First Round (Not open to public)

In December 2025, the panel of judges will assess the participants on the basis of the video recordings submitted before 31 August, 2025, and announce the list of participants selected in January 2026.

Second Round (Not open to public)

It will be held between 21-22 June 2026 in Wuxi. The participants will conduct Wuxi Chinese Orchestra in playing three works selected for the Second Round Competition.

1. The Grand Canal Chen                      Si’ang (Work selected for competing for the Best Interpretation of a Work on Wuxi prize)

2. Huqin Ensemble Reflection of the Moon on the Water (Excerpts)   Hua Yanjun   Arr. by Lee Huanzhi

3. Song of the General Ancient Melody   Arr. by Gu Guanren

Semi-final Competition (Not open to public)

It will be held between 25-26 June 2026 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. The semi-final comprises two parts: sight-reading at rehearsal (to test the ability to correct mistakes and read scores quickly) and conducting a rehearsal with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.

1. Sight-reading and correcting mistakes: participants will be informed of the work chosen after entering the semi-final.

2. Works for conducting:  

A. Haofei Ji (Flying Brush)                   Law Wing-fai (Work selected for competing for the Best Interpretation of a Work on Hong Kong prize)  

B. Leaping Dragon (2023)                     Hu Dengtiao  Re-arr. by Yan Huichang

Final Competition Concert (Open to public)

It will be held on 28 June 2026 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. The participants will conduct the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in performing the following works.

1. The Grand Victory                    Wind and Percussion Folk Music from Shanxi  Arr. by Zhang Shiye

2. The Zen of Autumn in the Mountains (Excerpts) (From Caprice on Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains IV)                 Liu Yuan

The champion will conduct the orchestra during the final concert:

Symphony No. 2 for Chinese orchestra and pipe organ (Excerpts)           　Kuan Nai-chung    First Movement: Maestoso - Allegro

• The organizer will provide scores required in the competition. 
• Contestants should use the scores provided by the orchestra for the competition.
• The judges shall have the right to interrupt contestants during the competition and ask questions pertaining to the music.
• The results of the assessment shall be kept confidential. Contestants’ rights will be announced before the start of each stage of the competition.
• In case of breach of any rules of the competition, the organizer shall have the right to disqualify the contestant concerned immediately.
• The judging committee holds the final decision.
• Contestants shall give unconditional consent to the organizer who shall have the full right to telecast, record (by video or audio) and take photographs of the competition.
• The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the details of the competition. For updated information, please visit the website of the Orchestra or make enquiries on (852) 3185 1600 / (852) 5124 5618 (WhatsApp) / WeChat ID: hkcoprog.

• Champion (Prize money USD15,000 & Trophy)
• First Runner-up (Prize money USD12,000 & Trophy)
• Second-Runner-up (Prize money USD10,000 & Trophy)
• Outstanding Young Conductor of Hong Kong
• Best Interpretation of a Work on Wuxi
• Best Interpretation of a Work on Hong Kong
• Audience's Favourite (Voted by the audience on the spot)
• Musicians' Choice (Voted by members' of the Wuxi Chinese Orchestra)
• Musicians' Choice (Voted by members' of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra)
• Media Choice Award (Voted by professionals of the relevant industries)
• For updates on the Competition, please visit the HKCO website www.hkco.org.

Music and Dance Distinguished Performance Commendation Scheme (Pilot Scheme) – Open for Application

To encourage the outstanding and potential local artists to participate in and demonstrate their distinguished artistic accomplishments in the worldwide recognised high-level Music and Dance competition, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) is currently launching Music and Dance Distinguished Performance Commendation Scheme (Pilot Scheme). Through artistic exchange and honing skills in high-level competition, artists could broaden their experiences, horizons and international networks. HKADC will commend artists who achieve outstanding results in the recognised competition with cash award, as well as introducing their accomplishments to the public. Promotion or media activities will be arranged by HKADC for the artists being awarded, to promote the local distinguished artists to the community.

HKADC will commend eligible applicants who advance to semi-finals or above in the recognised competition with a cash award according to their competition results. The cash award is divided into 5 levels ranging from $25,000 to $150,000.

For more information, please visit: https://www.hkadc.org.hk/en/whats-on/call-for-application/music-and-dance-distinguished-performance-commendation-scheme-pilot-scheme#