2nd Hong Kong International Conducting Competition

22-26 March 2023 | Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall
  • Apply now

  • For conductors under the age of 35 to establish a network in Asia, where the local orchestral scenes are rapidly developing
  • Features an international jury made up of conductors and people shaping the music business today
  • A maximum of 16 candidates will be chosen to conduct Hong Kong Sinfonietta in the Competition in March 2023
  • Applications NOW OPEN until 25 October 2022

Repertoire

Round 1 (a maximum of 16 Candidates)

    1. Stravinsky — Concerto in D for String Orchestra: 1st movement
    2. One of the following works, determined by a draw:
      • Beethoven — Leonore Overture No 3, Op 72b
      • Mozart — Symphony No 39 in E-flat, K543: 1st movement

Round 2 – Semi-Finals (a maximum of 8 Semi-Finalists)

    1. Sibelius — Violin Concerto in D minor, Op 47: 1st movement
    2. Johann Strauss Jr — Die Fledermaus Overture
    3. One of the following symphonies, determined by a draw:
      • Brahms — Symphony No 1 in C minor, Op 68
      • Beethoven — Symphony No 3 in E-flat, Op 55, “Eroica”
      • Tchaikovsky — Symphony No 6 in B minor, Op 74, “Pathétique”

Round 3 – Finals (a maximum of 3 Finalists)

    1. New work by Charles Kwong (HKS Artist Associate 2020-2022)
    2. One of the following works, chosen by the candidate:
      • Beethoven — Symphony No 4 in B-flat, Op 60
      • Mendelssohn — Symphony No 4 in A, Op 90, “Italian”
      • Schumann — Symphony No 4 in D minor, Op 120
    3. The finalists will also be invited to make a short presentation to the audience

Schedule

Preliminary selection

25 October 2022 (Tue), 23:59 Hong Kong Time
Deadline for applications

By late-November 2022
Notification of preliminary selection results

Candidates briefing

21 March 2023 (Tue)

Round 1

22 March 2023 (Wed)

Round 2 – Semi-Finals

23 & 24 March 2023 (Thu & Fri)
Each Semi-Finalist will conduct three works over two days

Round 3 – Finals

25 March 2023 (Sat)
Rehearsals

26 March 2023 (Sun)
Finals & Award Presentation

Post-Competition

27 March 2023 (Mon)
Lunch meeting for Jury members & all Candidates

Jury

Co-chairs

YIP Wing-sie

YIP Wing-sie

Preliminary + Rounds 1-3

Hong Kong Sinfonietta

Music Director Emeritus

Christoph POPPEN

Christoph POPPEN

Preliminary + Rounds 1-3

Hong Kong Sinfonietta

Principal Guest Conductor

Cologne Chamber Orchestra

Principal Conductor

Israel Chamber Orchestra

Principal Guest Conductor

Marvão International Music Festival

Artistic Director

Seoul Classic Revolution Festival

Artistic Director

Members of the Jury

LÜ Shao-Chia

LÜ Shao-Chia

Rounds 1-3

Taiwan Philharmonic

Conductor Emeritus

Thierry d’ARGOUBET

Thierry d’ARGOUBET

Rounds 1-3

Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse

Former General Manager

Philipp ERNST

Philipp ERNST

Rounds 1-3

Munich Chamber Orchestra – Münchener Kammerorchester

Artistic Planning & Deputy Managing Director

Xenia GROH-HU

Xenia GROH-HU

Rounds 1-3

karsten witt music management

Managing Director

James CUDDEFORD

James CUDDEFORD

Preliminary Round

Hong Kong Sinfonietta

Concertmaster

Laurent PERRIN

Laurent PERRIN

Rounds 1-3

Hong Kong Sinfonietta

Assistant Principal Cello

Prizes

1st

HK$200,000
  • Concert engagement with Hong Kong Sinfonietta during the 2023/2024 season
  • Mentorship with conductor(s) from the Jury

2nd

HK$100,000

3rd

HK$70,000

Orchestra Prize

HK$10,000

Audience Prizes

(Live & Online Audience) HK$10,000 each

Application

Application Form

Eligibility

The Competition is open to conductors of any nationality born in or after 1987.

Application Fee

HK$1,000 (non-refundable)

Accommodation & Travel Arrangements

Hotel accommodation will be provided during the period of the Competition from 21 to 27 March 2023. Candidates will be responsible for their own travel arrangements and expenses.

Application Method

Please prepare the following application materials and complete the online application form below:

  • Two recent videos of your orchestral conducting in rehearsal and/or performance, preferably showing different styles and periods (within 30 mins in total; please specify the name of the pieces in the file title)
  • A self-introduction video (within 2 mins)
  • A recent photo of yourself for publicity purposes, preferably taken within the last year

You will be required to make the application fee payment as instructed in the form to complete your application. Please contact us at hkconducting@hksinfonietta.org if PayPal is not supported in your region.

Application Deadline

25 October 2022, 23:59 Hong Kong Time

Visa Arrangements

According to Hong Kong Immigration law, non-Hong Kong candidates will need a work visa to participate in the Competition. The organiser will use its best endeavours to obtain work visas for the candidates.

 

Notes

  • Hong Kong Sinfonietta is the official orchestra of the Competition.
  • Submitted application materials (including the recordings) will not be returned.
  • All Competition rounds will be documented for archival and promotional purposes. Photographs, audio and visual recordings may be printed in publications or broadcast on TV, radio, or the internet.  By joining the Competition, Candidates agree to waive any rights relating to the participation in the Competition, including all visual, audio and application materials.
  • The Jury reserves the rights to disqualify any applicant who provides untruthful, misleading or inaccurate information or materials, or breaches any of the terms and conditions of the Competition.
  • The Organiser reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any details of the Competition, including but not limited to the Jury, repertoire and schedule. In case of any dispute, the Organiser reserves the right of the final decision.