Categories
The Competition consists of Solo and Ensemble Section
Solo Section
Category
Age
Musical Instrument
Junior
12 years & below
(born in or after 2012)
Dizi / Sheng / Suona / Erhu / Guzheng / Pipa / Yangqin / Zhongruan
Intermediate
18 years & below
(born in or after 2006)
Senior
35 years & below
(born in or after 1989)
Grand
No age limit
Chinese musical instruments in Strings, Plucked-strings and Wind sections as listed
Ensemble Section
Age
Musical Instrument
Ensemble A
18 years & below
(born in or after 2006)
Any combination of Chinese musical instruments as listed (minimum 3 to maximum 20 members per ensemble)
Ensemble B
No age limit
Eligibility
JUNIOR, INTERMEDIATE & SENIOR CATEGORIES
Participants may choose to compete in any of the following instruments :
- Dizi
- Guzheng
- Sheng
- Yangqin
- Erhu
- Pipa
- Suona
- Zhongruan
Each solo instrument is categorised into three age groups:
- Junior – 12 years & below (born in or after 2012)
- Intermediate – 18 years & below (born in or after 2006)
- Senior – 35 years & below (born in or after 1989)
- The Junior and Intermediate categories are exclusively for Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs)
- The Senior Category is open to Singapore citizens, PRs and foreigners studying, working or residing in Singapore.
Due to the re – grouping of the age categories in the 2006 National Chinese Music Competition (NCMC) , First Prize winners of the previous NCMC editions may enter specific age categories in the current year (note that age limit still apply):
1st Prize Winners
(2004 & earlier)
1st Prize Winners
(2006 – 2018)
1st Prize Winners
(2020 & 2022)
Eligible to enter in 2024
Junior Category
Junior Category
Junior Category
Intermediate / Senior Category
Intermediate Category
Youth Category
Intermediate Category
Senior Category
Senior Category
–
–
–
Open Category
Open Category
Senior Category
Grand Category
Combined Category
–
–
–
GRAND CATEGORY
- This category serves as a platform for exceptional soloists who aim to showcase their virtuosity in performing Chinese musical instruments competitively.
- Musicians presently or previously employed by a performing or music educational institution on a full-time basis, and those who have graduated from any local or overseas music institution, are welcome to participate in the Grand category.
- Soloists are allowed to perform on any instrument from the Strings, Plucked-strings and Wind sections:
- Banhu
- Guanzi
- Pipa
- Suona
- Dizi
- Guqin
- Ruan
- Xun
- Erhu
- Guzheng
- Sanxian
- Yangqin
- Gaohu
- Liuqin
- Sheng
- Zhonghu
- The Grand category is open to Singapore citizens, PRs and foreigners studying, working or residing in Singapore.
- No age limit.
Ensemble category
- The ensemble may perform in any combination of Chinese musical instruments, adjusted as necessary based on the chosen pieces’ instrumentation. Please refer to the list of musical instruments.
There are two age categories for Ensemble section:
- A – 18 years & below (born in or after 2006)
- B – No age limit
- The Ensemble Section is open to Singapore citizens, PRs and foreigners studying, working or residing in Singapore.
- Each ensemble shall consist of a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 20 members. All members must be officially registered for the Competition.
- Each ensemble must perform without a conductor and playing in unison is not allowed.
JUNIOR, INTERMEDIATE & SENIOR CATEGORIES
Participants may choose to compete in any of the following instruments :
- Dizi
- Guzheng
- Sheng
- Yangqin
- Erhu
- Pipa
- Suona
- Zhongruan
Each solo instrument is categorised into three age groups:
- Junior – 12 years & below (born in or after 2012)
- Intermediate – 18 years & below (born in or after 2006)
- Senior – 35 years & below (born in or after 1989)
- The Junior and Intermediate categories are exclusively for Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs)
- The Senior Category is open to Singapore citizens, PRs and foreigners studying, working or residing in Singapore.
Due to the re – grouping of the age categories in the 2006 National Chinese Music Competition (NCMC) , First Prize winners of the previous NCMC editions may enter specific age categories in the current year (note that age limit still apply):
1st Prize Winners
(2004 & earlier)
1st Prize Winners
(2006 – 2018)
1st Prize Winners
(2020 & 2022)
Eligible to enter in 2024
Junior Category
Junior Category
Junior Category
Intermediate / Senior Category
Intermediate Category
Youth Category
Intermediate Category
Senior Category
Senior Category
–
–
–
Open Category
Open Category
Senior Category
Grand Category
Combined Category
–
–
–
GRAND CATEGORY
- This category serves as a platform for exceptional soloists who aim to showcase their virtuosity in performing Chinese musical instruments competitively.
- Musicians presently or previously employed by a performing or music educational institution on a full-time basis, and those who have graduated from any local or overseas music institution, are welcome to participate in the Grand category.
- Soloists are allowed to perform on any instrument from the Strings, Plucked-strings and Wind sections:
- Banhu
- Guanzi
- Pipa
- Suona
- Dizi
- Guqin
- Ruan
- Xun
- Erhu
- Guzheng
- Sanxian
- Yangqin
- Gaohu
- Liuqin
- Sheng
- Zhonghu
- The Grand category is open to Singapore citizens, PRs and foreigners studying, working or residing in Singapore.
- No age limit.
Ensemble category
- The ensemble may perform in any combination of Chinese musical instruments, adjusted as necessary based on the chosen pieces’ instrumentation. Please refer to the list of musical instruments.
There are two age categories for Ensemble section:
- A – 18 years & below (born in or after 2006)
- B – No age limit
- The Ensemble Section is open to Singapore citizens, PRs and foreigners studying, working or residing in Singapore.
- Each ensemble shall consist of a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 20 members. All members must be officially registered for the Competition.
- Each ensemble must perform without a conductor and playing in unison is not allowed.
Repertoire
JUNIOR & INTERMEDIATE Categories
Preliminary Round:
- Participants are to perform one set piece.
- Participants must perform the set pieces according to the scores provided by the Organiser.
Finals:
- Finalists are to perform two pieces of their choice without accompaniment.
- The pieces should be contrasting in mood and style, and should not include any piece performed in the Preliminary Round.
- All choice pieces submitted for the competition should not be rearrangements and/or adaptations of Western music.
- The total performance time must within the following duration (including breaks between pieces):
Junior Category 6 – 10 minutes
Intermediate Category 10 – 15 minutes
Senior Category
Preliminary Round:
- Participants are to perform one set piece.
- Participants must perform the set pieces according to the scores provided by the Organiser.
Finals:
- Finalists are to perform one set concerto with piano accompaniment.
- Finalists must perform the set concerto according to the scores provided by the Organiser.
- Finalists are required to make arrangement for their own accompanists. Piano will be provided by the Organiser, which will remain in the same position for all participants within the same instrument category.
Set Pieces for junior, intermediate & senior categories
Grand Category
Preliminary Round:
- Participants must submit a video performance lasting between 7 to 10mins, featuring a piece of their choice, performed from memory without accompaniment.
- The video should maintain a consistent frame, showing the participant’s face and hands with minimal background interruption.
- Video must not be filmed more than six months before submission and should not undergo any editing.
- Submission format: MP4 format with a minimum resolution of 720p.
- Video must be emailed to scmc2024@sco.com.sg by 15 July 2024. It is recommended for participants to provide a link for the Organiser to download the video through 3rd party websites (e.g. Dropbox, google drive etc.).
Semi-final Round:
- Semi-finalists are to perform one piece of their choice with piano accompaniment.
- The choice piece must not exceed 12 minutes. The choice piece should not include music pieces performed in the Preliminary and Finals Round.
- Semi-finalists are required to make arrangement for their own accompanists. Piano will be provided by the Organiser, which will remain in the same position for all participants within the same instrument category.
Final:
- Finalists are to perform one concerto, less than 20 minutes, of their choice with orchestral accompaniment by SCO.
- Finalists may select a concerto from the list provided by the Organiser or propose their choice for approval. If not from the provided list, the Finalist must submit the full score of his/her choice concerto and to be approved by the Organiser.
- Choice concerti (for reference) are only listed for the musical instruments including Dizi, Suona, Sheng, Erhu, Guzheng, Yangqin, Pipa & Zhongruan.
All choice pieces submitted for the competition should not be rearrangements and/or adaptations of Western music.
Choice Concerto (Final) For grand category
Ensemble category
Preliminary Round:
- Ensembles are to perform one or two pieces of their choice.
- All choice pieces submitted for the competition should not be rearrangements and/or adaptations of Western music.
- The total performance time must within the following duration (including breaks between pieces):
Category A 5 – 8 minutes
Category B 7 – 10 minutes
Finals:
- Ensembles are to perform one or two pieces of their choice.
- These should not include music pieces performed in the Preliminary Round.
- All choice pieces submitted for the competition should not be rearrangements and/or adaptations of Western music.
- The total performance time must within the following duration (including breaks between pieces):
Category A 9 – 12 minutes
Category B 12 – 15 minutes
JUNIOR & INTERMEDIATE Categories
Preliminary Round:
- Participants are to perform one set piece.
- Participants must perform the set pieces according to the scores provided by the Organiser.
Finals:
- Finalists are to perform two pieces of their choice without accompaniment.
- The pieces should be contrasting in mood and style, and should not include any piece performed in the Preliminary Round.
- All choice pieces submitted for the competition should not be rearrangements and/or adaptations of Western music.
- The total performance time must within the following duration (including breaks between pieces):
Junior Category 6 – 10 minutes
Intermediate Category 10 – 15 minutes
Senior Category
Preliminary Round:
- Participants are to perform one set piece.
- Participants must perform the set pieces according to the scores provided by the Organiser.
Finals:
- Finalists are to perform one set concerto with piano accompaniment.
- Finalists must perform the set concerto according to the scores provided by the Organiser.
- Finalists are required to make arrangement for their own accompanists. Piano will be provided by the Organiser, which will remain in the same position for all participants within the same instrument category.
Set Pieces for junior, intermediate & senior categories
Grand Category
Preliminary Round:
- Participants must submit a video performance lasting between 7 to 10mins, featuring a piece of their choice, performed from memory without accompaniment.
- The video should maintain a consistent frame, showing the participant’s face and hands with minimal background interruption.
- Video must not be filmed more than six months before submission and should not undergo any editing.
- Submission format: MP4 format with a minimum resolution of 720p.
- Video must be emailed to scmc2024@sco.com.sg by 15 July 2024. It is recommended for participants to provide a link for the Organiser to download the video through 3rd party websites (e.g. Dropbox, google drive etc.).
Semi-final Round:
- Semi-finalists are to perform one piece of their choice with piano accompaniment.
- The choice piece must not exceed 12 minutes. The choice piece should not include music pieces performed in the Preliminary and Finals Round.
- Semi-finalists are required to make arrangement for their own accompanists. Piano will be provided by the Organiser, which will remain in the same position for all participants within the same instrument category.
Final:
- Finalists are to perform one concerto, less than 20 minutes, of their choice with orchestral accompaniment by SCO.
- Finalists may select a concerto from the list provided by the Organiser or propose their choice for approval. If not from the provided list, the Finalist must submit the full score of his/her choice concerto and to be approved by the Organiser.
- Choice concerti (for reference) are only listed for the musical instruments including Dizi, Suona, Sheng, Erhu, Guzheng, Yangqin, Pipa & Zhongruan.
All choice pieces submitted for the competition should not be rearrangements and/or adaptations of Western music.
Choice Concerto (Final) For grand category
Ensemble category
Preliminary Round:
- Ensembles are to perform one or two pieces of their choice.
- All choice pieces submitted for the competition should not be rearrangements and/or adaptations of Western music.
- The total performance time must within the following duration (including breaks between pieces):
Category A 5 – 8 minutes
Category B 7 – 10 minutes
Finals:
- Ensembles are to perform one or two pieces of their choice.
- These should not include music pieces performed in the Preliminary Round.
- All choice pieces submitted for the competition should not be rearrangements and/or adaptations of Western music.
- The total performance time must within the following duration (including breaks between pieces):
Category A 9 – 12 minutes
Category B 12 – 15 minutes
Rules and Regulation
Participation in the competition includes full acceptance to the conditions listed below :
- The registration fee, practice session fee and overpayment are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Participants may enter the Solo and Ensemble Sections in the Competition. Each Ensemble Section participant may represent only one ensemble.
- Participants are not allowed to enter different solo categories with the same type of instrument.
- The Organiser reserves the right to cancel or combine any competition rounds and categories in case of insufficient entries. In the event of cancellation, the registration fee and practice session fee (if applicable) will be fully refunded with notification of rejection of entries by Friday, 4 October 2024.
- Any applicant providing knowingly inaccurate or misleading information will be disqualified.
- First Prize winners in any Solo Instrument Section of the Singapore/National Chinese Music Competition in previous years may not compete again in the same or lower age category of the same instrument.
- The following individuals, excluding accompanists, are not eligible to participate in the Solo Section of the Competition:
- Singapore Chinese Orchestra musicians and staff
- Musicians currently or previously employed by a performing or music educational institution on full-time basis (except for Solo Grand Category)
- Musicians whom have graduated/graduating in 2024 from any local or overseas music institutions specialising in the registered instrument category (except for Solo Grand Category)
- In cases of doubt, the Organiser reserves the right to determine the professional status of applicants and the right to reject their entry.
- Participants entering final of the Solo Grand category must rehearse independently with the conductor and orchestra.
- Participants and supporters of participants must not communicate with or attempt to influence the Adjudicating Panel. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in disqualification of the participant.
- Participants are required to be neat and appropriately dressed for all rounds of the Competition.
- The Organiser reserves the right to amend the rules and conditions of the Competition without prior notice. In case of discrepancies between the English and Chinese translations, the English version takes precedence.
- In the event of disputes, the Organiser’s decision, and/or that of the Adjudicating Panel acting on the Organiser’s behalf, shall be final, with no appeals or correspondence will be entertained.
REPERTOIRES
- If the choice piece(s), except concerto, exceeds the time limit, participants may perform excerpts, clearly indicating them on their scores during registration.
- The Organiser reserves the right to reject choice pieces and request participants to amend and resubmit their choice pieces if they do not meet the standards and requirements of the Competition.
- All pieces in the Competition must be performed from memory.
- Any changes to repertoire must be made in writing to the Organiser no later than Monday, 15 July 2024.
- Participants performing unpublished music in manuscript form must obtain necessary approval under the Copyright Act. Failure to do so will absolve the Organiser of responsibility for any copyright or composer’s fee. Participants agree to indemnify the Organiser against any actions and claims for damages from third parties owning the copyright.
ACCOMPANISTS
- All participants must perform their pieces without accompaniment, except for Finalists of the Senior Category and participants of the Solo Grand Category for semi-final round.
- Participants must arrange for their own accompanists. The Organiser will provide a piano tuned to 442Hz, which will remain in the same position for all participants of the same instrument category.
ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- E-balloting session will be conducted to determine the participant’s order of appearance at all rounds of the Competition. The order of appearance will be announced on Friday, 20 September 2024 on the Competition website.
COMPETITION
- Participants shall make all necessary preparations before commencing the performance at the Competition, including tuning of their instruments.
- Participants and/or their accompanists (if any) must report at the Competition venue(s) no later than their scheduled time, with all the necessary instrument(s) and score(s). Late arrivals or those without all necessary instruments or scores may be disqualified.
PUBLICITY, RECORDING & BROADCASTING
- Prize winners in all categories may be invited, without payment, to perform in publicly, on television, on radio and/or attend interviews related to the Competition.
- The Organiser reserves the right to conduct live-stream, audio and video recording, and photography for the Competition and related activities for broadcasting and promotional purposes without any payment to the participants. Participants implicitly consent to these activities. The Organiser retains all rights to the live-stream and recorded materials.
- Participants and their supporters are prohibited from taking photos, audio or video recording during the competition or in any other competition-related events. Uploading relevant materials and records on social media platforms is also not allowed.
PRIZE WINNERS’ CONCERT, FINAL FOR GRAND CATEGORY CUM PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY
- Selected top prize winners from Solo & Ensemble Sections will be required to perform at the Prize Winners’ Concert on 13 December 2024. Winners may also have the opportunity to perform with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra at the Prize Winners’ Concert. The Organiser will select the music piece(s) to be performed. All selected winners must attend the rehearsals according to the schedule set by the Organiser.
- Finalists from the Solo Grand Category will compete at the Final for Grand Category cum Prize Presentation Ceremony on 14 December 2024.
- All prize winners of the solo categories and one representative from each winning ensemble are required to attend the prize presentation ceremony and its rehearsal on 14 December 2024.
Participation in the competition includes full acceptance to conditions listed below :
- The registration fee, practice session fee and overpayment are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Participant may enter the Solo and Ensemble Sections in the Competition. Each Ensemble Section participant may represent only one ensemble.
- A participant in the Ensemble section’s preliminary round must also participate in the final round.
- The Organiser reserves the right to cancel or combine any competition rounds and categories in case of insufficient entries. In the event of cancellation, the registration fee and practice session fee (if applicable) will be fully refunded with notification of rejection of entries by Friday, 4 October 2024.
- Any applicant providing knowingly inaccurate or misleading information will be disqualified.
- Singapore Chinese Orchestra musicians and staff are not eligible to participate in the Ensemble Section.
- Participants and supporters of participants must not communicate with or attempt to influence the Adjudicating Panel. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in disqualification of the participant.
- Participants are required to be neat and appropriately dressed for all rounds of the Competition.
- The Organiser reserves the right to amend the rules and conditions of the Competition without prior notice. In case of discrepancies between the English and Chinese translations, the English version takes precedence.
- In the event of disputes, the Organiser’s decision, and/or that of the Adjudicating Panel acting on the Organiser’s behalf, shall be final, with no appeals or correspondence will be entertained.
REPERTOIRES
- If the chosen piece(s) exceeds the time limit, participants may perform excerpts, clearly indicating them on their scores during registration.
- The Organiser reserves the right to reject choice pieces and request participants to amend and resubmit their choice pieces if they do not meet the standards and requirements of the Competition.
- Any changes to repertoire must be made in writing to the Organiser no later than Monday, 15 July 2024.
- Participants performing unpublished music in manuscript form must obtain necessary approval under the Copyright Act. Failure to do so will absolve the Organiser of responsibility for any copyright or composer’s fee. Participants agree to indemnify the Organiser against any actions and claims for damages from third parties owning the copyright.
ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- E-balloting session will be conducted to determine the participant’s order of appearance at all rounds of the Competition. The order of appearance will be announced on Friday, 20 September 2024 on the Competition website.
COMPETITION
- Participants shall make all necessary preparation before commencing the performance at the Competition, including tuning of their instruments.
- Participants must report at the Competition venue(s) no later than their scheduled time, with all the necessary instrument(s) and score(s). Late arrivals or those without all necessary instruments or scores may be disqualified.
PUBLICITY, RECORDING & BROADCASTING
- Prize winners in all categories may be invited, without payment, to perform in public, on television, on radio and/or attend interviews related to the Competition.
- The Organiser reserves the right to conduct live-stream, audio and video recording, and photography for the Competition and related activities for broadcasting and promotional purposes without any payment to the participants. Participants implicitly consent to these activities. The Organiser retains all rights to the live-stream and recorded materials.
- Participants and their supporters are prohibited from taking photos, audio or video recording during the competition or in any other competition-related events. Uploading relevant materials and records on social media platforms is also not allowed.
PRIZE WINNERS’ CONCERT AND FINAL FOR GRAND CATEGORY CUM PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY
- Selected top prize winners from Solo & Ensemble Sections will be required to perform at the Prize Winners’ Concert on 13 December 2024. The Organiser will select the music piece(s) to be performed. All selected winners must attend the rehearsals according to the schedule set by the Organiser.
- All prize winners of the solo categories and one representative from each winning ensemble are required to attend the prize presentation ceremony and its rehearsal on 14 December 2024.
Participation in the competition includes full acceptance to the conditions listed below :
- The registration fee, practice session fee and overpayment are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Participants may enter the Solo and Ensemble Sections in the Competition. Each Ensemble Section participant may represent only one ensemble.
- Participants are not allowed to enter different solo categories with the same type of instrument.
- The Organiser reserves the right to cancel or combine any competition rounds and categories in case of insufficient entries. In the event of cancellation, the registration fee and practice session fee (if applicable) will be fully refunded with notification of rejection of entries by Friday, 4 October 2024.
- Any applicant providing knowingly inaccurate or misleading information will be disqualified.
- First Prize winners in any Solo Instrument Section of the Singapore/National Chinese Music Competition in previous years may not compete again in the same or lower age category of the same instrument.
- The following individuals, excluding accompanists, are not eligible to participate in the Solo Section of the Competition:
- Singapore Chinese Orchestra musicians and staff
- Musicians currently or previously employed by a performing or music educational institution on full-time basis (except for Solo Grand Category)
- Musicians whom have graduated/graduating in 2024 from any local or overseas music institutions specialising in the registered instrument category (except for Solo Grand Category)
- In cases of doubt, the Organiser reserves the right to determine the professional status of applicants and the right to reject their entry.
- Participants entering final of the Solo Grand category must rehearse independently with the conductor and orchestra.
- Participants and supporters of participants must not communicate with or attempt to influence the Adjudicating Panel. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in disqualification of the participant.
- Participants are required to be neat and appropriately dressed for all rounds of the Competition.
- The Organiser reserves the right to amend the rules and conditions of the Competition without prior notice. In case of discrepancies between the English and Chinese translations, the English version takes precedence.
- In the event of disputes, the Organiser’s decision, and/or that of the Adjudicating Panel acting on the Organiser’s behalf, shall be final, with no appeals or correspondence will be entertained.
REPERTOIRES
- If the choice piece(s), except concerto, exceeds the time limit, participants may perform excerpts, clearly indicating them on their scores during registration.
- The Organiser reserves the right to reject choice pieces and request participants to amend and resubmit their choice pieces if they do not meet the standards and requirements of the Competition.
- All pieces in the Competition must be performed from memory.
- Any changes to repertoire must be made in writing to the Organiser no later than Monday, 15 July 2024.
- Participants performing unpublished music in manuscript form must obtain necessary approval under the Copyright Act. Failure to do so will absolve the Organiser of responsibility for any copyright or composer’s fee. Participants agree to indemnify the Organiser against any actions and claims for damages from third parties owning the copyright.
ACCOMPANISTS
- All participants must perform their pieces without accompaniment, except for Finalists of the Senior Category and participants of the Solo Grand Category for semi-final round.
- Participants must arrange for their own accompanists. The Organiser will provide a piano tuned to 442Hz, which will remain in the same position for all participants of the same instrument category.
ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- E-balloting session will be conducted to determine the participant’s order of appearance at all rounds of the Competition. The order of appearance will be announced on Friday, 20 September 2024 on the Competition website.
COMPETITION
- Participants shall make all necessary preparations before commencing the performance at the Competition, including tuning of their instruments.
- Participants and/or their accompanists (if any) must report at the Competition venue(s) no later than their scheduled time, with all the necessary instrument(s) and score(s). Late arrivals or those without all necessary instruments or scores may be disqualified.
PUBLICITY, RECORDING & BROADCASTING
- Prize winners in all categories may be invited, without payment, to perform in publicly, on television, on radio and/or attend interviews related to the Competition.
- The Organiser reserves the right to conduct live-stream, audio and video recording, and photography for the Competition and related activities for broadcasting and promotional purposes without any payment to the participants. Participants implicitly consent to these activities. The Organiser retains all rights to the live-stream and recorded materials.
- Participants and their supporters are prohibited from taking photos, audio or video recording during the competition or in any other competition-related events. Uploading relevant materials and records on social media platforms is also not allowed.
PRIZE WINNERS’ CONCERT, FINAL FOR GRAND CATEGORY CUM PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY
- Selected top prize winners from Solo & Ensemble Sections will be required to perform at the Prize Winners’ Concert on 13 December 2024. Winners may also have the opportunity to perform with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra at the Prize Winners’ Concert. The Organiser will select the music piece(s) to be performed. All selected winners must attend the rehearsals according to the schedule set by the Organiser.
- Finalists from the Solo Grand Category will compete at the Final for Grand Category cum Prize Presentation Ceremony on 14 December 2024.
- All prize winners of the solo categories and one representative from each winning ensemble are required to attend the prize presentation ceremony and its rehearsal on 14 December 2024.
Participation in the competition includes full acceptance to conditions listed below :
- The registration fee, practice session fee and overpayment are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Participant may enter the Solo and Ensemble Sections in the Competition. Each Ensemble Section participant may represent only one ensemble.
- A participant in the Ensemble section’s preliminary round must also participate in the final round.
- The Organiser reserves the right to cancel or combine any competition rounds and categories in case of insufficient entries. In the event of cancellation, the registration fee and practice session fee (if applicable) will be fully refunded with notification of rejection of entries by Friday, 4 October 2024.
- Any applicant providing knowingly inaccurate or misleading information will be disqualified.
- Singapore Chinese Orchestra musicians and staff are not eligible to participate in the Ensemble Section.
- Participants and supporters of participants must not communicate with or attempt to influence the Adjudicating Panel. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in disqualification of the participant.
- Participants are required to be neat and appropriately dressed for all rounds of the Competition.
- The Organiser reserves the right to amend the rules and conditions of the Competition without prior notice. In case of discrepancies between the English and Chinese translations, the English version takes precedence.
- In the event of disputes, the Organiser’s decision, and/or that of the Adjudicating Panel acting on the Organiser’s behalf, shall be final, with no appeals or correspondence will be entertained.
REPERTOIRES
- If the chosen piece(s) exceeds the time limit, participants may perform excerpts, clearly indicating them on their scores during registration.
- The Organiser reserves the right to reject choice pieces and request participants to amend and resubmit their choice pieces if they do not meet the standards and requirements of the Competition.
- Any changes to repertoire must be made in writing to the Organiser no later than Monday, 15 July 2024.
- Participants performing unpublished music in manuscript form must obtain necessary approval under the Copyright Act. Failure to do so will absolve the Organiser of responsibility for any copyright or composer’s fee. Participants agree to indemnify the Organiser against any actions and claims for damages from third parties owning the copyright.
ORDER OF APPEARANCE
- E-balloting session will be conducted to determine the participant’s order of appearance at all rounds of the Competition. The order of appearance will be announced on Friday, 20 September 2024 on the Competition website.
COMPETITION
- Participants shall make all necessary preparation before commencing the performance at the Competition, including tuning of their instruments.
- Participants must report at the Competition venue(s) no later than their scheduled time, with all the necessary instrument(s) and score(s). Late arrivals or those without all necessary instruments or scores may be disqualified.
PUBLICITY, RECORDING & BROADCASTING
- Prize winners in all categories may be invited, without payment, to perform in public, on television, on radio and/or attend interviews related to the Competition.
- The Organiser reserves the right to conduct live-stream, audio and video recording, and photography for the Competition and related activities for broadcasting and promotional purposes without any payment to the participants. Participants implicitly consent to these activities. The Organiser retains all rights to the live-stream and recorded materials.
- Participants and their supporters are prohibited from taking photos, audio or video recording during the competition or in any other competition-related events. Uploading relevant materials and records on social media platforms is also not allowed.
PRIZE WINNERS’ CONCERT AND FINAL FOR GRAND CATEGORY CUM PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY
- Selected top prize winners from Solo & Ensemble Sections will be required to perform at the Prize Winners’ Concert on 13 December 2024. The Organiser will select the music piece(s) to be performed. All selected winners must attend the rehearsals according to the schedule set by the Organiser.
- All prize winners of the solo categories and one representative from each winning ensemble are required to attend the prize presentation ceremony and its rehearsal on 14 December 2024.
Prizes
The winners of both the solo and ensemble sections will be awarded trophies, certificates and cash prizes as follows:
Junior
Intermediate
Senior
1st
$800
$1,000
$4,000
2nd
$500
$800
$2,000
3rd
$300
$500
$1,500
Grand
Winner
$10,000
Finalists*
$1,500
Audience Choice
$1,000
*Finalists’ prize money is awarded to those who have not won the Grand Prize.
Ensemble A
Ensemble B
1st
$4,000
$6,000
2nd
$2,500
$4,000
3rd
$1,500
$2,500
Finalists*
$500
$800
*Ensemble Finalist’ prize money is awarded to groups entering the final round without winning a prize.
Junior
Intermediate
Senior
1st
$800
$1,000
$4,000
2nd
$500
$800
$2,000
3rd
$300
$500
$1,500
Grand
Winner
$10,000
Finalists*
$1,500
Audience Choice
$1,000
*Finalists’ prize money is awarded to those who have not won the Grand Prize.
Ensemble A
Ensemble B
1st
$4,000
$6,000
2nd
$2,500
$4,000
3rd
$1,500
$2,500
Finalists*
$500
$800
*Ensemble Finalist’ prize money is awarded to groups entering the final round without winning a prize.
In the event of a tie, the prize money for the tied position and the subsequent prize in the ranking will be combined and distributed evenly among the tied participants. In the event of a tie for the 3rd prize, both winners will each receive the published prize amount.
MUSIC MENTOR Award
In acknowledgment of dedicated instructors, the organiser will present a certificate and trophy to those mentors who have successfully guided a minimum of 5 students to the Competition Finals. This gesture serves to appreciate and recognise educators for their commitment to nurturing participating talents.
FAQ
Notification Timeline
Please refer to the following timeline for important notices
Timeline
Important event/information made available
6 weeks after submission of registration documents
Receive hardcopy of scores for set pieces
Monday, 15 July 2024, 5pm
Deadline for submission of applications
Friday, 23 August 2024
Announcement of Semi-Finalists for Solo Grand Category
Thursday, 12 September 2024
Confirmation of registration for the competition and practice session
Friday, 20 September 2024
Announcement of Order of Appearance (e-Balloting)
Monday, 21 October 2024
Receive information on reporting details for the competition
Competition Rules & Regulations and Procedure
Yes, there is no lower bound on age, only an upper bound.
No. You can only participate in one category per section. This is to ensure fairness in awarding prizes for the competition, and to provide a platform for more musicians to participate. However, you can take part in ONE solo category and ONE ensemble section.
Photography, audio and video recording is NOT permitted during the Competition or related events, including Final for Grand Category and Prize Winners’ Concert. This is in respect of the relevant copyright owners, and to safeguard the confidentiality of the Competition.
You will receive a hardcopy of scores for your set pieces within 6 weeks from the Organiser upon receipt of your complete registration. Please also note that the Organiser will not be providing any reprints of the scores should you misplace them.
For Solo Section participants, all pieces in the Competition must be performed from memory.
The exact date and time for your competition of the Preliminary or Semi-Final Rounds will be sent to you latest by mail by 21 October 2024. In the meantime, please make sure you are available on all the competition and concert dates. The Organiser will not be providing refunds for the Registration Fee and Practice Session booking fee in the event that you are not able to make it for the day of the competition.
The adjudicating panel will deliberate at the end of each category, and results will be announced within 30 minutes at the end of each category or the day. Results will also be made available at the Registration Counter, on the SCMC website and facebook:
Website: scmc.sco.com.sg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scmc.sg
After results are announced, Finalists or Winners will be notified and be briefed in-person, or through a phone call and email if they have left the premise. We appreciate that all participants provide a valid contact number and email address.
Yes. Do ensure that you have sufficient and proficient help with the carrying of these items around and on stage.
With the exception of the piano for Solo Section Senior and Grand categories, no other instruments (percussion included) will be provided by the Organiser or venue. Please make your own arrangements to transport your instruments.
Yes, especially Guzheng and Yangqin participants need to bring their own instrument stand.
Yes, please inform the organiser. Only the crew can assist you to adjust the height you require, please do not adjust it yourself.
Yes, this is only for Solo Senior and Grand categories, where the accompanist may need a page turner. You can have 2 chaperones (including page turner) and 1 accompanist with you in the finals or semi-final.
Yes, this is in consideration especially for Solo Senior and Grand category, where a page turner may be required for the accompanist. However, you will need to write in at least 2 weeks before your Practice Session and the start of the Competition to inform us on the names of the respective person(s).
Booking of practice sessions
You will be notified through official letter via postal mail, together with the acceptance of your application to the competition.
Each practice time slot for Junior and Intermediate categories is 30 minutes, and each practice time slot for Senior, Grand categories and Ensemble is 1 hour. This includes bump-in and bump-out time. There will not be any extension of time in the event that you or your group arrives later than the stipulated slot.
Please refer to the official letter sent to you via postal mail. If you did not receive any official letter, please contact the Organiser to confirm your booking. The Organiser will either resend the letter, or send a confirmation email. You are required to present the letter or email, together with your or your group’s representative identification document to be admitted.
prize winners’ presentation ceremony & concert
The Organiser shall inform all the prize winners with regards to the reporting time after the end of the respective categories. Please inform us through email if you are unable to attend. We will arrange for you to collect the certificate and trophy at the SCO office after the Prize Presentation Ceremony and Concert. For ensembles, if the representative is unable to attend, you may send another member to represent the ensemble in collecting the prize.