, seeks to provide an excellent platform to develop the performing skills of young musicians, raise musical standards, discover new talents, and to connect our people by supporting their lifelong interest in pursuit of Chinese music in Singapore. The 1st edition of Singapore Chinese Music Competition 2020 was held from 23 November to 12 December 2020.
About Singapore Chinese Orchestra
Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) is Singapore’s only professional Chinese orchestra. Inaugurated in 1997, the orchestra made up of more than 80 musicians took on the twin role of preserving traditional arts and culture and establishing new frontiers through the incorporation of southeast asian music elements in its repertoire. SCO has impressed a broadening audience with its blockbuster presentations and is fast establishing itself among its counterparts around the world. Known for its high performance standards and versatility, the SCO is recognized through invitations to perform at numerous prestigious events locally and internationally. In line with its vision to be a world-renowned people’s orchestra, SCO continues to inspire, educate and communicate through its music.