Winners Announced at The International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music

Taiwanese conductor Huwang Wei-Chieh has won first place with a $15,000 cash prize

Organized by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO), the International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music is held every three years. The competition was founded in 2011 to discover and showcase emerging conductors and promote Chinese orchestral music. 

Huang Wei-Chieh has won the competition’s first prize of $15,000, as well as the Audience’s Favorite prize and the Media Choice Award. 

First Runner-up with $12,000 was awarded to Feng Tainyou; second-Runner-up with $10,000 went to Guo Pan, who also won the prize for the Best Interpretation of a Work. Additionally, the Musicians’ Choice prize was awarded to Cui Yuanyuan.

“It was unexpected for me to win. I felt very lucky when I heard the result because all the participants were excellent,” Huang Wei-cheih told RYT9 News. “It is unbelievable that such a prestigious honor was awarded to me. I am grateful to the judges, the members of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, and my fellow contestants who helped elevate my performance.”

The competition’s fourth edition was initially scheduled to take place in 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial round was held in Shanghai at the end of 2019, while the semi-finals, quarter-finals, and finals were held this year. 

Overall, the fourth edition saw 59 qualified participants from China (34%), Hong Kong (8%), and Taiwan (41%), as well as from Japan, Canada, France, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, and the U.S.

“For decades, the [HKCO] has been vigorously promoting Chinese music, enhancing its status internationally, and sparking strong interest in Chinese music in Europe and other regions,” added Bian Zushan, co-head of the competition’s judging panel. “As understanding of Chinese culture deepens, foreign attention and interest in Chinese music continue to grow.”