The 23^rd Macao Youth Music Competition (MYMC) continues in Macao Polytechnic Institute’s auditorium. Contestants of piano group E (level 5) competition (June 26) performed one piece of their own choice and two compulsory pieces including Clementi's Sonatina Op. 38 No.3 in F and Bennett's Aria in Bb major Op. 33 No. 19. After a series of intense competitions, Tay Cesar de Sa, Mariana, with good musical sense and confident performance in Schuman's Italian Fishermen’s Song, won the first prize with 92 points. Both Chan Pui Pui and Xu Lam Lam won the second prize with 90.5 points. The third prize went to Cheang Ian Ian with 89 points.

80 contestants competed for piano group B (level 2) competition on Monday (June 27). Despite their young age, they performed calmly and seriously. Grades between the three prizes are quite similar – Iu Lok I won the first prize with 91.5 points; Ip Long Sang received the second prize with half a point lesser than the champion; and Zaneta Lo and Tan Chih Wei both won the third prize with 90 points.

Su Pin from Shanghai Conservatory of Music and renowned pianist Erika Nickrenz served as the judges of competitions taking place these few days. They have received praises from teachers and students for their serious grading, patient explanations and guidance given to the contestants. Both judges indicated the importance of coordination between left and right hands for rhythm and melody. Contestants were also advised not to neglect the accompaniment of the left hand and should always listen carefully during practices. The judges hope that students could learn to ponder on songs’ contents for more emotional performances in the future.

MYMC's Sonatina for Piano competition will be held on Wednesday (June 29) at 2:30pm and 6:30pm. MYMC’s schedule and results are posted onto the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s website: www.icm.gov.mo. For more information, please telephone 3996621 or 3996620 (office hours).