Category: Uncategorized

1. Introduction:

Melodies dance, and new resonance emerges. The Macao Chinese Orchestra has always been committed to discovering, nurturing, and supporting young musical talents. To further this mission, the Orchestra is launching the “Little Soloists” audition campaign as part of the 2024-25 “Blossom and Flourish” Elite Concert. This initiative provides a valuable platform for young music enthusiasts in Macao to collaborate with a professional orchestra and showcase their exceptional potential. This audition specifically targets outstanding young performers of Chinese wind instruments, aiming to further enrich Macao’s Chinese music scene, enhance public appreciation of the art form, and preserve the cultural heritage of traditional Chinese instruments.

 

The Macao Chinese Orchestra “Blossom and Flourish” Elite Concert will take place at 8:00 PM on April 20, 2025, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. The concert will be conducted by Ge Yanan, a young conductor of the China National Traditional Orchestra, and will feature Zhang Haiyue, the first-prize winner of the 14th Chinese Golden Bell Award for Erhu Performance, along with other talented young musicians from both Mainland China and Macao.

We look forward to your participation—let’s bring new energy and vitality to the music scene together!

2. Eligibility:
Applicants must be full-time primary or secondary school students in Macao who have a passion for Chinese music and demonstrate strong performance abilities in one of the following Chinese wind instruments: Dizi (bamboo flute), Sheng (mouth organ), or Suona (double-reed horn).
3. Selection Dates:

The audition process consists of two stages:

1. Preliminary Selection: March 8, 2025 – Evaluation based on submitted application materials.
2. Final Selection: March 22, 2025 – Live audition. (Applicants unable to attend will be considered to have forfeited their application.)

 

4. Required Application Documents (to be submitted in PDF format):

1. Completed application form (Click to download form)
2. Copy of a valid identification document and student ID card issued by the Education and Youth Development Bureau of Macao (both front and back sides)
3. Copies of certificates or awards (if available)
4. Personal performance video link (Upload the video in MPEG-2 or MP4 format to YouTube as “Unlisted.” Recommended specifications: High-definition 16:9 aspect ratio, resolution of 1280 x 720. A valid video link must be included in the application email.)

 

5. Application Guidelines:

1. Application Fee: Free of charge.
2. Submission Deadline: Applicants must submit all required documents and the personal performance video link via email to [email protected] by 11:59 PM on March 8, 2025. A confirmation email will be sent upon successful submission.
3. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
4. All application materials will be used solely for this audition process. The information will be kept confidential and will not be returned.
5. Applicants must ensure that all submitted information is accurate and complete. The organizer reserves the right to disqualify any applicant if there is reasonable doubt regarding the authenticity of the provided information.
6. After an initial screening of application materials, eligible applicants will proceed to the preliminary selection. Finalists will be notified by March 12, 2025.
7. Personal Performance Video Requirements:

• The video must feature one self-selected piece, performed in its entirety.
• The performance must be at least 5 minutes long.
• The video must be recorded within the past three months.
• The performance must be a solo performance with no accompaniment. The video must clearly show the performer’s face, hands, and instrument, with the highest possible sound quality.

 

6. Announcement of Results:
The selection results will be officially announced after evaluation by the judging panel. If no candidates meet the artistic standards required, no selection will be made. Applicants shall not dispute the final decision.

 

7. Contact Information:

• Macao Orchestra Company Limited (Macao Chinese Orchestra)
• Email:[email protected]
• Phone: (+853) 6856 6809
• Address: Macao Chinese Orchestra Office, 5th Floor, Government (Coloane) Administration Building, No. 108 Hong He Road, Coloane, Macao

8. Remarks:

• Macao Orchestra Company Limited holds the final interpretation rights for this audition process.
• All submitted application materials will be treated with strict confidentiality and used solely for audition purposes.

“Double Celebration of Macao’s Return to Motherland and Christmas”

Programme Introduction

“Portuguese Celebration”
Comp. Rão Kyao Arr. Kuan Nai Chung
Come on. Come to my party with me. It’s for you too! Oh, my bacalhau, my wine, my olive oil, my guitar, my music! Santo António onde casei Meu São João padroeiro no Entrudo já fui Rei Pras festas sou o primeiro.

Come on. Get up. Dance. This vira is great. I came from afar with it. It rocked me in the waves and saw me through the storms. I landed with it here. Oh, twirl, twirl, twirl. Thanks for bringing me into safe harbour. We made friends and family, let’s enjoy the joy of our party. Always different, but ours. A Portuguese party. Oh, twirl, twirl dancing on the waves, in the balancing of ships and tankas. Oh, twirl, vira so close to us. Oh, twir, twirl… twirl. No!

“Silent Night”
Comp. Franz X. Gruber  Arr. Kuan Nai Chung
The original lyrics were written in German and the melody was done by Franz Gruber, the principal of an Austrian elementary school.

“At Sunrise”  Suona and orchestra
Comp. Tian Ding  Arr. Lou mai shuo

The zither can always produce nice music yet good times cannot be retained.

Yet each musical note from it represents true feelings.

Adagio is reminiscence of the past, tinged with Master Zhuangzi’s bewilderment lost in the dream of possibly being a butterfly, as well as Emperor Wang’s desire of an amorous spring heart. Love precipitated in time, melodies flowing in the heart, music becomes an obsession, lingering, fluttering. Do I feel dismayed? Not really. 

Finding light in the darkness of depression, one comes to know that behind the obsession stands persistence, in pursuing the original dream.

That dream is presented in the allegro’s bright, vivid rhythms, interconnected phrases, which give off a touch of youth.

They all say that the past cannot be changed, and youth cannot be retained. But with music and rhymes around and singing uttered, are we not reliving the free, passionate days of youth?

Life keeps moving forward, with untold fetters. May we understand each other in the melody and keep our love and friendship always fresh in the rhyme.

Joy to the world
Comp. Händel  Arr. Kuan Nai Chung
As one of the most famous Christmas carols, the work conveys the idea that joy and love replace sin and sorrow.

“Ode to the Sun”   Comp. Wang Dan Hong
The 3rd movement: Longing
Developed from the Bayu (Chongqing) region folk elements. The pieces have a strong Bayu flavour and cultural traits, profound emotional connotation and imposing power, showing the broader life spirit and tenacious vitality of the working people.

“Santa Claus is coming to town”
Comp. Haven Gillespie  Arr. Kuan Nai Chung
is a well-known traditional Christmas tune, joyful, melodious and giving off strong Christmas vibes.

“Ave Maria”
Comp. G.Caccini   Arr. Chan Sze Ngon
Selected and adapted from a collection of Catholic hymns.

“Guo Feng”  Comp. Chiu Chi Ping
This piece is based on the ancient music “Three stanzas of plum-blossoms”, which symbolizes the fusion of old and new in Chinese music.

The Song of the Seven Sons
Comp. Li Haiying  Arr. Hao Weiya
Song of the Seven Sons – Macao – the first piece of a series of seven patriotic poems written by Chinese poet and scholar Wen Yiduo in 1925 – depicts the struggle of the Chinese nation against destiny. This adaptation gives it a new charm and emotionality. The touching melodies of Song of the Seven Sons will make audiences feel the deep bond and love between Macao and the motherland.