MEDIA RELEASE
- The Singapore Chinese Music Competition 2024 (SCMC) has attracted 409 participants in solo and ensemble categories, a 4.6% increase compared to 2022
- Participants range in age from 7 to 49 years old
- 2 non-Chinese participants from Eurasian and Pan-Asian backgrounds
- 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.
November 1, 2024 (Friday) – The third Singapore Chinese Music Competition (SCMC) 2024 will officially begin on 26 November 2024 and conclude with a Prize Winner’s concert on 13 December, and Grand Finals and Awards ceremony on 14 December. The competition seeks to provide an excellent platform to develop the performing skills of young musicians, raise musical standards, discover new talents, and connect our people by supporting their lifelong interest in pursuing Chinese music in Singapore.
This year, we received a total of 409 registrations, reflecting a 4.6% increase from 2022, as the event continues to highlight the growing enthusiasm for Chinese instrumental performance in Singapore. Participants range in age from 7 to 49, spanning both solo and ensemble categories, underscoring the competition’s broad appeal. There were 162 registrations in Solo (Junior), 117 in Solo (Intermediate), 52 in Solo (Senior), and 25 in the Grand category, along with 10 ensemble groups. Reflecting the event's inclusivity, two non-Chinese participants from Eurasian and Pan-Asian backgrounds joined, adding rich cultural diversity to this year’s competition.
This competition also saw families coming together in the spirit of music-making, with 17 sets of siblings participating. Notably, the Wang family—Nicole Wang Youting (13) in Pipa Intermediate, Nick Wang Youjun (11) in Suona Junior, and Nestor Wang Youxun (9) in Suona Junior.
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.
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 Ministry of Education, People’s Association, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Singapore Chinese Music Federation and SPH Media Ltd, Chinese Media Group, Lianhe Zaobao, and the National Library Board.
The competition will take place across 18 days, with results announced daily on our social media platform. Please refer to Annex C for the competition schedule or visit SCMC’s website (https://sco.com.sg/scmc/ ) for more information.
Please refer to Annex A for the selected participants stories
Please refer to Annex B for competition events
Please refer to Annex C for competition schedule
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 1996, 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.
Media Contacts
June Teo
Head (Marketing Communications)
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Tel: 6557 4047 / 9616 7750
Liu Xiaoxuan
Senior Executive (Marketing Communications)
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Tel: 6557 4020 / 9168713
Annex A,B and C
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