48th Orchestral Season

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The Fifth International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music

A conductor is the soul of an orchestra. He commands the attention of performers onstage and the audience with his distinct charisma and style. His role resembles that of an army commander, except that he leads with his baton, communicating with the members of the orchestra through artistic rapport and technical brilliance to present insightful interpretations of each piece of music. A conductor must also have a broad vision, intellectual accomplishments, and resourceful creativity to be an impetus to the orchestra for continual growth and development. The development of any musical genre requires a growing repertoire of works; and the performance of each work rests upon intelligent interpretation.


The ‘International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music’, initiated by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, has been held four times since 2011 with the support of experts, music institutions and various organizations worldwide. It has collaborated with different institutions, including the Xi’an Conservatory of Music for the second International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music and the Chinese Orchestra Taiwan for the third. Over the years, more than 200 individuals from around the world have registered to participate, earning the competition widespread acclaim in the industry. It is not only a groundbreaking initiative for cultivating exceptional young conductors but also a milestone in advancing the development of large-scale ethnic orchestral music. The fifth International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music will be co-organized with the Wuxi Chinese Orchestra and we encourage all aspiring Chinese music conductors to seize this opportunity to participate.


“This international competition is a groundbreaking move in the realm of large-scale, modern Chinese music performance in the last hundred years. It is
a launch pad for young conducting talents as well as for Chinese orchestral music in the main. I am certain that this conducting competition will add magical charm to the genre of Chinese music, and be a milestone in its history.”

──── Zhao Jiping (Honorary Chairman of the Chinese Musicians’ Association)


“This conducting competition for Chinese music offered an exceptional learning and training opportunity for all contestants. From wielding the baton to communicating with the musicians of the Orchestra, to stepping onto the conductor’s podium and feeling the tension of having all eyes on one’s every single move, it has been a most valuable experience for aspiring conductors throughout. We look forward to organizing this kind of competition in the future so as to give young conducting talents of Chinese music the break they deserve.”  

──── Yan Huichang (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for Life, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra)




Eligibility

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


Please send the following required documents by email to hkco.program@hkco.org before August 31, 2025, with the subject line indicating registration for the “The Fifth International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music”.


  • Application Form (Click here to download)
  • Copy of identity card (or copy of passport)
  • Copy of proof of academic qualification
  • Curriculum vitae (please type on A4 paper)
  • 1 photograph taken within the past 3 months (in JPG or PNG format)
  • One to two video clippings of conducting activities, filmed from the front. [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) (in PDF format).]
Video materials submitted will be used for judging purposes only.
Cost of transportation and accommodation shall be borne by the selected participants.

The Competition

First Round (Not open to public)

In December 2025, the panel of judges will assess the participants on the basis of the video recordings submitted before 31 August, 2025, and announce the list of participants selected in January 2026.


Second Round (Not open to public)

It will be held between 21-22 June 2026 in Wuxi. The participants will conduct Wuxi Chinese Orchestra in playing three works selected for the Second Round Competition.

1. The Grand Canal                                        Chen Si’ang (Work selected for competing for the Best Interpretation of a Work on Wuxi prize)

2. Huqin Ensemble                                                        Reflection of the Moon on the Water (Excerpts)   Hua Yanjun   Arr. by Lee Huanzhi

3. Song of the General                                                                                                    Ancient Melody   Arr. by Gu Guanren


Semi-final Competition (Not open to public)

It will be held between 25-26 June 2026 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. 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.

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

2. Works for conducting:

  A. Haofei Ji (Flying Brush)                         Law Wing-fai (Work selected for competing for the Best Interpretation of a Work on Hong Kong prize)

  B. Leaping Dragon (2023)                                                                                         Hu Dengtiao  Re-arr. by Yan Huichang


Final Competition Concert (Open to public)

It will be held on 28 June 2026 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. The participants will conduct the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in performing the following works.

1. The Grand Victory                                                        Wind and Percussion Folk Music from Shanxi  Arr. by Zhang Shiye

2. The Zen of Autumn in the Mountains (Excerpts) (From Caprice on Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains IV)             Liu Yuan


The Champion will be performed the following works in Final Competition Concert:

Symphony No. 2 for Chinese orchestra and pipe organ (Excerpts)                                                                  Kuan Nai-chung

First Movement: Maestoso - Allegro

Terms and conditions
  • The organizer will provide scores required in the competition. Contestants should use the scores provided by the orchestra for the competition.
  • The judges shall have the right to interrupt contestants during the competition and ask questions pertaining to the music.
  • The results of the assessment shall be kept confidential. Contestants’ rights 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 judging committee holds the final decision.
  • 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 / (852) 5124 5618 (WhatsApp) / WeChat ID: hkcoprog.
Awards
  • Champion (Prize money USD15,000 & Trophy)
  • First Runner-up (Prize money USD12,000 & Trophy)
  • Second-Runner-up (Prize money USD10,000 & Trophy)
  • Outstanding Young Conductor of Hong Kong
  • Best Interpretation of a Work on Wuxi
  • Best Interpretation of a Work on Hong Kong
  • Audience's Favourite (Voted by the audience on the spot)
  • Musicians' Choice (Voted by members' of the Wuxi Chinese Orchestra)
  • Musicians' Choice (Voted by members' of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra)
  • Media Choice Award (Voted by professionals of the relevant industries)
For updates on the Competition, please visit the HKCO website www.hkco.org.