The launching ceremony and press conference of the two contests was held in Guangzhou on Jan. 20, 2017. [Photo: Newsgd.com/Monica]
For musicians and music fans, do not miss this exciting news: The 6th Cantonese Music Creation Contest and the 2017 Cantonese Music Performance Contest have been launched in Guangzhou from now till Dec. 2017. The launching ceremony and press conference of the two contests was held in Guangzhou on Jan. 20, 2017.
Lu Zihui, deputy secretary general of Guangdong Chinese Culture Promotion Society, announced that the winners of the two contests will get a cash prize of up to RMB 50,000 and RMB 20,000 respectively. Works for both contests are being accepted from now on and the deadline is Sept. 1, 2017 (accepted by postmark). Click to find out more about how to participate in the Creation and Performance contests (in Chinese).
The big bonuses will be given out to prize-winners in order to lure more participants and encourage them to make better works. For the Creation Contest, the total bonus is more than RMB 500,000 (tax included). For the Performance Contest, the total bonus is over RMB 200,000 (tax included).
Apart from the big prizes, all award-winning works will be promoted through various forms and channels. They will be performed by professional Cantonese music orchestra for free in communities around the Pearl River Delta region as well as west Guangdong. Participants will also get a chance to perform overseas, such as Canada’s Vancouver and Toronto.
Huang Rungen, Chairman of Guangdong Music & Folk Art Troupe Co., Ltd., expressed that all are warmly welcome to participate in the contests, especially foreign friends, and the creation and performance of Cantonese music are not restricted by language or territory.
“Cantonese music is inclusive. ‘Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon’, one of the most famous Cantonese music pieces, was re-composed from one of Shanghai’s orchestral music pieces. Western instruments, including violin, saxophone, electric guitar and xylophone, are also one of the five major instrument groups for Cantonese music,” said Huang.
Besides, this is the first time the two contests are held in the same year, aiming to mutually promote both the creation and performance of Cantonese music, said Liu Wanzi, inspector of Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, TV, Film, Press and Publication. Liu called on all musicians and fans to take part in the contests to promote the prosperity and development of Cantonese music together.
It’s worth mentioning that outstanding orchestration prizes are set up in the Creation Contest, and each winner will get a cash prize of RMB 30,000 (tax included). Participants are required to use ethnic orchestral music, orchestral music or wind music to re-orchestrate traditional Cantonese music with over 30-member band. Lu Zihui said there is no restriction for musical instruments or music, hoping more young musicians can join this creation contest.
If you are not so familiar with Cantonese music, please listen to the music video on the next page. It is called “Rising Higher Step by Step” (bu bu gao in pinyin), one of the most famous pieces of Cantonese music. You can also enjoy live performances of Cantonese music in Cai Hong Qu Yuan, Liwan District and Shawan Ancient Town, Panyu District in Guangzhou.
Cantonese music is a kind of folk instrumental music popular in Lingnan. Despite a short history of over one hundred years, it has been well-received for its freshness, beauty, brightness and boldness. It is included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage and often used as background music for some of the most important events in China, such as state banquets and NPC voting.
How to submit your works:
1. Log on official website (http://www.gdyyqyt.com.cn) to download application forms.
2. Send your application forms, music score, demo CD and copies of ID card or passport to gdyy@vip.163.com or mail to the following address. (Address in Chinese: 第六届广东音乐创作大赛组委会，广州市西华路120号6楼，邮编：510170)
3. Contacts: Miss Hu or Miss Deng, 0086-20-81836258
Cai Hong Qu Yuan (彩虹曲苑）
Add.: No. 120 Xihua Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou (广州市荔湾区西华路120号)
Nearby metro station: Chen Clan Academy, Line 1
Add.: Shawan Ancient Town, Panyu District (番禺区沙湾古镇）
Take metro line 3 to Shiqiao Station. Get out from Exit B, walk to Baiyue Plaza West Entrance, and take bus Pan 67 to Shawan Culture Center, and then walk northwest to the ancient town.
(by Monica)
