Competition Rules

​1、Originality: All entries must be completed independently by the participant. No submissions of others' works are allowed. Participants may use their own previous competition works.
 

2、Content Restrictions: All entries must not contain obscene, violent, sexual, defamatory, inappropriate, or controversial content. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification without prior notice.
 

3、Personal Data Use: Personal information provided by participants will only be used for competition contact purposes and to distribute competition notifications.
 

​4、Accuracy of Information: Participants must ensure that their personal information is accurate. The organizers will not be responsible for any errors.
 

5、Acceptance of Terms: By submitting their entries, participants agree to all competition terms and conditions. The organizers reserve the right to disqualify any participant believed to have violated any competition rules, and there will be no appeals process.

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Scoring Criteria

• Judges will evaluate and score contestants based on their overall performance in the traditional Chinese music performance video submission. Scores will range from 0 to 100 points.

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• These scoring criteria are designed to evaluate contestants’ performances fairly and objectively. The specific criteria for each scoring category are as follows:

• Performance Technique (30%)

• Application and Precision of Technique

• This evaluates the contestant’s precise mastery of traditional Chinese instrumental techniques and instrument handling, including intonation and rhythm, consistent tone quality, dynamic control, technical diversity, phrasing transitions, and attention to detail. The evaluation assesses whether contestants can flexibly apply various Chinese instrumental techniques to suit the distinct styles of traditional ancient pieces, folk music, and modern Chinese music; whether their technical combinations are harmonious and natural; whether they can master the difficulty of the repertoire; and whether they can convey the cultural significance of the piece through traditional techniques while controlling the layers, charm, and dramatic tension of the performance.

 

• Tonal Balance and Overall Harmony

• This evaluates the contestant’s understanding of and ability to interpret tonal balance and overall harmony in Chinese music performances. Contestants must flexibly apply traditional techniques for tonal control and phrasing transitions based on the piece’s theme and emotional requirements, while ensuring the unity of the Chinese music style and the alignment of technical execution with the piece’s cultural significance. Performances of traditional ancient pieces should feature well-structured layers, a steady rhythm, and a rich, classical atmosphere; performances of lyrical Chinese music pieces should feature a delicate tone, a lingering charm, and rich emotional expression. In performances of multi-section pieces, contestants must ensure seamless transitions in tone and technique, maintain a unified and harmonious overall style, and demonstrate their solid mastery of Chinese musical timbre.

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• Performance Style and Creativity (25%)

• Uniqueness of Style

• This criterion evaluates whether a contestant’s performance style possesses a distinct personal character and whether they can, while adhering to the basic norms of Chinese music performance, incorporate their own unique interpretations and creative reinterpretations to stand out among the competitors. For example, some contestants blend characteristics of different Chinese music styles—such as fusing the ancient charm of traditional classical pieces with modern Chinese music arrangements, or pairing traditional ethnic instruments with fresh, contemporary folk music adaptations—to create a performance style that preserves the original essence of the repertoire while showcasing their personal flair; or, through unique approaches to timbre, rhythmic adaptation, and expressive nuance, they develop their own distinctive musical language for Chinese traditional music, ensuring that every performance bears a distinct personal imprint and showcases a unique perspective on traditional art.

• Innovation in Performance

• This category evaluates the novelty of Chinese music performance works in terms of interpretive form, such as innovative interpretive approaches (e.g., cross-genre adaptations of traditional Chinese music, or reinterpretations of traditional pieces based on personal insights), innovative forms of expression (e.g., the judicious use of special playing techniques for ethnic instruments, combined with traditional physical stage movements, or accompanied by subtle, classical-style accompaniment), innovations in content integration (such as the cross-cultural fusion of foreign traditional music with Eastern aesthetics, the fusion of classical performance techniques with modern Chinese music expression), and the blending of ancient and modern musical styles (such as adapting classic ancient pieces using modern arranging techniques, or incorporating traditional folk musical scales into new Chinese music repertoire). These elements should demonstrate originality, making the entire performance more experimental and artistically compelling, thereby highlighting the contestants’ innovative thinking in Chinese music and their ability to integrate different cultures.
   

• Repertoire Suitability and Emotional Atmosphere (20%)

• Repertoire Suitability

• This criterion evaluates whether the cultural significance, artistic ambiance, and aesthetic appeal conveyed by the contestant’s Chinese music performance align closely with the theme of this competition. For example, by selecting a Chinese music repertoire that aligns with the contestant’s personal temperament and embodies both traditional artistry and positive energy, and by employing a suitable traditional performance style, the contestant should resonate with the competition’s artistic mission of preserving Chinese music and promoting traditional culture through the content, tonal quality, and interpretive rhythm of the performance, thereby fully conveying the piece’s core cultural significance and contemporary value.​

• Emotional Expression

• This criterion assesses whether contestants can integrate their personal understanding of the piece and cultural emotions into their performance through the comprehensive application of Chinese music techniques (such as variations in tone depth, dynamics, tempo, and phrasing), their on-stage presence, and nuanced tonal presentation, thereby creating a unique artistic atmosphere for Chinese music. For example, using a bright, full-bodied tone and a cheerful, flowing rhythm to convey the lively atmosphere of folk music; or conveying the elegant ambiance and healing essence of ancient pieces through a gentle, subdued tone and a leisurely rhythm. This allows the judges to experience a range of emotions—whether passionate, elegant, profound, or gentle—through the performance, deeply appreciate the traditional cultural significance of the piece, and immerse themselves in the Eastern musical atmosphere it creates.

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• Performance Difficulty and Artistic Impact (25%)

• Demonstration of Difficulty​

• Focus on how the traditional Chinese music repertoire selected by contestants demonstrates technical difficulty and cultural depth. For example, performances involving highly challenging traditional techniques (such as rapid fingering sequences on ethnic instruments, precise tone control, complex rhythmic pattern changes, and the interpretation of special traditional techniques), pieces with distinctive styles (such as classic ancient pieces, regionally distinctive folk music, traditional pieces with abstract artistic concepts), or the performance of classic Chinese music pieces with deep cultural roots and high performance thresholds—all of which require solid foundational skills in Chinese music performance, a grounding in traditional musical aesthetics, and cultural literacy regarding the repertoire; or, when performing pieces focused on artistic conception, the ability to musically translate the artistic concepts of traditional culture. At the same time, in performances of multi-section, richly layered Chinese classical music pieces, contestants must demonstrate the ability to master the expression of the overall style and charm, such as the coordination between different musical phrases and the continuity in the presentation of emotion and artistic conception.

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• Artistic Impact

• This criterion assesses whether contestants can convey the charm of traditional music and cultural emotions through their performance videos, resonating with the judges and allowing them to perceive the contestants’ artistic understanding of Chinese music and their performance attitude, while demonstrating a profound grasp of the cultural essence of the repertoire. Whether in terms of the expressiveness of the timbre and the conveyance of artistic charm in the performance itself, or the presentation of stage presence and classical stage demeanor, the performance should be natural, fluid, and empathetic, drawing the judges into the experience and allowing them to appreciate the depth of traditional art and the cultural warmth of this Chinese music showcase.

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• During the scoring process, each contestant’s performance video will be independently evaluated by at least two judges to ensure consistency and fairness. The judging panel consists of traditional Chinese instrumentalists with deep professional backgrounds in the field, senior instructors of traditional Chinese music, and representatives from the traditional music education and cultural dissemination sectors; their professional evaluations will serve as a crucial basis for the competition results.