- Li Yichen clinched the Grand Category Champion title, and Sim Kee secured the Audience Choice Award.
- 68 soloists and 6 ensembles won awards at the Singapore Chinese Music Competition 2024
- New "Music Mentor Award" introduced: 7 instructors who successfully guided at least five students to the finals were recognized.
- Memorable highlights: youngest SCMC winner at 8-years-old; Two pairs of siblings claimed champions in the Erhu and Zhongruan intermediate and senior categories; SCO Erhu musician Shen Qin performed alongside her son Zeng Canran for the first time at the "Prize Winners’ Concert
Singapore, 14 December 2024 (Saturday) – The 3rd edition of the Singapore Chinese Music Competition (SCMC) 2024 has concluded with resounding success after 18 days of breath-taking performances and fierce competition, with the “Finals for Grand Category and Prize Presentation Ceremony” held at SCO Concert Hall this evening at 7:30pm. Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, Mr Chee Hong Tat graced this event as the Guest-of-honour. This year’s SCMC was a historic milestone, with 409 participants, a record-breaking turnout in the post-COVID era. Participants ranged in age from 7 to 49 years, with 198 first-time competitors, showcasing the inclusive and growing appeal of Chinese music.
Competition Highlights
The 18-day competition captured the attention of local and international audiences, streaming live via YouTube, NetEase, and WeChat Channel with a remarkable total viewership of 6,416,338.The competition comprised 6 categories: 4 solo (junior, intermediate, senior, and grand category) categories and 2 ensemble categories (Ensemble A and Ensemble B). After rigorous evaluation, 68 soloists from Solo categories and 6 ensemble groups emerged as winners, with a full list available in Annex A.
Prize Winners’ concert
On December 13, the “Prize Winners’ Concert” took place under the baton of SCO Associate Conductor Moses Gay. The evening featured stellar performances by 4 solo champions and 2 top ensembles from Ensemble A and Ensemble B categories, showcasing their award-winning pieces. Among the first-prize winners, Chan Chin Shuan (Sheng, Senior Category) captivated the audience with her breathtaking rendition of Peacock (Movements I and IV), while Zeng Canran (Erhu, Senior Category) delivered the world premiere of Trials and Tribulations, an erhu concerto composed by Phang Kok Jun. Both participants had the privilege of performing alongside the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, to conclude the evening of arts presentation.
Grand Category Finals
The three Grand Category finalists also vied for the Champion title on 14 December 2024 during the “Final for Grand Category” showcase, as they performed with the orchestra under the baton of SCO Associate Conductor Moses Gay. In the Final for Grand Category on 14 December, 23-year-old Li Yichen (Erhu) emerged as Champion with his presentation of Infinite Nothingness, where he amazed everyone with his expressive performance and techniques. In 2022, Li’s team (NAFA Chinese Ensemble 2) won the Ensemble B Category at the Singapore Chinese Music Competition. Currently the Erhu II Associate Principal of the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra, he earned widespread acclaim for his captivating performance of The Sunshine on Tashkurgan at the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra “Legacy II” concert. Additionally, Sim Kee was awarded the Audience Choice Award for her outstanding performance. Refer to Annex E for the full biography of the Grand Category winner.
Music Mentor Award
In acknowledgement of dedicated instructors who have guided at least 5 students to the Finals of the competition, SCMC has launched 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. In this inaugural year, a total of 7 instructors were honored with this prestigious award. For a detailed list of the award-winning mentors, please refer to Annex D.
Memorable highlights
- Sibling Victories: Brothers Ethan Wijaya and Ewan Wijaya won championships in the Intermediate and Senior Zhongruan categories; Zeng Haoran (Erhu, Intermediate Category) and Zeng Canran (Erhu, Senior Category) and also emerged as first prize winners for two of three erhu categories, showcasing their family’s musical legacy.
- Mother-Son Collaboration: SCO Erhu musician Shen Qin performed alongside her son Zeng Canran for the first time at the "Prize Winners’ Concert," presenting the world premiere of the Erhu Concerto Trials and Tribulations.
- Ensemble Highlights: Seven Sages, Beasts of Versailles, and YC Ensemble claimed top prizes in Ensemble Group A, while Reverberance Youth, NAFA Chinese Ensemble, and NAFA Guzheng Ensemble triumphed in Ensemble Group B
- Youngest SCMC Winner: At just 8 years old, Wen Ruohan became the youngest awardee in SCMC 2024 by clinching the 2nd Prize in the Erhu Junior category
Adjudicators and Dialogue Session
The 409 participants competed before a panel of renowned local and international adjudicators. Please refer to Annex B for the list of adjudicators and biographies. An Adjudicators Sharing Session cum Dialogue session was also held on 11 December 2024 at the SCO Exhibition hall, where the adjudicators for the Finals category shared their observations from the competition and provided feedback for participants.
Singapore Chinese Music Competition: A platform for emerging talent
The 3rd edition of the SCMC was held from 26 November to 14 December 2024. The biennial Singapore Chinese Music Competition, 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 connect our people by supporting their lifelong interest in the pursuit of Chinese music in Singapore. The competition has a total cash prize of $91,400, with the winners in each category receiving trophies, certificates, and cash prizes of up to $10,000. Refer to Annex C for prize categories.
SCO Executive Director Terence Ho remarked, “This year’s competition has been a resounding success. I believe that its artistic impact and cultural significance will continue to inspire and shape Singapore’s Chinese music scene. We look forward to witnessing even more exceptional talent emerge, driving Chinese music to greater heights in the years to come.”
Acknowledgement
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, Lianhe Zaobao and National Library Board.
For more information, please visit SCMC’s website (https://sco.com.sg/scmc/ ) .
Caption: SCMC 2024 prize winners with Guest-of-Honour Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, Mr Chee Hong Tat
Caption: Grand Category Champion winner Li Yichen together with Guest-of-Honour Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, Mr Chee Hong Tat, SCO Deputy Chairman Mr Wu Hsioh Kwang and SCO Executive Director Mr Terence Ho.
Caption: Audience Choice Award winner Sim Kee together with Guest-of-Honour Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, Mr Chee Hong Tat, SCO Deputy Chairman Mr Wu Hsioh Kwang and SCO Executive Director Mr Terence Ho.
Download high-resolution images of the highlight at the SCMC 2022 Prize Concert Winner and Finals for Grand Category & Prize Presentation Ceremony on 13 and 14 December 2024 here.
Click here for SCMC 2024 Prize Winners’ Concert and Final for Grand Category & Prize Presentation Ceremony Programme Booklet.
For more information, please refer to:
- Annex A: List of winners
- Annex B: List of adjudicators
- Annex C: Prize categories
- Annex D: Music mentor award-winning mentors
- Annex E: Write up of SCMC 2024 Grand Category Champion
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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 the pursuit of Chinese music in Singapore. The 1st edition of the Singapore Chinese Music Competition was held in 2020.
About Singapore Chinese Orchestra
Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) is Singapore’s only professional Chinese orchestra. Inaugurated in 1996, the orchestra of more than 80 musicians took on the twin role of preserving traditional arts and culture and establishing new frontiers through incorporating Southeast Asian music elements in its repertoire. SCO has impressed a broad audience with its blockbuster presentations and is fast establishing itself among its counterparts worldwide 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
Assistant Director (Marketing Communications)
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Contact: 6557 4047 / 9616 7750
Liu Xiaoxuan
Senior Executive (Marketing Communications)
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Contact: 6557 4020
Annex A,B ,C,D and E
Click here to download