The 23^rd Macao Youth Music Competition (MYMC) continues like a raging fire in the Macao Polytechnic Institute. Quite a number of audience, as well as family members and friends of the contestants, were attracted to watch the competition.

Piano solo – group D (level 4) competition was held in the afternoon of June 28. Most contestants performed well during the competition, although a few of them have forgotten the musical score and performed below the usual standard. The judges comforted the contestants with encouragements. After an hour of competition, the third prize went to Kung I Kio; Lao Cheok Fan won the second prize; and Chan Sin won the first prize with great applause from the judges and audience by performing her chosen work of Bach. Besides the first three prizes, numerous contestants were awarded certificates of competence and certificates of merit. Happy faces could be seen everywhere.

Piano Works by Macao Composers (Intermediate Level) took place in the evening (June 28) with intense atmosphere. Tang Hou In won the third prize by performing Doming Lam’s Counting Stars and Fountain in The Rain; Carlos Assunção dos Remedios Lameiras, with good musical sense and calm performance, received second prize with great applause; the first prize went to Vong Cheok Kei who, despite his young age, possesses strong fingering and good understanding of musical works. With his gentle and lively performance, he won the admiration of the judges as well as the first prize with 94 points.

As there are numerous contestants for Sonatina for Piano held on June 29, the competition was divided into two sessions – one in the afternoon and the other in the evening. After a half-day competition, Lam Si Long won the second prize with 90.6 points, 0.3 points higher than the third prize winner Choi Weng Teng. Chan Sin, the champion of piano solo – group D (level 4) received her second first prize in MYMC with 94.33 points.

For contestants performing below usual standard due to anxiety, the judges pointed out that piano learners should first learn to enjoy piano music and it is only with relaxation that music performed during competition will possess not only sound but also soul. Jackson Leung, one of the judges, pointed out that only music lovers can play good music, contestants too concerned on prizes and ranking will have no advantage in improving their piano skill. In addition, he reminded contestants that in order to perform well it is necessary to know the climax and focal point of the song.

The 23^rd MYMC is from June 25 to July 5 in the Macao Polytechnic Institute. Free admission. All are welcome. For more information, please visit the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s website: www.icm.gov.mo or telephone 3996621 or 3996620.