‘The 29th Macao Young Musicians Competition’ organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau is now calling for applications; interested parties can submit their entry forms before March 15.

The annual Macao Young Musicians Competition is organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government. It aims to advance the musical arts in the territory, and to enhance the training and performance abilities of young local musicians. The Competition will be held from 18 June to 20 July. The Competition features 25 categories, including Piano Solo, Piano Works for Four Hands, Harp Solo and Chamber Music for Harp.
First, Second, and Third Prizes, as well as the Certificate of Merit and the Certificate of Competence will be awarded for each different category. Additional awards include The Cultural Affairs Bureau and The Talented Prize, respectively. Teenagers who demonstrate outstanding performance abilities sponsored to attend short-term music courses overseas. In order to encourage more teenagers to participate in this event, The Best Ensemble Performance Prize will still be available this year. A scholarship offered by Wright State University, USA - sponsored by the Provost’s Office and the Department of Music - will allow one or more competition winners, who are currently studying at grade four or equivalent at high school level, to enrol in an undergraduate programme in Piano Performance, Music Education or Music History and Literature.

In order to make it easier for competitors to find an accompanist, the age limit requirement has been discontinued. Applicants are no longer required to submit accompanist information.

The order, in which competitors perform, shall be determined by a computer-generated system calibrated to make random selections.

The order of performances shall be announced on June 1, 2011 on the website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau; the schedule will also be available at the Cultural Affairs Bureau at Praça do Tap Seac, open to the public from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including lunch hour.

The enrolment form is now available at the website of the Cultural Affairs Bureau http://www.icm.gov.mo.  Interested parties holding Macao ID cards, and who were born after 1990 are eligible to participate in the competition. Registration Venue: Cultural Events Department of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Rua do Campo No.78, Edif. Chong Kin 8-A.

Interested parties are invited to consult the musical scores of Compulsory Pieces at the Cultural Affairs Bureau at Praça do Tap Seac, from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including lunch hour; or at the Macau Central Library (Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, No 89 A-B), from 10 am to 8 pm daily, Monday through Sunday.

Inquiry hotlines for the Competition during office hours are Tel.: 8399 6609 / 8399 6615 / 8399 6620 / 8399 6621. Inquiry hotline during enrolment time (March 10 to 15, 2011): 2833 5140.