HKU Music Festival 2025
HKU Music Festival is the perfect platform for university students to express their passion for music and share their original works. We invite all HKU students to submit an original work, not exceeding 8 minutes, for any musical genre, such as classical music, pop music, Chinese opera, or musicals. Our aim is to stimulate and promote creative energy in music.
The winners of the Festival will be invited to showcase their works in the annual Festival in February 2025.
We are proud to offer 12 awards, each with a prize of HKD $8,000. So don't miss this chance to showcase your talent and creativity.
Eligibility
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All current HKU students, undergraduate and postgraduate, full-time and part-time, are invited to submit their music works*
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Work individually or collaborate with a group of peers
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Each entry can have one student and be up to 10 students
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Each student or team may only submit one application
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Awardees will be performers at the HKU Music Festival in February 2025
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*All applicants must still be enrolled in HKU by the time of the HKU Music Festival in February 2025
Awards criteria
The awards will be presented based on the quality of an individual project in terms of its:​​​​
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Creativity
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Originality
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Style ​
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Performance ​
Conditions for composition
Thinking about what you should go for? See if this page helps!
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Vocal or Choral Music
It can be songs with instrumental accompaniment, cappella works, or rap, encompassing the diversity of choral music and vocal expressions.
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Instrumental Music - Solo
Your composition can be written for a solo instrument such as piano, violin, flute, pipa, erhu, or other instruments that showcase exceptional virtuosity and musical brilliance.
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Chamber Music
You can compose string quartets, wind ensembles, or mixed chamber music formations, like Western and Chinese musical instruments.
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Electronic Music
You can even utilise synthesizers and other digital technologies to craft captivating sonic landscapes.
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The length of the works should range from 3 minutes to 8 minutes.
Submission of Application
The completed application form, with all the required documents and materials, should reach the Libraries via our form on or before 31 October 2024.
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The application should be submitted by the stated deadline.​ Late applications will not be considered.​
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For enquiries, please send an e-mail to musfest@connect.hku.hk ​
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Applicants will be informed of the result of their applications by email in early December 2024.
Submission Policy
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Each entry must be an original musical composition.
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It can be of any musical genre, such as classical music, pop music, Chinese opera, or musicals.
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ChatGPT can be used for reference.
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The duration of the composition can range from 3 minutes to 8 minutes. ​
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The composition is to be performed by the entrant. If in a group, the entrant shall perform as the group lead. ​​
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Submission requirement​s*
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An audio and visual recording of a complete music piece (not excerpts) should be saved in a separate file and submitted in formats supported by "Windows Media Player", such as WAV, MP4.​
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An electronic copy of the score of the music piece, saved in a separate file in Portable Document Format (PDF), is also required.​ For original songs, the original lyrics and chords are also required.
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The recording of music pieces must be genuinely performed by the applicant(s) and it should neither be edited nor added with any effects.​
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A short note in around 250 words, in English, for the music, including the creative concept, and description of the piece is required.
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Finalist selection: From all submitted entries, a total of 12 finalists will be selected to perform in the Music Festival’s live performance in February 2025 at HKU.
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*Should any requirements from 6.1 - 6.4 not be included in your submission, your application will not be accepted