Rules and Regulations

1.1　The Hong Kong International Chromatic Harmonica Competition (hereafter “HKICHC”) is dedicated to the appreciation of chromatic harmonica music to present aspiring young performers from throughout the world.

1.2　The HKICHC is a platform that brings musicians, the general public, and the media together to heighten the appreciation of the repertory, performance tradition, history, and culture of chromatic harmonica, and harmonica music in general.

1.3　It aspires to recognize and reward individuals with top-notch musicianship, despite its competitive nature among contestants.

2.1　Overview

2.1.1　 Held in four stages, the First HKICHC at its completion awards prizes to the most outstanding contestants chosen by a Jury, gaining for the award-winners widespread recognition.

2.1.2　 Stage 1 is for the preliminary round and is held off-site through submission of video recordings.

2.1.3　 Stages 2 to 4 are held on-site over a period of six days from 26 April 2022 to 1 May 2022 which is the highlight of this event.

2.1.4　 Stage 2 is the quarter-final with live solo performance both with and without piano accompaniment in front of the Jury panel.

2.1.5　 Stage 3 is the semi-final and requires collaboration with a string ensemble.

2.1.6　 Stage 4 is the final round with concerto performance with an orchestra.

2.1.7　 The same piece of music cannot be played in Stages 2 to 4 except as approved by the Organiser.

2.1.8　 The order of performance will be determined by drawing lot prior to the competition of each stage.

2.1.9　 Overseas contestants who can enter Stage 2 will receive subsidy from the organizer to cover part of their expenses for their air passages and accommodations in Hong Kong SAR for up to 9 nights.

2.2　Stage 1 – Preliminary (Off-site)

2.2.1　The total duration of performance shall be around 14-16 minutes.

2.2.2　Contestants have to video-record a solo performance with piano accompaniment, including one own choice and at least one piece from Repertoire List B (please refer to the section on the Lists of Repertoire), for submission with the application. More than one piece can be selected from List B as long as the total time is within the time limit.

2.2.3　Contestants are responsible for submitting the softcopy of the original music scores together with the application. Application may be rejected if no valid music score related to the performance is being submitted.

2.2.4　Requirements for video recording are as follows:

2.2.4.1   The camera should be steady for the whole duration of recording;

2.2.4.2   The recording must be done in a single take without interruption for each piece of music performance;

2.2.4.3   The camera should capture the full body of the contestant from head to feet for the whole duration of recording;

2.2.4.4   Personally identifiable information should not be displayed or left visible anywhere on the video except for the title of the video;

2.2.4.5   Submit the video without a bow, greetings, any effect, or text data. The intervals before and after the performance should be as short as possible;

2.2.4.6   Volume control in the recording is not allowed;

2.2.4.7   The recording must not be edited post-recording;

2.2.4.8   The recording must be an authentic live performance of the contestant recorded after 20 October 2020;

2.2.4.9 The video recording must be in DVD format or submitted online in a method specified in the application form;

2.2.4.10 Contestants are responsible for the quality of video recording on the submitted media. If there is any doubt on the authenticity of the recording, the contestant will be required to submit a written explanation of the doubts as part of the contestant’s declaration, falsification of which will lead to disqualification;

2.2.5 The Organiser reserves the right to screen entries for meeting minimum acceptable standard before passing to the Jury;

2.2.6 A maximum of twenty-four (24) contestants will be admitted to Stage 2. The list of contestants admitted to Stage 2 will be announced on the official website of the HKICHC in Aug 2021.  All contestants will be notified individually of their results; and

2.2.7     By applying to the Competition and submitting a video, both participants and owners of the videos are granting the Organiser to save and publicly transmit the videos without limitation nor charge. All submitted video materials will not be returned to the applicants.

2.3　Stage 2 – Quarter-final (On-site)

2.3.1　Contestants shall make a solo performance with and without piano accompaniment.

2.3.2　The total duration of performance shall be around 23-25 minutes including one set piece of approximately 6-8 minutes as decided by the Organiser, one piece from Repertoire List A and at least one piece from Repertoire List B respectively. More than one piece can be selected from List B as long as the total time is within the time limit. Contestants should inform the Organiser of their choices from Repertoire Lists A and B on or before 30 November 2022. Late submission will not be accepted.

2.3.3　Contestants are expected to arrive in Hong Kong at least two days before the Competition day.

2.3.4　The order of performance shall be determined by drawing lot on the day prior to the Competition day.

2.3.5　The Organizer will provide piano accompanists of professional standard at no charge, though the contestants are welcome to bring his/her own. Standard number of rehearsal sessions with the pianists will be arranged prior to the competition.

2.3.6　Up to 8 contestants will be admitted to Stage 3. The list of contestants admitted to Stage 3 will be announced at the venue immediately after obtaining the results from the Jury panel and posted onto the official website.

2.4　Stage 3 – Semi-final (On-site)

2.4.1　Contestants shall demonstrate his/her skills on collaboration with other musicians via a performance with a string ensemble appointed by the Organiser.

2.4.2　The performance shall consist of one of the choices on Repertoire List C with a duration of about 25 minutes.

2.4.3　Contestants should inform the Organiser of their choices of the repertoire from List C on or before 30 November 2022. Late submission will not be accepted.

2.4.4　Contestants will be allocated suitable rehearsal time with the ensemble prior to Competition day.

2.4.5　The order of rehearsal and performance shall be determined by drawing lot prior to the Competition.

2.4.6　Up to 4 contestants will be admitted to Stage 4. The list of contestants admitted to Stage 4 will be announced at the venue immediately after obtaining the results from the Jury panel and posted onto the official website.

2.5　Stage 4 – Final (On-site)

2.5.1　Contestants shall collaborate with a professional orchestra appointed by the Organiser.

2.5.2　The performance shall consist of one set piece of approximately 6-8 minutes as decided by the Organiser and one concerto from Repertoire List D with a total duration of around 23-25 minutes. The set piece will be available for contestants around November 2021.

2.5.3　Contestants would be given priority to choose their preferred repertoire in sequence in accordance with their total marks gained in Stage 2 and Stage 3; i.e. contestant who gains the highest mark would be the first to make his/her choice of repertoire and the second highest would choose from the remaining repertoire of the list without duplication. The same principle applies to the third and fourth contestants.  This shall be done as soon as the result of Stage 3 is announced.

2.5.4　Contestants are allocated appropriate rehearsal time with the orchestra.

2.5.5　The order of performance and rehearsal shall be determined by drawing lot prior to the competition day.

3.1　Objective and Process

3.1.1　Selected by a committee including renowned harmonica artists in the Jury, the Repertoire Lists celebrate the highest achievements of chromatic harmonica and broad enough – solo with and without piano accompaniment, ensemble, and orchestra – to reveal the artistic personality and the professional competency of the contestants.

3.1.2　Contestants shall select and submit their performance pieces from Repertoire List B for stage 1 during application. Contestants who are selected to join the on-site competition are required to submit their chosen performance pieces for Stage 2 and 3 from the corresponding repertoire lists on or before 30 November 2022. Late submission will not be accepted.

3.2　Repertoire Lists for Stage 1 (Off-site) and Stage 2 (On-site)

3.2.1　There will be two repertoire lists for Stages 1 and 2. Repertoire List A consists of unaccompanied solo pieces for selection in Stage 2 only. Repertoire List B consists of solo pieces with piano accompaniment composed for chromatic harmonica for selection in Stages 1 and 2.

3.3　Set Piece for Stage 2 (On-site): Solo with piano accompaniment - Music composed for Harmonica and Piano

3.3.1　The set piece for Stage 2 is a dedicated work for chromatic harmonica and piano commissioned by the Organiser. The set piece will be available for contestants around November 2021.

3.4　Repertoire List for Stage 3 (On-site): Solo with a string ensemble

3.4.1　Repertoire List C consists of music pieces composed/arranged for chromatic harmonica and an ensemble.

3.5　Repertoire List for Stage 4 (On-site): Solo with an orchestra

3.5.1　Repertoire List D consists of harmonica concertos playing with an orchestra

3.6　Set Piece for Stage 4 (On-site): Solo with an orchestra - Music composed for Harmonica and Orchestra)

3.6.1　The set piece for Stage 4 – Final is a concert work for chromatic harmonica and an orchestra commissioned by the Organiser. The set piece will be available for contestants around November 2022.

4.1　The competition is open to applicants of all nationalities who were born 2007 or before. Parent/ Guardian’s endorsement and signature are required for contestants aged below 18 for legal compliance.

5.1　Entries in the preliminary round and the on-site stages are adjudicated by panels of local and overseas Jury members.

Please refer to the session on Jury Panel.

6.1　Any Jury member who is a relative or regular teacher of a contestant will not judge for nor discuss that contestant with other members of the Jury.

6.2　All discussions by the Jury must be strictly confidential.

6.3　Decision of the Jury shall be final.

7.1　Prizes and trophies would be awarded to all four top contestants in Stage 4 (Final) and in accordance with their accumulated marks gained in Stage 2 to Stage 4 as follows.

First prize: HK$100,000;

Second prize: HK$70,000;

Third prize: HK$50,000; 

Fourth prize: HK$30,000.

7.2　All prizes will be awarded to the winners unless the Jury makes the discretion to withhold naming any prize.

7.3　Prizes may also be awarded to contestants achieving excellence in Stages 2 & 3, as determined by the Jury.

8.1　Candidates are required to submit the following on or before 30 Jun 2021.

8.1.1　A duly completed Application Form;

8.1.2　Video recording of the performance for Stage 1;

8.1.3　Receipt for payment of a non-refundable application fee of HK500 by telegraphic transfer. All bank charges (by the sending and receiving banks) are paid for by the applicants. 

8.1.4　Late application will not be accepted.

9.1　Submission of Competition application is considered as acceptance of the Competition Rules and Regulations. It also means that an agreement has been concluded between Hong Kong Harmonica Association and the contestants concerning all matters provided for in these Rules. Contestants agree to the storage and use of their personal data by the Organizer for the purpose of organising the competition.

9.2　The Organiser reserves the right to photograph and record (audio & video) all rehearsals, competition rounds and concerts. These may be broadcast on radio, TV, or online without further permission given by the contestants or their accompanists, who are not entitled to claim any remuneration for these recordings and broadcasts.

9.3　Any contestant who knowingly falsifies documentation for admittance to the competition will be disqualified.

9.4　In well justified situations, the Organizer reserves the right to make changes to any aspect of the competition.

9.5　Any integral or partial change to the place or time of the competition will be announced in due time.