The 22nd Macao Youth Music Competition has generated great response. In order to allow more potential candidates to participate in this competition, the Cultural Institute has decided to prolong the registration period to March 11 (Thursday). Those who are interested may grasp this last chance. The purpose of the competition is to promote the development of local music, enhance artists’ refinement and the performing standard of youth people. During the past twenty-one years, this competition has given youth people a precious arena to provide a learning opportunity and to gain experience. It has had a positive effect in improving the music standard of the youth of Macao. The 22nd Macao Youth Musician Competition will be held from May 1 to May 9. In order to provide the winners with more chances to perform onstage, the “Concert of the Winners” of the 22nd Macao Youth Music Competition will take place on May 23, 2004, at 20:00 in the Auditorium of the Macao Polytechnic Institute. A number of “Merit Award”-winning competitors will be invited to perform. When the time comes, two grand prizes, the “Cultural Institute” Prize and the Virtuosity Prize, will be awarded to outstanding winners. The scholarships are to be used to attend short-term or long-term music programmes offered outside Macao. Interested candidates please submit the application form to the Conservatory of Macao, No.16 Avenida de Horta e Costa, together with a photocopy of valid Macao resident ID card or student ID card, and a photocopy of the musical score of their chosen piece. The registration period will be prolonged to March 11 (9:00 – 18:00, including lunch hours). For more information, please visit the Cultural Institute’s website: www.icm.gov.mo.